When I was a little girl I remember my mother collecting supermarket Gold Bond stamps so she could redeem them for little items like metal book shelves, a globe, etc. Another thing she started doing was to build a trousseau for me. She decided that although we couldn't afford much, she would send me off with beautiful china. I find this humorous now because as a child we ate with chopsticks and a little rice bowl. She didn't really know what a china set should comprise of. Since we were a family of four, she decided that was what I would need. There's four of everything. It was all very nice and elegant, and I had it packed and shipped to Illinois when we left 34 years ago. It stayed in their boxes all this time. I ended up buying another set that was more to my taste and had enough place settings for guests. I didn't want to use "fine" china for my rather rough and tumble family. I've now had this same set, still in boxes packed and shipped back to Hawaii. What to do? What to do? Should I stick them in the attic again? I dithered and bothered and huffed and puffed and decided to just take them all out and put them in my china cabinet. I believe I'll use them. What the heck!
Definitely use them!! Life is short!!Start by serving your mom something on it and see if she remembers them. It might lead to some fun reminiscing.
ReplyDeletefunny how we cart so much stuff through so many moves and don't use it. i have my mom's china boxed after her death last year but can't seem to give it away and i have my own china. that's great you will use it or at least display it for your family including your mom to see.
ReplyDeleteHi! I think the china set is beautiful. I can understand why you didn't use it for your rough and tumble family, but I would definitely use it now. Lisa
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, use it. You will think of your mother every time. My grandmother gave us some lovely flatware when we got married (forever ago) and I thought it was too pretty to use. Three years ago I got it out and we use it. That's what she gave it to us for, and I'm sure your mother would agree.
ReplyDeleteAbsosutely you should use them. Start by inviting those generous neighbors of your over for tea. Since you have just four place settings, you must limit each occasion to just three guests. This is a blessing, just the perfect number to keep it simple and have really good conversations. You could start a tradition, Tuesday Teas With Kay - TTWK - or some such thing. Your mother could be an occasional guest.
ReplyDeleteHave fun
Hello Kay, thank you so much for the award - my first. I'm really touched. Looking at your other nominations, do you hunt for retired teachers or do they just right good blogs? My grandmother saved up Green Shield Stamps for the same reason. I inherited so much china from her and my mother that I've kept one plate of each set and hung it on the wall in the dining room and then gave the rest to the charity shops. That way I've got the memories but not the clutter.
ReplyDeleteThis post is terrific! Not only is it fun to remember the old "Green Stamps" and to take a peek at the China your sweet mom saved for you... But, the comments were stuffed with some really great ideas. So glad I dropped by to see what was happening with Lin's pal in Hawaii!! I think I'll be knocking on your blog again!
ReplyDeleteLife IS short. Use the good china.
ReplyDeleteAfter I put the dishes into the china cabinet I asked my mom if she remembered them. She smiled quite peacefully and nodded her head. She said she saved stamps to get my brother pots and pans, too. She saved stamps to also get some really sturdy glasses. I found those in storage and took them out and we use them everyday now, after some 40 years. My sister-in-law said, "Those were in storage? Why didn't we use them?" My brother just shrugged.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I started out by looking at retired teachers (from my own "All About Me" page. I figured retired teachers must like to write and should be accepting of a beginning blogger. After that, things just snowballed and I've met so many other wonderful friends of all ages, all professions and all everything. I'm a blogging addict.
I love old china. I have yet to find a pattern that I don't like. I think it's a good decision to put them out now. With your new start, it'll be like having new dishes too.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom saved stamps too..I remember licking them(yuck) and putting them in a book.
ReplyDeleteYou should definately put them in your beautiful china cabinet and use them...Thanksgiving maybe!
Only wish that I could be there!
PS I just love your Blog..
So sweet and thoughtful of your mom! To everything there is a time and a season-- this is their time!!
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