Fine China

 When I was married in 1977, most brides still chose a china pattern to list in the gift registry. My selection was Milford by Noritake.

I guess you are probably not surprised to see blue if you are a long-time reader of my blog or have been in my home.

I seldom used the dinnerware; maybe 3-4 times a year. Even less since retiring. Because of the silver rim and band, it cannot be used in a microwave. I prefer to handwash the dishes so it means extra work when I use them. I did get them out on Easter because for a change we ate at home on the Sunday holiday. We also had two guests. 

My grandfather died shortly before my wedding. My mom gave me some of her inheritance to buy things for my home. I chose to use it to help me buy some china. I thought of it as a wedding gift from my grandfather. I asked for some additional plates as Christmas gifts, too. I ended up with 10 place settings. The set also has a gravy boat, salt and pepper shakers, a butter dish, creamer and sugar servers, 2 serving bowls, and a platter.

 I did not use all of those on Easter. I tried to keep things simple. For example, we had no rolls so I left the butter dish in the china cabinet. 

Brides also chose crystal goblets, etc. and Sterling silver flatware (utensils). I did not list nor buy any of those. Some of my sisters-in-law have/had those. I already had nice-looking Oneida stainless steel forks, knives, spoons which I used as a single person living in an apartment. I did list that pattern on the gift registry. 

I sometimes wonder what will happen to my china if/when I move into an apartment. It does take up a fair amount of storage space. I might keep the creamer and sugar set for nostalgia's sake; I really liked how they are shaped. I know that today's younger women want nothing to do with fancy china. An acquaintance that sold things in an antique mall told me the fine dishware she tried to sell just sat in her booth. 

Do you have china? Do you use it often? I still love the Milford pattern so I guess I chose well. (I still love my wedding ring, too, after almost 49 years; I helped to select it, too.) 

He is Risen!

 

Decorative Window Clings

 We have two glass pocket doors between our dining area and our sunroom. I seldom close them. There is an open space above the doors so shutting them only muffles sound a little. I doubt they do much to conserve heat in our dining/living area because of this opening. But I finally decided to decorate them so there would be an incentive to keep them closed.

I ordered window clings sold by Tanlaby on Amazon for about $12. They came on two sheets. They were relatively easy to peel off, but the sheets came curled up in a small box so had to be weighted down with books to flatten them before use.

There are two designs. The clings for each design are not on a single sheet but combined on the two sheets. We tried to follow the suggested pattern, but once we had the large flowers attached, we just sort of winged it.

They are made to imitate etched or frosted glass. Maybe in the winter if I feel all of those flowers and butterflies are mocking me, I might peel them off. But of course I can just keep the doors open.

So Fancy

 

The arm that goes from the flush handle/lever to the flapper chain has been rusting for a long time. This morning it finally rusted all the way through with no holes intact where the chain needed to attach. 

My retirement community maintenance man came to replace it. He did this while I ate lunch.  After he left, I went to make sure the tank top had been replaced and everything looked OK. I have never seen such a fancy flush handle!

I certainly have a stylish toilet now.