Saturday, January 19, 2013

An Invitation for Dinner...

As of the end of this month, I will have been in my apartment for 15 years.  I wish I could afford to buy it, but, I have probably paid for it many times over by now.  In any case, it's comfortable.  Today I decided to to some pre-spring cleaning.  You know how that happens -- you start in one little corner, and then all of a sudden the whole place needs to be cleaned.  The moral of the story is, never start in that one little corner.  Anyway, as I was scrubbing out cupboards, I found some vintage dinnerware that my mother had purchased many years ago.  The pattern is Pine Tree by Fine China of Japan.  From what I understand, they were an English company and most of their patterns were traditionally British.  My mother, however, was in love with all things Japanese, and this was her dinnerware.

I remember many wonderful Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and birthday dinners enjoyed with these dishes.  It seems to be such a shame that they have been sitting -- languishing -- on the top shelf of my kitchen cupboard for the past 15 years.  Phinnaeus gave me some exquisite hand-printed Ajrakh serviettes from India for Christmas this year, and they would look spectacular with this china.  And, along with the china, I found some wonderful silver serving dishes and a gravy boat.  How could I have forgotten they were there?

At one time I used to love giving dinner parties and entertaining, but I haven't done any for a long time.  It's about time I started again.  Anyway, I need an excuse to use this beautiful china again.  You're all invited.

11 comments:

DJan said...

It's truly beautiful, Jo. Very exquisite. I had lots of company years ago, but my husband doesn't enjoy it, so we go out instead of entertaining. I gave away all my china when we moved here five years ago. You just reminded me of it, the first time I've even thought of it! :-)

Nicole said...

It's beautiful! I would love to dine with those lovely pieces.

Linda Myers said...

It is beautiful. If you have a party I will probably come! I hadn't entertained anyone but family for five years until last week, when we had friends over for dinner in our Tucson park model. They're three doors down - not very far when the doors are on park models!

Meryl Baer said...

After years I came to the realization I did not need guests to use my good stuff. Once in a while I use my favorite china pieces for a special meal that maybe only two of us enjoy!

Leslie: said...

I think the style of fine china has gone away now. The younger generation isn't interested in it or the crystal and silver our parents loved and that we inherited. Now what do we do with it?

Russell said...

The china is very nice. Glad you found it! It wsa just waiting for you to rediscover it!!

Now it's time to use it!

My living room has a similar pattern to it as it has a somewhat cabin in the north woods type theme.

mrsnesbitt said...

I LOVE nice china but do get angry when stuff is discontinued. When we were married we had Marks & Spencer's Autumn Leaves on our wedding list. It was discontinued months later. I decided then to buy white china as it can always be replaced and added to. We too have started spring cleaning - we have to as our DIY is back on track.

KathyB. said...

The china is beautiful. My mother chose a similar pattern from Noritake.

I am glad to read you are planning a dinner to use this china.I hope it will prove to be just one of many dinner & luncheons using this china and sharing a meal with people you love to be with.You won't regret it.

Smalltown RN said...

Those are gorgeous plates. Yes isn't it funny how we have these things we love them and yet we don't use them. That's how I felt about my moms tea set, I think I used it more than she, so when she passed away I got it. I haven't used it anywhere near as much as I should..thanks for the reminder...tea is on!

Katy said...

I love the pattern. I have dreams of having a dinner party one day. Some day.

Carol E. said...

I'll be there. What's the date?