Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Memories of Christmas Dinner

 

 

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I am joining Susan from Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. This is an event where grownups play with dishes and take pictures of what they have done. There are some very pretty dishes and tables out there.

When I moved from my house in Maine into a condominium, I had to downsize. Some of the decisions were painful. However, I found wonderful homes for most of the items and because I have wonderful family and friends I am able to reset the table almost the way my mother did with a few of my own touches.

I started with a beige linen tablecloth which was topped with a sheer cotolene cloth from Spain. This was one of my mother’s favorite looks for the table. I am using her Spode. The silver is mine and the pattern is Homewood by Stieff. Homewood was the name of the estate of Charles Carroll who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

My mother’s silverplate was by Community and the name of the pattern was Forever. I never knew the name of the pattern before but I  found it on google. I only have one piece of it now.

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Her stemware was American by Fostoria. I have thought of collecting that but I have found it to be quite pricey here in Florida. I have taken a liking to Caprice by Cambridge and I have started to collect that. I find the pattern soothing. It is meant to show the effect of rippling water when a pebble is tossed in (that is what the dealer told me anyway).

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The glass plates are Caprice as are the water goblets.

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The glasses I am using as wine glasses are Fostoria and the pattern is Ballet. The Caprice and the Ballet are recent acquisitions from a trip to Arcadia, Florida. There are lots of dealers on a street that reminds me of the Wild West.

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I found the bowl all dusty in a shop and I believe it is Hobnail by Westmoreland. The candlesticks with the glass hurricanes were my mother’s and used for all holidays. The stockings were made on my embroidery machine and will be stuffed with treats and hung on the back of the chairs like this. They are designs from Anita Goodesign. I find these designs very well digitized and fun to stitch out!

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A little candle light makes the crystal sparkle. The silver plate trivet was my grandmother’s.

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The napkins and napkin rings are new and the salt and pepper which need to be polished were a wedding gift.

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The snowflakes were made from a Martha Stewart kit a few years back. They were fun to make. I will have to see if they are still available!

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Wishing all my blogging friends a blessed holiday season and a happy and healthy new year.

12 comments:

podso said...

It's a beautiful table, Carol. I love that silver trivet--how special to have all these things from your family history. Have a wonderful Christmas!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Lovely table! I loved reading about the history of your things.

Merry Christmas to you, Carol!

Cathy said...

Your table is beautiful, Carol, and even more special with all the memories it holds.

Happiest holiday best wishes to you and your family.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Dear Carol,
what a lovely table, and so full of wonderful memories. I, too, have some things from my Mama that I cherish and love to use.

INCLUDING the exact same silverplate pattern -- the Forever by Community. That was our family's flatware when I was a little girl -- I remember we could not eat eggs with it, or scoop mustard; Mom had stainless for that.

She stopped using it many decades ago and it sat, wrapped, in the linen closet until I found it when they were moving, and asked for it!

I have passed it on to my daughter Anne; it's a service for 8 with only one big soup spoon missing. I never EVER see it anywhere, that pattern is not a common one -- and what fun it was to see it pop up in your post!

One more thing we have in common.
:-)
Merry Christmas, my friend.
Cass

Pam said...

Carol, it's all gorgeous! I love the old pieces as they add so much charm to your table setting and are beautiful. The tablecloth with the topper is so pretty and I can see why your mom favored it. I love Hobnail.

Here's wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the best to you in the New Year!

Donnie said...

Your table is lovely Carol and so many memories. Thank you for sharing them. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful dear Carol!!!
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Kisses, Zondra Art

A Garden of Threads said...

Beautiful Carol, I love the Christmas stockings. I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Happy Holidays.

Marlis said...

Your china is what caught my eye.. I totally love it. The crystal is perfect with it, as it the topper. Truly a magnificent table. I love those stockings.. they took hours to stitch!!! I am going to order me some of those designs!! Merry Christmas to you and yours and may the blessings of the new year unfold by the thousands!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Carol, in addition to your heirlooms which are gorgeous, those stockings are fabulous! What talent you have!

I have been MIA for a variety of reasons, but I wanted to drop by and wish you a very Merry Christmas! Hope it's filled with all that's merry and bright...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Rettabug said...

Popping by to wish you a very Blessed & Merry Christmas, Carol! Your table is lovely & have you see all the Caprice pieces that Bill at Affordable Accoutrements has collected?? Its a gorgeous pattern!

All the years we lived in Venice, I never got to go over to Arcadia, Florida. I think I will make a trip there in Feb., Lord willing.

Have a wonderfully WARM & Healthy New Year!

fondly,
Rett

p.s. PRETTY stockings!!!! ♥

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