...family, friends, home and other tidbits of a blessed life

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Mother's Day in Blue and White tablescape

One of Mom's set of dishes came home a few weeks ago. It was bittersweet.
Getting them where Mom wanted them took some doing.
Dad finally relinquished.
 
To celebrate, the sun came out to play and dance a jig across the table.
I paired the Hutschenreuter salad plates with some new Coalport Athlone blue dinner and bread plates.
 
I had Replacements looking for a pattern name for the Hutschenreuter pattern. To no avail. First time I've stumped them. So now, I keep looking for more information. I do have a setting for 12, but one salad plate is cracked and I would love to find the matching bread plates.
I embroidered the napkins Sunday morning. For those who have an embroidery machine, do check out Sonia Showalter designs. They stitch out beautifully. I've never had a misstep in any one design!
 
I know Mom was smiling down on the table.
I do think I'll be using this china quite a bit.
I am collecting "accessories".
 
I used one of the 3 tureens for a centerpiece bowl. Mr. CJ went to the wholesale florist on Saturday morning to pick up Peonies and Iris. Thank you Denny!
 
I love how they came together.
Blue flowers are a bit hard to find!
 
I pulled out the Libbey Rock Sharpe wines and paired them with some blue waters.
 
 I started collecting the Waterford/Ajka Clarendon wine hocks to go with this set.
They are just photoshopped into this photo.
Since seeing is believing, it's a great way to convince Mr. CJ that yet one more set of crystal is absolutely necessary. He he.
 
With so much gold on the table, the silver candelabras, didn't work. They screamed out "I am wrong. I am wrong." So I chose crystal candleholders, one set has a gold band.
 
 
These cute horns are individual flower holders for each place setting.
They are Rosenthal. Also stumped Replacements with these.
Mom only had 5 left. So I added the sweet Lenox swan.
If anyone sees any of these, would you let me know?
Please and thank you!!
 
 
That is mom's tablecloth from her dowry, too. It's a really beautiful damask and has 12 matching napkins. I used different napkins because I really wanted a blue monogram on the plates.
Mom's tablecloth and napkins are all embroidered, by hand no less, with her initials.
Every stich was exactingly place by my grandmother's loving hands.
 
Paired with gold flatware, the plates are perfectly accessorized.
 
 
Not my most stellar effort, but it was time for a Black Forest Cherry Cake.
I promise to share that recipe soon.
 
Cast:
German Damask tablecloth
Napkins - My Place to Yours
Dinner and bread plates - Coalport Athlone
Salad plates - Hutschenreuter Unknown
Gold flatware - International Silver
Crystal knife rests - Mr. CJ's grandmother
Flower vases - Rosenthal
Crystal wine - Libbey Rock Sharpe
Blue water - unknown
 

A Mother's Love

There are times when only a mother's love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.
There are times when only a mother's love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we've dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a mother's faith
Can help us on life's way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.
For a mother's heart and a mother's faith
And a mother's steadfast love
Were fashioned by the angels
And sent from God above.
--Author Unknown
 
I miss you Mom.
 
I'll be sharing this tablescape at both Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish on Wednesday evening
I hope to see you there!
 
 

28 comments:

RhondaBuss said...

I love it, "one of mom's sets of dishes." Looks like the acorn did not fall far from the tree!!! So glad you have the dishes and can enjoy them.

Sarah said...

Marlis, this is an exquisite table setting. You didn't miss a beat with this one. The blue iris and white peonies are the perfect touch for this stunning table with its gorgeous blue and white details. How special to have these treasures from your mom. I don't pass by a piece of blue and white that I don't think of you, dear friend. ~ Sarah

Mary said...

Marlis~ What a gorgeous table, from the beautiful linens, embroidered napkins, flowers and your mother's dishes! Your tureen is stunning with the Peonies and Iris! I always love seeing your sun-kissed tables and your overhead shots! Glad your Mother's Day was beautiful and delicious!

Tricia said...

Absolutely stunning, Marlis! First of all, you can't go wrong with blue and white, but best of all, I love how beautiful you've made your mother's dishes! And those napkins are exquisite with the blue monogram! The flowers are perfect.

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Oh Marlis, I will always remember this beautiful table. Extra special that you set this table on Mother's Day with your mother's dishes. Everything from the linens, glassware, "freshly" embroidered napkins and floral arrangement are perfection.

hidden art of homemaking said...

Marlis, this is a stunningly beautiful table...so elegant...I could almost see your Mom here...what a sweet tribute to her. I especially liked that your grandmother embroidered your Mom's linens..that is such a lost art now...but...thanks for the name about machine embroidery..I will check her out. Your napkins are perfect...such a great job.
Love, Mona

Nancy @ The Headmistress said...

This is a beautiful table. I'm in love with your monogrammed napkins. It's all just so darn pretty!

Rettabug said...

Absolutely breathtaking, Marlis!! So many wonderful heirloom treasures to enjoy....my eyes were dancing all over the table, just like those sunbeams.
I looked online to see if I could find any of the horn flower holders or your pretty blue salad plates. No luck but I'll keep an eye out for you.

Thank you for sharing your gorgeous Mothers Day table.
fondly,
Rett

p.s. I can't wait for my pink & white peonies & iris to bloom! A few more weeks here.

Alycia Nichols said...

Isn't it weird how things that probably made no difference - like dishes - to a man when the wife was living, suddenly take on a whole new meaning? I know it was difficult for your Dad to let go of those because they were probably something your Mom really cherished. I'm glad he did, though. They need to be enjoyed and cared for by the daughter who loved, enjoyed and cared for her Mother so much. (Ramon has already declared that everything in the house will remain "as is" should I go before him. I need to work on that attitude!)

Your tablescape is beautiful, Marlis. I can't get over the fact that you just casually whipped out those embroidered napkins on Sunday morning. You say it like it's the most natural and easy thing in the world! :-)

I hope you are able to find the renegade pieces to add to the collection. I'll put the name of the pattern on my "Contact if Found" list. I am now starting to go to estate sales a little more, and who knows?

You did a great job of photoshopping those Waterford stems in on that one photo!!! It looked real!!!!!!!

Scribbler said...

I just love everything about this post -- so sweet and so beautiful. We never stop missing our mothers, do we?

Marigene said...

Marlis, blue and white...you can't beat it, not even with greens! beautiful table. Love the china...I think I have seen the patterned pieces somewhere, probably eBay! Hutschenreuther/Selb has some really pretty patterns, but it is so hard to find the pattern name...I have a set of very pale yellow/cream and white that I can't find the pattern name...have more or less given up looking.

The AJKA wine hocks would look fabulous on that table...I am sure your honey will agree once he sees the photo-shopped picture!

The monogrammed napkins are a perfect touch to the table. I can't believe you did them Sunday morning!

The peonies and iris are gorgeous. My iris are blossoming really fast with the warm weather...won't be long before the peony buds turn into glorious flowers.

Have a wonderful week...

Diane said...

Marlis - what a sweet post! I miss my mother, too. However, isn't it wonderful that we have these things that were precious to them and can have them "dine" with us whenever we want? All of the pieces are beautiful and I love the blue flowers!!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous blue and white. And those iris and peonies make my heart sing.

Wonderful table Marlis.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh Marlis, I know your Mom was smiling on your gorgeous table and your Grandma, too. What wonderful treasures you have to enjoy... the dishes and the tablecloth. You did a fabulous job on your napkins, too. I will definitely check out the designer you mentioned.

Entertaining Women said...

Of all your 'Creative Journeys', I think that this may have been one of your most memorable 'trips'. I'm so glad to see your mom's beautiful dishes safely in your care, and of course, you know that I absolutely adore the Coalport Athlone Blue. The table came together in perfect balance...each piece perfectly complimenting the next...Gorgeous! The monogrammed napkins are perfection because they bring your personal touch of art to the design. Mother's Day is the best of all days to bring the long held dream to fruition. Well done! Happy Mother's Day! Cherry Kay

xinex said...

What a beautiful tribute to your mom, Marlis! It can't get any better than using her things. I can see now who you took after when it comes to having exquisite things. Everything is so lovely and your table is very elegant. i really appreciate the prayers for my daughter and her baby. 6 more days and we get to meet the little one.....Christine

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

The blue and white is so beautiful! How special that the china and napkins were your mother's. Love those flower horns at each place! The iris and peonies centerpiece is gorgeous!

Katherine

Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside said...

Hi Marlis, I'm sure your mother was happy that you were using her beautiful china in a tablescape as a tribute to her! I really love the napkins and the beautiful stemware you photoshoped in!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Marlis, this is not only a stunning tablescape, it is also filled with handed down treasures-my favorite kind of treasures. The china pieces are wonderful, and the blue monogram on the napkins is the perfect touch. Breathtaking centerpiece too. No wonder you are a dish collector. Your Mother obviously started you off right. And OOOO, those wine stems you photoshopped - incredible. What a fun little trick. laurie

Decor To Adore said...

You just can't beat a classic blue and white tablescape. Your centerpiece is perfection!

The French Hutch said...

Marlis, this is a stunning table. Your Mom would be so pleased to see how much you love and appreciate her things. I love the pattern and the embroidered napkins. The flowers for the centerpiece are lovely too. Beautiful post.

~Emily
The French Hutch

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Such a beautiful Mother's Day table and sweet poems. Interesting pictures with the light shadows.

Dawna (Stitches from the Tub) said...

Beautiful Marlis.
I love that you photoshopped in the exta stemware, what a hoot.

A perfectly elegant table for Mother's Day. I'm sure your mom looked upon it and smiled.

Hugs,Dawna

Rosemary and Thyme said...

Wow Marlis. This is simply a stunning and elegant table. And with your Mom's dishes.. That is priceless.. How wonderful that you now get to enjoy them. I am sure she is very pleased.

Barbara said...

Marlis, it has been a long while since I have browsed through tables. I am so glad I saw this beautiful table, such a loving tribute to your mother. I know she must be so pleased that you treasure and use her lovely pieces. Your table is just exquisite. I hope that using your mother's beautiful things brought you comfort.

Dianne said...

Marlis,
I can't get enough of this table. I have been back to visit several times. I really love it when there are such sweet memories tied to your creations. No one but you could say, "I embroidered the napkins last night"! You are so talented. Dianne

Kathleen said...

This is stunning! The blue and white, and the monogrammed napkins, wow! Beautiful flowers too!
Yes, your mom would be happy!

Unknown said...

I just saw this post when researching Waterford Clarendon wine hocks which I have just started collecting. Do you think I can pair a quilted placemat with the Waterford and a lace tablecloth? I wonder if the quilted style placemat is too casual for crystal? Thanks and I am so loving your blog!

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