Bancroft's flowers
To me, the best part of spring and summer is the many flowers that grow everywhere. I grow many of them in my garden and my allotment,...
Harlequin's dinner
When a set of teaware or dessert ware consists of matching items in varying colours or designs, we call it "harlequin" - I guess because...
Picking mushrooms in silk shoes
In the 18th Century the dessert started to become the most decoratively elaborate course of dinner parties. This makes sense, if you...
New beginnings
I think we may never have been so conscious of new beginnings as this new year. Although I feel a sense of relief to have made it through...
Happy Holidays!
Well this has been quite a year....! I want to thank all my customers and followers, both on this blog and on Instagram, for your...
It's nearly Christmas...
It's nearly Christmas and things are heating up here at Gentle Rattle of China - boxes, boxes, and more boxes are piling up waiting for...
We can always dream!
These days many of us have to do the holidays in very small gatherings of two or three... but we can always dream of a full dinner table!...
George Owen, the master modeller
This week I am showing two very special pieces of antique porcelain: a sublimely made candy box with cover and a little vase, created by...
A home for orphans
I have a special place in my heart for orphans - who doesn't? 💕 Orphaned cups keep finding their way to me; as left overs from larger...
Little Gifts to finish a Long Year
Do you feel this has been a very long year? And too fast at the same time? It is amazing how my sense of time has been confused by being...
