I’m participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch…
This is more of a tribute to this Limoges China (and my Great Aunt) than a tablescape…which seemed appropriate with Valentine’s Day around the corner. My Great Aunt’s china has been squirreled away in a cabinet in my dining room. This hasn’t seen the light of day in years, so I thought it was only fitting to pull it out and let it breathe…
It is marked Avenir Limoges France. It is dainty and pink and fragile. There were twelve place settings once upon time. Probably 80% of this is still intact, without chips or cracks.
Confession time: I am a Pack Rat. Yes, admitting it is the first step towards recovery :-)
I am more of a RED kinda girl. My tastes lean more toward Italian Pottery, like Vietri.
Even though this is not my taste, and I have yet to use it, I can’t seem to bring myself to donate it. Yes, I know that is what I should do, maybe I will some day soon…*sigh*
Here are some fun Valentine’s Day facts…The per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2005 was 25.7 pounds.
The cup & saucer are under a cloche here. Everything looks special under a cloche, (even M&M’s!), don’t you think?
These little wedding cookies look particularly tasty on this plate…
“Chocolate is cheaper than therapy and you don’t need an appointment.”
— Catherine Aitken
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” –Charles M. Schultz
Don’t you just love chocolate covered fruit??
The tradition of Valentine’s cards did not become widespread in the United States until the 1850s, when Esther A. Howland, a Mount Holyoke graduate and native of Worcester, Mass., began mass-producing them.
188 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion.
This is how I prefer my love notes to come… inside chocolate…
No, no, no….don’t part with it!!! Every time I’ve cleared out & given away stuff, I find I need or want it a few years later. Box it up & tuck it away in the basement if you don’t have room for it upstairs but KEEP it. Trust me, you’ll treasure it more & more as time goes on. Its beautiful china!
I love your post. I wouldn’t get rid of that beautiful china. Just store it away somewhere, but keep it. Wedding cookies are my absolute favorite and everyone is making those strawberries. I am going to have to go get the stuff to make those. Yum…..Kim
It’s family — don’t get rid of it — even if you store it — unless there is a family member who would cherish it. It’s absolutely stunning.
Great post!! I love all the quotes….I’m not a pink floral girl either, but I would keep it too! (I like the name of your blog!)
Beautiful, simple and elegant. Hang on to those dishes! I have an old set of pink and green china from my aunt’s collection. Wouldn’t take anything for it now. Use for lovely spring, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, etc. tablescapes.
I say to use your great aunt’s gorgeous china, you may grow to love it…just a thought! Thanks for sharing.
Donate it! WHAT! OMG! I think that is some of the most beautiful china plates I’ve seen. It is so my style! I would kill to own that set. Take another look at it. I’m sure you will see the beauty in it. Even if you don’t use it all the time I would not part with it. It’s always nice to have different settings. Maybe you could use it when you have someone over who adores pink!
I think you are one very very lucky gal to own that set.
Hugs,
Joanne
A lovely tribute you did. I think it was all lovely at least you dug it out and shared it with all of us.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a Blessed Friday,
Sherry
gorgeous eye candy. I just got a box of Shari’s berries from my hubby…a dozen choc covered strawberries.
Hi my friend,
Tiny pink rosebuds and tender green leaves…So delicately painted on plates.
Plates lovingly stored until a purpose arose.. to be unveiled for others to see….
thank you for bringing them out of the cabinet so dark..
to honor Great Aunt, and a sense of family…
so delicate, the sweet , scalloped tea cup, invites one, a sip of good southern tea..
I’ll take it hot, cold or sugar free.
interesting information about the cards. Plates are so pretty and there is nothing better then sipping a good cup of Early Gray tea with friends. I just had a tea for all the area bloggers in my area and posted my tea party too. Happy Valentine’s day.
Joyce
Love your beautiful dishes…and topped with the chocolate strawberries make it perfect…loved the pictures, they are just so pretty….Just find a place to store them, you will be happy you did later…Phyllis…come on over for a visit……
What a beautiful tribute. As a pink girl I say don’t donate!! Unless of course it is to me!! :) Your collection is a treasure and I know your great Aunt would love the beauty of your tribute and the wonderful quotes you included. My uncle kept a few of my grandmother’s dishes and when I was grown he gave them to me. I treasure them and would love to know the stories of her pretty collection. I now have a little girl of my own and I am glad that I will have them to pass along. I only wish I had more of it to share. Happy Valentine’s Day!
So lovely. The chine is amazing! Thanks so much for sharing. Have a great Valentine’s Day! Cheers, Lia
Very pretty!Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!:)
Oh what beautiful dishes! Lovely — and you’ve photographed them to perfection!