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.

White Orchid - are you sentimental?

photo credit: http://orchidspictures.net/White-Orchids.html

I went out with my husband on February 10, 1974. On February 14th, 1974 I received white orchids (smart fellow) and he asked me to marry him. (I didn't say yes for another 10 months!)

White orchid flatware: introduced 1953. I was born in 1953 (did I just tell my age?). 

My father-in-law was the largest inland orchid dealer in the United States. Hence the free orchids on valentine's in 1974, yes I still married Mr. Tightwad. He's now watching over us from heaven.

not a photo of my set, but one I found on the web

And then there was a listing for an estate sale. I went and they did have the Oneida Community Plate White Orchid flatware - a setting for 8 and iced tea spoons and serving pieces. It was still full price and they weren't budging. Even their full price was less than the prices I've seen on my favorite shopping mall and research facility - the world wide web.

So Saturday morning, I had to go back.. it was half price day. I know unheard of on a Saturday. I got there at 7:30am, insane huh? They opened at 8. It was still there. What's a girl to do with the all those background influences tugging at her insides? What do you think I did? huh? huh? huh?

I bought it.. all of it, the whole wooden box full. It's in such wonderful condition. And it's really pretty.. 

And it has orchids on it. and It looks marvelous with floral dishes. And I wish my father in law were still around to see this.. He would love it. He would be smiling. 

Garden Party Tablescape

Do you make sentimental purchases? 

What was your last one?

Do you love it or regret it?

I am linking up with Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, and to the Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday. cya there!