Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Speaking of Pleasures...






When I reflected on the concept of guilty pleasures, I should have included dishes in my list of happy obsessions. Dishes thrill me! And saying that, I feel that I am not fully conveying my profound fascination and delight in pretty dishes, bowls, cups, saucers... oh my! I like their shapes, the colors, prints. I like that a dish can be a tiny and functional piece of art. It's satisfying to justify its purchase, when it can be useful. I like changing the mood, the season, the feel of a day with just the right plate or bowl.

For as long as I can remember, I've watched for a set of Christmas dishes. I haven't found them, not yet. But these autumnal flowers, the chrysanthemums, like sea anemones, if they were mine, these would come out every fall, especially for Thanksgiving. I would press a table cloth in their honor. I am imagining a splendid feast, and simple weeknight dinners, when the days grow shorter, and we crave warm gatherings. The egg-shell blue dishes would be set in spring, in time for blossoms and garden teas, in time to lift my spirits with thoughts of new life, and whimsy.

Someday, if I'm not careful, my cupboards, the closets, every shelf and nook, will have a set of dishes, a stash of saucers and cups, and upstairs... nothing but quilts and sheets! Just thinking about it makes me giddy.

11 comments:

judy in ky said...

I share the same guilty pleasures. I have so many different styles of plates, cups, saucers, bowls and platters. Not many of them match because then I would have thousands and need an entire extra house to store them. I tend to pick up two or four of something I love. I also am the same with quilts, tablecloths, runners, old lace, etc. I need to find a way to use it all. I like to hang quilts on the walls, but I need more walls!

Janece said...

You teach me to delight in things I never would have without you! You are the best! Thank you for making my world broader, more diverse and ever-so-much-more beautiful!

warren said...

I love the top set...we plan to buy various dishes...someone's old fine china pieces that are incomplete, and use them at our cabin. There are so many beautiful pieces out there and many can be had for nothing...why not eat on fine china everyday?!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Excellent plan. Your cabin is going to be mighty fine, indeed!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

You're too sweet, Janece.
I never thought my thrift shopping dish-lust would shine quite so brightly for anyone, but me!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Mix it up! Right? The more the merrier.
Oh, dear. Judy, we'll have to keep an eye on each other.

Anonymous said...

Oh - I'm so with you - cupboards crammed with beautiful dishes, vintage sheets and quilts! Last Christmas Eve I popped into town and found, in a charity shop, a whole dinner service of vintage cream and green china - plates, bowls, tureens and gravy boat - the lot, and all for £15 (about $25)! We used them on Christmas Day and I use a plate or bowl when I need to feel special!!!!! It's like a guilty secret - yay - I'm using the Christmas china and it's February!!!!! I guess there could be worse guilty secrets!

Anonymous said...

I more than share your obsession with beautiful dishes! I inherited it from each of my grandmothers, and my 4 sisters have the same wonderful problem! One of my grandmothers hid two complete sets of china she'd secretly bought under her and grandpa's bed, along with a new set of cookware which she brought out one piece at a time! I'd have 40 hutches full of gorgeous dishes if I could! Yours are really pretty! Best wishes....happy dishes! Liz Hansen, Chester County, PA

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Under the bed? That's exactly where I told my husband I could store a new set!
Alas, these sets are not mine. I am pining for them. Maybe they're still in the thrift shop. Should I check?? Best wishes, dishy new friend!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

A picture! I need to see a picture, please!
I don't even have an idea of what I would
like our Christmas China to look like... guess it
will be a surprise! No guilt. No guilt! Let's take pleasure in these passions!

nikkipolani said...

I share your pinings for whimsical and beautiful and stylish and comfy and practical and elegant dishes. But I've resigned myself to window shopping. These are lovely indeed, Natalie.