As I left the grocery yesterday I saw an after-Easter markdown table that surprisingly included toys {I didn't realize grocery stores carried toys, go figure, see all I miss not having children?}. I almost purchased one item; a very large, gorgeously boxed, toy tea set.
That tea set transported me to my early childhood when I'd use my Easy Bake oven to make goodies to serve on my tea sets. I had quite the collection of very pretty plastic tea sets. I even had a porcelain toy tea set in the classic Blue Willow pattern that looked exactly like this ...
I guess my childhood enjoyment of tea sets and baking translated into my love for cooking as an adult. Ironically though, for someone who relished playing with "china" and setting tables as a child, my presentation skills - especially for family meals, is quite lacking.
I inherited both David's and my grandmother's good china; both sets have been lovingly packed and preserved in boxes in the attic for'eva. I packed our good china up about 10 years ago and stored it along side the "grand" china; we didn't use it ever {even for special meals} and it took up a lot of space in the dining room. (Coincidently, the very fact these china sets lived in our attic is why we still have them today as the attic space did not sustain any fire damage.)
So I have them. Now what? Hmmm, I almost purchased a set of toy dishes. Maybe instead I should just use and enjoy my dishes (not the "grands") and if one breaks choose to be happy because it served a purpose? Not worry about putting the dishes in the dish washer ... so what if the silver band wears a bit from use or part of the pattern fades ... its a plate and it should be covered by food anyway!
So I'm just wondering ... do you keep certain items reserved for special occasion and company-only use, or do you mix pieces from Target (or other) and Noritake (or other) with abandon and just enjoy your things? I'm getting a little tired of being a curator and think I need to get my set of china into the kitchen and onto the table. What do you think?
5 comments:
You should definitely get it out and use it. How beautiful to link up with the blogs that do the tablescapes. I don't have any china...good or otherwise! lol I think someday if I find a set at the thrift store I will be tempted! I bought 2 plates recently...that's all I have so far!
I use all my pieces whenever I can. No special occasions to wait for. This is the best way to enjoy everything. Why wait. In fact, I love mixing it up.
I'm totally a user. I appreciate things more if they're functional. Now, I don't have many special pieces with me now, so I guess I am bucking my own rule, but I still claim to be a user. :)
Karah
My mom hardly ever used her china that she got as a wedding gift. Then a few years ago she realized she never uses it. So now 40+ years later it is her everyday wear. We didn't register for china, but we do have one nicer set of dishes that are for holidays. But maybe eventually we will also end up using them regularly so we can enjoy them.
Use it - for sure!
(also, nobody in my house would play with a little tea set, but I would've wanted to plop it in my cart too. something about the idea just makes me warm and fuzzy inside....)
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