Serendipity

 Serendipity - (noun) The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.  (According to my dictionary, first used by Horace Walpole in 1754.) 

I didn't have a good start to my day yesterday.  I managed to break, no, actually, I didn't break anything.  What happened was that a posy bowl, rather precariously balanced on top of another posy bowl, (note to self: try not to precariously balance things in the cupboard.  Reply to self: yes, but you try fitting everything in!) decided to escape from the cupboard and fell, smashing pieces from a rather nice Cath Kidston plate given to me by an ex-pupil in my Reception class, many moons ago when I was teaching.  The posy bowl remained intact.  Being of a rather philosophical nature, I said "oh well, these things happen" and binned the plate.  Then off I went into town.  (Bear with me, this is coming to a point in a minute).  Last week, I had noticed a rather nice plate in a charity shop, I had picked it up and admired it and then put it back, deciding that it was pretty but 1) It was priced at £2.00 and 2) I didn't really need it.  (I bet you can see where this rambling tale is going.)
However, yesterday I was thinking about the plate and decided to call in and see if it was still there.  If is wasn't, I reasoned, then I wasn't meant to have it and would happily go on my way, (but I was really hoping it would still be waiting for me).  It was still there and even better, it was reduced to 50p!

 Right, I thought, I am obviously meant to have it, especially as I have just broken a plate this very morning.  So, here it is.  Johnson Brothers, probably 1950s/1960s or later.

 I just love this little doodly floral pattern and am seriously considering using it for some embroidery.  I especially like the little seed head things.  Also in the same reduced section, I noticed two blue and white china plates.  I do like a nice bit of blue and white pattern, so of course, these had to come home with me too.

 The only pattern marking is 'Mimosa', but no maker's mark and an internet search has revealed nothing about it so far.  Pretty, though isn't it?

Here's a close up of the floral edging (probably the Mimosa from the pattern name). So, serendipity strikes again and I am very happy to have replaced my one plate with three!