Let me tell you about my very first set of blue and white. When I was preparing to move into my very first apartment, which of course meant frugal living, I saw the cutest dishes ~ 'Floral Expressions' hand decorated and made in Japan ~ at one of our local grocery stores. You know, the kind you buy with the grocery store's stamps. You get a certain amount of stamps depending upon the dollar amount spent on groceries. (Wow that sounds like ages ago, LOL.) Each dish was sold a la cart, plus they also had other pieces, like the canisters, spoon rest, trivet, etc. My Mommy and I did so much grocery shopping over the next few months until I had every piece I wanted.
I wanted service for four, so I bought five each of bowls, cups and saucers, and plates. I figured, if a piece broke, I'd still have four. This set of stoneware is pretty durable, but I've broken a couple of pieces. Shortly after moving into my apartment, I baked a potato too long on the saucer in the microwave. Shall I say more? Nonetheless, I still think these dishes are cute. Mmm, not sure what happened to the rest. Mr. Wonderful and two little busy bodies, I suppose.
Well, over fifteen years later, I have four plates, three bowls, one cup and one saucer. I like to drink my morning cup of tea with the cup and saucer.
These aren't the finest accoutrements, but I sure have the fondest memories. Just as we're packing everything to move, I realized I didn't have any utensils, so my Mommy gave me a fork, a spoon, a wooden handled steak knife, a butcher's knife and a pitch fork. Okay, not a pitch fork, a long meat fork with two tines. I've been calling it a pitch fork every since I was a little girl because that's what I thought it looked like. My Mommy always giggled at the inside joke whenever I called it a pitch fork.
Recently (and probably for the umpteenth time), I told Mr. Wonderful that this is the fork and spoon my Mommy gave to me when I moved into my apartment, and I treasure them. He asked, why not put them some place safe. I said oh no, I cherish this memory by using them all the time. That's how I enjoy them. Otherwise, they'd just be somewhere collecting dust out of sight, out of mind.
After Mr. Wonderful and I wed and moved into our home, I set the table with these dishes and set the teapot with the dried roses in the middle with the angel salt and pepper shakers. You can see that centerpiece here. The teapot pin is the napkin's brooch and a silver teapot as a napkin ring. See, this tray setting is reminiscent of old times, the first table setting in our new home.
I have a set of four of these teapot napkin rings, each a different shaped teapot. I sort of like this tarnished look for my stroll down memory lane. Also, I have four of the teapot pins, two with the pink roses (shown) and two with a blue ribbon tied under the lid with teacup and a lemon wedge on the side.
By the way, this tray is to serve you. Sit back, reminisce and relax for a while.
Then, stop by Between Naps on the Porch and visit with Susan and all the other fabulous dish-a-holics. Good thing you're relaxed already because you might get giddy with excitement seeing all those beautiful dishes at Tablescape Thursday.
Thanks for visiting. Please take time and leave me a comment about your first set of dishes.
All the Best,
Requi
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