My grandfather left his home country of Norway and came to the U.S. by himself at the age of 17.
His last name was Dannevig but he changed it upon arriving in the states. Years later, when I was in high school, family members still in Norway asked my Dad if he would find an outlet in which to sell their handmade Norwegian sweaters. So my parents opened an import store themselves in which to sell their sweaters as well as other Scandinavian items. They named the shop Dannevig Imports. I worked there part time when I was a senior in high school and it was great fun! Of course, I was also able to take home many Norwegian sweaters to wear. I still have some and they are still like new!
I took home so many items from the store I wonder how my Mom and Dad made any money! They knew everything I was taking, of course, so it wasn't stealing! Come to think of it I don't remember getting paid so maybe all the stuff I was taking was my "pay"! Anyway, I really enjoyed all the new things arriving, displaying them, and then meeting all kinds of interesting people that came into the store!
Our store was right across the street from the Mayo Clinic, a world famous clinic where people from all over the world as well as THE FAMOUS would come and get treated. After college I was a nurse at one of their hospitals and recall a FEW brushes with fame. Stories for another day! It has even been the clinic of choice for all the Presidents. So people from all over the world would come into the store and would share their stories with us (of their illness and then being treated) and then they would buy some things to take back to their country.Yes, they were in the U.S. and buying Scandinavian.
So my tea cup and saucer today came from our little import shop. It's a Lotte Turi Design as seen here:
This pattern was made in the 1960's. It was 1996 when we opened the store so it was the newest pattern they made when we purchased them.
This is part of the cup opposite the handle.
I love the blue and green colors.
I also still have these 1960's Norwegian candle holders.
We had some Rosemaling also but not as much as the more expensive glassware. This is a miniature wooden bowl.
And, of course, we carried the traditional Scandinavian goods.
I have a lot more Norwegian things but I'm just sharing some of the "blue" here. I'm beginning to love Scandinavian decor as well. You might want to check out my PINTEREST boards, Scandinavian Style and Scandinavian Christmas and also my Tea Time board.
I'm joining the following parties:
Teacup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations
That is such a sweet little blue teacup! And the memories that go along with it, of your family and their store, precious! Love your little Dala horse, too. I'm heading over to see your pinterest board now.
ReplyDeleteYay for Norway! My great grandfather also came to this country when he was very young. They also changed their name.
ReplyDeleteMy auntie worked in a Norwegian shop, too. She gave me a lovely table cloth for a wedding gift. I treasure it.
I would LOVE a Norwegian sweater! The Norwegians are excellent knitters.
I received a Christmas card from my Norwegian friend yesterday. She lives in the States now but is going home for Christmas. Oh, I love my little dose of Norway just now. My daddy is 100% Norwegian and so proud! Have you read First We Have Coffee? A favorite book of mine!
I adore your tea cup and I thank you for your story today!
Hi Sandy,
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed reading your story and viewing your beautiful blue teacup - all the way from Norway. Happy Tea Day!
I enjoyed reading your post about your grandfather, his coming to the US and your families import business...and your many items home from the shop! How fab that you still have some of those sweaters. The tea cup is a fabulous example of their styles.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing!
Hugs,
Terri
Hello Sandy,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting family history you shared with us!
Your beautiful tea cup has an unmistaking Scandinavian look, as well as the candles and other items.
Have a great week!
What a great post! How fun! Nice getting to know you better. What a special family memory and what wonderful experiences for you. I love that style of mid century Scandanavian design, and that is a favorite maker. Uffda! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
ReplyDeleteruth
What a sweet teacup, Sandy! I love your story and hearing of your wonderful memories. What a lovely heritage! I would love to have seen some of your wonderful sweaters too. Thanks so much for sharing and coming to tea. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
Hi Sandy: Love your tea cup. I have never seen one like it. Thank you for sharing your wonderful heritage. It sounds like you were very blessed. Martha
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother's parents came from Norway, so did my husband's grandparents. My grandma taught me how to make lefse and rosettes, and I have taught many others how to make them. I am learning how very much my family & my husband's family's heritage has played such a role in the shaping of our lives without ever realizing how deep some things go.I love the blue & white teacup, but even more the candle holders.
ReplyDeleteThere are things we take into our adulthood from our parents and their parents that shape us ( often for the better) and now at almost 60 years of age I appreciate these things even more and hope to instill some of the values & traditions in my grandchildren.( my grown children do appreciate them )
Interesting history. My grandparents on my mother's side were from Minnesota, via Norway.
Hi Sandy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful post. I loved reading about your family and your parent's shop. waht a perfect place to strt a business than across the street from Mayo clinic.
Your pieces are all so pretty. I love your sweet little cup and saucer.
Thanks for sharing,
Blessings,
Carolynn
Hi Sandy,
ReplyDeletethat was very intertersting to see and read. I haven't seen a Norway tea cup before, but I know those special sweaters. Especially in sweaters Norwegian have great designs. The tea cup looks so typical for its time and the decor is fresh and friendly. What a fun to have a store in USA with Norwegian things. Thank you for sharing your precious memories and the wonderful collection of Norge items.
Best greetings, Johanna
It is a lovely tea cup. The colours and design seem to be very modern looking when I think of some of the designs I have seen lately.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tea cup! I love the blue!
ReplyDeleteThe Darjeeling Darlingshttp://darjeelingdarlings.blogspot.com/2012/12/twelve-days-of-darjeeling-christmas.html
I enjoyed reading your family story, and seeing the lovely Scandanavian things.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating family history and special memories! Your cup and dishes are lovely treasures. Have a nice Sunday~
ReplyDeleteOh, my!
ReplyDeleteI inherited the exact same tea cup from my grandmother, when she passed away. I was delighted to see another! I have a number of her pieces and treasure them all. Such wonderful memories of growing up, drinking coffee with her...she never allowed me to put the "lump sugar" (as she called sugar cubes) between my teeth and drink my coffee through them. But she always did! We always used her tea cups. I was so proud to have coffee with grandma using her precious cups that she brought from Norway. Lovely memories!
Thanks!
Gail
Oh, my!
ReplyDeleteI inherited the exact same tea cup from my grandmother, when she passed away. I was delighted to see another! I have a number of her pieces and treasure them all. Such wonderful memories of growing up, drinking coffee with her...she never allowed me to put the "lump sugar" (as she called sugar cubes) between my teeth and drink my coffee through them. But she always did! We always used her tea cups. I was so proud to have coffee with grandma using her precious cups that she brought from Norway. Lovely memories!
Thanks!
Gail