I've Been Everywhere, Man, I've Been Everywhere...

I have managed to avoid getting sick all winter, in spite of the germs and bacteria settling in with my husband and kids, but this morning, my dry throat feels serious, so I am drinking some seriously medicinal tea.

Fortunately I like the taste of anise, because this tea's main flavor is black licorice.

Doesn't need any kind of sweetener, because the flavors are naturally sweet.

Aaaaah, I can feel my throat feeling better already!

Now on to my kitchen tour!

My studio may be brown, but my kitchen is colorful and kitschy.

I started collecting cheesy souvenir plates a few years ago.

It started when we were furnishing a travel trailer and I found a spoon rest from Old Faithful (now broken) and a metal tray from Mt. Rushmore (our "s'mores tray").

My first criteria is that I had to have been to the place the plate was a souvenir of.

Kansas, Missouri, Virginia, Dodge City (KS), Monatana, New York (NY), Washington D.C. and Bagnell Dam (MO) are represented in my collection so far.

After that it is unique shape, lacy rim piercings or gaudy gold highlights.

This is something my grandmother might have bought.

She sent postcards to friends, but bought a plate for herself.

Actually, my grandmother prefered The Last Supper decoupaged on a slice of wood, but that's another post- "religious kitsche".

I wouldn't use these plates for serving pieces, because the glazes and finishes may contain lead. They are just for "pretty".

In fact some of these plates come with holes (and strings) in the back so they can be be easily hung up on a wall.

I have had to attach plate hangers to a few plates that weren't already "wall ready".

I started with a modest display over my stove,

but now the plates are spilling over onto other walls.

This group is on a short wall next to the refridgerator.
The Statue of Liberty is the most contemporary and "tasteful" plate in my collection so far.

But my heart belongs to the ruffly, fussy plates.

And these are all china,

and I always find them in mint condition.

They are survivors!

To be honest, I don't think I've actually been to Montana, but I've been to Idaho and the Dakotas, so I figure I've at least experienced the "big sky" that Montana has laid claim to.

I am loving buying my travel memories for 10- 25 cents apiece at the thrift store.

Like orphaned saucers and widowed cups,

these old colorful ladies need a home too!

For more Tea on Tuesday posts, visit Kimmie's blog.