Pig Tales

I'm sort of into pigs.  That is, I'm into collecting decorative pig-themed thingys (for lack of a better word).  It all started many years ago with a pig-shaped wooden cutting board given to us by my late mother-in-law, who'd had one made for each of her eight children.  After their beloved grandmother on their father's side died, Mom gave Nan's favorite cutting board to a local woodworker to use as a template, and eight faithful copies were reproduced--as mementos of a grandmother who was a top-notch cook and baker (my husband still waxes nostalgic over her chocolate cakes and pumpkin pies).  I was already married to my husband at the time, so let's be honest: Nan's pig cutting board was not his; it was mine.

And for some reason, after that cutting board became a part of our kitchen, I decided that piggies were absolutely adorable and I would build my kitchen decor around them.  A long, long time ago, one of my sisters-in-law went through what she now considers an unfortunate goose-themed kitchen phase, but her husband put the kibosh on that pretty early on in their marriage.  I, on the other hand, never outgrew my pigs.  My husband has been very indulgent about this weird pig obsession, and I have to say it has come in very handy as far as giving my sons gift-giving ideas for Christmas, Mother's Day, and birthdays.

My second oldest son, in particular, says that when he's out shopping, it seems he's always coming across pig knickknacks that make him stop and say, "I have to get that for Mom."  Such was the case several months ago, when he was in TJ Maxx looking for something else and stumbled upon a unique pig-shaped canister made of glass.  He snapped it up and held onto it, planning to give it to me on Mother's Day--but I happened to be out in CO at the time, celebrating with my oldest son and his family.  So last night, when I drove over to his place to have dinner with him and his girlfriend, he handed me this oddly-shaped bundle of packing paper, and here's what was inside:

As my son pointed out, it's not only decorative, but useful as well.  "It's a useful pot to put things in," I replied, quoting on of my favorite literary characters--Winnie the Pooh, of course.  (Do you remember that story?  Where WTP is bringing a pot of honey to Eyeore as a birthday gift?  Then on the way, he gets a little rumbly in his tumbly; and when he presents the empty pot, he tells Eyeore he's brought him a 'useful pot to put things in'?)

Anyhoo...before I take up too much more of your time, long story short: now I've got a useful pot to put brown sugar in.  And I just love it!

There's nothing like a good pig tale, is there?  (Or a sweet son who thinks of his dear old mom whenever he sees a pig!)