quirky collectables

I have a few strange collections that have been uncovered while unpacking my personal possessions. My favorite right now is my Starbucks City Mug collection. I can't wait to have a big group of people over someday for coffee and tea (when I'm all settled in a place of my own). In the meantime, every time I use one of these mugs it makes me think of memories and people associated with city or country represented: Chicago (of course), Melbourne (I really wanted Sydney, but they were sold out), Waikiki (they don't make Honolulu), San Diego (dear thoughtful, Jen, brought it back for me after a vacation to California), London (my newest addition, sent by my friend, Raki, when he was on business there), Austin (for my short time living in Texas), Christchurch (the only one that really doesn't match; may have to replace it this fall), Denver (been there), Seattle (gotta have the original city)!

I've also discovered an eclectic array of knick-knacks that I haven't quite been able to disassociate from myself. So, they sit hidden in drawers, prominently in my car, or on my desk. A few of the accessible ones are in the photo. For the record, I really do love pavlova; no, that is not a real diamond; and Dave gave me the devil duck because my dad is a pastor; Sponge-Bob, I can attribute to Laura (thanks a lot, I'm stuck with a plastic sea sponge).

There are plenty of other important pieces I carry around to decorate with like my Delft Dutch Heirloom stuff that I hope to one day integrate into a little blue and white tea room with lots of windows.

I also have a spoon collection. Ok, ok, I know this sounds like something my grandma should collect (and she did), but I just started one day and haven't really stopped. Uncle Laurie fabricated the racks to display them on and I just pick them up from each place I visit (although, my mug collection is becoming a bit more of a priority to me).

And then, my stash of meaningful or important letters. Oh! And I carry around the lowest common bill from each country I've visited in my purse, too.

Of course, this summer, my collections are mostly packed away in boxes since I don't have my own place and space to show them off or tuck them into drawers and corners. I don't mind storing them for later; they have become a little hi-story in themselves about me, where I've been, as well as, who and what is important to me.