It's Not Easy Being Green by Sarah

A Sunday Favorites Rerun

This post was originally published on Hyacinths for the Soul. It is being repurposed here on the QCI Blog and linked to Chari's Sunday Favorites @ Happy to Design.

"It's not that easy being Green.

Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.

It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things,

And people tend to pass you over . . . "

Words taken from Kermit's Famous Song IT'S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN

No, it's not that easy being green, especially in the world of Quimper French pottery. The color green is found on many pieces as an accent, but for the primary color of this pottery to be green is most unusual.

Green Hydrangeas and Yoko Ono Green Land Mums

Others might have passed this coffee/tea service by without much thought, but it was love at first sight for "the chef" and me. It's a complete service for twelve: dessert plates, cups and saucers, creamer, sugar, and coffee/tea pot.

A friend contacted me in the summer of 2006. She knew of a couple who were downsizing and wanted to sell a complete tea/coffee service. Jacqueline, who is French and the original owner, included a note with the special story of this set.

Soon after WWII, she and her American soldier husband, traveled to the United States to begin a life together here. In the summer of 1946, on a visit back to France to visit her parents, Jacqueline and her mother visited Brittany and the atelier of Paul Fouillen. It was on this trip that Jacqueline's mother purchased this set as a gift for Jacqueline.

There were actually two sets purchased at the time. The other very different in color and design was enjoyed by Jacqueline's mother during her lifetime. Jacqueline's daughter now treasures the set that had been her grandmother's, so she didn't need this set. Lucky me!

Jacqueline told me that she carefully packed this set in her suitcase and carried it with her on the return journey, crossing the Atlantic by ship and then traveling by train on to Texas.

Paul Fouillen opened his atelier in the late 1920s. He is well known for his unique designs with both Celtic and Art Deco influences.

The wonderful hand crimped handles on each of these pieces are glazed with a sponge technique. Though each piece includes the concentric bands of green color and the green checks, there are different designs painted on each side of the various pieces.

And this magnificent tray matches our service!

A very thoughtful friend and fellow member in the Quimper Club International sent me this tray as a surprise one Christmas.

It was a piece from her own collection.

When she learned that I had purchased the dessert service, she felt the tray should be reunited with the set.

See, it has the darling dragonfly that is on the tea/coffee pot.

Lucky me, again! Thank you, Laverne!

I've talked enough. Won't you join me for a cup of tea?

Sugar?

Cream?

And how about a little something sweet?

You may serve yourself with this sweet sterling fork that I found while antique shopping in Santa Fe.

Help yourself to a plate and one of these little cake forks.

You may use one of the beautiful linen napkins that were gifts from Mary @ A Breath of Fresh Air. Just look at the fine detail on these.

May I tempt you with a horn of dulce de leche? These horns are filled with a sweet caramelized goat's milk cream.

Or for all you chocolate lovers, here is a special Hatch chili chocolate brownie.

This is the season for the famous Hatch chilies from Hatch, New Mexico.

These chilies are HOT and add a subtle spicy after-taste to the chocolate.

The chocolate isn't really that hot, but have another sip of tea if you like.

"I'm green, and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!"

As you can see, sometimes I repurpose this service when I want to serve a glass of ice tea. With the heat of summer still present here in Texas, perhaps you'd like a glass of ice tea instead.

Sunday Favorites is a weekly meme that features re-runs of previously published posts. Click here to see what other Sunday Favorites are being shared this week.