May 02, 2018

A Brunch for Mother's Day

Today I thought I'd share a table I've set for a Mother's Day brunch. Although we are more than a week away from Mother's Day, we will be traveling that day so we're celebrating early.


I designed this table to honor my mother, who passed away when Miss J was small. I wish she could have known her. Grandmothers are so important in a child's life.

To begin, I selected this pretty table runner in white and... well I'm not sure what I'll call this shade of blue. (Google was no help, lol!)  I found it and the coordinating napkins last fall when I was looking for something completely different. Isn't that the way it works out for you?

In the center I placed Siberian irises I gathered this morning from my front garden. Their intense color was a nice contrast to the fabrics'.



The china was my mother's wedding china, and was used for every special occasion celebrated at my parents' house. My sister and I each received half of her set; since then I've added to mine through Replacements and eBay. 

For chargers I used round silverplate trays. I have a dozen that can serve this purpose, as well as several larger round or rectangular ones. Why so many? Several were received as gifts but most were found inexpensively at antique/thrift stores. They add a bit of glam when we host large gatherings (and make the most mundane appetizers seem special).

Somehow the glassware bought 20 years ago has that same shade of blue in the stem as the table runner. 




I have recently become entranced with salt cellars. These have dainty feet and cobalt glass inserts to protect the silver. Another touch of elegance for Mom's table.

From the photos you can't really tell how delicate this china is. Called 'Nautilus Eggshell', its body is composed of a lighter-weight clay than bone china. It has the ungainly pattern name of N1829. Although lighter in weight, it handily survived a family of five plus innumerable guests.





I've always loved the design. The leaves are midway between blue and gray with a hint of green. The flowers are white and ivory with touches of coral.

For the casual brunch menu, I've used Mom's pedestal plate, small bowl with underplate and covered vegetable bowl. I added my English silverplate covered dish because it's a special day.

I bought this pitcher at the Vintage Glassware show we attended last summer. 



I think Mom would be pleased!

The irises growing in the front garden. This photo is deceiving, suggesting they are a violet-blue. Their color is truer to the photos above. Purple (and blue) flowers are notoriously difficult to photograph accurately. Apparently digital sensors have a difficult time seeing, rendering and processing purple because the color is made up of red and blue, located on opposite ends of the color spectrum. So sometimes the sensors decree the flower is blue instead. 

Iris sibirica "Caesar's Brother"




Resources
Dishes | Homer Laughlin 'Nautilus N1829'
Wine glasses used for juice | Schott-Zwiesel 'Conte Sapphire'
Pedestal, bowl/underplate | New Martinsville 'Prelude"
Pitcher | Jeannette 'Floragold'

 

32 comments:

  1. Lovely, you have done your mother proud.

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  2. This is such a special table! I love that the flowers are from your garden and the dishes were your mother's wedding china. I, too, have some of my mother's wedding china and special things. Happy Mother's Day to you!

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! Using her china for this day feels special.

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  3. What a lovely table! I think using your mother's china on Mother's Day is so very special. Happy Mother's Day!

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    1. Thank you, Joy! It's a nice remembrance for me.

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  4. What a stunning table for Mother's Day and it's also a special setting as you remember your dear mom with her gorgeous china. I'm so glad you could find more to add to it.
    Your flowers are so pretty right from your garden.
    Happy Mother's Day.
    Fabby

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    1. Thanks, Fabby! Lots of sweet memories in that china! It's hard to find, but that makes the hunt even better.

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  5. Beautiful table! Your Moms china is just stunning, so happy you shared it and use it instead of packing it away.

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    1. Thanks, Christine! My mom used her china often, and I like to continue that tradition.

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  6. This is beautiful and a lovely tribute to your mom. None of my children had the chance to know my mom also and oh how I wish they had. Thanks for joining us again at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend.

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    1. Thank you! I hope to give my daughter a chance to get to know at least this side of my mom. Plus using her things brings back memories and stories nearly forgotten.

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  7. How beautiful and elegant!Stunning flowers!

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    1. Thank you! The garden has been particularly pretty this year.

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  8. Lovely flowers and table. The clear decorative glass dish, spoon and saucer-do you know the name of the pattern ? Does it match the cake plate ? So excited because I found a creamer like that today at the thrift store.
    Myrna

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    1. Thanks, Myrna! Both the mayonnaise set (bowl, underplate and spoon) and pedestal cake plate are in the "Prelude" pattern by New Martinsville. They made a number of types of dishes in this pattern in the 1940's and 1950's. I bet your creamer is lovely!

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  9. Your mother's china is beautiful! She would have been very pleased with your brunch. I grew up with all of my grandparents having passed away before I was born. Thankfully I had a couple Aunts that felt a lot like grandmothers. Your Iris are beautiful. I have the same ones blooming in my garden. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thank you, Jann! Mom loved using her special things and passed that down to me. That, and a love of flowers.

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  10. What a sweet table. Your mom's china is precious. I'm so glad that you and your sister each got some of her set and that you were able to add to it. How fun to pass on to your child. Thanks for sharing at Keep in Touch.

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    1. Thanks, Katie! My sister and I are both enjoying her china! (We insisted on my brother taking her silverplate flatware. He did so dutifully, but wasn't terribly impressed. Lol)

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  11. Love to see this lovely china again.
    I'm pinning this lovely MD setting.
    Happy Mother's Day.
    Fabby

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    1. Thanks so much, Fabby! Growing up I set my mother's table nearly every holiday with this china. I still love its design and love all the memories.

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  12. Sandra, your irises and vintage dishes are lovely. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

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    1. Thanks, Cecilia! I just wish the irises would last longer!

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  13. Sandra, the china pattern is gorgeous and what a lovely tribute to your mother. I'm sure she would have been delighted to see the table. And the table runner - whatever the blue color is called - is just a perfect match. The irises are stunning... so envious. Love it all!

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    1. Thank you, Kim, I'm so glad you enjoyed it as much as I. I got my start as a tablescaper setting tables for her celebration dinners. I loved getting out her pretty dishes and glassware; they were so different from our boring everyday ones.

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  14. This is a very special table setting. The china is so elegant, I love it too! And that you were able to find a runner to tie into it, and the 20 year old water glasses match perfectly is really a blessing!
    Thank you for sharing it with all of us at the FWF link party.
    RR

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    1. Thanks, Rachelle! Growing up I was always excited when Mom got the 'good' china out for dinners or guests. I got to set the table, choosing whatever I needed from her dishes, pretty glassware and silverplate flatware. I learned to set it 'just so' -- a bit different from the approach today!

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  15. Your mother's china is lovely and how perfect to use it for celebrating Mother's Day! I think I'd call the blue in the runner "Dutch blue" maybe - whatever you call it, it's pretty and looks great on your table. Happy Mother's Day to you and your family.

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    1. Thank you, Joy! The runner was a special find for sure! Thanks for stopping by

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  16. Sandra, what a lovely brunch table. Your mom's china is beautiful and such a special touch.
    Visiting today from Crazy Little Love Birds 37 #20,21,22,&23

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    1. Thank you, Paula! Although I don't use Mom's china very often, I am so glad that I have it.

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