Personal Interests

            Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes life worth living.” That statement has certainly proven true in my life. My interests have centered around both my faith and those pastimes that make life enjoyable.
            Ever since I can remember music has been a vital part of my life. I began piano lessons at the age of six and continued until I graduated college with a degree in music with a major in piano. I started playing the organ at church when I was sixteen, and I haven’t slowed down through the years. I also conduct the adult handbell choir. From Beethoven to Broadway Musicals—I enjoy it all.
            Antiques have intrigued me ever since I can remember. I treasure the dining room table that belonged to my grandmother. She and my grandfather are gone now, but the memories of meals around that table still fill my mind. In fact many of them found their way into my first book.
            My personal philosophy is that three items of the same kind make a collection, and through the years I’ve collected everything from Depression glass to Wade figurines. My favorite, though, is my flow blue collection. I’ll never forget how amazed I was the first time I saw a piece of flow blue in an antique shop in Ohio. I knew nothing about the white china with the smudged blue flowing through it, but I knew I was in love. Needless to say, my love affair has produced a collection that I treasure. I even had the opportunity to cohost the international convention in Nashville in 1999. To learn more about flow blue go to www.flowblue.com.  
            Another interest of mine has been blue and white pottery. I can just imagine one of my pitchers sitting on the table of a farm family in the early 20th century. For more information on blue and white pottery go to www.blueandwhitepottery.org
            I’ve included some pictures of my collection. I hope you enjoy seeing them.

Click the image to see it largerLabelle Chocolate Pot

Peach Platters

Floral Pieces

Touraine Plate

My China Cabinet

Butter Pats

Blue & White Pottery

Labelle Pieces

Prussian Bowl