The Memories of China Patterns

 Shall we talk about china patterns? I feel they are going out of vogue these days, but I have enjoyed many a celebratory meal on the china patterns I will share in this story.

My first pattern in this tale is that which belongs to Mother. I remember the day my mom first laid eyes on this pattern...

Crest Wood "Blossom Time" ---Ivory China made in Japan

The touch of green is so Mother.

We lived just above the Alabama/Florida line and did most of our big shopping in Pensacola. I honestly feel sometimes as if Pensacola is somehow a hometown since I spent so much time there. The store that was a go to for anyone in central Missippipi, Alabama, and Georgia as well as the Florida Panhandle was Gayfer's. Just speaking the name Gayfer's evokes strong emotions for people from the above areas. It began way back in the late 1800's in Mobile and was a regional store. Pensacola was my home store. 

I remember the day we walked in the Town and Country Plaza location in Pensacola, and Mother first caught a glimpse of the china on display. I will try not to let this become a Gayfer's post because that would deserve its own post, but to continue on with the theme of the importance of china in our southern homes as I remember. We had entered the front of the store and shopped for clothes first. It was time to go down the shiny wooden stairs to the lower level. It is hard to imagine a store in Pensacola with a natural lower level but somehow it had a lower level...much like a home with a walk out basement. Maybe there was a natural slope (again, hard to think of that along the coast). It was built in the late 1950's so I don't know about that, but walk downstairs you did. There was an entrance on the back of the store as well, but this day we had gone in the front. Housewares and such was downstairs and the china was on display right as you go to the bottom of the stairs. I think it was spring and for an upper elementary kid to notice your mother's reaction means it must have been quite noticeable. I remember a gasp and an immediate dash to the table. I remember thinking ---"Yea, those dishes are as good as bought." I was right, because she did put them on layaway.

Remember layaway?

She saved up until she had her 12 place settings and all the serving pieces. From then on, every celebratory meal at her house was eaten on those dishes. They were well preserved and when it was time to clear out her house over a year ago, not a piece was missing.

Y'all that was one of the hardest things I had to let go of!!!!

I know many of you will say, "Why didn't I keep them?" I had as much excitement for my own china pattern and this one absolutely was a "Gladys" pattern. I am trying to downsize myself and really have no place to store them, but I  couldn't just take them to Goodwill. 

They were almost the last thing I took out of her townhouse. A stroke of genius helped me to remember a thrift store here in town that I had visited and noticed how pretty they displayed several sets of china. I remember thinking on that day that I had seen them that people were getting rid of them and it made me sad. However, I love thrift shopping and I am know I am not the only one. I actually love a thrift store these days more than a big box store for the variety and uniqueness you can find. I prayed about it and I just couldn't help but hope and believe someone would drop in there and see such a beautiful set of dishes with all its parts and think they had hit jackpot.

I chose to key a cup and saucer because as I have shared before I love to drink my morning coffee from china. I also kept a small bowl to catch things on my desk. They remind me of the many meals on the dishes and how much my mom loved them and how she saved for them. I truly remember the day clearly, even though it was long ago that she saw them.

Because she served all those meals on china, I too have done the same. I really think my kids would be shocked if I one day I just brought out paper plates for say Christmas. I know they would feeling my forehead and checking to see if I had lost it.

We aren't fancy people and don't come from wealth...hence, the layaway, but we just started a tradition all those years ago.

Mother had a china pattern that I am sure she got while Dad was in service, but as I said her heart went pitter patter with this pattern and it became the one she used from then on.

I got my chance when I got married and I chose the patterns that I liked and matched my personality.

I chose Lenox Lexington which is very traditional. I have used it on many occasions.

I also chose as my everyday pattern Gorham Town and Country's Ariana. I probably did the same expression as Mom when I saw it.  I believe I first saw it in a Bride's magazine and then promptly went to Gayer's to see if they could get it. It will be the pattern no one will want, but when they look at it they will go that is the "Sandy" china."

I remember the excitement of choosing my patterns and the bridal showers where I received many pieces. I would get so excited about those pieces while Jeff was much more excited about the small appliances. 

I too collected numerous serving pieces and that platter has held a lot of meat and cookies:)

When Jeff's mom passed away, I did choose to keep her pattern called Silver Pine by Kent  because it looked Christmasy. We have used it for every Christmas since 2003. You can't open presents until it is all hand washed and stacked. That is part of the tradition too. Like I said, I am pretty sure my kids would think I was sick if it didn't come out for Christmas.

One day the china may end up given away and I will be in Heaven or getting closer, so I am thinking I might not care. I do know Mom fretted and I totally get it, but I say use it now and enjoy every memory made with the table all set and family gathered round. They won't forget any of those memories. I still remember what my grandma's table looked like.

One last new memory. Lindsay's in-laws came to Destin this year for Thanksgiving and Lindsay used her china for the first time I think. She sent a video with the boys and her table was so pretty. I missed her of course, but I loved seeing her use her china and starting traditions too. Her pattern is Waterford Lismore Lace Platinum and I think one day it would blend very nicely with mine. I will say this...This pattern is such a "Lindsay" pattern.

One day she can use my crystal with it. 

While china patterns are fading away, I thought my kids one day might like to read this about the history of the dishes they ate on at most all celebratory meals.

I have been meaning to record this for sometime, so now I can scratch that off my list of things I wanted to record for posterity's sake.