Never too many orchids

It's our 47th Valentine's, aka the 47th anniversary of our second date. On that Valentine's day that many years ago my soon to be husband gave me 9 orchids and asked me to marry him.  I wish I had a picture. This year that sweet man bought me 12 dinner plates with orchids.  

Side Note: his dad had the largest orchid greenhouse between Dallas and Hawaii. That tidbit was learned later as we dated some more.

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Hence, I have this thing for orchids. Apparently I'm more sentimental than I ever imagined. 

He really took me by surprise. Orchids on dishes. He does think we have "more than enough" dishes, but I guess I'd been yammering about these that I came across on Ebay for so long, he pulled the trigger. 

 

These are Rosenthal Winifred Orchid. Surrounded by the yellow rose of Texas, my favorite Lilies of the Valley and forget-me-nots this plate has moved itself to the top of my favorite list. The plate has a back stamp dating it to US Zone Germany 1946-1949. They are in absolutely perfect condition and arrived without one plate being shattered.

The cutlery is Community (Oneida) White Orchid. I had purchased it years ago at an estate sale on the half price day. They opened at 9 and I was there at 8:20am. I purchased it with the future in mind, as I bought them probably 8 years ago?? White Orchid was first produced in 1953 and the bill of sale included with this set is dated in 1953. It's as old as I am. 

I had previously used these Rosenthal Aida orchid plates on a table I did to showcase a tablecloth from a friend of mine. You should check out her linens here. They are wonderful!! I had the soup bowls, which I tend to use for salads as well, bread and butter plates and that was it. Then my sweet friend who had the rest of the pieces (dinner plates, salad plates, serving pieces) decided to let hers go and thus I now have 12 place settings of this china as well. At the time, I did not know about the others on their way :). These date from 1953 to 1956. 

Tried out this combination of blue placemats and pink napkins, but a whole table of pink and blue.. well it's not my cup of tea.

From a few weeks ago. I think maybe if I had some pink in a floral arrangement it might work so I haven't discounted setting one like this in the future. However, my sweet husband is "not into pink". Those are Heisey Orchid candleholders on the table.

Pink really is pretty with the dishes though...

So we'll be dining on the blue linen this Valentine's evening. Sterling napkin rings contain white damask napkins, Heisey Orchid water glasses to be used for wine instead of the pictured Libbey Rock Sharpe and the menu is his favorite veal piccata, the link to the recipe is here. He's also purchased a sweet white orchid for the centerpiece.

I wish you much love, joy and happiness in the year ahead. May your memories sustain you and bring you joy.

Orchids on Gray

A while back I was asked to do some table settings using my favorite french jacquard tablecloths.  I purchased this gray one because I thought it'd go with my Lenox Snow Lily. But alas, no. Snow Lily is more taupish gray and this is a true gray. Sophie of Bleu d'Olive is my tablecloth purveyor (someone mentioned that is is my tablecloth crack dealer :-) ). She is French, lives in Arizona, and is in the process of getting a website up and going. When it's live, I'll share her info! You can also find her table linens at Detours inside La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, NM. I believe she has a spot in Scottsdale, Arizona as well. Sophie's website is up! https://bleudolive.com

I pulled out my Rosenthal dinner plates and topped them with a Rosenthal orchid bowl. The orchid pattern is a new one in my collection (huge eye roll). My father in law had the largest orchid greenhouse west of Dallas. He even sent cattleyas to Hawaii. He and Raymond Burr could talk orchids forever! I had purchased the Community White Orchid cutlery pattern a long time ago and was looking for dishes when these Rosenthal pieces came into view.

This tablecloth is called ABCDaire or Alphabet. Between the motifs on the drop, alphabet letters are dispersed around the table. I had the pink napkins that were purchased on Amazon.

I chose to use the Mikasa Iced Teas and Libby Rock Sharpe 2009-4 waters for wine glasses. Many of the older pattern wine glasses are quite small so I'll use waters for the wine instead.

Coalport floral placecard holders let everyone know their place. I've also seen these in multi-colors. Thee are incredibly delicate. It always surprises me to find such treasures still intact.

Remember that the goal was to highlight the tablecloth, so I left the center a bit more bare than I usually do. This way the center motif shows well. This table was set during the beginning of Covid times and I had thought I'd try to venture out and pick up some flowers. My youngest child noticed what I was doing and came back with the perfect pink roses. Not bad for a boy! I added vinca tendrils for a bit of dimension. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do or any port in a storm.

Unimposing vintage pressed glass candle holders. When I set this table for guests, I'll bring in some more crystal candle holders or votives and another small bouquet of roses on each end.

One of my next missions is to find some gold napkin rings that are not too heavy for delicate plates. Any suggestions? These silver ones are rimmed in gold so they worked well on this table. The cutlery is Antique Baroque by Wallace. Would you use chargers the next time?

I'm always smitten by the detail of borders. And cutlery. And linens. Let's just face it, I'm smitten with all things table.

Thank you for stopping by. It's been a pleasure to share this table with you and I hope it brought you joy in this time of Covid. How are you handling it?