The Mystique of Old Blue Willow

By Nancy Jill Thames

Certain things make our lives cozy. For me, those include comfy furniture, someone to talk to, a good book to read and pretty dishes. Over the years I've had many sets, but none so cherished as my Old Blue Willow. 
Hollywood often used these dishes as props in movies, especially Westerns. When the dishes were used in The Andy Griffith Show or in Murder She Wrote, somehow my mind told me if I had those same dishes, my life would be as interesting and exciting as Aunt Bea's or Jessica Fletcher's. Raising four children as a stay-at-home mom fulfilled those wishes, I'm happy to report. 

My Lovely Old Blue Willow Platter

I still remember the day I received the set from UPS. Lovingly, I took each dish from the box and washed them by hand. I suppose I've always loved playing house, but having these dishes brightened my time spent in the kitchen each day. I would glance at the two doves and be carried away to the plight of the two lovers. One day I changed my decor so the blue dishes had to go. Blue did not go with sage, somehow. I couldn't bear to let go of the set entirely, and thus saved one piece before selling the set in a garage sale.

Notice the Chinese design around the edges. Do you see the pagoda, bridge, boat, and two doves in flight? The story touches me whenever I use this  platter for serving food at parties.

Here's the story from Wikipedia if you've never heard it before.

The Romantic Fable: Once there was a wealthy Mandarin, who had a beautiful daughter (Koong-se). She had fallen in love with her father's humble accounting assistant (Chang), angering her father (it was inappropriate for them to marry due to their difference in social class). He dismissed the young man and built a high fence around his house to keep the lovers apart. The Mandarin was planning for his daughter to marry a powerful Duke. The Duke arrived by boat to claim his bride, bearing a box of jewels as a gift. The wedding was to take place on the day the blossom fell from the willow tree.
On the eve of the daughter's wedding to the Duke, the young accountant, disguised as a servant, slipped into the palace unnoticed. As the lovers escaped with the jewels, the alarm was raised. They ran over a bridge, chased by the Mandarin, whip in hand. They eventually escaped on the Duke's ship to the safety of a secluded island, where they lived happily for years. But one day, the Duke learned of their refuge. Hungry for revenge, he sent soldiers, who captured the lovers and put them to death. The Gods, moved by their plight, transformed the lovers into a pair of doves (possibly a later addition to the tale, since the birds do not appear on the earliest willow pattern plates).

Old Blue Willow will always be one of my favorites. I've linked three sites in blue to purchase if you're interested. What about you? Have you ever owned a set like mine?

Thanks for joining me today on COZY MYSTERY MAGAZINE. 

Have a lovely weekend, dear readers.

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames began publishing Christian fiction in 2010. The author of six books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award winning blogger and is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List, this in addition to winning first place for her Chocolate Cream Pie.

When she isn’t plotting her next book, she spends time with her six grandchildren in two states, tags along with her husband on business trips, and plays classical piano for her own personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers Guild and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales.

Nancy Jill is busy working on book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" a mystery taking place in London, England.

To learn more about the author and check out her books, please visit her blog at  
Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Thames.

CONTACT INFORMATION

jillthames@gmail.com

To view and purchase her books on this site, please visit the Cozy Book Store.

Who Are Your Friends?

Author Nancy Jill Thames

Leisure time used to consist of spending hours with some very special friends of mine, unfortunately, the past few years I've been so busy publishing books of my own that I've had very little time to do what I love - reading stories about some wonderful characters created by renown cozy mystery authors. You may have heard of them, or perhaps the characters they created. They are people I adore and love, even though most have passed away or lived (fictitiously of course) in an entirely different era. My goal as an author is to share the characters I've created with you as they live and solve mysteries together. One day, I hope to see actual photos of actors reenacting Jillian Bradley, Teddy (a special dog, perhaps), Cecilia Montoya (Jillian's personal assistant), Walter Montoya (Jillian's detective friend), Chief Viscuglia, Daisy Larsen, and a host of others taking part in the Jillian Bradley Mysteries. Now, until then, see if you can match the authors with their characters - one author has created more than one. 

Author Carolyn Keene

Tuppence and Tommy Beresford

Hercule Poirot

Author Dorothy Sayers

Jessica Fletcher

Author Agatha Christie

Nancy Drew

Author Donald Bain

Miss Jane Marple

Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Whimsey

Mystery novelist Nancy Jill Thames began publishing Christian fiction in 2010. The author of six books in the Jillian Bradley series, she is an award winning blogger and is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller’s List, this in addition to winning first place for her Chocolate Cream Pie.

When she isn’t plotting her next book, she spends time with her six grandchildren in two states, tags along with her husband on business trips, and plays classical piano for her own personal enjoyment. She is an active member of the Leander Writers Guild and supports the Central Texas SPCA with a portion of her book sales.

WHAT A CHARACTER!

NANCY JILL THAMES

Ever say that about someone? Sure - you meet a person who immediately impresses you (good or bad) with their personality. In a cozy mystery the main characters must have memorable qualities if readers want to spend precious time reading about them. Close your eyes and think for a moment (after you read the next sentence of course)! What characters stand out in your mind the most? I thought of Jessica Fletcher, Miss Jane Marple and Sherlock Holmes right off the bat. Who did you think of?
     Now why are they so memorable? Maybe because the authors had total freedom to create whoever they wanted to, while we mere mortals for the most part are just ordinary everyday people. But the characters we've thought of aren't ordinary, right? Let's take a look at what makes them memorable.
     Jessica Fletcher is a mystery writer, widowed, lives in Cabot Cove, Maine and doesn't drive. Miss Jane Marple is a pink little old maiden aunt with an uncanny ability to observe and analyze criminals and the crimes they commit while knitting booties for babies. And Sherlock Holmes must be the biggest character of all (seconded only by Hercule Poirot). Mr. Holmes is eccentric, outspoken, a genius in the power of deductive reasoning and terribly unsociable. Memorable. And take my protagonist Jillian Bradley and her little Yorkie companion Teddy.       
    Jillian writes a syndicated garden column, loves fine art and serves afternoon tea to her friends while she helps investigators solve homicides. She's a childless widow who's husband died a hero in the war in Vietnam so she's all alone. Well, almost...I created a companion for her, a tiny Yorkie I  named Teddy so she wouldn't be so lonely. He becomes her sleuth dog in the stories by using his uncanny instincts to sniff out clues. 
    I created the character of Cecilia Chastain, a young quick-witted hotel housekeeper working her way through college who becomes Jillian's personal assistant and Teddy's sitter when Jillian travels. You'll have to read the series to learn more about Walter, Jillian's garden club friends and Jillian's love interests.
    So when you think of characters, who are some of your favorites and what makes them memorable? And if you could  change places with any of your favorites, who would it be? 

Free (A $2.99 Value!)

If you'd like to read about Jillian and her friends, "Murder in Half Moon Bay" is free this weekend on Amazon.com.

So please pick up a copy! My treat.

 
And don't forget to try Traci's new recipe for Huckleberry Duff in our Cozy Kitchen. My mouth is watering!

 

Have a lovely weekend Cozy Lovers!

Nancy Jill Thames is the author of the Jillian Bradley Mysteries - stories often set in exclusive hotels and resorts, based on real life travel adventures with her husband of 44 years. Her mysteries incorporate her love of afternoon tea, which has earned her the title of “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” She holds a music degree from UT Austin and lives in Leander, Texas where she is a member of the Leander Writers Guild. She has won awards for her blogs,  a pie contest for her Chip Chocolate Cream Pie, and has been on the Author Watch Bestseller List numerous times. Nancy Jill is busy working on book 6 Waiting for Santa, a murder mystery taking place on Christmas Eve near Jillian Bradley’s home in Clover Hills.

To check out her books, Murder in Half Moon Bay, The Ghost Orchid Murder, From the Clutches of Evil, The Mark of Eden, and Pacific Beach, please visit the Cozy Book Store and her blogs: 

Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Thames

"Queen of Afternoon Tea"Celebrity Author Interivews