My mother bought two of these mugs for herself with an entire week's salary in probably 1967, from what I can remember her telling me. Or maybe it was 1968. She loved them (but passed them on to me during one of her crazed 'this has got to go!' phases), and this one is all that remains.
She is *the last of the Mohicans*, and she's mine. I love this Denby mustard coloured mug because it is the vessel for many a memoried tale.
It has held cup after cup of tea, coffee & of course...rich sweet cocoa. If this mug could talk it would tell you many splendored things. The very best thing to drink from it though would be...
Spiced Hot Dark Chocolate
1 quart soy milk
6 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
In a small pot, combine all ingredients and stir over medium heat until the chocolate has completely melted & is steaming hot, about 5 minutes. Serve in your own vintage mug and drink with friends, on the front porch while you watch the stars come out at moonrise. {Telling many more a splendored tale.}
oh gillian this is such a loving post.
it makes my heart warm.
xo
Posted by: christina | July 26, 2011 at 11:04 PM
Hi Gillian. I love it! Memories are what keeps us going. I have two cups with cowboys and horses on the. Thick, heavy and a light tan with the cowboys attire in browns. Awesome and a lot of memories involved. The chocolate sounds great and I love the use of the cayenne. Have a great Wednesday and hold those memories close to you.;)
Posted by: gloria | July 26, 2011 at 11:58 PM
great shot for the 52 photos prompt. love the whole post.
Posted by: urban muser | July 27, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Wonderful shot! I love the story of the mug and thanks for including the recipe. I will most definitley be trying it once this humidity lets me breathe a bit. :)Thank you for sharing! Lovely post.
Posted by: LB | July 27, 2011 at 09:35 AM
Such lovely memories held in this mug.
Beautiful, my friend!
And a recipe?! I will try it for sure.
Posted by: bella | July 27, 2011 at 10:30 AM
great story, lovely picture
Posted by: Els | July 27, 2011 at 12:54 PM
I had a special mug for hot chocolate when I was a little girl. Mine was a bunny rabbit. Verrrrry good memory.
Posted by: Cheryl | July 28, 2011 at 12:43 AM
Your Mom sounds like me..LOL. The "everything must go" phase is one that characterizes me very well. Beautiful story and thank you for the recipe!
Posted by: Yoli | July 28, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Well you would know. You are the master of making people feel that way. Love you girl. xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | July 29, 2011 at 11:19 PM
Gloria you had me at cowboys...:) But. Mugs, walls, or homes...if any could talk we'd be so wise. SO wise. I do hold them close, thanks honey. xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | July 29, 2011 at 11:20 PM
Muser you are one to talk, I love your shots. I am aiming at getting back to being a better blogger. So much happening and I neglect my favourite medium? Ridiculous! xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | July 29, 2011 at 11:21 PM
I live in fear daily ( not cool ) that this mug will drop and break. Whenever I take it out of the cupboard I am doubly sure to be careful...like it contains the frickin Ark of the Covenant or something!
Strange how we give objects power. This one is merely a reminder...but I would hate to lose it.
xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | July 29, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Everyone and their dog has a recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate which is what this is but you know...each one is a slight different from the next so you really have to try them all to find the blend that is right for you.
Do you like new recipes? ;)
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | July 29, 2011 at 11:24 PM
thanks a mil.
xoxo
i'm a beginner, and if you have tips please share :)
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | July 29, 2011 at 11:25 PM
As a small child I had no mug but a small purple chair my father made for me. He was an upholsterer. Still is, by technicality. So. I had the chair. I don't have it anymore but he made my eldest daughter a purple chair and now that is her legacy. She and I talk of him opening his own children's furniture store, but no. He won't go for it. Sadly.
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | July 29, 2011 at 11:26 PM
We are from a long Looonnnnng line of chuckers. We are minimalists. We don't even know it. We think we love shit.
Then we ditch it to make room for Zen.
Then we acquire once more.
Hey, at least we are at peace with it! Easy come, easy go. It's the "go" I love as much as the "buy".
Sigh.
Cyclic madness of the shopping type.
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | July 29, 2011 at 11:28 PM
Denby! Of course two of those would have cost your mother a week's salary in 67 or 68 -- but they are sturdy and strong and hold the heat so well. And mustard is so "in" right now (just like it was in the late 60s!). Your cocoa sounds divine and I'm sure there are some wonderful stories that your wee mug could tell!
Posted by: Sherry Smyth | July 31, 2011 at 05:50 PM