The blossoms are out and spring is officially here. The real spring, that is. Not the calendar one, but the one we measure in blooms and blossoms.
And blooms we have aplenty. In the garden, on the roadsides and captured in delicate sprays spilling all over Castleton Sunnyvale plates. I got these from eBay, and they’re readily available at Replacements.com.
Don’t they conjure up visions of June brides of days gone by? Just the kind of pattern that would have been used at a bridal shower or a trousseau tea. Does anyone else remember trousseau teas with the delights of being all dressed up and the raised eyebrow warnings to be on best behaviour? My mother trotted me along to a few when I was a little girl. I had far less interest in the bride’s outfits than the sweet goodies on offer, but I remember the overall sense of excitement and anticipation of the happy bride and her family on these occasions.
I kept the table very simple, using plain white linens and a single jug of glorious flowering cherry blossoms, just on the edge of losing their petals. An obliging neighbour’s tree provided the bounty.
The Cherry Blossom pitcher by Fitz and Floyd (inaccurately described as “Fitz and Fold” on Amazon) was the perfect height and width to hold the exuberant branches. The pattern was produced from 2011 but is now discontinued. Replacements shows a full coterie of pieces that were produced. I happened upon the pitcher on Amazon and that’s all I was aware of, but I see that eBay has a number of pieces.
I went with gold chargers from Pier 1 a few years ago (still available) and continued the gold tones with the twisted Venetian goblets from Elise Abrams Antiques.
Even the bunny salt & pepper set from Pier 1 last year have a touch of gilding.
The big pink water glasses were from Laurel Leaf Farms a few year ago. I love the bold, clear pink colour of these hefty Hoffman Thumbprint vintage footed glasses. I see they have another set for sale.
I was delighted use the insect glass napkin rings from Pottery Barn about 10 years ago, though I dropped one on the stone patio as I was taking the table apart. Drat! (I may have used a more choice expression).
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- Large Ugly Bug
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- Butterfly
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- Dragonfly
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- Bee
Isn’t it just a puuuurty pattern?
Looking at all that foliage, I am reminded what things will look like in a few more weeks – lilacs in bloom, trees fully leafed. I shot these pictures last year; the sorting and editing sometimes takes a while, so I end up with leftover pictures as the season gets away from me. It’s a bonus to have a few tables “in the can” so to speak when things get really busy, as they have been lately.
We participated in a blossom parade yesterday on the Cape and made it almost to the end before the heavens opened and everyone got drenched. All part of the fun, though! It’s an annual tradition and a real harbinger of Spring.
Spring, Spring, Spring! Yes!!!
I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.
Sunnyvale was my maternal grandmother’s china pattern, and, as a child, I thought it was some of the prettiest china I’d ever seen. I still think so. I have a few pieces and enjoy using them. And I enjoyed seeing it on your lovely table!
That’s a lovely memory, Joy. Our grandmothers are often the first inspiration we have for beautiful china, aren’t they? I first saw it in Victoria Magazine, and they styled it with peach Depression glass, which was lovely. Thanks for visiting!
Nooooooooooooo!!! I’m so sorry about the shattered napkin ring!!! I’m sure I would have had a few choice 4-letter words along with a bucket of bitter tears ! Your table is made especially beautiful with the fresh cut blooms in the fabulous “Fitz and Fold” vase. (Seriously, Amazon?) Pink is my favorite color! And yes, I remember the trousseau teas and hated that they had dwindled so by the time I was to be married. So many young women these days have no clue what a trousseau is, let alone a tea to celebrate it!!! Have a wonderful week!
Thanks Alycia. I was none too pleased with myself, as you can imagine. Sheer carelessness. Grrrrr…
I’m with you – I know girls have showers, bachelorette parties, etc. now, but not the same! There was something so special about seeing the batch of beautiful clothes with the going-away outfit, and the lovely lingerie all gathered in the trousseau.
Enjoy your week, too! Thanks for dropping in and commenting. It’s always such a pleasure to hear from you. Your enthusiasm is infectious.
This flowery pattern reminds me of my mother’s Sunday dishes with the gold rim. No dishwasher then! So springy and beautiful especially with the vase of cherry blossoms. I never would have thought of that, just cut flowers. Your talent amazes me. We loved the blossom parade and now I feel like a princess. Smiling and waving for an hour was tiring but fun. Buckets of rain all the way home. See U soon. happy spring at long last.
It seems most Sunday dishes were floral, doesn’t it? My mother’s were similar, though more blue as I recall.
Here’s hoping next year’s blossom parade remains dry – while somewhat amusing, it can’t be very much fun for either the organizers or the crowds on the side of the road, especially those with little kids.
Helen, if I had broken one of those beautiful napkin rings, I would be “raising Kain” too. I thought of you yesterday when I found 12 Royal Dalton Alice cups in a storage case at a thrift shop.
Impressive tablescape as usual.
To add to Alycia’s comment. I think we all love the royal family because we use to dress that way. So sad we have lost so many traditions and glamor.
Myrna, I think you’re on to something. The Royal Family do indeed dress like we used to, especially Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge; I think we’ve only seen her in trousers (other than jeans at sporting events) a few times. She almost always wears a dress, many of them full skirted like we used to wear. And her children (like most upper class British children) wear traditional clothes – smocked dresses for the girls and short pants for the boys.
Are you going to watch Megan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding?
I have a similar flowery Bavarian pattern, but the pink is more pronounced. Love strong pink glasses with it too. Dropping the napkin ring is just about my typical style, I’m afraid…sorry about that. We’re sitting on the shore of Lago Maggiore on a gorgeous 78-degree May day. The lilacs are mostly finished, but the azaleas are riotous, in eye-popping colours…didn’t know a bush could have so many blossoms. Even the Deep South would be jealous! Some of the old villas (still shut tight, as season has still some weeks to start) have rhodies that are 30 feet tall (!) Not much has changed since I first saw Stresa 40 years ago. Spring is really here!
Hi Beatrice,
I think I know the style of pattern you mean with the Bavarian flowers – Schumann produces a few and the pink is a really deep, yummy cerise. Yes, butter fingers on my part. So annoying…
Sounds like you’re having a marvellous time on Lago Maggiore. Thirty foot rhodos – oh my goodness. They must be magnificent! The display will be spectacular! Enjoy. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by. Lovely to hear from you.
Beautiful china and I’ll have to check into that Fitz and Fold (lol) cherry blossom pitcher! Spring is underway here in northern Michigan too. My lilacs won’t bloom for a while yet but we have tulips in bloom and forsythia! Cherry blossoms will be exploding real soon- such a beautiful sight!
Sounds like our gardens are tracking exactly, Liz. I’ve been eyeing the cherry trees and pondering another table setting. The blossoms are just so stunning! Tulips are thin on the ground here, and the forsythia are just finishing. Glorious spring – very hard to beat. Enjoy the day!