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Traveling Turkey Dishes

I adore china!  Many years ago Tuesday Morning advertised a set of Johnson Brothers "His Majesty" china.  Our family has enjoyed setting our table with Nikko Christmastime every December since the boys were small.  I naturally  thought it would be a great idea to have a special set of china  for Thanksgiving.  I wasn't going all out for an entire service for eight, just four dinner plates.  My husband promptly voiced his mild objection stating that I already had too many dishes!  Off to Tuesday Morning I went anyway and was saddened to find not a single item of His Majesty from the sales ad.  Had they already sold out?  I knew it!!  Everyone wanted a set & that is why they were already gone.  I peered under shelves and in unusual areas hoping someone had decided against  four dinner plates and laid them to the side.  Imagine my delight when I found a tattered box holding five dinner plates under the lowest shelf at the front of the store.  I drug the box out and promptly walked to the register, inquiring as to the cost.  The salesman looked at me quizzically and called for the manager...not a good sign. When the manager arrived she looked at the tattered box and asked where I found it.  Imagine my shock when she said that they had not received any of the shipment of His Majesty!  We talked for awhile and the mystery could not be solved.  You know what I thought...it was meant to be!!!  We decided on a price for the five dinner plates and I left a puzzled, but happy girl.  I have since acquired a few more pieces.  My husband ultimately liked the pattern and has been known to ask salespeople in china departments if they have "Turkey Dishes"!  He can never remember the name of the pattern. Since that time they have been lovingly known as the "Turkey Dishes".

Fast forward one year from the "Tuesday Morning Mystery".   Our family had arranged to spend Thanksgiving in a beautiful cabin in the Smokey Mountains.  We would be joined by my mom and dad as well as my sister and her family.  I mentioned to my husband that I wanted to serve Thanksgiving dinner on our His Majesty china.  His answer to me was something similar to, "I am not hauling a set of china 10 hours away for one meal".  Notice he said "I".  As we arrived at the cabin I graciously agreed to unpack the last part of the car by myself.  My husband is a sweet guy and came back out to help out no matter how many times I tried to shoo him away.  Imagine his surprise (we will call it that) when he pulled a heavy tub full of "Turkey Dishes" from the car!! 

In case you are not familiar with this delightful pattern, I set my grandmother's dining table with an intimate setting for four.  I love this table.  I have taken the additional leaves out and it sits in our reading room, usually holding a simple arrangement and whatever literature is currently being read.  Always the Bible! I know many people would get out the chalk paint and cover the character left by years of use, but I just can't.  Each mark brings a memory of the person who left it.  Here it is with His Majesty...
This year, we are spending Thanksgiving at home so my dishes will not be traveling.  The funny thing is that my sister and her husband just finished a vacation home on Little Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia.  We have tossed around the idea of spending Thanksgiving on the island this year.   I think my "Turkey Dishes" would have liked the island view!

Linking this week with these fabulous parties:

Comments

  1. I love your Turkey Dishes and what a wonderful story! Some things are just meant to be! I have an old table that I can't bring myself to paint either! Hugs, Linda

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    1. These were meant to be! On my wish list is the turkey platter...it is gorgeous! Thanks for dropping by for a visit!

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  2. Neat story-- really makes you wonder sometimes, eh? Pretty dishes too!

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    1. Yes, I was flabbergasted! It was a topic of conversation at work the next day. I love Johnson Brothers patterns and this one is a favorite. Glad you visited with me at Still Woods Farmhouse today!

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  3. Love this story - how you found the dishes and how you managed to sneak them into the car! They are very pretty!

    Thanks so much for joining in this week!

    xo
    Claudia

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    1. Hi Claudia,
      The easy part was sneaking them in the car...the hard part came when I saw how many steps I had to climb to get to the main level of the cabin! As always, thanks for hosting the Saturday party. It fits in so well with my schedule and I can always find a Favorite Thing!

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  4. Hi there!

    Your turkey dishes story is indeed something! I've had similar experiences - just can't explain it, definitely a timing thing, a meant-to-be moment! Love your centerpiece. It's all so cozy!

    Thanks for stopping by today and the lovely comment. Glad to be following you back!

    Poppy

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    1. Hi Poppy,
      I am so glad you came to visit and follow along! Yes, it is strange how some things just happen. I was just glad I was persistent!
      Blessings from Still Woods

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  5. I can see why you love these dishes. You sounded like me...trying to talk your husband into taking them with you for Thanksgiving.I love a pretty table.
    Balisha

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    1. Glad to see you today! When I wrote the post, I knew there must be others like me out there who are willing to haul around a loved treasure. The turkey definitely tasted better on the dishes! Thanks for visiting and leaving the nice comment!

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  6. I remember that Thanksgiving well and all subsequent Thanksgiving dinners. They really are lovingly called "Lynda's turkey dishes." It was so much fun spending the holiday in a cabin in Pigeon Forge with our entire family. However, it may be a bit difficult to haul turkey dishes to Pam, Sarah Beth and Richard's cottage on the island.

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    1. You know my motto: Have dishes, will travel! Thanks for the sweet comment!

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  7. I also believe that somethings are meant to be. I have had similar things happen and always remember to say a little "thank you". Those are very pretty dishes... I love all Johnson Bros. transferware.

    I also understand about not wanting to paint out the memories of that old table! I have some handmade pieces made by my father over 50 years ago. They are maple and cherry and will stay that way!

    xoxo Bunny Jean

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    1. Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I do love the chalk paint craze, but am a natural wood girl at heart. To have pieces your father made must be very special. Looking forward to reading more of your blog!

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  8. I certainly understand your 'tradition' of those dishes. I believe my grandmother had some very similar. Beautiful memories - thanks for sharing your lovely tablescape. Enjoy. Claudia

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    1. Thank you Claudia. I have a passion for old patterns and I believe this one was first produced in the early 20th century. Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit. I hope to see you at Still Woods Farmhouse again!

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  9. I have that same pattern. I liked reading your story about them.
    Smiles, Dottie

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    1. Hi Dottie! Don't you just love the pattern. On my wish list is the turkey platter. Maybe next year!

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  10. Thank you for sharing that lovely story with us. Wonderful memories ~ Love the "Turkey Dishes" and your tablescape is beautiful
    Have a blessed day

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    1. I am so glad that you stopped by for a visit! Have a wonderful week!

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  11. What a beautiful table setting! I enjoyed hearing your memories of this special set of dishes :)

    Thanks for visiting me at Little Homestead on the Hill and following me :) I'm getting ready to follow you too!

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    1. Hi Lisa Lynn,
      Thanks for stopping by for a visit and following along! My "Turkey Dish" story is unique and I had fun sharing it.
      Blessings from Still Woods

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  12. Wonderful story, I enjoyed reading it. Thank you so much for stopping by the Cabin and becoming it's newest follower. I am also your newest follower. I can't wait to look around your blog some more. Have a wonderful Sunday:)

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    1. I am thrilled that I found the Cabin. Thank you for visiting Still Woods and following along. Have a terrific week!

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  13. Your tablescape is gorgeous. Love the dishes, they are such a lovely pattern and brown transferware is my total favorite. The gold pumpkins are such a lovely centerpiece too. Your story was charming and fun to read. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  14. Hi Marty! I was so glad that I found your party! I will be back often. Thank you for the sweet comments. Have a great week!

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    1. My goal is to have 12 place settings, but am not quite there yet! Thanks for visiting!

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  16. Thanks for stopping by The 2 Seasons. I love those dishes. I am sure you will get years of use out of them.

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    1. Thank you for dropping by for a visit! Please stop by again.
      Blessings from Still Woods

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  17. Marty, I am such a huge Johnson's Brothers fan and I love this pattern. Your table looks beautiful. I think they would have loved the island view, too :)

    Hugs,
    Lauro

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    1. I agree, I think my dishes would have loved the island view! I will have to work on that with my husband for the next year!

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  18. Your table is beautiful. I need to borrow it all for Thanksgiving. Going to little cumberland would also be a great place for Thanksgiving. I have a special place for Cumberland Island. That is where my husband proposed to me. We went to the little Chapel on the island and he set up the camera in the back to take a photo. I had no clue it was coming (we always set up our camera to take photos.) Anyway he got down on one knee and I said yes. Then we just walked around the island passing wild horses. Ahh so beautiful. Have a great thanksgiving.

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    1. What a beautiful story. I can't wait to share it with my sister. Her husband has had this property on the island in his family for many years and his wish has always been to build a summer home there. I have not been to the island yet, but have seen the wild horses you described. What a romantic way to propose. Your husband is a keeper! Glad you stopped by Still Woods and please come back anytime!

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  19. Oh, I love that pattern! I have the turkey platter but that's it, but you can bet your bottom dollar that if I come across some at a reasonable price they're coming home with me!!! Love your table and it's so sweet of your husband to pack them for you! Thanks for the visit and follower.....I am now following you!

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    1. Hi Tammy,
      I would love to have the platter! I bet you enjoy using it each year. I am hoping to get one off Ebay or at Replacements since Johnson Brothers has retired this set. I am so glad that you are following along! Thanks for visiting and come back soon!
      Blessings from Still Woods

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  20. That pattern is so lovely. I really love Johnson Brothers patterns. We had
    "Millstream" when I was small, and I have a few pieces of "Friendly Village" now. I think you should consider keeping a travel diary of all the places your Turkey Dishes have been! :)

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    1. I will have to look up Millstream. I don't believe I am familiar with that particular pattern. I can say that I have not found a Johnson Brothers pattern that I did not like. I love the idea of a travel diary for my Turkey Dishes! Wouldn't that be a great document to pass down to future generations? Thank you for the idea...can't wait to start it!
      Glad you stopped by and come back again!
      Happy Thanksgiving!

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  21. OH I love your dishes story AND the fact that you would not chalk paint, lol...

    I have seen some wonderful projects with chalk paint in blog land and then I have also seen some that have left me dismayed ( as in..oh my they covered that wonderful wood :)

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    1. I would be dismayed if someone covered beautiful wood floors with chalk paint! I will have to try it on something that means nothing to me! Thanks for stopping and leaving a comment. Come back soon!

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  22. Hello. I love your "His Majesty" china. What a perfect pattern for Thanksgiving and even Christmas. Your mercury glass pumpkins make a cute centerpiece too. Thank you for stopping by for a visit. It's very nice to meet you and I'm your newest follower. I have really enjoyed perusing your posts. Have a lovely week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Hi Sandi,
      It is a great pattern for Thanksgiving. I am so glad that you headed over to Still Woods for a visit and to follow! It will be fun being fellow-followers!
      Blessings from Still Woods

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  23. This pattern is so pretty. I adore Johnson Bros. I have seen this pattern before at Tuesday Morning. The table is so lovely with your china. Love the mercury pumpkins too. I am happily your new follower. Have a wonderful week.

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    1. I am so glad that you stopped by to visit me at Still Woods and thank you for following along. Those mercury glass pumpkins are some of my favorite fall decorations. Have a wonderful week as well!
      Blessings from Still Woods

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  24. What a cute story and I have those same turkey dishes and will be setting my Thanksgiving table with them! Thank you so much for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. I enjoyed visiting your blog! Thank you for stopping by Still Woods for a visit. Isn't His Majesty a beautiful set for a Thanksgiving table?
      Blessings from Still Woods

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  25. Hi there!! Thanks for finding me!! I love your blog so am your newest follower too!! I've been wondering recently how to boost my followers. I am getting a reasonable number of views but so few followers!! I've never thought I'd get hundreds but 2 is a little feeble!! I will take your advice - thank you. No-one I know blogs and I've not been brave enough to tell my friends yet so need to find a way to get a bit of a following!! Thanks again! J9 x

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    1. Glad you stopped in for a visit! Now you have three followers and I know it will grow. Glad we can be blogging buddies!
      Blessings from Still Woods

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  26. Hi, I love your "turkey dishes"!!! I have never seen them any where. I also love the Smokey Mountains. We visited NC this past August. I'm YOUR newest follower :) I love making new friends. Thanks for your visit. xo
    p.s. one tip that a blogger gave me awhile ago...see if you can remove "word Verification" from your comment section. I hope you don't mind me passing that along, but a lot of bloggers don't leave comments with it on.

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    1. Hi Kitty,
      I didn't even know I had "word verification"! I don't like that either on a blog. Gone now! Thanks for stopping by Still Woods! Come back soon.
      Blessings from Still Woods

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  27. I am glad the turkey dishes are not making a trip to the island!!!

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  28. I really enjoyed reading your story! I'm a little embarassed to say I've never owned a set of actual China. Now that I've read your story I just may have to change that. :-)

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    1. Hi Tammy,
      So glad you stopped by and thank you for following. Check out Johnson Brothers for patterns of china. They have some great patterns. You can also have a set of traveling something or other!

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  29. I enjoyed your turkey dishes story. I love a table set with thanksgiving dishes...so pretty. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment about my paper pumpkins. I always appreciate a new follower! I'm following you back.

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    1. Your paper pumpkins are adorable! Thanks for taking time to visit me at Still Woods. Come back often!

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  30. I'm your newest follower! Your site is delicious!

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    1. Thanks so much for your sweet words and for following along. Have a great day!

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  31. Great story and I love your turkey dishes! They are quite perfect. Thank you for sharing. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/11/make-it-pretty-monday-week-22.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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    1. I would love to share my Traveling Turkey story with your party on Monday! Thanks for inviting me. See you then!

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  32. Lovely post, and your blog looks beautiful! Looking forward to seeing more (following you now)

    Jeanette @ creatingalifenow.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Jeanette. I am still new to blogging and there is so much to learn. So glad to see that you are following!
      Blessings from Still Woods

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  33. Really a beautiful set and the story with it.
    Thanks for visiting and Have a God blessed day:)

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    1. Glad you stopped by for a visit! Have a terrific weekend!

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  34. What a terrific story! I love Johnson Bros. and collect one of their Christmas patterns. I really would like to have a Thanksgving set like this! It's so traditional and lovely. Your table is really gorgeous!!
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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    1. I would love to see one of their Christmas patterns. Will have to look them up. I love the size of Johnson Brothers plates, etc. Just perfect. Thanks for stopping by and leaving the sweet comment!

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  35. I love your table. The dishes are lovely with the pumpkins.

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    1. Thank you Patty! The mercury glass pumpkins are my favorite decorations for the fall. I wish I had more. Have a great weekend!

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  36. Thank you for sharing your lovely tablescape at my HOME. As I said in an earlier comment, the china is perfect for Thanksgiving and this time of year. I do love your mercury glass pumpkins! Have a beautiful weekend, my friend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  37. Enjoyed your post and great photos - Thanks for sharing them with us! A very pretty Fall table setting.
    Thanks for stopping by, nice comment, and reading along. I tend to ramble sometimes. :D Will be back and check out more of your posts when have a bit more time. Looking forward to doing so.
    Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

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  38. I love the turkey dishes and the story of their travels! Following you back from SarahSaturDIY.blogspot.com.

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