Thursday, December 3, 2009

Christmas Dishes Part I

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        Have you ever started a collection, by chance, and then realized over time you would not be able to complete it fast enough or affordably enough to suit your collecting nature?

        That is my relationship with Noritake Hemingway and Noritake Fitzgerald.  May I also say at this point, as an English teacher, that I fell in love with the names of these patterns, second only to their appearance.

        My collection has stalled due to cost and availability. For me, finding things at Replacements .com is not quite the same as finding something in a dusty, cob webbed box on the side of the road.  Sorry Replacements.

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        I first fell in love with this pattern through the introductions of two of my aunts from Phoenix.  If you think ladies in blog land have dishes, allow me to introduce you to my Aunt Jody and Aunt Mary. They may have dishes stored on the roof.

        On a trip to Texas years ago, they brought me pieces of both Hemingway and Fitzgerald that they found at a china outlet.

        And so it began.  The quest.  In this case, the frustrating quest.

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        This morning, I began playing with my Christmas dishes, in planning for upcoming holiday get-togethers. I paired this pattern with Bordallo chargers, and I liked the way it looked.

        I also decided this morning that greens (hunter,apple, etc.) look good together, regardless of the hue.

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        I also set out the red glassware I have collected over the years.

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        And I added this silverplate that I found at the flea market.  I only have about 3 place settings (quest,quest,quest). I don’t know the pattern name.

        I should get a suit of armor and go back in time to the Crusades… The history books would say, “She set out on a long, arduous journey looking for Noritake…”

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        I am linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch and

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage.

*  My favorite Christmas dishes are shown in my header, but that will be for Christmas Dishes Part II.

Pattern?  Mikasa’s Christmas Garden

29 comments:

niartist said...

love love loving plaid this season! Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing ... lots of inspiration here!

Marie said...

Fabulous post, I know just what you mean about the thrill of the hunt vs. the ease of the click. I find a bit of a thrill in etsy and ebay for collectibles though. Gorgeous dishes.
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Charmed giveaway!

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

OH wow...your dishes are BEAUTIFUL!! I also LOVE the plaid...and of course, RED is my all time favorite color.

You certainly have a gift for decorating my friend. Thanks for the inspiration this morning.
:-)

Karen said...

Oh, Laura, you've done it again! Who needs to buy those fancy magazines anymore? White Spray Paint has it all... and humor to boot! "She set out..." You made my day, neighbor.

Unknown said...

Oh the combinations layered are stunning.
Merry Christmas and Happy Twirls

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your dishes are gorgeous and the tablesetting is just stunning. I love them the patterns of your china, they really are gorgeous. The red glassware is perfect and the different shades of green enhance the colors. Beautifully done. Also I hope you will join us for the "Holiday Cloche Party". I will have Mr. Linky up tonight. Hugs, Marty

Sarah said...

Laura, your post makes me smile! I can so relate to your thoughts on all of this. When you mentioned your aunts, I really got a chuckle. I have a niece who loves dishes as much as I do, so I'm forever buying dishes that I think she would like. Her husband says they always go home with more dishes after a visit here. I just can't pass some things up if I know my niece might like them.
Your Christmas plates are fabulous. I can see why you fell in love! I don't know these patterns. Also love the one in your header! All so lovely. I've one large salad bowl in the Bordallo cabbage leaf pattern, but long for a set of charges in this pattern. Hopefully someday they will find me. Vietri has some gorgeous ones, but they are a bit pricy.
Thank you for sharing these gorgeous photos and your dialog. I agree with Karen above, Who needs to buy glossy magazines when we have blogs such as yours.
I'll be back soon....Sarah

Our Porch in Hillsborough said...

Laura - I think that flatware pattern is called 'Heraldic' by Rogers / International. Check it out on the Antique Cupboard website: http://www.antiquecupboard.com/ShowPattern.asp?patternid=4095&pattern=Heraldic&Mfg=1847+Rogers+%2F+International
Your Christmas china is beautiful - I also have a collection started years ago but never finished due to cost and then it being discontinued - it's Fitz & Floyd's St. Nick - so pretty! Think of the dish stash we'd all have with unlimited space and resources . . .
Cheers,
Leah

dee dee said...

What a beautiful collection! You take such excellent photos!
Dee Dee

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Laura! This is beautiful. I love the silverware, red glasses and of course your dishes are beautiful too. what a wonderful table setting. You have done such a lovely job of putting it together!
Blessings,
Debbie

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Laura...I do like your header dishes too, but Hemingway and Fitzgerald are gorgeous...You'll fine them, personally I love a challenge! Dishes are just one of those things that we KEEP on collecting! I have sold a few sets to be able to afford others I've had my eye on...(would never sell my Grandmothers though!)...Happy hunting...xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... I'll bet all my ......drive you nuts, English teacher Lol..

Kim said...

Wow Laura it is all so pretty. I am in love with the silverplate - so beautiful! You really have the touch!
Kim

Deb said...

Laura...you have a beautiful collection...very festive..

Theresa said...

LOVE the dishes, the chargers are gorgeous! Great job!!!

Domestic Designer said...

I love your dishes. So pretty and elegant! Great job!

KimMalk said...

This is lovely. This is the first time I've found your blog. The name cracks me up. I was thinking when all of us "home-style" bloggers are in the nursing home we'll have some sort of respiratory disease from inhaling so much spray paint!
@cheapchichome.blogspot.com

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Beautiful dishes! I love the red and green plaid this time of the year. I ran across some plaid bears the other day in my decorations, that I forgot I had.

Gayle said...

Laura,
Your china and table are stunning!!!
I hope you and your family enjoy all
the best of the season and new year!
Hugs,
Gayle

Janean said...

Aunt Jody and Aunt Mary sound like my kind of people!!! Your china is beautiful and you've paired it with other gorgeous pieces!

Marigene said...

Laura,stunning! Your china is beautiful! I love the red footed glasses. I will be on the look for your beautiful plates...who knows where they may pop up...maybe here in the middle of nowhere!
Thank you for sharing.

Debra@CommonGround said...

I'm such a sucker for anything plaid, love all the combinations. Your plates and chargers are all just gorgeous, but then you ARE the queen of the "dish"!!! I'm finally about done with the decorating, I have a few small projects, but I can breath now. It's good to be able to walk through the house without tripping on boxes and scrunching plastic berries!
love ya,
Debra

savvycityfarmer said...

I have a gene in my body for dishes!

trash talk said...

Gaily bedight, a gal named White
In sunshine and in peril
Journeyed long, singing this song
Why can't I find Fitzgerald!

Lynn said...

Laura, I can understand why you are on this quest!
All. Beautiful.

Dixie said...

The china is beautiful.. but you know the silver sings to my heart! hugs. Dixie

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Those dishes are fabulous. I can totally understand your quest for more. Good luck on the hunt!

nannykim/spindlecottage said...

So beautiful--no wonder you have been captivated!! Love the tablecloth with the settings---love the glassware and silverware too--beautiful

Linda Q said...

Oh those dishes are yummy! And I love the plaid linens, Really nice !
Linda

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Happy hunting! Love the plaid and colors -- this is all lovely!

 

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