Wednesday, September 18, 2013

A Sentimental Journey

Gonna Take a Sentimental Journey

On Sunday, my husband and I went to a local swap meet to look for goodies.  I happened on a booth where a very nice couple had stacked up a set of pretty china . The wife saw my interested face and said, "You can have them all for $20!"  I looked at the dinner, salad, bread and butter,  and soup plates ( and a gravy boat!) and we made a deal.  As she was wrapping them up, I saw a whistful look cross her face.  She said sadly,  " I wish you could have known the lady who owned these.  She was the mother of my hair dresser, and a dear, dear soul."  I looked at her and said I wanted her to tell her hairdresser that her Mom's plates would be well taken care of, and that I would honor her china.  So, my post today is dedicated to all those collectors and lovers of china who can't resist the patterns and floral designs that dance across a plate; or the solid colored dishes that promise to complement whatever added pieces are linked close to them; or the brightly colored pottery that reflects the artistry of a country's culture; or the delicate cups and saucers and serving pieces that finish the tableau of the creative tablescaper.


When I first thought of this tablescape, and the sentimental theme I wanted to project, lace seemed to be the most appropriate texture for the table.  I started with these purple wicker chargers, eventhough they were a bit informal, because I loved the way their purple color brought out the color on the dishes.  I also thought they'd be a good contrast to the beige lace.


I started with the dinner plate and added the Mikasa flatware, making sure I had the utensils for soup, salad and main course.  I love the floral design on these plates; each plate has a slightly different array of flowers in the center.



                                                      Then I added the salad plate.



The stacked dishes ended with the soup bowl.  These soup bowls are just deep enough for an ample, but not overgenerous portion for a beginning dinner course.


Surrounding each setting is a bread and butter plate, butter knife and Mikasa water goblet and wine glass.  (I can't remember the pattern, but I have a request into Replacements.com for some information).  I followed the appropriate placement for each piece as indicated on the entry form for our local County Fair Tablesetting Competition.  Personally, I think I'd switch the taller water goblet and shorter wine glass.  When I'm dining I usually like to drink water first before wine, and would reach for the goblet first, but...who am I to mess with tradition?! Any thoughts on this?




I decided I still wanted more color on my table, so I went to my cup and saucer collection.  Is it true that  MANY tablescapers also have cup and saucer collections?  I started with salt and pepper shakers, then went to cups and saucers and then found my way to tablescapes! Yup, my husband keeps saying, "We're gonna need a bigger house!"  And that's since we've become empty nesters!!  I found the napkins at World Market.  There were just two of them on the clearance rack and I grabbed them.  I had no clue how I would use them, I just LOVED the colors and pattern.  I was pleasantly surprised when I saw how well they matched the dishes I had found.  Just meant to be, I guess...


In this place setting, the cup and saucer have sentimental value to me.  A wonderful friend of mine (I always look forward to our fun trips antiquing together!), was kind enough to remember me when she found this sweet cup from her Mom's collection.  She gave it to me and it has become one of my favorite pieces.  I love its colors and shape, but mostly what it represents:  a willingness to share with me, a piece of her family history.



I wanted my centerpiece to also reflect the theme of a Sentimental Journey.  So I started with a delicate vase and tiny pitchers that were sent to me by a very dear friend.  She lives in France and is Grandma to two of my granddaughters.  She knows of my love for ceramics, and sent this set to me from her Mom's home when they were downsizing.  These lovely pieces will always be precious to me because I think of my friend whenever I pass my corner cabinet and see them on display.  The candlesticks were a wedding present from a close friend who passed away much too young.  When I see them I recall many memories of our shared times together and the great laughs we had.



I added two other elements for this Sentimental Journey.  The crystal salt and pepper shakers were a recent gift from my husband.  It was a totally unexpected gift, and it represents his support for my newfound hobby of tablescaping.  This gift warmed my heart.  The final component is my Grandma's cut glass celery dish.  I never knew my Grandma (she died very young), but this dish was on EVERY holiday table as I was growing up.  I am proud to say, we still NEVER have a holiday dinner that this dish is not brimming with cranberry sauce or anything else the menu dictates!



So this table has represented a sentimental journey for myself, remembering precious family and friends. It's also been a chance to hold true to a promise I made last weekend:  to honor  the "dear soul" whose lovely dishes now reside in my dish cabinet, and will be enjoyed for a long time.  What a great hobby this is!



I'd love to hear from you, so please leave a comment.  If you have to choose "Anonymous" to comment, please make sure your name is in the comment box at the end of your comment so I can respond to you personally!     Thanks, Rosie

I'm linking up to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch


 A Sentimental Journey                 www.betweennapsontheporch.net

10 comments:

  1. Very pretty ts, Rosie, and I love what you wrote. That's so sweet, to honor the lady who owned the dishes. Maybe her daughter will see this :)
    I'm subscribing, by the way, of course! Did you know you were my very first subscriber?! Besides myself, ha ha. Take care - Dawn

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    1. Hi, Dawn,
      Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you: my day got away from me. Thank you for stopping by. I'm trying to figure out how to set up email subscribers, so please bear with me. I checked on Blogger and the directions look confusing, but I will keep pursuing how to do it. Oh--I never knew this process had sooo many layers!! Thanks again for the encouragement. Rosie

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  2. My again - do you know if you have email subscribing set up yet? I know there's a million things to do when you start a blog, believe, I know! "Subscribe by email" under the comment form just subscribes to comment follow ups for that post. I'll just follow you on Bloglovin for now, that'll work! Take care

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  3. WOW! You have blown me away with the tablescape! The thoughts of the dear soul are so special! I love the use of the lace tablecloth. The china is gorgeous and I wish you would tell the name of china for appears to be Spode. Yes, I have had the same thing happen and I do believe this china was meant for you! Have a good week!

    Pam

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    1. Hi, Pam! I so appreciate your comments. I realized I hadn't mentioned the name of the china (and I had it on my notepad!!). It's called Wedgewood Corinthian and the pattern is "Cotswold". I really feel I'll enjoy it for a long time. Again, thanks for taking the time to write. Take care,
      Rosie

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  4. What a sweet story! Only one with a passion for tablescapes can understand the love of beautiful china. It's an addiction for me, some women collect purses or shoes, but for me it's plates!
    Beautiful table with your new old pieces!
    Jenna

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    1. Hi, Jenna,
      Many thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Over the past few weeks of beginning this adventure of blogging, I've been so happy to meet so many lovely ladies who truly understand "the love of a plate"! It's great to have others to share this with......
      Rosie

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  5. Hi, Rosie! I missed your tablescaping debut last week, but thanks for commenting on my table so I could find you! What a deal you got on these beautiful dishes! I love patterns with slightly different designs on the different pieces. I think the table you set shows off your newest dishes to perfection! I'm sure the original owner is smiling down, knowing someone new is enjoying her dishes. (Also, you might want to turn off the word ID, as you'll get more comments. I have had no trouble with spam not getting caught by the blogger filter.)

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    1. Hi,Jenna,
      Thank you for the advice: there is soooo much to learn about this blogging process and all help and suggestions are greatly welcomed!!
      Rosie

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  6. I loved your story -- most of what I put on my table has sentimental stories as well. I hope that you will come to visit me and that you will enjoy being a part of the tablescaping clan. It's a lot of fun!

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