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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Tablescape Thursday, A Giveaway, and the Sisterhood Award!


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(... plus a giveaway and an award.)
It is Tablescape Thursday, hosted by Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. Visit to see some really creative table settings!


Whew... lots going on -- china and a giveaway and an award -- so let's get going!
I am not sure when table settings morphed into Tablescapes, but I'm late to the game. Here goes nothing! (All comments will be entered to win a blue and white Johnson Bros gravy boat, see below. Giveaway "entries" will close on 2/27 at midnight.)

Let's set the stage:
Imagine. . . It's a cold February night in a creaky old house; a fire is lit in the parlor, and in the dining room . . . it's time for a bowl of bubbling hot stew, ladled out of a big tureen onto china that echoes the Chinese Export ware of centuries ago:

A bit of wine adds to the glow. The stemware is a crystal reproduction of an old form; the same shape wineglass might have been on the table when this house was new.


Nearby, a small cake plate and cup and saucer await dessert; maybe a slice of hot apple pie, and cup of good strong coffee.



The china is Mikasa Far East, and I bought it nearly 30 years ago at Kaufmann's Department Store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was very into simple "colonial" then, and this was the closest I could get to an antique look pattern, at least that I could afford. Luckily, I still like it, because by now I have service for more than 20.

Lenox made the crystal wine glass, the tureen is Fitz & Floyd,
and the silver ware is my old Ebay flatware.

Don't look too closely at the folded napkin. It needs ironing and a good soak in Oxi-Clean, but it's such a sweet old linen piece, with lovely hand crocheted edging. I can't remember where I got the small lace topper cloth, but I thought its angles nicely reflected the angles of the dinnerware. Upon reflection, I think I should have used something less busy.

Ta-da! The giveaway! Kaufmann's had a "no one else wants this stuff" department back in the day, and I found a Johnson Brothers gravy boat there, blue & white, in a pattern I had never seen: Old Bradbury. I still haven't seen much of this pattern, even on Ebay.

It's a lovely piece. There is some underglaze crazing (like much Johnson Bros.) and a small chip on the underside of the boat itself. The liner plate would make a gorgeous soap dish in a blue and white kitchen, with a big chunk of fragrant hand-made soap in it.

I love the pattern, and will miss this pretty piece, but I have enjoyed it for years. And that's the whole point --
you should like the things you give as gifts!



If you leave a comment on this post, you might win it. (You can always decline it if you think it's the fugliest bit of china you've ever seen!) I was going to list this little bit of ironstone on Ebay, but this is much more fun.

And. . . I have gotten my first blog award (another mystery land to me, but I'm learning!).

Thank you to Nanna K of
Blessings from Nanna's Cottage for The Sisterhood Award!


N
anna K posted these lovely words:

"Sometimes, I just cannot believe what an awesome world our blogging world really is. We need to go out and teach the world how to get along happily, don't you think?


Everybody here in our new world cares about one another and shows it. We pray for each other and help each other through hard times and happy times. When there's a problem here, everyone comes.

Sometimes you wonder, how did they know so fast? I just love my new world ladies.
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. We all are carrying some kind of burden, whether it's our own or a loved ones. it is so grand to always know we all are there to catch each other when we fall."
If you accept this award, the rules are...
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post

4. Let them know they have
received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you
received the award.

And my nominees are (the envelope, please!). . .

Molly at Molly's Mellow Moments
Blondie at Blondie's Journal
Becky at Holiday In The Sun
Deanie at Deanie's Space
Susie Q at Rabbit Run Cottage
Bobbi Jo at It's Good To Be Queen
Elizabeth Ann at My Place In Cyberspace
Barb at Grits and Glamour
Paula B at In The Shade Of The Oak
Heidi at Bargain Hunting In The Corn

Many thanks to so many wonderful bloggers and readers; I had no idea there was such an extensive network of talented and caring and creative women "out there," until I started exploring the blogging world.

You are all truly remarkable.

43 comments:

  1. Cass,

    Thank you so much for commenting on my Three or More Tuesday. I aplogize for not coming sooner but I am now making my rounds!

    Thank you so much for the Sisterhood Award! How sweet of you! :-) I am amazed everyday by the wonderful, talented and caring gals that are out there in blogland. I share your sentiments to a tee. I will claim your sweet award in my next post!

    Your tablescapre (yes, placesetting for sure) is so lovely. Never heard of your china before either but you are spot on in wanting to replicate the colonial style you wanted. Hey, let's break some rules together, shall we! The table & menu look inviting and I love the soup tureen. For as much as I make soup and stews in the winter, I don't have one. Silly!

    You are so generous to give away the gravy dish. It's so beautiful I don't know that I could part with it! Someone is going to be very lucky!!

    xoxo
    Jane

    P.S> How old exactly is That Old House??!! Surely not 176!!

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  2. What a warm and inviting tablescape. Your Mikasa Far East dinnerware is such a beautiful pattern, I can see why you still love it. The soup tureen is also very pretty. This just looks like a warm hug on a cold day. Thanks for sharing, and such a generous giveaway. There will be one very lucky winner. Hugs, Marty

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  3. Dear Cass
    Happy TT today.
    Your table is very lovely and I love the Tureen. My grandmother had one very similar to yours. On Sun. after church we would all go over and it was always filled with the best pea soup in the world (the French kind) yum yum.
    We just moved from a home that was over 100 years old. The fire place was on all the time...
    Have a great day and thank you for the opportunity to enter your giveaway.
    Love Claudie

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  4. Thanks for sharing this very beautiful Mikasa china. The pattern is new to me. I would very much like to display this lovely gravy boat in my china cabinet.
    Very Sincerely, Carolyn

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  5. Oooh, I would love to be entered. I have some dishes my mother left me that would look beautiful with your giveaway piece.

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  6. Hi nice to meet you! I love your old house, It is really pretty!
    I live in Argentina and we house is Country primitive, unique in my country I love so much this style.

    see you soon.
    visit me anytime...

    Marina

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  7. Hi CAss What a sweetheart you are!! Thanks for the award! I will be doing an award post this weekend!!

    I have found this blogging community to be a true blessings, and am thankful for nice gals like YOU!!

    Love your tablescape!! When is the soup and wine served??!! I'm in!!

    Thanks for spreading your sunshine around blogland!!
    Blessings,
    Becky

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  8. Cass,
    I love your dishes! The pattern is exquisite. But best of all, I love, love, love the lace. I've never seen a pattern like that one and I just love it. Thanks for sharing it!
    Alisa

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  9. OMG, I love those dishes. The pattern and the shape. It is absolutley lovely!

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  10. I love your Far East china pattern. I think it perfectly evokes an Old Williamsburg feel!
    Thanks for sharing your creativity.

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  11. You have the most delightful things on this post. I especially love your tureen.

    Scribbler

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  12. Cass,
    Thank you so much for this award and your sweet comments. I have followed the directions and have your blog link there too.
    Hugs, Bobbi Jo

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  13. Thank you for dropping by the blog plantation! I am so delighted you did. I adore your blog Darlin' and cannot wait to fully explore it!!!I am signing on to be a follower. Hope you have a fabulous weekend and that is a fantastic giveaway!!!!
    I am crossing my fingers!

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  14. How could I resist a blog entitled "That Old House" - or a profile that names some of my favorite books. I loved The Madonnas of Leningrad.
    I'll be back to read more - just got a quick look at all that painting and I was hooked.
    Gorgeous table setting BTW.

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  15. Hi Cass...I love your china! Amazing that you have service for 20!! Your soup tureen is just gorgeous, too! Yes, please put my name in the pot for the gravy boat. I love blue and white china and I need one!! lol Have a great weekend...Debbie

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  16. Dear Cass,

    I love your china! I believe you can never have too much china. It looks like you have quite a nice collection and you certainly have the beautiful tables and linens to display them on too. We truly are kindred spirits. - Thank you so much for the Sisterhood award. There certainly are a tremendous number of inspiring, talented, warm, giving, sharing, bloggers out there!
    Thank you to you for making blogland so special and such a pleasure to be part of! Hugs, Paula

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  17. Holy Mother of Pearl!
    Where have you been all my (short) blog life?
    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such kind comments, or I may not have found yours. xo

    I LOVE your blog. What a beautiful home and lovely style you have.
    I hope you don't mind, I'm adding yours to my favorite list.

    Happy Day! :)

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  18. Lovely tablescape! Pleae enter me in your drawing. Thanks!

    Sharon
    mavinger@sc.rr.com

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  19. I love your whole table! Sweet TT choice for today. I will so enter this giveaway because I think I'm in love with that set and I don't normally use blue. That should tell how lovely it is.

    Thanks for coming by my blog. I hope to see visit more.

    Ok, will visit again soon and of course, I hope to win...

    Carolyn of What NOw? Tablescapes

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  20. Running late this week visiting blogs....again...love your dishes ...so pretty..and you are giving away .....huh? what a geneous person you are!
    Hope you had a great Tablescape Thursday
    Susan

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  21. Hi Cass! Oh, what a lovely table. Your dishes are beautiful, but honey, I NEED that gorgeous soup tureen! I love that piece!
    Congratulations on your award and thanks for popping in to see me today!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  22. Oh, am I too late to ask to be in your giveaway!? I hope not!
    Continue to be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  23. What beautiful dishes! The tureen is stunning!
    I have been to Kaufman's in Pittsb. I went to college in Ohio and Pittsb was 45 min from there...:)

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  24. Oh, I am so glad you came by and introduced yourself, which got me over here to look at your beautiful blog. When I got here and saw this tablescape, I fell in love with your china. I've never seen that pattern, and I adore it! The colors and the angles are so unique and so pretty, and that tureen is gorgeous! Well, after seeing these treasures, I scrolled on down and found your giveaway, which is wonderful, and then I kept scrolling and saw much of your home, and I am in love with it. I will definitely be adding you to my blog list, and will be visiting often. laurie

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  25. I'm delighted to have found your blog--and another dish collector. Yours are gorgeous.

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  26. I think your china is lovely, and I really like how the lace underneath it seems to echo the pattern on tbe china. And, I would love to have your house. I've always wanted to live in a big ole house out in the country.
    Please do not enter me in your give-away, as I already have so many dishes I have no place to keep them all. If I were to win your gravy boat, it is so pretty that I'd have to start collecting more pieces to the pattern. That would make Hubby just a tad bit upset with me, as he thinks I already have too much "stuff".
    Thanks for stopping by BzPlace, and do come back often.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    :) Brenda

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  27. wow, love your dishes.And the soup tureen is to die for !!

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  28. I love the lace and the cup and saucer are beautiful. Love your table.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  29. Lovely dishes and story. And would love to have a chance to win that beautiful blue and white set.
    Happy Fri, Candy

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  30. Cass,
    I love that beautiful set of china~ your table looks so vintage and lovely! I would love to win the gravy boat, Johnson Bros. is my fave when it comes to china. Cindy

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  31. I so enjoyed this post! I love your story telling about "our meal" together. Those dishes are so gorgeous! It seems they would be very versitle with changing out your table linens.

    Oh, I would love to be entered in the drawing for that pretty, pretty gravy boat and saucer!

    Congrats on your award, AND last by not least by any means, thank you SOOOO much for stopping by and for your heart warming comments! :)

    Donna

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  32. Cass--Thank you so much for the award. It means a lot that you passed it along to me♥

    The Mikasa china does indeed look old. It looks perfect on your table! My wedding china is Mikasa (23 years ago)but it's definitely 80's looking.

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  33. Thanks for the award!!!!!! Also for stopping by my blog. I love the soup tureen and all your pretties. I would be happy to win the gravy boat. Put my name in several times please. BLESSINGS, DEANIE

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  34. Pretty table... LOVELY serving pieces!

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  35. I thing your table setting is fabulous. The dishes are really special and so is the lace table cover.

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  36. What a beautiful tablescape! Love your dishes and the tureen is gorgeous.

    How sweet of you to give away such a beautiful gravy boat!

    Just found your blog via Gollum and I love it!

    Hugs,
    Cyndy

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  37. Cass,
    What a beautiful tablescape.
    I love your dishes.

    I love the blue and white gravy boat too. An awesome giveaway, please count me in.

    Thanks,
    Teresa
    tbarnardvolb@aol.com

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  38. I love your dishes and that tureen is awesome.I am on the look out for one nyself.PLEASE------count me in on this giveaway.I would just love to own this lovely critter and I think I've got a matching candle holder.If I do ,we have to reunite them,now don't we?Ann

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  39. I love the china pattern you chose for today's tablescape, and I am crazy about that gorgeous tureen! Wow..the touch of red really looks great on your table! :-) And needless to say, all of the Tablescape girls will be drooling over your pretty blue and white gravy boat! :-)

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  40. I would love to win the gravy boat- it's beautiful. I've recently started a collection of mixed pattern blue china pieces, so you can imagine how my eyes lit up when I saw this prize :)

    So glad I found your blog- I'll be back later to read your previous posts. Nice to "meet" you! And thanks for the comment on my thrifting post...I don't get very many (and that's okay) but it's always fun to know someone's there.
    Have a nice weekend!

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  41. Beautiful tablescape! Love your dinnerware and the tureen. Lovely!...Christine

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  42. I found you when I was wandering around blogland tonight and I'm glad I did. Your tablescape is beautiful, gorgeous china! I LOVE blue and white china so please enter my name in your giveaway.
    Rhondi

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  43. I love everything blue & white! Please enter me in your drawing.
    Linda in Acworth

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