I love when March arrives because not only is it my birthday month (whoop-tee-do), it’s also the month flea markets start back up. You never know what you’ll find and if you’re creative, which I’m not, you can really decorate your home on a dime!
I remember walking through the flea market with my father-in-law one Summer and seeing this lovely handcrafted chuck-box. I knew I wanted it and unless it was completely overpriced, I was gonna have it. And I did. It’s two pieces, the top and bottom and the top folds up and closes. The bottom as two doors, one on each side, and it was perfect for our home.
Something else I’ve always dreamed of owning, is cowboy china. I remember going in a gazillion stores, always seeing at least one piece of two particular styles, and wishing I could own it. Well of course I couldn’t. 1) One piece of it could cost you anywhere from $50 up to $$300 and 2) we were poor. That’s just the way it was. The first style is the Monterrey Westernware. It’s metal tin and I LOVE THIS STUFF. I only own one plate and cup, which sits in my china cabinet. It’s hard to find and it’s very expensive on ebay.
The other style could be found in your higher end western stores and such. Also very expensive but not near as expensive as the originals, assuming you can find them. While I’d love to have an original piece of Wallace produced Westward Ho China, it ain’t gonna happen. For one, finding an original piece is rare and when you do, you could pay $2, 300 for one plate. CRAZY!! No thank you, I’ll settle for the reproductions, which are still costly but doable.
Anyways, we can across this great deal on 55 pieces and when I saw it, and my cowboy saw the look in my eyes, we both knew we’d be the new owners. Even he can remember caressing those pieces in the stores, back in the old days. And since I have this cowboy cool chuck-box, I needed cool cowboy china to go in it! And 19 years later, I finally have a set of 8, and then some. Thank you sweetie. I love you.
By the way, if you ever want to know if you have an original piece of Westward Ho, they are signed with the maker’s name; Till Goodman.
Annie~SavorThisMoment says
Your cowboy china looks AWEsome in the Chuck Box!!! I might be just a tad bit green with envy. :0)
Lauralee Hensley says
Loving your Chuck Box and your Cowboy China. They are totally awesome. Guess I’ll have to settle for the bull horns hanging above the gun safe.
shannon buck says
Lori, I have been a lurker of your blog for a few years without ever commenting, but I just wanted you to know that I really enjoy reading your blog. You are a True and Real blogger that speaks from the heart and does not put on a show or try to act fake like a lot of “mommy” bloggers are doing now a days. Your blog is refreshing to read and you come up with some very interesting posts. Good job!!
A Cowboy's Wife says
Hi Shannon,
First, thank you for being a reader and thank you for commenting!! I greatly appreciate your readership and sweet comments. I definitely don’t ‘play games’ online. What you see is what you get and I always keep it real….I kinda like me and wouldn’t wanna be anyone else, unless it’s someone who can speak fluent spanish, sing like an angel, and has a great body…then I might. LOL!