I am a Traditionalist

I am a traditionalist at times. I like many traditions here in Ireland and I don't like when they die out. Not all traditions are good of course and I'm happy to see those ones consigned to history, but for wholesome traditions I like to see them live on. I am what you might call a traditionalist or a sentimentalist. Those who went before me are important to me and I have the upmost respect for the oldest in society and could sit all day and listen to stories of yore, especially when they relate to my own family.

Handed Down

I am lucky enough to have bone china in my possesion that was, wait for it, it's a tongue twister. It was my Children's Father's Father's Mother's Mother's or my children's Great Great Grandmothers. It's so nice to have them and I love drinking tea from them, as I know that many of my ancestors who I never met drank tea from these same cups. I love having this connection to my past. If cups could talk, these ones could tell some stories I'd say, as they are around since late 1800s/early 1900s Ireland as far as I can tell.

Like in the olden days when these would have spent a lot of time in dresser in the kitchen, in our house they come out on special occasions or when my parents or relations visit and they also come out at Christmas time. The photos below are from a nice breakfast we enjoyed over the Christmas holidays.

All the China

It's not just those cups and saucers I have either. I actually have a lot more as you can see above, mainly side plates, as well as a sugar bowl and milk jug that are not in the photo.

Mum and Dad's jam

The jam in the photo above is homemade by my Mum and Dad. Dad is avid fruit grower and picker and they make there own jam, which nicer than anything you can buy in a shop. I guess sentimentality plays a part again, but brown bread, a slab of real butter and a fine big dollop of this jam is hard to beat.

This is where the weekend comes into it, as this china somtimes comes out on a Saturday or Sunday morning, as does the homemade jam, as my wife, 3 children and I enjoy a long lazy breakfast or lunch.

A droppeen of milk

This milk jug was also handed down to me, though is not as old and is just 4 generations old. If i ever come to your house for a mug of tae, just be sure to only add a droppeen of milk.

The old and the new

Speaking of the children, this series of shots shows the contrast of old china and young art and I like the accidental juxtaposition.

When all is said and done it's very hard to beat a cup of tea or a mug of tae as we say in these parts. Funnily enough, us Irish have a reputation as drinkers and it's fairly accurate to be fair, though the thing is we drink more tea than anything else. Baptism - Tea. Wedding- Tea. Funeral - Tea. Wake - Tea. Breakfast - Tea. Lunch - Tea. Dinner - Tea. You get the idea.

That's it from me. Thanks as always for stopping by. I'm off to get a cup of tea...

Peace Out