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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Anniversary Musings


My husband and I celebrated our anniversary last week. After looking at this photograph, I think you can understand why I chose him!!




I have mentioned in several blogs that he is a “keeper”. My gift from him this year was a new china cabinet. It was meant to help me find more storage for my ever-expanding collection of china and linens. We ordered it from North Carolina and it arrived earlier than expected. Perhaps, you have already noticed it in a couple of recent blogs.
Most of the wedding gifts that we received long ago are still being used today! We were so fortunate that our family and friends gave us pieces that have stood the test of time. The only things that I can remember that we eventually gave away were some melamine dishes, which I believe are now becoming popular, again. Who knew??
One of my favorite gifts that we received was from my Aunt Mable (yes, she spells it that way!). I wrote in my Valentine’s blog about my husband’s and my decision to marry much more quickly than we had originally planned. We were both in college some distance away from one another and thought it would be easier for us to be in the same place. We married in a month and gave my poor mother almost no time to plan. Obviously, we had a small wedding.





The Christmas before we made that Valentine’s Day decision to marry in March, I had visited my aunt. We were searching for treasures in an antique shop (she, too, loves old beautiful things) and I spotted a darling chintzware coffee demitasse set. As I was already engaged, but thought the wedding was some years down the road, I jokingly told my aunt that when I did get married, I would love to receive the coffee set. Then, I completely forgot about it.
Of course, you have already guessed what happened! My aunt did not forget and the coffee set found its way to me on my wedding day. What a thoughtful and wonderful surprise!!








I had the pieces for many years, when I discovered a matching condiment set at an antique show. It consisted of a tray with salt and pepper shakers and a jam pot with a tiny sterling spoon. The chintz pattern is “Devon Rose” by Royal Crown China.







My sister contributed the “Virginia Carvel” sterling demitasse spoons.





After putting the china cabinet in place, my husband suggested moving our old dining room buffet to our study. It works perfectly there and makes a wonderful “tabletop” to serve after dinner coffee and showcase my “Devon Rose” demitasse set.







I began by using a white on white embroidered placemat, which was a Tuesday Morning find.







Is there anything more beautiful than white on white embroidery?


I, also, used white on white cocktail napkins. I bought these at a wonderful store that has been out of business for years. I still miss finding treasures there!





The creamer and sugar were set on the condiment tray and I surrounded them with the coffee pot, demitasse cups and saucers.




For an after dinner chocolate treat, I melted white chocolate and drizzled it onto Hershey’s chocolate nugget with almond candies - half milk chocolate and half dark chocolate. What could be easier than that?



I served them in a tiny bowl that was originally my mother’s. I do not know the name of the pattern, but I plan on doing some research, after using it here. The bowl is so pretty that I think there must be more pieces available somewhere.







I love the way my old Mikasa glass candlesticks repeat the vertical lines in the little bowl. Candlelight is an absolutely must for after dinner coffee!




I always enjoy celebrating our anniversary. We are getting older, but marking the day reminds me that we have somehow traveled through this life together and made it work. In today’s crazy world, I think that is a real accomplishment!



Sharing at:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com
http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
http://allthingzrelated.blogspot.com
http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

12 comments:

  1. love the tea sevice,it's gorgeous. thanks for linking this to my party!

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  2. I certainly enjoyed reading your post. We bought a new china cabinet about three years ago. It's already full! I'm wrapping my mind around the idea though that china cabinets can be in other rooms as well. I might need to buy another one. Yayy!!
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

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  3. Oh, what a darling couple you are! Loved reading this, and what a sweet hubby to give you that cabinet. I know you must love it as it's great to have someting in which to store all of your treasures. And that lovely set from your aunt is, indeed, a treasure. SO beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  4. Happy Anniversary to you both, yes, you are so right it is quite an accomplishment, and I love to see couples that are still enjoying their marriage not just enduring it!! That is truly an accomplishment!!
    Your coffee set is simply beautiful, love the colors, so pretty. What a lovely gift from your Aunt. I still have a lot of my Wedding Gifts too, and it was 40 Yrs. this past November.

    What a lovely china hutch and what a lovely gift from your hubby. Also your wedding pic is so adorable, it is always so fun to look back and remember isn't it!!

    Sure enjoyed my visit,
    Blessings, Nellie

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  5. Happy anniversary! And what a delightful story about your so, so pretty coffee set! Your vignette shows it off beautifully.

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  6. love your post Diane..Happy anniversary a few days late. I am just now finding this today.

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  7. What a wonderful Aunt Mable and hubby! I love the tea set and all things blue, so of course I love this post! Happy Anniversary!

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  8. What a lovely post and sweet family you have! Happy Anniversary~Thanks for sharing at FNF! :)

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  9. I hope you had a wonderful anniversary and I love your new china cabinet. The coffee set is beautiful and how great that you found a matching condiment set. Thanks so much for joining my party.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  10. Congratulations on your anniversary! What a cute couple you make! Such lovely gifts you received. I love your china cabinet and especially that chintz ware coffee set. Just beautiful! Thanks for linking it up!
    Sherry

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  11. What a cute couple you were and still are. Love your new china cabinet ~ it's gorgeous! Your coffee service is so pretty, and what a wonderful story of the gifting of it. Thank you for linking to Favorite Things. laurie

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  12. Sorry to be so late in coming to visit. What a wonderful post. It sure does sound like you found a keeper. What a wonderful gift. So lucky for you to have such treasures. Thanks for making them part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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