Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Getting Ready for the Thanksgiving Table

It is our turn to have my husbands family over for Thanksgiving this year.
I told myself since we are working extra days to cover people out on leave, I need to start preparing early so I do not freak out! After all my husband is one of 8 and 5 of the siblings and their families with my Mother in law will be here.
I have a big dining room...but it never is big enough.

Here is the table 2 years ago.

I usually use my Grandmothers Johnson Ware dishes that are cream with a gold trim, makes me think of the Fall Harvest.
So for Vintage Thingie Thursday I will show you my vintage silver I am looking through.

Found Grandma's baby silver wrapped in a note she wrote

Engraved with a R for Ruth

Found my baby silver with a note from my Mom

This my Grandmothers silver chest and 2nd set of silver. I love the pattern, it is Rogers Bros. Daffodil and I love using it for Easter

She kept the price tag in the chest all those years.
Along with notes about my what pieces of silver my Mom had and notes about tablecloth sizes
Some people would toss these notes out, but I love seeing my Grandma's handwriting.

She has 5 different patterns of serving pieces. Some were probably her Moms or Grandmothers.


I also have my Moms silver. Oneida Remembrance




Then there is my silver, Silver Artisry. I love to use it at Christmas because it is so ornate.



Grandma's first set of silver is only 8 place settings so I can't use it
The pattern is Anniversary

The last set belonged to my Great Great Grandparents

It stores in this roll up linen holder.

They are very heavy, all are 1847 Rogers Bros and some have a fiddle design, but most are plain.
I think I may clean these up and use them. They are not ornate, but strong and simple.
Seems that they may be perfect for the Thanksgiving table this year.

I think I better get cleaning!

and it will be time to change out my Grandmothers spoon rack for Christmas
I have alot to choose from
Drawer with more silver and small silver spoon collection

hope you enjoyed seeing my vintage family silver pieces.


24 comments:

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Wow! You have ALOT of silverware. I love seeing it all. I will be cooking, too, but for a much smaller group.
The cupola is fine. I think it wil balance out some when I get up some awnings and shutters :)

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

That is a ton of silver! I love all the hand written notes. I have a cookbook that was my grandmother's. There are notes in the margins and little pieces of paper with her revisions. I agree those things should be saved. Good luck with the polishing. :o)

LV said...

A wonderful collection of silverware. Used by many and filled with memories. What a great conversation piece for your holiday dinner.

C'est moi Claudette said...

No doubt in my mind Ann that your blog's name "A Sentimental Life" was the BEST one you could have thought of.
I LOVE the notes especially. My mom could barely write her name in the last few years.
Enjoyed this one very much thank you.
xoxoxoxo

Rose H (UK) said...

How lovely that you have such beautiful family silver to use Ann, and too sweet that you have all the hand written notes with the histories :o)
You've certainly got your work cut out with all that cooking and preparation...
Hope you find some shortbread moulds ;o)

Sandi (Meme) said...

They are all wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

Nani said...

Beautiful collection! I especially like the Remembrance pattern. TFS

ann said...

Your Thanksgiving will be so lovely with your beautiful silver. Looks like you will have quite gathering. I hope you share some of cooking secrets, too, as the season continues.

Antiques And Teacups said...

How special that you have such a varied family treasure of sets and pieces. I have 1/2 of my mother's and have my aunt's set. A special Thanksgiving indeed!
Ruth

Decor To Adore said...

Oh my what a fabulous collection! I too have kept the little handwritten note. I adore them.

Granny Sue said...

Lovely! I have silver like the last set your showed, they are heavy and look beautiful when polished. Like you, I also had many mismatched pieces that I use too. Why not? They're all lovely and can be conversation pieces. I have a good bit of my parents' silver too.

Thank you for sharing these, and your lovely table. I have some dishes very like your Johnson Brothers but mine are Homer Laughlin. So pretty!

Good for you for planning ahead :)

Bargain Hunting Treasure Seeker said...

I would have kept the notes too! I love seeing my grandma's writing too!
I see the chalk in the silverware box-did it work to keep it from tarnishing? An older lady from my church told me she does that and hasn't had to polish her silverware in many years.

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

I love silver and I still haven't done a post on my inherited silver. Love your collection, but why are you looking at the computer? You should be in the kitchen preparing for Thanksgiving!!

Diane Mars said...

I am amazed what a wonderful collection, I swear you have the neatest collections from your families past, I sure am a bit jealous, I would love to have treasures from my Grands like that! Beautiful. oxox, Diane

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Love your silver! SO wonderful that it comes with the notes. i wouldn't dream of throwing out a note. I have a real hard time passing up flatware I find at a good price. I'm really foolish about it I'm sorry to say. I think that daffodil pattern is quite rare. SO nice to see your collection! Have a fun Thanksgiving!

Jocelyn said...

Wow, what an amazing collection of silverware! I love all of it!! They sure make a pretty table.

Jocelyn @
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Babs said...

OMGosh! How wonderful that you have so many silver flatware sets with so much to treasure since they were your mother's grandmothers and gr grandmother's. I'm with you about keeping the slips of paper with their handwriting. I keep those too. Love the fiddle pattern and I love polishing silver. Do you want some help? :)

Debbie said...

Such beautiful pieces of silver!!!
I use mine too...I don't have quite as many sets as you tho.
xxxooo

Coloradolady said...

The silver is beautiful, but it is the hand written notes that really make these special. I have a cookbook that belonged to my grandma and each little hand written not inside is a true treasure for me. Happpy VTT

Sunny Simple Life said...

Oh I love how your silver has all those detailed notes and memories. Wonderful sets you have. I love the old set with its simple lines. Show us your table when it is time. I need ideas.

Ivy and Elephants said...

What a wonderful and touching post. You are so blessed to have such family treasures to enjoy and pass on. I was intrigued by your blog name, and hooked by the post.
Fabulous!
Patti

Unknown said...

Beautiful silver..how nice to have so much of it. I always have Thanksgiving and I always freak out the day before..and it always turns out great. Looks great!

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

I need to start thinking about setting the table for Tday too!

Cheryl said...

Wow!! Great that these hold a special place in your heart. The sentimental value is priceless! I have gone to many an auction where the family was getting rid of the silverware, sad really. If the silverware could talk... I also love the notes, how wonderful is that! I held on to things with my Mom and Dad's handwriting, I feel like it brings them close, some how.

What a wonderful post! So glad I found you!

Take care.
Cheryl
Cheryl's Christmas Chattels, etc.