I never felt an inclination to have nice china. My Mom had always wanted china, but she was a widow with seven children and no money. I can't remember how old she was when she finally started her set, but I think she was in her fifties. She chose a beautiful pattern designed in 1927 and started buying what she could find and getting pieces as gifts, without the use of the internet! The pattern, Lenox Blue Tree, was discontinued in 1974 but then reissued due to it's renewed popularity after Tricia Nixon chose it for her wedding in 1971. Mom was able to acquire 12 place settings, a few serving pieces, and some extras, which turned out not to be enough when the entire family had a dinner, but still enough for her three daughters to divide.
When Mom died last August and we faced the daunting and sad task of dividing her possessions, I decided I would not take any of her china. What would I do with only four place settings when I would need six just for my immediate family? It would cost me a fortune to buy what I would need for the future. Well, my sister refused to accept my decision and insisted I would still enjoy service for four, giving me all sorts of reason to keep it. I could have an intimate dinner with my husband, dinner with another couple, or a fancy table when only two of my children were around that night. She finally convinced me, and since I also was to receive my Mom's hutch, I would have a handy place to keep it so I would be more likely to use it. That's when I got hooked. I fell in love with the pattern. My Mom must have been guiding my hand because I was browsing eBay one day and decided to see what another few place settings would cost when I found what turned out to be a great deal on a big set. Just this week I was again fortunate to stumble across another great deal on a few more pieces, and my set is now complete.
I absolutely love seeing my Mom's platter displayed on her hutch in my dining room. I absolutely love using the china, and I love that the inspiration came from my Mom. I wish she knew that I ended up doing exactly what she had hoped I would. Who knows, maybe she does.
Thanks, Mom.
Who uses this many pieces for one meal?
No one in my family drinks coffee, so these pieces are kind of useless.
I bought two of these serving bowls for less than the normal price of one!
This platter is what is displayed on my hutch.
Still thinking about getting this piece, but would I use it?
