"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Blue & White For Thanksgiving~ A Family Tradition

 This has to be my favorite china, Blue Danube*.
 Although not a bold beauty, this cup & saucer is the china pattern my husband & I chose for our wedding registration. 'Charleston ', by Noritake. This pattern was on sale when we married and we received settings for 12 in plates, cups & saucers, plus quite a few serving pieces.I love the simple elegance of this pattern and after almost 40 years of marriage have never tired of it.The ivory background with the platinum rims, and the dark blue design filled in oh-so-delicately with pale blue always look just right on my dining room table.
 My husband's father started our Blue Danube collection of china, and he filled in our wedding china pieces, and also gave us a set of Noritake 'Perspective' goblets in Peacock Blue to accompany our place settings. Above you can see the two china patterns we love and use frequently on our table as we share meals with people we love.( plus, a Blue Danube candle-stick I found at a thrift store! )
 I use my Blue Danube dishes as accent and decoration through-out our home.Here it is behind the tiers of fruit on the sideboard. What bounty !
 Over the years I have broken enough pieces of my wedding china that when we have a lot of company I need to fill in with Blue Danube. Here, before all the platters of food were placed on the Thanksgiving table you can see how I mixed and matched my favorite chinas.In the photo below, you can see the bright blue water goblets in my china cabinet and a few more pieces of Blue Danube.
The children ( 4 of our 8 grandchildren) had their own table, and you can see they are eating off Blue Danube. I used a yellow & white toile tablecloth for their table. I love the double-blossomed yellow orchid my husband's brother and his wife gave us as a host gift,it made a perfect center-piece for this table. ( Thank-you ! )
The nice thing about hosting any kind of dinner, lunch, or tea, is you can be as creative as you like. Matching dishes are not necessary, and often I think mixing patterns and decorations makes it more fun . I am very thankful for the china my husband & I chose together so many years ago, and especially thankful my husband's father loves to gift his family with dishes they love to use.I am MOST thankful for the family assembled at our table and the abundance of food to fill our dishes to overflowing ~ gifts from God I do not take for granted."Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise, Give thanks to him; Bless His name." Psalm 100:4

I am joining these ladies for Tea Time Tuesday:

12 comments:

Cooking Up Faith said...

That's just beautiful. I love it!!

Pondside said...

Your table is beautiful in its setting and the company around it. I would feel right at home at that blue table!

Antiques And Teacups said...

I am a total fan of blue and white, so I LOVED the china. One of my favorite patterns. Your Thanksgiving setting was lovely! I loved the centerpiece!
Ruth

Deanna said...

Lovely china! All looks so very nice. Like the blue and white.

May you have a blessed Christmas Season,
d from the prairie

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Kathy, all the tables are lovely and the china beautiful.

myletterstoemily said...

i love mixing and matching china. your
two patterns look lovely together.

Snap said...

I love blue and white and love that you mixed your favorite patterns. Such a beautiful setting for Thanksgiving. Lovely family and memories! Happy Tea Day!

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Lovely post full of happy family and memories. Such a beautiful table. There is just something special about blue and white china. I think everyone loves it!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Kathy,
Your blue and white is just beautiful and you have set a lovely table! The fruit stand looks scrumptious! As pretty as your table is, the nicest ornaments of all are the ones you love who gather around it! Thank you for coming to tea and sharing your beautiful post with us. Hope you are having a delightful week.

Blessings,
Sandi

A. Joy said...

I really should use our china more often, I just don't. Mostly because it can't be microwaved and I don't have people over often enough. Somehow, barbecue doesn't say "china" to me and that's usually what's served to our company. You do a good job of dressing things up to be comfortable and still look nice. I always liked the blue glass goblets. :)

Beth said...

Hi Kathy, Love your blue and whites - both of them. I have what must be a knock off of 'Blue Danube.' It's called 'Blue Bonnet' and made by Harmony House. It looks so much like yours!
You inquired about the Royal Wedding tea. I purchased it from Harney and Sons (you can access online). It has a delicate flavor, and to be honest, I prefer teas with a lot of flavor such as pumpkin chai. Have a Merry Christmas!
Beth

Terri said...

What a lovely post! I enjoy seeing your family get together. Your blue and white table setting is lovely! Both patterns are really beautiful and set a pretty table.
Your tiered centerpiece is amazing!
Hugs,
Terri