What's in the China Cupboard: Monday

For much of this week, I'll be featuring a special piece or two from my china cupboard. I was inspired when I reached in to see what might need to be washed so I could use it for Thanksgiving. It occurred to me that there were several stories contained in these pieces, and now might be a good time to share some of them. 

The first thing I noticed was my mother-in-law Sylvia's teapot. This has been on the shelves of her china cupboard ever since I first met her in 1974 (and probably long before). She used it often, usually for mint tea. We were invited to share stories of Sylvia at her memorial service, and the first one I shared was about this teapot.

More than 45 years ago, Sylvia offered to make mint tea for a family friend and me, so she went out to pick the mint, put the kettle on to boil, got out the teapot, and we all waited for the tea to steep. After several minutes, she poured the tea into dark mugs, and the friend and I took sips of the mint tea we had looked forward to. We looked at each other questioningly and took a few more sips. Neither one of us was quite sure what to say, but I finally had to blurt out, "I don't think this mint tea has any mint in it!" Sylvia looked a bit surprised but started to laugh when she saw the mint she had picked was still on the kitchen counter. That was the day my future mother-in-law served me hot water, but it was prepared in her lovely teapot. She continued to laugh about it for many years afterward.

It's not a fancy or expensive piece, but she was always careful with it. Some of the gold has worn off in places, and I especially like the place on the top of the handle where her thumb rested while pouring. Nobody in the family remembers when she got the teapot, but I'm grateful to have it in my care now. I think about my mother-in-law every time I make tea in it.