Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Splendor of the Tiny Flowers

"The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness."

Therese of Lisieux





Thinking of spring approaching, I started to think of the beautiful flowers that will be popping out soon. Suddenly, the vision of  a tablecloth I had bought several years ago at an estate sale with flowers embroidered on it danced through my mind.   For some reason I have never used it.......and in a way, I thought it might be inferior to some that I have used over the years.  True, it was pretty, a nice sheer linen fabric, handmade, vintage, and spring flowers embroidered on it,  but there was something about it that made me look "down" on it.  After reading the quote at the top of this page, I suddenly became aware that not everything we own is a "rose" but that does not take away from its beauty or its worth.

I went immediately to the closet and retrieved the above mentioned cloth and examined it closely.  Maybe it was prettier than I had recalled.......but, any rate, it deserved a chance to "perform" and be the basis for a spring tablescape.


 





As I laid the cloth on the table the sun caught the sheerness of the linen as it floated through the air towards the table, the moment was almost surreal.  It was so delicate and sheer that the embroidered flowers seemed to drift slowly in the air.  This vision made my heart skip a beat.......how wrong could I have been about this cloth!  You know in life, sometimes, we judge a person or a thing too quickly and then move on, sadly, never to go back and review our decisions.  At least, I have not made that mistake here.  This cloth, although not a "rose", has merit and a beauty all its own......a uniqueness that I can now appreciate.  The cost of an object does not make it perfect or wonderful.......it is the aura that it sends forth.



Now I have my beginning of the tablescape, and I like what I see.  The china that I think would be perfect for this is my Theodore Haviland "Apple Blossom".  I adore this china pattern and the delicateness of  the pale pink colors shaded dreamily into the porcelain. 




Recently, I have begun to collect Jeanette pink milk glass.  It was made in the 1950's when I was a whisp of a girl growing up, so it holds some memories for me. The factory only made the pink milk glass for about two years so it is a little rare.   It is the most delicate shade of pink in the entire world.   I thought it would be fantastic to own at least eight of the goblets.  So far, I have only four.  You will notice that today's table is set for "four" because of the fact that only four of the goblets live in my house at the moment.  AND,  "at the moment",  are the key words that Mr. B will pick up on.







The crystal with the cranberry band bordered by gold is another of my favorite things. I have no idea the maker of the crystal.  It was purchased at an estate sale a few years ago.  The color of cranberry glass with the sun streaming through is gorgeous.  I would rather have cranberry glass than diamonds on my fingers, but I did not eliminate blue sapphires.



The wooden plate chargers are from Pier One, and I am loving the style of them.  I think they can be used for casual to more formal settings.




My silver is Francis First......my personal favorite, although any sterling pattern is one that I could live with.   I am just partial to the different fruits on the handles of the flatware.  True it is ornate, but that is another thing I adore about the pattern.  Years ago (51 to be exact) when I graduated from high school, my girl friends and I picked out our sterling patterns and gave each other one teaspoon in each other's pattern.  I can still recall the pattern selected by each friend. .........Gorham's Buttercup, Chantilly, Wallace's Rosepoint, Towle's King Richard .... The funny thing is that some of my friends changed husbands through the years but never their silver pattern!




The silver placecard holder is one of a set, a gift from my mom.  There are a dozen in the set.  The antique cutglass salt was also a gift.....set of eight.  The salt spoon is Francis First to match my flatware.







The Czech floral art glass centerpiece has long been a treasure to me.  It was purchased many years ago from a local antique dealer who is no longer with us, and the piece belonged to her mother.  It was probably made in the 1920's, so not yet a true antique, but close to being 100 years old.  As far as I know it is in perfect condition.  So many of these lovelies did not survive without a few chips along the way. 








The double candlestick is an estate sale find and lovely crystal.  The single candlestick is from a pair that I purchased years ago in Arkansas while living there.  It is pressed glass with crystal prisms.  I like the shape of both.



Setting on the mirrored tray from Target along with the glass floral centerpiece and candlesticks, are a trio of new spring items that every lady adores......a new hat, shoes and purse.  This is part of another collection to be discussed sometime later.



Spring has sprung in my dining room today!   I am not actually entertaining but this would be a lovely table if I were having three ladies for lunch to celebrate a beautiful sunny day when the leaves pop out on the trees and spring flowers peek out of the earth. 














Thank you ever so much for stopping by to visit.  It is always such fun for me to read your comments and get to know you a little better.  Come back any time and............
Have a great week and until next time.......Tea Party Everyday......why not?







I am linking to Tablescape Thursday over at Susan's Between Naps on the Porch......click on the icon on the right of the page (scroll down) and be transported there to enjoy so many beautiful tablescapes! 

Thank you, Susan, for hosting this event each week!!!

17 comments:

Debby S. said...

Yea! I get to be the first one to tell you this tablescape is STUPENDOUS! I'm hopping out of my seat with all the wonderfullness!!! The flatware, charges and china are perfect. The glasses are wonderful. I have never seen them before. I feel like you just blew spring in! WOW!

xinex said...

Oh Phyllis, your table cloth is so delicate and it is gorgeous. Your whole tablescape is so charming, adorable and so dainty. I love the chargers, the plates, the flatware and everything else!.....Christine

Suzie said...

Love the delicate look of that cloth!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment--when I looked at your info I had to laugh--you are a retired first grade teacher, and I spent many years teaching kindergarten! Of course we believe in Bounty!

Donnie said...

Everything looks so lovely and I appreciate your writing down your thought process while deciding how you wanted your table to look. Gorgeous.

Diane said...

What an incredible beautiful tablescape. I love the dishes. I am your newest follower. Looking forward to more tablescapes.

Marie Arden said...

That glass floral centerpiece is very nice and I love the tiny flowers on the table cloth. I can tell you love all yourpretty things and the silver flatware is always a treat to use isn't it?
I am your newest follower

Aledia said...

Hello! I just wanted to say THANK YOU for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment!

I am your newest follower and I just LOVE your tablescape! That tablecloth is FANTASTIC and all of your decor so pretty and inviting.

As for my thrift shopping there are days that I find nothing and then there are days where I find so much it's hard to pick and choose lol.... and yes, it does require going often. I wish you luck!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and God Bless~

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Phyllis! What a lovely table. First of all, I adore Haviland, and Apple Blossom has always been a favorite as is Francis I. That's my MIL and SIL's pattern. Mine is Chantilly (which was my mother's, aunt's, sister's, niece's, and cousin's!LOL!), but I'm like you, I adore silver. And your cloth! And the lovely goblets and centerpiece! All perfection. Thanks so much for sharing with us, and many thanks for visiting me for Tablescape Thursday. I have been MIA of late, but I hope to be blogging regularly again soon.

Much love to you and a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous spring table! Every single detail is fabulous! Love the tablecloth, the plates and the glass flowers!

Xoxo
Charo

Chubby Chieque said...

Enchanting to my eyes. Love the flatware the most.

Happy TS...

Greetings & blessings from Stockholm,
/chie

Abi's Blog said...

What a beautiful table! Your china is so close to my mother's - I must get the name of hers again. Your silver is gorgeous - everything is just beautiful!
Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog!
Blessings,
Ava

Alycia Nichols said...

Your place settings are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! I don't think I've ever seen pink milk glass like that, but I like them!!! The softness of the pink color is detectable in the photos...very nice! Pink is one of my favorite colors, and your place settings wear it well! I hope you're able to find more of the pink milk glass someday soon! Have a wonderful weekend!

Marigene said...

Absolutely stunning table...the pink milk glass is beautiful. I hope you are able to find 4 more to complete your set. The glass floral centerpiece is exquisite.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh how beautiful! I love that gorgeous tablecloth. Your pink milk glass is devine! Love your cinia and your centerpiece is stunning.

Tess said...

This is a wonderful post; Your china is gorgeous and I LOVE sterling and your pattern is beautiful. How charming that you and your friends exchanged spoons in your patterns! I love all of the patterns you and your friends chose.

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

I think that is a beautiful tablecloth, so delicate. I love, love, love those chargers! Francis 1st is the most beautiful in my book.Truly, everything is just lovely.

Unknown said...

Dear Phyllis
Everything is so beautiful on your table is embroidered tablecloths.
I cordially greet