You say pomegranate, I say coffee mug

Lolly did a beautiful and amazingly researched post about her love for pomegranates as well as her collection.  I feel so lucky to have found so many amazing and passionate people in my travels around blogland, and Lolly is definitely one of the women that inspires me regularly.  Her post prompted me to think of the things I collect (plus the fact that she asked people to talk about their own treasures). 

I'm not really a sentimental person, and I wouldn't really say that I collect too much.  Aside from my yarn, books, and CDs (all of which serve a distinct and irreplacable purpose- ditto to the crazy socks and MAC eyeshadow that could be deemed collections), I wouldn't say that there is anything in particular that I've amassed with any sort of purpose (stains on my carpet notwithstanding), aside from maybe my Starbucks city mug collection.

I have 9 (thanks to Jessica, who just sent me the new Seattle one for trade), which isn't a lot, but considering the space they take in my cabinets (not including the at least 15 regular sized coffee mugs and 15 travel mugs), I think it's fair to say that I'm a collector.  I adore having a morning latte out of these, and I'm even half-crazy enough to pick a certain mug for the mood that I'm in or what I hope for the day to portend.  While part of me wonders if this is the slightly soulless, millenial version of the fervent Hard Rock t-shirt craze that swept my youth (and yes, I had one- New York, bought from a street vendor), I honestly don't care, because I love coffee and I love that these mugs remind me of my travels.

I hope to add two more to the collection in 2006 (part of me feels like it's already a new year, because 2005 feels so over).  In April, Mr. Pink and I will be going to the wedding of my good friend Julie in Austin.  I can't wait for the trip, not only because I love the city but because I can't wait to see her and be a part of her life-changing day.  And in August, Mr. Pink and I will be traveling, sans kiddos, to Oahu.  Grandma Pink has generously gifted us with a weeklong trip to the island as an early gift for our fifth wedding anniversary and I can't believe how amazingly spoiled I am.  We didn't have a honeymoon and I can't wait to have one now.

There is one more collection that will be entering my house in the near future.  My aunt has been the keeper of my grandmother's china for quite some time.  While my grandmother passed last year just before Thanksgiving, her Alzheimers had progressed to a stage where she could no longer be cared for in her home long before that.  I didn't register when I was married, and it made me sad that the china was sitting in a storage space, so I asked if I could have it, or use it until someone else wanted it.  Several e-mails later, there are now (Mr. Pink, honey, please look away) 114 pieces winging their way to me.  There are 24 place settings.  24.  24!!!  Although we are very fortunate to have a large kitchen with plenty of storage, I have no idea where all of this is going to go.  We'll be breaking it in at Chez Pink in a week and a half when I cook Thanksgiving.  Do you think the Gods of Impropriety would be offended by yams with Peeps on top?

Comments

[michaele]

My parents have a collection of beer steins from pubs in Germany. They used to make me and my sisters smuggle them out when we were little, with the idea that if we were caught - hey we were just little kids.

[Moni]

I didn't know Starbucks made city mugs! (but I don't go there very often, either..) How very cool! That's the kind of thing I would collect, too. I love things that remind me of places I've been.

[katie]

Your mugs remind me of my college advisor--at her home she had two large racks of mugs, covering the two open walls in her kitchen. Each one had a story. When she would have students over (and, I presume, the same was true for adult guests) we would each get to pick a mug, and sometimes we asked for stories about her travels.

[Bookish Wendy]

I forgot to ask you tonight - do you need one from BOS?

[Jessica]

Glad it arrived safe and sound. :)

[Julie]

I think Peeps on top of yams will initiate the new china to Chez Pink quite well. I am so looking forward to spending time with you and Mr. Pink in April. I hope you will get a groovy Austin mug while you are there - or even a Keep Austin Weird mug.

[cyn]

i love coffee mugs too... but my collection isn't anywhere near as organized as your own. does apparel (like bags, shoes, etc) not count for 'collecting'?

[Anna]

I have a cupboard full of mugs and always pick which one to use by how I feel in the morning! I seem to drink coffee out of some of them and tea out of others!

The china collection sounds fabulous. My Grandmother has recently been discussing her china as she's thinking of maybe moving and I'm down for a few bits here and there, you just gotta love old china!

[Lolly]

Cathi, I am so happy that you shared your treasures with us! What a cool collection! Do you need a DC one? I can find it for you ;) I am so excited that you and M are able to take that Oahu trip next year! I will send you the addresses to the yarn shops I went to. I know you will have a lovely time. It is a beautiful place.

The china sounds amazing! Place settings for 24? WHOA! Party at Cathi's ;)

Love,
L

[Cordelia]

What a great china set!
(And how lucky are you to get a honeymoon for your 5th anniversary???)
I can't really think of anything I collect either, except yarn & fabric. Thanks for sharing your collection!

[Maya]

I collect mugs too, but of the goodwill variety. My favorite one is brown, looks like it came from a diner and says, simply "Debbie" across the front. I love it so. Actually, I love most vintage dishes and glasses and mugs - you are a lucky girl getting all that old china! i hope you get good use out of it.

[AmyB]

What a gorgeous set of china! How fun to initiate it this Thanksgiving with the Peeps as the crowning glory.:) I love the idea of the 5-year honeymoon-- Oahu is a wonderful place to celebrate (spent 3 of my formative adolescent years there!).

[Leslie]

That's why God made these hideous things...

http://www.organizes-it.com/plateglass.php

I'm sure your grandmother would be thrilled you're putting her china to good use.

[Jenifer]

(I'm such a lame-o, I've been taking a week off of blogging so I'm back to leave five comments in one day.) Yay to you! Oahu! When's the date??

[Donna S.]

Awesome! What I wouldn't give to have something that wonderful from my granny!! I didn't know there were SB mugs with city names on them, either & I do consider myself a SB junkie!!

[Sneaksleep]

As long as they're pink peeps! ;-)

[stinkerbell]

Hey... would you like a Paris one? If you dont have one already :)