Sunday 7 July 2013

Picking my July Precious

Now when I show you a picture of my precious this month, you are likely to raise your eyebrows in a quizzical way and mentally think 'Really?'  Oh yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
So let me take you on a journey down memory lane.  It's the early 80s and we're newly weds.  We decide that we want to do something different to celebrate the New Year and so we have a word with our dear friends, Denise and 'himself', and arrange to stay at a hotel in Bournemouth for New Year's Eve.  We chose to go to Langtry Manor, historically the home of Lily Langtry, the mistress of King Edward VII.  It was an amazing place and they held a seven course banquet for New Year's Eve.  We had a brilliant time there and whilst exploring the area the following day, we popped into a craft shop where I bought this mug.
 

Now I'm not quite sure what appealed to me about it because it clearly wasn't the prettiest mug in the shop but let me tell you this, this mug makes the best cup of coffee in the world.  Not tea.  It's not a tea mug, that would have to be white china, it is most definitely a coffee mug.  And if ordinary coffee tastes very good in it, I can tell you that milky coffee tastes AMAZING.  It is the perfect size for holding between both hands and it keeps the drink hot for ages.  When I am feeling poorly and fancy something comforting - this is the mug that has to be used.  And no one else uses this mug.  No one.  The handle is too small for manly hands and for some reason it has always been known as 'Mum's Mug'.  It's the one I instantly pick when I come home from work, and the favourite one for mid morning coffee.   My daughter asked me a very scary and thought provoking question the other day: 'Whatever will you do if you ever break that mug Mum? Eeek!!

23 comments:

Jo.C said...

Thought you meant the coffee maker at first as mine is my precious and it's not working very well!
Love that you have a mug that you treasure x

Sian said...

I can almost feel my hands curling round this mug as I look at it. The way you describe it so perfectly makes me feel its smooth warmth. We have our two mugs our bridesmaid gave us just before we got married and we still drink our breakfast coffee out of them, so I totally understand the panicky thought about what would happen if there were breakages! Definitely precious.

Thanks Deb. A great story

Jen said...

Oh yes I get it. I have special mugs too - and the thought of losing one in particular terrifies and panics me (It's story was my January entry for Storytelling Sunday). Definitely a precious in my book. J x

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

Probably best not to think about that last question! There's something warm and comforting about that kind of earthenware mug.

Missus Wookie said...

Scary thought indeed - how lovely to have a mug that fits your hands so perfectly and has so many memories.

Karen said...

It's a beautiful mug. We've become accustomed to drinking our morning coffee from travel mugs so our lovely handcrafted mugs don't see much use.

scrappyjacky said...

Here's hoping it never breaks!!!

Anonymous said...

Not the most beautiful of mugs but obviously the most precious. x

Abi said...

I like it's story. That banquet sounds wonderful. here's hoping it won't break anytime soon!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

I love the background behind this mug, Deb, and that the memory of it also includes Denise. :o)

Yikes - I was thinking the same thing as I read this post, being impressed that you've had it all these years without it ever being broken. Fingers crossed that won't ever happen...

Sheena said...

It doesn't bare thinking about!
We have special mugs too usually for the cuppa of the day.

Sabrina DS said...

I initially thought your post would be about the coffee machine ;-) Mugs are special. Now, you gave me an idea for a post someday! Thanks. xoxo from France

Rachel Brett said...

I LOVE this Deb.. I totally get it as I am mad about coffee and have lots of different cups/mugs for all different drinks. Great post! :)

Maria Ontiveros said...

A great post today. My mom had a favorite tea cup for her chamomile tea each night. Thanks for bringing back that memory.
And perish the thought of its demise!
Rinda

Beverly said...

Ahhh it shall never break, it shall be passed down for generations and comfort your descendents ;)

Jane said...

I know just what you mean!

Miriam said...

Absolutely, definitely precious, I understand completely. It will never break because you use it every day.

Alison said...

I thought it was the coffee machine, and was thinking how mush I agreed with you! Wishing you and your mug many more years together!!
Alison xx

Sinead said...

This is such a lovely story Deb, special mugs are really important! I love how you describe it, I can almost feel it in my hands. Thanks for sharing xx

Unknown said...

I love the story behind your mug, especially the seven course banquet! I do hope it never breaks!

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

I like the mug. It looks like it has a nice texture to hold and is the perfect size.

Jo said...

I walk past the Langtry every time I go to the beach :) I collect mugs and cups and I love yours. I have a similar one that I use for hot chocolate and I really couldn't imagine drinking anything else out of it x

Cheri said...

Sometimes when something is perfect, it just is. Makes me wish I drank a beverage that requires a mug!