Wednesday, May 11, 2011

For A Special Mother


     When thinking about how to set the table for Mother's Day this year, it was easy for my daughter and I to decide what dishes we were going to use. The china belonged to my mother-in-law who died last month. My sister-in-law didn't want the china and I just couldn't leave it at the house for the large auction we will be having in July. I brought it home thinking maybe my daughter would want it. She decided she wants a different every day pattern that also belonged to my mother-in-law, so maybe at some point my son will have someone special in his life who will like this pattern. I have my own china, my mother's and my grandmother's china...but, I still didn't feel right leaving this behind.


     This isn't china my mother-in-law got when she was married. She bought it later on. It is Noritake Arlington. At first I wasn't crazy about it, but it has sort of grown on me. I do love the soft gray next to the white.


     The stainless was also my in-law's. We will be taking the set to my daughter our next trip down. It is Oneida Cherbourg which was made in the early '80's. 


     Silver chargers, a hand embroidered tablecloth of my mother's and soft pink wine glasses completed the table.


     Vintage crystal candlesticks and a strand of grape lights surround the beautiful floral arrangement that was a wonderful Mother's Day surprise.




Of course we had to light all those candles!
 






     Dinner wasn't all that elegant, but it was good. My daughter and I had grilled salmon and my son and husband had burgers.



Yes, those are roasted radishes.
I've been seeing them in magazines and they were quite good.
 A little olive oil, salt and pepper...that is it!


Deviled eggs...recipe here.


The kid's favorite fruit salad-recipe here.





I am joining Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
Please stop by and tell her I sent you!


25 comments:

Barbara F. said...

Just beautiful,Sue. A loving tribute to your MIL and your Mom. xo,

Unknown said...

So elegant a setting ... how sweet you have these treasures of your MIL. Love your presentation, Sue.

Have a beautiful day ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

5-Day GIVEAWAY, pop over

Lynn said...

I think your MIL's dishes are very pretty Sue and the table looks great:@)

The Charm of Home said...

Sue,
This is beautiful. I love the china with the chargers! The food looks delicious too.
Sherry

Vintagesouthernlife said...

Your table is just beautiful. I love your MIL's dishes and your mom's embroidered tablecloth.
The radishes look delicious! I'm going to have to try them.

Red Couch Recipes said...

Sue -- I got my mom's china the same way. No one wanted it and I couldn't stand to see them go to GW. Everything is lovely and I used to cross stitch tablecloths. Love the chargers too. Never heard of roasting radishes, but I do love them raw. Joni

Southerncook said...

Stunning table, I particularly liked the photos with the lights dimmed and candles lit. LOVE those chargers and the tablecloth is just gorgeous.

Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Table? - So very pretty!!! Food ? - Looks so good - I will have a burger - please.:D
Hope you are having a great week.
Glenda

The Tablescaper said...

So soft and lovely. I can see what you mean about it growing on you. At first, the grey is just OK, but then you see it meld into the entire tablescape. So beautiful and so full of meaning.

- The Tablescaper

Tess said...

I just love that you couldn't leave those dishes behind! I'm very sentimental so this really touched me. The table is beautiful and the setting makes your delicious dinner very elegant!

Marivene said...

What a wonderful history from both sides of the family those dishes now hold. They belonged to your MIL & your rescued them. Perhaps a future grandchildren will treasure them. Lovely table.

Pondside said...

Like everyone else, I congratulate you for saving the dishes from the sales room. Someone, sometime will thank you for the gift of a beautiful bit of family history.

Shellbelle said...

I'm so glad you rescued those dishes, there is a real possibility that years from now, you're daughter could change her mind. What we want when we're young, changes over the years. So, even if your son isn't ready for them, I would pack them away with a note of who they belonged to, a grandchild or even a great-grandchild may open that box one day and know they've come across a family treasure.

Hugs

A Perfect Setting said...

Such a beautiful post! The silver chargers really make the china stand out, I think. And your tablecloth is so lovely! I really love the gray--it looks so beautiful with the pink! I think you made the right decision to keep the dishes!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Beautiful post, I new I wanted to come and see it!The china is ggorgeous with the silver chargers, I love the tablecloth, I love pink and gray, never seen it in a table setting, but this is great! Glad you kept the dishes. Someday some grandchild may think she found a treasure, I always think about that, as I do with family heirlooms. I'm also at BNOTP.
Hugs
FABBY

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh, sorry...and the food is scrumptious, I think I love those little red potatoes...everything really! I'm also at BNOTP.
Hugs
FABBY

Sue said...

The tablescape is perfect for Mother's Day. I love the dishes. Even peanut butter and jelly would taste good eaten with such a beautiful presentation.

Angie said...

It's a beautiful tablescape, Sue! The china is gorgeous and very Victorian-inspired. Seems like a great way to celebrate and honor your mother-in-law. And, those veggies looked awesome!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Wow. Very nice!

Christina Paul said...

Very Pretty :-)

Marigene said...

Beautiful table, Sue. I love the pale gray background of your vintage china.

Jenny said...

This is beautiful. What a year of sadness you have had.

Sending you a giant hug!

Patrice said...

A gorgeous vintage feel - a lovely tribute

dee dee said...

Sue,
I am so happy that you were able to spend Mother's day with you kids! Your table was beautiful! Even more so I love that you were able to use the setting. It was too lovely to waste!
Dee Dee

Monica H said...

China with pink roses isn't for everyone, but I think it's pretty and there is an occasion for it even if you do eat burgers off of them :-)