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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Celebrating Mothers

Mother's Day offers the opportunity to reflect on all the mothers who have touched our lives, especially those in our own families.  I have been blessed with a wonderful mother, loving grandmothers,and a sweet mother-in-law, all of whom have taught me by their example.  This week, the Let's Dish party at Cuisine Kathleen centers around mothers -- and dishes, of course! 

My very first tablescape posted on my blog, more than two years ago, featured my paternal grandmother's wedding china, which she gave to me before she died.  The pattern is Admiral, by Heinrich H&C.  There are 24 placesettings and many wonderful serving pieces, including TWO gravy boats.  If this photo looks familiar, it's because I'm using in my blog header.
This was a spring tablesetting, but I often use this china for Thanksgiving, as I did last year.  I always think of Grandma Rachel when I use her pretty china.  Sadly, I don't have any dishes from my maternal grandmother.  She had 21 grandchildren, and there just weren't enough to go around!  I do remember her colorful Fiestaware and wish some of that had made its way into my cupboards.
My mother has given me many pretty things over the years, like her crystal punchbowl, but she is still enjoying her own china and crystal and silver, which will one day be passed down to her grandchildren.  Our family is gathering next week to celebrate her 80th birthday!  Since I began blogging, I have had fun playing with HER dishes when I visit.  She has two formal china patterns, both by Castleton.  Here's her Ma Lin pattern, shown for an autumn table, but I've also used it to set a spring table
I've also posted two tables set with Mama's other Castleton pattern, Mayfair.  Here's a placesetting from a fall table.  A spring table may be viewed here.  I think both of these patterns are elegant and look very fresh, especially when you consider Mama and Daddy will soon celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary!
My sweet mother-in-law, Jean, passed away four years ago, but she also loved china of all kinds.  After my father-in-law moved into an apartment, he gave me their set of Wedgwood Potpourri, the everyday dishes she chose in later life.  I've posted three tables with this pretty pattern, which lends itself to tables of many styles and colors.  I think this is my favorite version so far:
Jean's formal china, Rosalinde by Haviland, was handed down to my daughter.  Together we set a pretty modern table with it at her house.  Her Gorham Chantilly silver is also from Jean's collection, which was divided between my two children.  It's fun to think that one day my granddaughter -- or maybe a great-granddaughter! -- will be the caretaker of this pretty china!
As you can see, a love for dishes and a reverence for family heirlooms connect four generations of mothers in my family! Thanks, Kathleen, for inviting us to celebrate mothers this week for your Let's Dish party!  Be sure to visit her blog after 7:00 p.m. this Wednesday to see lots of pretty dishes.

47 comments:

  1. This is the sweetest post, Tricia. I love all these dishes! They're just lovely. We have a set of heirloom dishes (Bavarian china) with many placesettings and serving pieces. One day when our son marries, it will go to him and his wife, if she wishes to have it.

    These are all so pretty it's hard to choose a favorite. This is a great post to celebrate Mother's Day, and Happy 80th Birthday to your mom!

    Hugs,

    Denise

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  2. How lovely Tricia. The dishes are all so beautiful. Our great-grands and grands had so much family in the old days and many things too, except they weren't enough to go around for everybody! Happy Mother's Day to you and happy birthday to your sweet mother as well. Have a great week.
    FABBY

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  3. Tricia, beautiful dishes run in the family. I loved seeing all these pretty place settings and learning about their origins. You come by your tablescaping naturally. laurie

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  4. Gorgeous tables, Tricia. Wonderful Mother's Day post.

    Happy 80th Birthday to your mother.

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  5. Tricia, your family just knew you would enjoy their beautiful dishes! Happy Mother's Day to you and your mom, and Happy 80th birthday to your mom as well.

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  6. These lovely tables are a reflection of the wonderful women in your life and it a great way to honor them. The presentation of their story and the china they used is so special. I have enjoyed these table settings very much. Happy Mother's Day and hope you and your family enjoy a grand celebration on your Mother's Birthday!
    Pam

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  7. Beautiful tables. I LOVE your dishes. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  8. These kinds of stories are my absolute favorites! I see much of the tableware that we use, as chances to pass along family stories and traditions. All of the china is beautiful, but I especially like the Ma Lin pattern. Thank you for sharing your family history!!

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  9. This post really touched my heart. Isn't it amazing how we love things that belonged to someone we love! I can imagine how lovingly you set a table with any of these beautiful sets. You are blessed to have them!
    I have 4 small Rosalinde plates and I LOVE them!
    Tricia, what a lovely post... I enjoyed reading all about your treasured china!
    Happy Mother's Day!

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  10. You and your daughter are so lucky to have all these wonderful things passed down! And yes those dishes look like something a bride might chose today! Very interesting reading. Thanks for sharing!

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  11. Family heirlooms are just so very special. You have some wonderful treasures's Tricia. Happy Mother's Day!

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  12. What a wonderful celebration of your mothers/grandmothers! How meaningful & special to be a caretaker of your family heirlooms! Happy Mother's Day to you :)

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  13. You have some beautiful family china...lovely tables, Tricia. Happy Mother's Day!

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  14. My goodness I like all of your table scapes. What beautiful china, and special heirlooms.
    Pat

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  15. Wow, they are beautiful sets! I couldn't pick one, but I am partial to cream soup cups, LOL!
    Thanks so much for sharing these with Let's Dish! SO glad you joined in! We meet every week, table or not, just some dish chat! :)
    Happy Mother's Day, T!

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  16. Those of us who have been blessed with our parents living good long lives should feel on top of the world, shouldn't we? It's a blessing for us to have the advice, the companionship, and the love for all those many years. (Even the nagging is a blessing when you sit and think about it!) I'm so glad that you have had your Mom in your life for all these years! You have set some pretty tables with your Mom's treasures, and I am sure she appreciates what you see in her choices. Same applies to your Grandma Rachel looking down from heaven and knowing that something she loved is still being loved and cared for by you. Happy Mother's Day to you, dear Tricia, and to the Mother who raised a fine young woman in her own image.

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  17. Tricia, it's so wonderful to have so many tangible reminders of love! Your tables with each set are very pretty. I love the Castleton pieces. Still so very timely today.. Thanks so much for sharing.. Happy Mothers Day.. xo Marlis

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  18. I love seeing all of the different sets, but I'm still hung up on the 21 children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Happy Mother's Day.

    - The Tablescaper

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  19. Beautiful china, and each tablescape is lovelier than the next! Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy Mother's Day. xo

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  20. Wow! You really have inherited some lovely dishes for sure! Beautiful settings. Love those blue goblets!

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  21. I enjoyed seeing your china and learning about the meaning behind each set.

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  22. All these dishes are beautiful, Tricia. It is obvious you all love dishes, so wonderful that they are being passed on. The patterns are all overly...Christine

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  23. You have an entire legacy of beautiful china, Tricia. I loved what you said at the end about thinking that our granddaughters or even great granddaughters might someday cherish and use the stuff we use now. I love every pattern that you showed. At first, I thought I was going to pick a favorite. I couldn't.

    Let's face it. Beautiful dishes are almost impossible to choose from.

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  24. Tricia, it's wonderful that these family dishes have found their way to your home where they are loved and appreciated. A love of beautiful china along with the loving thoughts that these pieces bring is obvious in your lovely post. Thanks for sharing these treasures. Happy Mother's Day! ~ Sarah

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  25. Hi Tricia! What a wonderful variety of china! They are all so pretty. Happy 80th to your mother! Thank you for visiting my blog!

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  26. What a hard thing to decide which patterns are prettiest in this post. I think Grandmother Rachel's good dishes and Jean's everyday are wonderful, but they all make a lovely presentation.

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  27. You are so lucky to have had such wonderful ladies in your family who collected such beautiful china. Traditions are to be cherished, as are the heirlooms. It is always such a pleasure to catch up with you on your blog.

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  28. What treasure you have passed down to you. These dishes are gorgeous and you are so lucky to have them. They all are equally lovely.
    Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving me kind words. Happy Mother's Day.

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  29. Tricia, what treasure you have been blesses with! I love all the table settings. I checked your sterling and they are similar. I wish mine said the pattern name. Isn't it funny how many of us love dishes?? Happy Mother's Day to you.

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  30. What a great post! You have so many lovely dishes that you've inherited from the Moms in your life. They are truly treasures and oh so pretty!

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  31. Tricia, what a wonderful family collection of tableware you have -- and what a blessing to have such wonderful women in your life. I know they would be so proud of the way you're passing on the legacy to your own daughter. Happy Mother's Day to you!

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  32. Lovely post! My husband's grandmother's mother had 22 children - they loved to say - same parents no twins! He comes from a very large family! Love all the patterns to these settings - such special treasures!
    I hope you have a blessed Mother's Day,
    Kathy

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  33. Gosh, so many beautiful patterns! Everything is so lovely. Happy Mother's Day!

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  34. I must have missed your blue and yellow outdoor table last week! It was a stunner.

    How fun to have such beautiful china from those you love. I just love using things that come from my mother and grandmothers. It gives us such a connection doesn't it? Those ruffled chargers give such a fun pop of color! Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

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  35. What lovely china you have and the tables look so pretty! Thanks so much for popping in to see me.
    Happy Mother's Day and be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  36. You are so blessed to still have your mother! All of the china is so pretty and makes beautiful tablescapes!

    Katherine

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  37. Such beautiful pieces. I think my favorite is the Ma Lin. Dianne

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  38. Oh such beautiful China and how lucky you are to get to create tablescapes with them. Such a nice tribute to each you have created. Each set is beautiful and although some appeal individually to bloggers, I enjoyed each and every one.

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  39. Beautiful china, but the stories behind the dishes are even more special! Thanks for sharing!

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  40. OOPS! Had to delete to correct my typos!
    Tricia, This is a beautiful post and tribute to the Mothers in your family. These ladies certainly had a timeless since of elegance. Your family is indeed privileged to be the caretaker of such lovely family treasures. Thanks for sharing. Many Blessings for a wonderful Mother's Day. Ginger

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  41. You have some gorgeous family treasures to use when your design your tables. I've always really liked the Ma Lin....I see it frequently on eBay. Thanks for inviting us for a stroll through your beautiful settings. Cherry Kay

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  42. These are true heirlooms that are cherished, as well they should be. It's great to see how you love and enjoy them and their history. Happy mother's day. ~Zuni

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  43. It's fantastic to have such beautiful dishes shared by so many ladies.
    Love all your pretty place settings.
    Happy Mother's Day.
    xo bj

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  44. How wonderful to have all those lovely dishes from the sweet women in your family!! Truly a treasure!!

    Thank You for commenting on my Mothers Day Tablescape and I hope you have a wonderful week!
    Aledia @ Plum Perfect

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  45. Hi darling, what treasures you have, the memories are priceless. Happy Birthday to your Mother maybe a wee bit early.... Loved all your tablescapes, you know the blue one stole my heart.
    hugs ~lynne~

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  46. Adorable and memorable post... every piece is so lovely... love the yellow one more which is the gift from your MIL...it is so nice to have such a treasure... very lovely post...I really enjoyed reading it...

    With Love
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com
    Farah

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