I had such great intentions of writing in this space when we were in Europe earlier this year. What I did not count on was getting covid while we were in Athens, Greece. I was quite lucky during the pandemic to have only tested positice twice for covid, and both times my only symptom was a mild sore throat.

I received every dose of covid vaccine that I have been eligible for, and got them at the appropriate time, the most recent dose taken in November along with the seasonal flu vaccine. I became complacent though and travelled all the way to France without a mask. Once we arrived, it felt like everyone, everywhere was wet-coughing, but I convinced myself through magical thinking that they all had smoker’s cough.

By the time we flew to Athens toward the end of our extended vacation, I had simply accepted everyone’s coughing. And then two days after arriving in Athens, my throat hurt, I began to cough, and I just knew it was not a simple cold.

It took 4 weeks to completely get over the illness. Hard lesson learned: no more flying mask-less ever again. That’s actually two lessons from that trip: always pack one pair of underwear, socks, toiletries, and a sleep shirt in my carry-on because luggage WILL be delayed, and always travel with several N95 masks.

Because my immune system was busy trying to prevent my death by covid, I had zero energy left to do anything else. The last two weeks of vacation consisted of me hanging out in our rental apartment drinking fluids and wishing to beam myself home to Ottawa, Star-Trek-style.

At some point in March, once I was feeling a bit better, a huge wave of inspiration came over me, seemingly out of nowhere. In reality, the inspiration came from the 6 weeks in Europe, and all of the beautiful things I saw. Not just the typical things like the galleries and museums and parks, but in the everyday things like the old buildings, the shop display windows, and the packaging from the local bakeries.

I started seeking and buying vintage china, with the plan to turn them into tiered serving trays. Some of this idea was inspired by my love of French brocantes, and how old items are used over and over again in France. There is value placed on items that have been well-used, which still have plenty of life left in them. In a world of disposable and replaceable everything, it’s heartening to see things of high quality enduring for decades.

When we first bought our Mini Cooper a few years ago, I had never seen one in Ottawa. Suddenly, once we were driving one, I started seeing Mini Coopers everywhere.

It was the same with fine china. Once I started looking for it, it seemed everyone in Ottawa and beyond was trying to get rid of their china that they either inherited and did not want, or got as wedding gifts that they no longer used. I have bought so many sets that I actually have no place to store them all.

I have a cake plate with a handle that I bought in England in 1999 when David and I went to Europe for the first time. It’s made from a Royal Vale fine china dinner platec I have loved it forever, and it occurred to me that I could make something similar if I could find the hardware for it.

Naturally, Google was my first stop, and it had all the answers to all of my questions. In short order, I started accumulating china, bought a power drill and safety goggles, a diamond drill bit, cake plate hardware, and dug out an old plate to use for practice drilling.

Once I figured out how to drill into the plates (much harder than it seems: dinnerware is made to last), I was off and running. Ok However, my wrist started to hurt as the drilling took several minutes per plate, and required a bit of force.

David, being a supportive husband, bought me a drill press! I have named her Henriette, and she is a miracle, drilling effortlessly and quickly into any plate I have placed in front of her.

I am in the process of working with a graphic design company based in Granby, Quebec, to design a logo for my little tiered-stand business. I wanted it all to look professional since the vintage plates are so beautiful, and are somewhat valuable as they are all name brands (Royal Doulton, Royal Albert, Noritake etc).

The goal, of course, is to actually sell the items. At this point, I have little idea how to do that, but am enjoying the process of putting the pieces together. I am awaiting an order of fittings from England, which are sturdier and more professional than the fittings I first used which were not made in England. I am hoping that those fittings, plus packaging made with our pro-designed logo will lend a professional and luxe feel to the products, which in turn will encourage me to go forth and put them into the world.

I have not quit my nursing job, and in fact have picked up a full time position at my current workplace! It’s been tiring doing that all week and then spending evenings and weekends working at the small business. My hope is that I will find a comfortable rhythm and pace.

If you have read this far, thank you 😂.

I probably should create a website for the business, and keep a blog over there. I think that is the next step, so for now, my ideas will live here.

And if you are looking to get rid of your china, or you know someone who is, I’m buying 😁