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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

A meal at my Mom's...

A meal at my Mom's house is a treat in perfect etiquette. Always a floral centerpiece, tablecloths with texture, fine bone china...Royal Albert Old Country Roses from England, Villeroy and Boch glasses.
Each grandchild has a tablesetting of eight set away for him/her from their grandmother as a reminder of Sunday afternoons lounging through football games, cheese and fruit, and a game of Scrabble before a roast dinner.
Dinner reminders are bread plate to the left, drink to the right. I make a "b" with my left hand for bread joining my forefinger and thumb and a "d" with the right hand joining my forefinger and thumb for drink so the kids can always remember the rules! :0)
Having dinner in an orderly, old-fashioned way is such a warm and fuzzy way to spend a late in the day Sunday after a breakneck week of picking up pizza and licking buffalo wing sauce off our fingers. Here, food is a celebration, a right, a way of winding down a week and enjoying the harvest...


I often wonder if something isn't lost in the crazy pace of our lives. But then I think, on Sunday afternoons in the future, my children will be bringing our their own Royal Albert china from Mommom and teaching their own children the joy of a leisurley meal, all the while making a "d" and a "b" with their hands.







21 comments:

Alison Gibbs said...

Tara, love the idea of the 'd' and 'b', will have to try that one.
We do the 'L' with the left hand to show the kids the difference between left and roght.
Alison

Alison Gibbs said...

Forgot to say I love the sun shining through the window in your banner.
Alison

Unknown said...

Tara :) So, you were not captured by aliens and went MIA for some time...but I have missed you much! I love the table settings and the 'b's and 'd's, so very creative..I'll probably will need it myself hehe :D much love...m

Shelby said...

the mom visit looks quite lovely.. I so enjoyed the music here this morning.

cheers.

Janet said...

I love that "d" and "b" idea, kinda of like the 2 "s"coops for dessert thing!
Janet

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Tara

It's so nice to see you here again! I missed you!

Your Mom looks so lovely and her table setting is exquisite.

What a nice idea to buy a set of china for each grandchild. Your family is so full of love.

Hugs, Pat

Alicia ~ Time Worn Style said...

oh wow that is such a brilliant idea, wish my family did that!!
What the heck, think I will start doing it myself!!
alicia

Kathleen Grace said...

I love taking time for a leisurely dinner with all the beautiful dishes and finery. We don't use our pretty things enough! I always say it's no use having beautiful dishes if they dont get used! I LOVE the idea of place settings for all the grandkids. What a wonderful keepsake!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Tara!

Oh I agree. Having a sit down dinner is a wonderful thing to do. We always had them when our sons were growing up and they learned their table manners from them. I never had to worry about that issue for them.

Your mom's dining room is so fabulous. I adore the fabric on her chairs! Such a lovely place.

Hope all is well for you!

Hugs, Sherry

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Tara, Love your Mom's dinnerware and the sentiment that goes with it. Very nice to see you back.
♥, Susan

Unknown said...

Tara,
I am so glad that you are back! Missed you! I think dinner at your Mom's house sounds lovely...

annie

pve design said...

Tara,
so nice to hear from you, I always think about you and
your family ---see me waving!!
There are certain constants in life that keep us honest and the art of setting a traditional table lives on, perhaps harder to do in this hectic life, but to be honored. A time to give thanks and to break bread and to admire all the pretties!
pve

Tracy said...

Hi, Tara! Thanks for stopping by to see me :o) Was wondering what happened to your over the summer... But summer it s good time to disappear, rest, relax, have fun... Great to see you back in blogland! The Royal Albert Old Country Roses pattern is one of my favorite... How beautiful is that table! Happy Days to you & yours ((HUGS))

theUngourmet said...

Welcome back! Such lovely china. It reminds me of a teacup I have that was my grandmother's. (my husband just broke the saucer yesterday.) :0(

Unknown said...

What a lovely post Tara. Welcome back, it was so nice to see your comment. I missed you.

When the world is so crazy and the peace and comfort of home and traditions reign, it makes everyone feel so safe.

Karen

bj said...

O, darlin', this post HAS to go over to Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for the next Tablescape Thursday. It is so perfect and so pretty!! Your mom is beautiful, by the way..:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Tara, Welcome Back! I will be heading to NYC next weekend. Maybe I'll see you on the street! Your Mom sounds like an amazing lady...a dinner service for each grandchild...wow! (I love her plaid dining room chairs) ~ :)

Mockingbird Hill said...

So nice to see you back...you've been missed. :)


Cassie

Lisa said...

I too missed you. Lovely post and what fond memories are being built for the children here. Your Mom sounds amazing, a trait she has passed along to you. Keep making those memories of quiet, meaningful time with your family. That's what life is all about.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Great post and a great way to learn place settings....

Kathleen said...

And don't forget B in..blade in for the knife..I teach my gkids that!

Lovely post..mom has a pretty dining room too!
Good to see you back!