Tea from two families

Do you like to collect "things"?  I do.  I like to collect china and other bits that tickle my fancy.

After my Dad died, Mum decided to sell the big house they had in the country and move closer to us, but also into a tiny house.  So she held a good old garage sale. We were allowed to keep bits that we felt were part of the family.  I chose a tea caddy, amongst other things. 

It came over from England with us and obviously had been in our house for as long as I can remember.  Personally I couldn't believe that Mum was going to put it in the garage sale.  I rescued it just before Mum opened the gates to let the buyers in.  It is made from different timbers and I think it is beautiful.

When my mother-in-law came to live with us, she bought all her "things" with her too.  I was fortunate enough to be left with her tea caddy when she died.  I don't know where it came from or if they used it for tea leaves, because sadly, it never came up in conversation before it was too late to ask.

They both now hold our tea bags.  My parent's one holds the Lipton tea bags that Richard drinks and his parent's one holds my Twinings Lady Grey tea bags.   Fingers crossed that my boys also like family "things" and that they'll keep and use them too.

Do you have a tea caddy or do you simply store your tea bags or leaves in the box they came in?

I also rescued my Dad's favourite plaque.  It now stands on the windowsill in the kitchen, keeping watch over us.