Setting the table

One of the things about having antiques and vintage items, and this is important to me, is actually trying to use them. Whether they are used for their originally intended purpose or are repurposed does not matter because they are still being used.  Now sometimes things are just not in a condition to be used but I still want to keep them.  Like, I have a pair of jadite salt and pepper shakers from the 40's that I can't use.  The bodies are in good conditions but the metal tops have corroded and are too fragile to mess with so, they simply sit on the counter in the kitchen to look at.  They were Billie's and I enjoy having them and sometimes that's enough.

One area that I love using things is at meal time.  For most meals, we eat in the den in front of the tv.  Still, I'm using Mom's every day china she got when she was married.  It's very late 60's but I love it...oh the yellow, orange and olive green color combo of bygone days!  When we have people over for dinner, I love pulling out fun dishes to use.  I have them....so many of them...so why not use them.  It gives me pleasure and makes for a fun table.

I always take time when setting the table for guests to choose my dishes.  This may seem silly to some, but it gives me comfort.  Grandmother always had her table set beautifully and I feel more connect to her when I pull out some of her things to put on the table.  There's a memory in each dish and, frankly, they're pretty.  A lot of people don't take the time do things like this anymore and I honestly think that's part of what's wrong with society....rushing everything, but that's for another blog.

One of the drawbacks, I suppose you might say, is that the majority of the dishes I use cannot be put in the dishwasher.  Fine china and sterling are not meant to be in that appliance!  I have no issue washing dishes, so that doesn't bother me.  Glassware, thank goodness, can go straight into the top rack most times....whew.  I've blogged about washing dishes before, so you know I kind of enjoy that haha!

Anyway, this is one way I really do enjoy using my stuff.  Now I just need to find another occasion to pull out all of the stops on the table!  Hmmmmmm

That is all :)