Thursday, February 15, 2007

My Mother's Dishes









My Mother’s Dishes

When I was very young, my father gave my mother a beautiful twelve place setting of dishes. I was never absolutely sure what the pattern name was. All I knew was they were pretty to me.

When the preacher came to eat with us, on Christmas and other holidays we always used them.

They were unique in that there were three graduated size platters, two covered casseroles, dinner plates, salad plates, bread and butter plates, soup bowls, berry bowls, cups and saucers, gravy boat with under plate, vegetable bowl, sugar bowl and cream pitcher.


Through the years, a couple of plates, two or three cups were broken. When my mother died the dishes were left to my oldest daughter Melinda. I quickly asked if I could keep them as long as I have a home. She graciously said yes.


Not long ago, while in an antique shop, I saw several pieces just like them. I thought they were overly priced so I passed them by. Big mistake. Later the store was going out of business and everything was 50 percent off. I checked back , but of course they were gone. I researched the internet and found them. The pattern is Silver Gardenia. The full price at the antique store was a great buy.


When we are all together, I use the dishes. Kinda seems like old times.

17 comments:

TJ said...

What a nice treasure!!
:-D

dot said...

Betty, those are beautiful dishes!

Tony and I were talking last week about how everyone used to invite the preacher to dinner. Does anyone do that any more?

Naturegirl said...

Your mothers china is beautiful! The pattern so lovely and how nice that your daughter understood your need to have them near. I have my mothers in a box in my basement and cannot seem to remove from the boxes while she is still in the nursing home..it saddens me so I just leave them...I will know when the time is right to add them to my china cabinet as ~You did.~
~Thank you~ for coming by
*nature-trail* and leaving me a lovely heartfelt message.That was a very difficult post for me.I am coming to you from Florida! hugs

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Those are lovely! I've done that very same thing, thought perhaps I should make a purchase and then kick myself later that I didn't.

I inherited my MIL's china that she inherited from HER mother. Considering my MIL was 85 when she passed away about ten years ago, it is quite old. It has pretty, petite flowers on it that I loved from the moment I saw it at my in-law's house as a bride.

I know when I use it, there are lots of memories for my husband and my daughter of Holidays at Grandma's house (my MIL had stopped cooking big meals by the time my son was born).

Once again...gorgeous dinnerware!

Karen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karen said...

Betty, that was a sweet post. That pattern is lovely. I like to check out the antique stores around here pretty often and I'll keep my eyes open for them.

Susie said...

We go to lots of antique stores looking for my pattern. I don't recall seeing this one, but it's just lovely. It's wonderful that you use your beautiful things from time to time. I think it helps us feel closer to our loved ones who've gone on..
:)

Janice said...

What a lovely set of dishes with many wonderful memories. I'm so glad you found out the name of them! That makes it all seem complete now.
Flora

Mary L. Briggs said...

So glad you are using your mom's beautiful china. It's such a waste to leave them up all the time. I think that using them adds more memories and makes us appeciate them even more.

Jeanette said...

Hi Betty I just popped in from Horizon. OH such beautifull china.I would be frightened to use them in case any of it got broken.my mother gave me grandmothers many years ago its stamped.Empire England with a number.and in the back of my cabinet were my grandchild cant touch it .

Tina Leigh said...

Betty you need a spanking for not getting those dishes!!! Now if you can still get them from somewhere PAY THE MONEY & GET-EM!!! Good Night!! They are soo pretty! Besides they will get harder & harder to find...your doing it for your daughter! Do you hear my tone, lol!!

Marci said...

Those dishes are beautiful. I am sure they are a wonderful treasure to you. I am glad your daughter is allowing you to enjoy them. I would keep checking ebay and other places on the internet to replace your broken pieces.

Lovella ♥ said...

I have a set of my mom's first nice dishes as well. They sit in my cabinets and I don't really use them, but after seeing your post, I think I'll go have a look at them. Even though I don't have a set large enough for the whole family, I could never let them go. When I look at them, memories of family meals together flood back.

Carole Burant said...

Such beautiful dishes, Betty, with so many memories behind them! I'm glad you use them too:-) I have just caught up with all your posts...I'm so sorry for not visiting you lately, I've now added you to my bloglines so I won't lose you again!! lol Hugs xox

weirdbunny said...

I'm so glad you use the dishes just like your mother for special occasions. I use best stuff all the taime, then regrat it when I break them ....

Jen said...

How wonderful your daughter lets you keep them. How special a memory you have of your mothers dishes.

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Betty, Your mother's dishes are just beautiful!