Discovery Series – Montana

Discovery Series Montana is a mug for the Treasure State.

Montana’s history as the 41st state begins with its admission to the Union on November 8, 1889, though the region’s story stretches back to the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1805-1806. The discovery of gold in the 1860s brought waves of prospectors and settlers, transforming the territory from Native American lands into mining camps and cattle ranching country. From the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876 to the copper mining boom in Butte, Montana’s past is marked by conflict, extraction, and the enduring presence of vast wilderness that continues to define its character today.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Arizona

Discovery Series Ornament Arizona is here.

Arizona’s history as the 48th state begins with its admission to the Union on February 14, 1912, though human presence in the region dates back over 12,000 years. The state’s territory was part of Mexico until the Mexican-American War and the Gadsden Purchase of 1853 completed its current boundaries. From ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings to Spanish missions, Old West mining towns, and modern metropolitan centers, Arizona’s landscape tells a story of diverse cultures, frontier spirit, and adaptation to one of America’s most dramatic desert environments.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Johor

Another package from Malaysia arrived! Inside, there is a brand new Been There Ornament Johor.

Johor state’s history as the southernmost state of Peninsular Malaysia dates back centuries to the Johor Sultanate, established in 1528 after the fall of Malacca. The modern state took shape under Sultan Abu Bakar in the late 19th century, who modernized administration and infrastructure while maintaining the sultanate’s sovereignty. Strategically positioned at the crossroads of major shipping routes and sharing a border with Singapore, Johor has evolved into Malaysia’s industrial powerhouse and agricultural heartland while preserving its rich royal heritage and cultural traditions.… Read more

Discovery Series – New Orleans

I can’t believe it has been a year since I reviewed the ornament from the Big Easy. It is time to take a look at the design of the Discovery Series New Orleans mug.

New Orleans’ history stretches back to 1718 when French colonists founded the city along a strategic bend in the Mississippi River. The city passed through French, Spanish, and French hands again before the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 brought it into the United States. This multicultural heritage created a unique Creole culture that blends French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and American influences.… Read more

Been There – Gramado

Let’s review another mug from Brazil, this time it’s Been There Gramado. There are two more in the queue, stay tuned!

Gramado’s history begins in the mid-19th century when European immigrants, primarily from Germany and Italy, settled in the mountainous Serra Gaúcha region of Rio Grande do Sul. The city was officially founded in 1913, though its development accelerated in the 1940s when improved roads connected it to larger urban centers. What started as a small agricultural community transformed into one of Brazil’s most beloved tourist destinations, as visitors discovered its cool climate, stunning landscapes, and distinctive European-influenced architecture.… Read more

Discovery Series – North Dakota

I recently reviewed the ornament from The Peace Garden State, where wide skies meet endless possibilities. Discovery Series North Dakota is its big brother.

North Dakota’s story reaches deep into the past, shaped first by the Indigenous nations who lived on these plains for thousands of years, including the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota, and Dakota peoples. Their agricultural villages, trade networks, and earth-lodge settlements formed the earliest foundations of the region. Europeans arrived in the 18th century, drawn by fur-trade routes stretching along the Missouri River, and the land eventually became part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.… Read more

Been There – Salvador

Been There Salvador is a mug for the capital of the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil. It is one of the oldest cities in the Americas and the birthplace of Afro-Brazilian culture. Founded in 1549 as the first capital of colonial Brazil, it became a major port in the Atlantic world. Its historic center, Pelourinho, is known for colourful buildings, lively squares, and deep cultural traditions shaped by African, Indigenous, and Portuguese influences that continue to define Salvador today.

– One of the figures on the mug represents a traditional drummer, highlighting Salvador’s strong musical heritage.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Montana

Discovery Series Ornament Montana comes from Big Sky Country, where endless horizons meet rugged natural beauty.

Montana’s story begins long before it became a state, with Indigenous nations such as the Crow, Blackfeet, Salish, and Kootenai shaping the region for thousands of years. European fur traders arrived in the 1700s, followed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, which mapped the area for the United States. Montana grew rapidly during the gold rushes of the 1860s and officially entered the Union in 1889.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Hong Kong

Been There Ornament Hong Kong joins other mini mugs in my collection.

Hong Kong began as a small fishing and farming community before becoming a British colony in 1842 after the First Opium War. Over the next century, it transformed into a major trading port and one of the most important gateways between East and West. In 1997 sovereignty returned to China under the “one country, two systems” framework, which allowed Hong Kong to keep its own legal and economic structures.… Read more

Discovery Series – Louisiana

Yesterday we reviewed the ornament, today let’s do the same for the Discovery Series Louisiana mug.

Louisiana’s history begins long before it became a state in 1812. The region was originally home to many Indigenous nations, including the Choctaw, Houma, and Chitimacha peoples. It later became a strategic French territory, ceded to Spain, then returned to France before being sold to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Over time, Louisiana earned the nickname “The Pelican State,” shaped by its river culture, Creole heritage, and unique blend of French, African, Caribbean, and American influences.… Read more

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