Wednesday, October 7, 2015

DO YOU LOVE SILVER LIKE I LOVE SILVER?

I was lucky enough to be entrusted
to care for the silver that belonged
to one side of my husband's family.

I had two sick little girls here yesterday
watching movies which left me
free to do something-
but not so much that I would be
out of sight.
So.....
being the dutiful little wife I am
only my true friends know what a joke THAT is
I decided to polish the pieces that had been
sadly neglected since late spring.

Now, I know a lot of you like tarnished silver
but I feel guilty if I let this get tarnished.
Here she is-
BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL!
Notice how wonky the top of the candle holder is?
That is from years and years and years of
REAL USE.
Real silver is actually pretty malleable-
not hard at all.

Don't ya love it?
The tops do snap down tight and 
I should have done that for
the pictures..
but - I keep them slightly ajar 
so they don't get yucky inside.  
I am always afraid that I will seal some moisture in.
The coffee & tea service sits on the 
bombe chest in my dining room.
The drawers store linens and stuff.
The picture above the chest was a landmark in
Green Bay, WI.
Kaap's Restaurant was famous for its
ice cream treats and chocolates.
It is the first place my husband ever took me when
I came to visit his family before we got married.
Sadly, so sadly, progress has destroyed that street
and all the wonderful shops and stores that were there.
So---the silver looked like this when I started...
Pretty sad and kind of embarrassing!
 I used my special secret tools for cleaning...
Maas (and the other if I run out) 
and old diapers to polish with.
If you use these make sure the diapers are clean---just sayin'......
I won't bother to tell you I could only find two RIGHT HAND GLOVES.
Did you ever try to use a rubber glove 
wearing it on the wrong hand?
Can't turn these inside out because they are lined...lol
Yeah- You look  as stupid as you feel doing that.
Well, maybe YOU don't - but I do!
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use TARNEX
on good silver...
I won't even go into all the reasons why...just DON'T!

A few more pics to show you how I worked my fingers to the bone...
Oh---and this is MY SECRET!
See the candlestick below?
It is sitting on one of  Grandmother Clara's coasters.
TA-DA!!!
I am so flipping clever that I can't even believe it myself sometimes.
Look!  It is...
A hiding place for a few nails and screws 
cuz you just 
never know when you are gonna have to nail something to the wall.
I have SECRET TOOLS, too.
They look like a shoe (hammer) 
and a butter knife (screwdriver)

Please keep these secrets to yourself.
MyHero gets all worked up 
when I use stuff like that
for little household jobs.
He is SUCH a spoil sport.
I love these special things.
It is my husband's 
sterling silver Christening cup and 
my youngest son's Christening cup.
Both are engraved with their names and birth dates.

The little fork and spoon were used by all the kids.
SweetCheeks did NOT want to give it up.
I think she used it until she was almost five.
Well, that was my big adventure yesterday.
I am off to make myself a cuppa coffee...
Which reminds me-
I came across the most 
delightful poem the other day.
It just speaks to my heart and I am sure it will
TOUCH SOME OF YOUR HEARTS, TOO!

Y'all  have a nice day now, ya hear?

oh..and if you didn't sign up 
for my give away yesterday for
Somerset Life
you can still do that by clicking here

your photo name

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey there,sweetie pooh! Oh, I hope the little girls are feeling much better today. Wow! You really went to town didn't you? The silver is so beautiful and it's the good thick stuff too! It looks wonderful sitting there and then I see some sitting on my kitchen curtains! I'm still so in love with that fabric! :) Well, you did good and I hope you can rest your dainty little fingers today.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Oh how pretty! The silver looks beautiful. Too bad the grands were sick but you made good use of your time! Love the poetry- it speaks to me!

Kim said...

I am a huge fan of silver. I think it goes with any decor and adds a touch of sparkle and elegance. Sadly, I do not own any and when I go the the thrift stores, I am always in search of some. At least now I know how to polish my treasures, if I ever get any! ;)

Kathy said...

I love silver but hate polishing it. I guess that's why I don't have a lot of silver. I actually have goldware instead of silverware for my good set. You did a beautiful job! I don't drink coffee, but if you change that to tea, it becomes my poem! ;)

Susie said...

Diana, I love polished silver. I can't just let it tarnish and stay that way...first I should never let it tarnish, I know. I loved the picture of the restaurant. It's a shame it gone now. I think every woman had had those tools too. Plus that "hammer" makes a good spider smasher.:):) Hope your girls are better...my daughter calls this germs season at school. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Bliss said...

So I need to pick up some Maas?

Lori said...

Wrights is the right way to go. I use that too! My china cabinet is pretty air tight, so I don't have to polish the silver too much.

Sylvia said...

Now I feel guilty that I should go clean my silver! No, not today!
You did a great job, it is so pretty and shiny. Love it.

Sonny G said...

Lucky Gal~!! I love silver and your set is beautiful..

fine job on the SHINE ya did..
xoxo
Sonny

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

I had to giggle when I read your post.....I will be polishing silver today for the wedding on Saturday! Funny we would both be polishing silver this week....hugs......

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Oh Diana, you good girl, cleaning all that silver---Your siver is beautiful! I confess to having silver that looks so bad and I don't really like the tarnished look. I hope everyone is feeling better today! No fun being sick. ♥

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

That is an absolutely gorgeous tea service, D!!!!

I, too had the family's silverplate to clean when growing up. Did I mention my father's passion was to collect silver inlay with crystal pieces? It seemed as though I was never quite ever completely done cleaning it all, haha.

As for your coffee poem, as I was sipping I nearly spewed mine on my monitor. That is HILARIOUS. Haha, gosh I so love visiting you!

Go to Tea Time Tuesday linky party over at Rose Chintz Cottage blog and share this beautiful tea set with the tea acoutraments ladies there, they will love it, and you may get some new followers. Hugs. ♥

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

That is an absolutely gorgeous tea service, D!!!!

I, too had the family's silverplate to clean when growing up. Did I mention my father's passion was to collect silver inlay with crystal pieces? It seemed as though I was never quite ever completely done cleaning it all, haha.

As for your coffee poem, as I was sipping I nearly spewed mine on my monitor. That is HILARIOUS. Haha, gosh I so love visiting you!

Go to Tea Time Tuesday linky party over at Rose Chintz Cottage blog and share this beautiful tea set with the tea acoutraments ladies there, they will love it, and you may get some new followers. Hugs. ♥

Cranberry Morning said...

Wow, Cinderella, that silver service looks gorgeous now! Your coffee poem is how I feel at 6:45 AM. By 7:00 I'm feeling pretty chipper! LOL
Have a wonderful day, Diana. Hope Prince Charming rescues you from any more house drudgery.

Cristina Garay said...

Diana, what a gorgeous tea set you have! I don't mind tarnished silver but for this set I think polishing it was the way to go, and what a job you did! The cups and the fork and knife set are just too cute! Hey, you made me laugh with the way you store your spare nails and screws, I do the same in almost every room! :)
Hope the girls are feeling better now.

Unknown said...

I love silver too and I just polished mine up for Karen's Kamp for The Chicken Mansion! I loved using it for all the gals in their vintage trailers....so feminine. Perfect for a glamping weekend.
I especially like the children's mugs and silverware. I used mine when the kids were young and for the grands. Your GD will love that when she is grown...for her children.

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

You are such a good girl.... Polishing the silver....

Good thing I never inherited any... 'Cause everyone knows, I am not a good girl.

Just sayin'....

>,-)))))

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

Did I tell you how glad I am that you're back??? I did? Oh, okay. :) You make me laugh every day and I love it! I loved this post! First of all, I hope your sick girls are much better now. My oldest had a sinus infection and I know there''s a lot of gunk going around. Your silver is gorgeous!!! I'm so glad you gave tips on how to clean it because I have my grandmothers silver, but I'm afraid it's almost beyond repair. I'll try the things you suggested though. You never know! Love the coaster trick! You are definitely flipping clever in my book. ;)

I love that SweekCheeks used her fork and spoon for so long. That reminds me that I also have my grandmother's silver baby spoon that she used back in 1912! I need to clean it up too. That coffee poem is perfect! I'm about to have my first cup right now...with a little peppermint mocha cream. Yum!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Looks beautiful and thanks for the tip about not using "tarnX"...which I do have...interested about your 30 day plan!
Hmm..maybe I should clean up my silver...if I had any!
warmly,
deb

Patricia said...

Giggling because of the coffee poem. Have a wonderful day.

Patricia said...

Giggling because of the coffee poem. Have a wonderful day.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I adore clean silver too! Your tea set is stunning and I'm so happy you got into the job, (not that I like it, either). I do too sometimes, I don't care for cleaning silver and you did a magnificent job. The baby silver it's so cute too. I hope the little girls are better by now too. I have sterling heirlooms from my Mil and I need to clean sometimes... everything!
Love the coffee poem, it's just me and coffee.....heheheheee I posted easy dessert recipe, sooo easy pisy.
Love and hugs,
FABBY

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

That's a beautiful set and so is the baby's set...just lovely!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

That's a beautiful set and so is the baby's set...just lovely!

Down On The Farm said...

Polishing is no fun . . . but oh my the rewards. Beautiful!!!

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Diana,
First up I'm sorry your Grands are sick, poor kids, they need ice cream every 4 hours as their medicine! Yup love silver, love it and use it even when I host a casual get together. You did a beautiful job polishing and I must say what an interesting legacy of your silver. i was lucky to be given my Mom's silver. I buff it with tattered fannel PJ's I cut up for just this purpose. What a clever little hiding spot, Grandmother Clara is smiling down over that one.
xoxo

Jill said...

That looks so beautiful! All your hard work paid off :-) I love sets like that. Still hunting for a full set antique tea set with Tea pot etc. So hard to find an old set with all the pieces. I have a few small pieces that need shining up as well, I've used the premoistened cloths, but will have to give this a try. Have a fabulous day!!

Blessings,
Jill

Vee said...

Very pretty, Diana! I do not like silver enough to clean it. As you say, "embarrasing."

Anonymous said...

so many treasures and I can't think of a better person to entrust them with,, such a good job you did,

I have that same hammer, lol,

Linda said...

So beautiful! True treasures!

Linda said...

So beautiful! True treasures!

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

I hate polishing silver and I didn't know Tarn-x is bad stuff! I have a pile sitting downstair but I use them all nicely tarnished which is really how I like them? You set if gorgeous and should be all cleaned up shining brightly! PS...I don't drink coffee, never had a cup in my life!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

My goodness, Diana. The before pic of your silver is tarnished?? What is mine, then, BURNT?? Your arms must be so tired but what beauties they have turned into. Lots of work but well worth the effort, I'd say! Well, I have to go. My silver is smoking!!..Happy Wednesday..Judy P.S. Loved the poem..

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Your silver is beautiful, Diana...none of mine has EVER looked that nice lol. I love the little baby cups and spoons especially...so sweet. And the poem is great...I need to recite it to my hungry dogs every morning.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

I used to have some silver years ago, but I have no idea where it is now. I gave up polishing it, and who knows, maybe I was using Tarnex, I can't remember! Your silver is absolutely stunning, and while it was a lot of work, it looks so amazing when it is clean! Hope your two little sick ones are feeling better too!

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi Dianna,
I am visiting by way of Junk Chic, our lovely Kris.... Nice to see you too have offered the beautiful feature of Kris and Terry's home being featured in S/Life....it was an amazing feeling when my home and featured article was featured that feels like yesterday.
As for your silver is a pride and a joy to have heirloom pieces, I have very few pieces left, nothing as extravagant as your tea server, but I do have some sterling silver 150 year old serving spoons family monogrammed and passed down to me that I adore using for any occasion....I look for a reason to use my silver pieces, and of course the best of the best knowledgable SILVER SMITHS always say the more you use it the more luster of its beauty is enriched in time.

I have a little trick to saving the natural beauty never pitting the silver or compromising the integrity of its lineage and that is to clean it as safely as possible .... It was a well know silver smith who let the silver our of the bag and told me one of his most favorite silver cleaners was TOOTH-PASTE, yep toothpaste. I buy what he says is safe and non toxic to damaging any silver, and that is the PASTE tooth-paste the white tooth paste not any gels or sparkle this or that just cheep white paste tooth paste and I to.d home like the big tubes at the 99 cent stores yup! I rub it on with my fingers and then let sit about 5 minutes and buff it off with a soft rag, and then just rinse in clear hot water and dry real good and it's done. Nothing toxic for your home, or left behind to harm the silver.... My collection containers family baby sets, and all have eaten off them as well. Silver baby cups, teething ring that is 100 year old family treasure as well. And silver tray I adore and a couple of picture frames that are very old.

Try the tooth paste let me know what you think, PLUS, I love the MINTY FRESH smell while I am cleaning it, it makes cleaning silver that much more enjoyable.

Wonderful family heirloom post here.

I am off now to did out some silver to clean now that you reminded me! :)

Xx
Dore

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

What a beautiful treasure your silver set is, Dianna! Just knowing it was passed down in the family makes it soooo special! I also love the painting of your favorite restaurant with its wonderful memories over your wonderful bombe chest. Hope the little girls are feeling better today. Is that coffee poem not perfect? Every morning my Mr. is bright eyed and chatty and I just want to drink my coffee......xo Karen

Stephen Andrew said...

I love silver, too! And I have zero love for tarnished silver. I've been getting a jump on all my polishing lately. Seeing as how time is rapidly depleting before the holidays and too often I've found myself up at 4:30AM polishing silver for Thanksgiving or Christmas! Looks beautiful!

Chatty Crone said...

That is a huge job - very impressive. I am glad you use it and just don't let it sit around. That is what it is for. Real silver is soft. Beautiful set!!

Savannah Granny said...

You got me on the fun stuff...cleaning silver. I haven't done that in a while but yours is so beautiful and shiny. I just love the look of highly polished silver. I just can't get into the tarnished fad. The picture of Kapp's Restaurant shows such a neat shopping district, too bad the lovely old shopping districts give way to malls.
Much love to you and the grands.

Donna said...

Your silver set is just gorgeous, Diana! Yep, I am one of those crazy people who actually loves it tarnished! But this beautiful set does indeed deserve to shine:) I bet your lids can't close down all the way, 'cause that is where you store all of your millions, right?$$$$$

Anonymous said...

Your silver is beautiful, Diana! Polishing it is a big job, but I love it when it's all shiny and bright. I'm not a fan of tarnished silver. I guess it's all those year of polishing it that make me love the shine. What precious pieces in the Christening cups and flatware. All of your pieces will be wonderful family heirlooms to pass along. Seeing your wavy candlestick top makes me think about the time I held some sterling pieces too tightly polishing it and dented it. Love the coffee poem!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Your silver looks beautiful!! As does all silver, when I do not have to be the one to polish it. Bleh!....

Thanks for the kinds words - :-)

Nellie said...

Oh, yes! I do like silver! I'd love to have you come to polish mine.:-) Great pieces to inherit! xo Nellie

White Lace and Promises said...

Oh I do. I do love it! But a little secret, I love it tarnished just as well:)

This N That said...

Silver!!!!! Good grief..Gorgeous when polished but what a pain..My sister and I had 4 flatware sets for 12 between us..I still have service for 6 that I use for everyday flatware. We had several coffee.tea sets..I still have a small coffee service..We had endless candle sticks and candelabras., Big trays and serving dishes....ALL GONE!!! You are dead on about the Tarnex...same with that salt bath...
Enjoy your pretty silver..It is lovely, but!! Put a piece of chalk inside your pieces..It cuts down on the tarnish..My grandparents used to have help that did nothing but polish the silver and the brass...Yuk!!! I guess that's where all their money went...Have a nice evening..

Pom Pom said...

Wow! You made everything super shiny! Well done!

tammy j said...

i have some beautiful old serving pieces from my grandfather's family.
heavy. beautifully ornate.
and there are also many coin silver spoons.
they're all in a large special box at the marine's home.
i know i really should get them out and enjoy them i guess.
but i don't. i'm keeping them for when the boys might marry
and their wives hopefully would appreciate them too and use them.
your silver pieces are beautiful. job well done.
even without a full pair of gloves! LOL!

Junkchiccottage said...

Diana your silver is soooo pretty. It looks so good on the chest. How sweet you have your hero's christening cup and your son's. So special.

Red Rose Alley said...

Your silver set is beautiful, Diana. Yes, I love silver too. My mom had a silver tea set, and when she passed away it was handed down to my sister. I remember polishing it at times growing up. I love that little white pumpkin on your tray. And that coffee poem......too funny. : ) I'm going to send that one to the girls hehehe.

love, ~Sheri

Rose L said...

Wow! You certainly did shine those up. I got rid of my silver as did not like polishing it. Someone else treasures it. I had a friend tell me to use toothpaste to polish silver and when I still had silver it worked well. Did you ever hear of that?

Carla from The River said...

The silver looks lovely. I have two pieces that look awful here too. I need to get inspired and clean them. Both of my pieces are from my grandma.
I like the white pumpkin on your tray.
I love the poem.

S H Elliott said...

Of the silver. Not Silverado! That's a truck. Darn autocomplete on my iPad. I am not guilty this time. Sheila

Joy Junktion said...

You do have a beautiful set and some fun extras! Love your little dresser/cabinet too! Many blessings, Cindy

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

Diana I love your silver! It is beautiful and I have tools just like you too! I'm glad not to be alone in that one!..Love your posts

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Such pretty silver and shined ever so pretty, I love silver, but alas I did not inherit any except for cutlery, so guess what I have started doing...collecting it myself! I suppose some day, the kiddos will either like it or sell it...
Love your poem:)
xo
Jemma

Deanies Stash said...

What beautiful silver pieces! Those are real treasures.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Your silver is beautiful. They are really very pretty pieces. I gave all mine away - got tired of polishing it. I do however have Shaun's baby silver ware. Guess I should give it to him. His wife didn't want it for Kelly. Only plastic.
Have wonderful evening.
Mary

Bernideen said...

Yes - a beautiful silver set. Darling poem too!