Writer's Workshop: Obsession

I admit I have an obsession with dishes...pretty dishes! The obsession started when I was young. Grandma Bentley's Blue Willow dishes were the prettiest dishes I think I had ever seen. 

The kitchen at grandma's house was the center of her home, literally. As soon as you walked in, the smell of fresh baked bread or cookies instantly drew you to the kitchen. We often walked in to see grandpa sitting at the kitchen table, gumming down a steaming hot bowl of oatmeal. Never mind the gumming... I was intrigued with the whispy, blue scene on the bowl. That's when I fell in love with pretty dishes.

For my high school graduation, I wanted dishes. I wanted Blue Willow dishes like grandma's. My mother let me pick them out. They were not the delicate china, like grandma's. They were ironstone, which was the trend of the mid 1970's. I didn't mind so much, as long as they were blue dishes, with pretty wispy scenes on them. 

My obsession with dishes have continued throughout my life as an adult. 

Vintage dishes, seasonal and holiday dishes, practical everyday dishes, and dishes just because I found a great buy at a yard sale or thrift shop. Tea cups, tea pots, and pretty plates are a must of my ever growing collection, especially from some other country I have visited. 

I rotate my dishes so we can enjoy them all. My special dishes are used for Sunday dinners, special occasions and holidays, and mother/daughter tea parties.

I have too much! But... that's not enough for me! I can always find another pretty plate, a collection, a special find that makes my heart twitter with excitement and happiness!  But, I have learned to part with and downsize a collection to make it manageable. I think!

Collection

1970's

Blue Willow Ironstone - High School graduation - 1975

China - Wedding Gift from in-laws -1975
























Early 1900's - Heritage Dishes

Blue Willow - Grandmother Bentley (1893-1972)

Depression Pink - Great Grandmother Richardson (1879-1974)


















Early 1900's - Vintage

I found these beauties at a thrift shop. Floral on an ivory cream background. On china. Oblong plates, round plates, tea cups and saucers.

Old Western/pioneer scenes on China. Brown floral design with green western images on a cream background.

I love blue! Give me a blue plate and I am happy. They don't have to be a set or match. I have Currier & Ives scenes, patriotic and civil war scenes, pretty floral designs. They all look very beautiful together. 










Holiday and Special Occasion

Green, Yellow, Orange, Red dishes used for Harvest Fest.

Red, White, and Blue Patriotic dishes used to celebrate the Nation, State, Memorial Day, and Veterans.

Christmas dishes.

















Tea Parties

Everyday

Corell is my all time favorite for eating on everyday. It is light and friendly.

I found this set at a thrift shop. Very inexpensive. It is a heavier dish so I don't use it very often. 














Most of my dishes are displayed in cabinets. Graduation, wedding, and heritage dishes are in a cabinet in the dining room. Vintage dishes are displayed in a cabinet above the butler's pantry. In my kitchen, we designed the upper cabinets with glass in them. Holiday and special occasion dishes are displayed there. Tea party dishes are displayed in a cabinet in the kitchen. Every day are in the cupboard and stored in deep pull out drawers.

 I have a place for all of them... but have no room for anymore.

So... I guess I'm done! I think!

Writing prompt #4: Something you have to much of.

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