A Pre-Souvenir from Alston

I bought myself a pretty little something today. Granted it's not overly feminine, but it is diminutive and made of china. Ever since we stayed with our friend Kristi and Chris and Kristi had this cute little teapot-shaped, floral spoon rest by her tea kettle, I have been wanting something similar. (Hers came from England--at Epcot.)

I ducked into my favorite little antique shop. I go in there from time to time, and I have bought a number of small gifts there. It's the shop where I found Page's birthday present (a sandwich set from the 1930s) and Ann's birthday present (two antique pewter flagons).

The man who owns the shop helped me root around among precariously stacked piles of dishes, teacups, lamps, and glassware (I really should take a photo of the shop! It is unreal!) to find something like what I had in mind. Here's what we found:

This is a proper teaspoon, which is about half the size
of a cereal spoon, so this dish is pretty small. Fits in
the palm of my hand.

Here's a close-up of the design.

I asked him where Alston was--like could I go there and visit the place and sort of justify why I have a little teaspoon rest from there?--and he said that it's about 50 miles west of here, near Carlisle. He says it's a cute little shopping village, very quaint. Well, destination Alston, I guess. :) This is just about as random as throwing a dart at a map, but a little more fun because shopping was involved.

And, he gave it to me for free. I know it's not worth much but he was like, "You come in here so often with your cute kids. I just like to take care of my regulars." That's how you build customer loyalty. I really didn't think of myself as a "regular," but I guess I am! :)