German Pottery for Thursday Show and Tell

 

It's funny how sometimes you collect an item, and at the time, don't give much thought as to where it originated. This is one such piece. It was bought on a whim because the price was right, and I loved the simple design of the German Folk Art.

 

 

As it turns out, the pottery piece has a lot of history to go with it. It was made in the town of Marburg, Germany by the Schneider's Pottery, a sixth generation potter. The Schneider family has owned the business for over 200 years.

 

 

In this photo, I was hoping to show you how the paint is applied with a raised effect.

 

After some searching, on the Internet, I found Schneider's website, which is in German.

 If you click HERE , you can read about their history and see examples of pottery. With my computer, I simply right click, while my cursor is on the page, and I can translate it into English.

 

So now, after writing this post, I'm wondering how did the pottery plate find it's way to Texas. That story will probably remain a mystery.....

Meggie Mac

 

Leakey's Bookshop, Gallery, and Cafe....Inverness, Scotland

 

If you love browsing old bookstores, my dear readers, this is one you don't want to miss while traveling in Scotland. It is thought to be the largest second-hand book store in all of Scotland, with well over 100,000 books. It also has an extensive selection of old prints.

 

Not only is it a historical building ...but, it's walls have some very sad events to recall.

 

The Old Gaelic Church has beautiful stain-glass windows...

 

and, interesting architectural features, left intack from many years ago.

 

Some of that history is re-told on the bookshop cafe menu.

This is of particular meaning to me, since the trip was planned around a connection with my ancestors. I could almost hear Scotland's sad story whispered, of Jacobite prisoners, shot outside these walls.

 

My daughter and I laughed about eating our way through-out Scotland, many times tempted to eat "dessert first". I also enjoyed a wonderful bowl of carrot and coriander soup served with crusty homemade bread.

We decided to enjoy lunch, and browse later with the idea of walking off some calories.

 

The bistro-type cafe is on the upper level, with a view of the entire store. Books fill the shelves, with overflowing stacks displayed on tables.

 

To make it complete, there is a rather large black wood-burning stove, situated in the middle of the lower level. You can see the hefty supply of stored wood, to keep the fire burning.

 

Now that I am home again, thinking about the bookshop, I realize one could spend their entire holiday in Inverness, at the Leakey Bookshop.

 

Unfortunately, we only had a few hours of browsing...there was so much more to see.

Meggie Mac

A Thursday Show and Tell from Poland

Boleslawiec, Poland is known for beautiful vibrant colored pottery. I am lucky to have received this piece from my youngest daughter and son-in-law from their last years' travels to Poland. 

The word Unikat simply means unique. The pottery pieces painted by original masters, sign their work. These pieces command a higher price and are very collectible.

The hand-painted fluted bowl on pedestal, was purchased at the Night Market in the Main Square of Old Town of Krakow, Poland. The photo above was taken while they were shopping.

In the background is the Cloth Market and the free-standing Town Hall Tower.

This is the inside of the Cloth Market after hours. 

Blue Daisies cover the inside of the bowl...I was thinking Ambrosia with big chunks of oranges would be perfect served in my bowl !

Meggie Mac

Celebrating the 12th Day of Christmas...Three Kings Day

Instead of baking the traditional King's Bread, for today's celebration, I decided to make sugar cookies, using the camel cookie cutter I purchased last year.

To make my baking even sweeter, I used my mother's rolling pin. You may remember me writing about My Mother, who died about a year ago. If she had lived, tomorrow she would have been 91 years old.

The camels were not as easy as I thought they would be...as you can see, some of the legs are longer.

Misshapen cookies still taste good !

Meggie Mac

Train To Isle of Skye... Friday Fences

 

Looking through my train window, I caught this view of a fence. My daughter and I were on our way to the Isle of Skye.

I'm sorry to say, that I have not written more posts on our October Holiday to Scotland. Now that Christmas is over, I will spend more time editing all the hundreds of photos.

 

 

Another Friday Fence, looking through the train window.

 

If you travel to Scotland, you must try Scot Rail. It is an excellent way to travel. They are clean, on schedule and very modern.

 

Meggie

 

Linking with Friday Fences

Click HERE to read Jan 'n Jer's last weeks' Friday Fence.

 

Wishing You a Merry Christmas

 

.....from the Prairie.

Meggie

Celebrating Christmas in a Small Texas Town

PEACE 

 

Here is a community that goes all-out in decorating their beautiful courthouse for Christmas.

 

The daily town traffic travels around The Town Square, with the 1897 Courthouse sitting in the middle of the square.

Each side, of the building, displays one of the four weekly themes of Advent.

 

 

HOPE

 

 

LOVE

 

 

JOY

 

 

A life-size display of the nativity....

 

 

Our Advent journey is almost complete. Today we light the Candle of Love, sometimes referred to as the Angel Candle.

 

Meggie Mac

 

 

Linking today with A Pause in Advent