My Dearest Readers, earlier this week I received the most amazing gift for Christmas. Which prompted me to post the following status on Facebook.
"This
is dumb because I'm a guy, and guys aren't supposed to like things like dishes.
However these are my Great Grandmother Avery's "Currier &Ives" dinner ware.
She died in 1999, and these were lost. My aunt who lives in Houston found them
...in a box,
and brought them back to me unexpectedly today. Fighting back tears of joy and
sorrow.So much love, and so many meals were served on these dishes. Receiving
these today, is like being with grandma again. God bless you Aunt Brenda, and
Merry Christmas everyone!"
That in a nut shell is the story of these dishes, My Great Grandmother passes away in 1999. You've heard me mention many a time longing for her Starburst clock, and Aluminum Christmas tree, and very secretly for these dishes. I remember her Grandma Avery's kitchen so vividly. It was a tiny galley style kitchen at the front of the house. There was a window over the sink that looked out on the street, with a pair of china "George and Martha Washington" figurines that sat on the window sill. Wood cabinets painted pastel blue with round white porcelain pulls, crinkly linoleum on the floor and these dishes that made everything go together. (I wouldn't learn until much, much later that is called "color coordination".) In-fact the memory of blue on blue is the reason my kitchen at the Casablanca became green on green!
(The Old Farm Gate- Bowl)
When I was younger, I had no idea that these were "Currier & Ives" plates, to me they were just "Grandma's pretty blue plates" My favorite piece still continues to be the bowls with children swinging on a gate. Not sure as to why, but its the piece I remember most. Provably because Grandma spooned up her famous Goulash in these. I honestly never thought I'd see these plates again in a million years, and now here they are mine.
I cannot thank my Aunt Brenda enough, it is one of the most wonderful, thoughtful Christmas gifts I have ever received. As I said, having these dishes is like being with Grandma Avery again. You can be sure I will treasure these forever at the Casablanca.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!
(It's A Wonderful Life on my 1953 TV set!)
-Mick-
8 comments:
I love them! I feel the same way about my grandmother's kitchen. She had similar plates but hers were green. I'd flush someone's wig in a toilet to have them (they also disappeared).
Double WOW! Mick, this is great! I can feel your happiness about this gift! As for crying......more men could be in touch with their display of emotions. It's a human thing. What a lovely way to end 2012! Happy New Year.
What a wonderful thing for your aunt to do for you! I'm so glad she found them and knew how much they meant to you. I can't think of a sweeter Christmas story.
That is so amazing- it's a Christmas Miracle! I have some similar memories of my Grandmother's house (the crinkly linoleum reference made me smile because she had that too- with indents from where the table legs sat.)
You know, Mick...your blog (and your love of vintage dinnerware)never fail to make me smile.
Thanks for the post Mick!! Reminds me of my Grandma's too. How did you get the TV to work? I want one! Zoot
Awwww! You are among folks who understand.
How incredibly lovely. I would feel the same way, too, especially if they'd been MIA for several years. How wonderful that you now have these beautiful treasures to cherish and serve as a lovely reminder of your sweet grandma.
♥ Jessica
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