As some of you may remember, I’ve declared my addiction to pottery, porcelain and/or china, basically dishes of all kinds.  I believe it comes from my delight in setting a table for a meal, any meal.  There is something very satisfying and creative in the process for me, and I have enjoyed this task since I was a teenager.  I don’t observe strict rules about matching silver with china.   Rather, I enjoy the look of using my sterling with a simple pottery.  Or everyday stem ware with china.  Anything that strikes my fancy is doable in my book.  I’m happy that the rules (or lack thereof) on setting a table, at least here in Southern California, have been relaxed.  Don’t get me wrong, I still appreciate a strictly formal table setting when provided, but it appeals to my sensibilities that to entertain, one does NOT have to have crystal, sterling and fine china.  All of us can relate and enjoy a meal served to us where the table is pretty, interesting, playful and/or reflective of the seasons.

This was our Thanksgiving table before I set the flatware and glasses out.

I realize at this point in my life I probably have more than enough dishes and truth be told, simply do not have any more space for another pattern.  When scouring antique shops and thrift stores in search of a charming set of dinner or dessert plates, I have stumbled upon various pieces of flatware (serving pieces) and usually have picked them up for very, very little money.

One of my favorite finds is this horn-handled carving set  I found while visiting my friend in Washington.  We visited this large antique store on one of the last days of my vacation and this set was only $50.  Linda & Gretchen’s (two dear friends) dad sharpened the knife for me and the set has graced our Thanksgiving table every year since I acquired it.

The monogram at the end of the handle is so lovely.  I wish I knew where to have silver monogrammed in this style (or would it be cost prohibitive?).

Soon after I purchased this, Linda gifted me the horn handled butter knife and berry/olive spoon(?).  The horn handle on the butter knife is worn smooth, all the more appealing to me.  I wonder who used these in their homes so many years ago?

A close up of the detail on the butter knife shows its intricacy. {Thanks, Linda}

While growing up my mother was a bank officer  and was good friends with  a wonderful lady by the name of Mildred.  Mildred never married and left the contents of her  home to my mom.  This berry spoon was one of my favorite pieces and to this day I love it and the memories it conjures; it is so beautiful, I treasure it.

It’s the stories behind antiques that warms my heart each and every time I use the utensil, don’t you agree?  As Brooke Giannetti {Velvet & Linen} explains in her book, “Patina Style” …”When we bring antiques and artifacts from our past into our homes, we connect with the stories behind them…”  The sugar spoon and butter knife below came from my father’s grandmother (my great-grandmother) and I really like the pattern on this set.  I don’t believe this set is sterling but it’s in great condition and I use it quite often, believing that silver develops a beautiful patina when used and carefully cleaned.  In fact, I purchased silver-felt liner (from Container Store) for a drawer in my buffet so that I could keep my silver serving pieces readily accessible.  It keeps the silver from tarnishing for the most part.  I found that when I had to pull out my wooden silver box it was sometimes too inconvenient and I wouldn’t bother.  If you have lovely silver, glassware and dishes you should use them even for everyday meals, this practice enriches day-to-day living, don’t you think?

This sweet sauce ladle was given to me my my friends, Georgiann and Tony.  They knew I would enjoy this and they are so right, I use it for dessert sauces all the time. {thanks G & T)

Close up of ladle handle.

The meat fork captured my attention because it is monogrammed with a “B”, our last name begins with a B {I had to have it!}  Truthfully it was not very expensive.  The serving spoon beside it is from a shop that is since gone out of business, by the name of Westminster Lace.  It was a gift from my good friend, Julie.  {Thank you, Julie}

It’s always fun to have something on my collection search list.  It just is.  I do love the mismatched meat forks, serving spoons and olive forks that I’ve collected and I’m currently on the hunt for a pattern of silver plate called Charter Oak.  Wish me luck, the eBay pieces seem a little pricey.  I’m hoping I can track dinner forks down at thrift stores and antique barns.  I’m not in a hurry, just would love to have about 6 dinner forks and maybe 6 knives.

Do you have treasured pieces that you have either inherited or picked up along the way.  Do you have a particular pattern you are always in search of?