Friday, December 6, 2013

The Spode Story and Monkeying Around

Every single Christmas since I got married
I have taken the Spode out of its hidden
storage space and put it in the china cabinet
for Christmas.

The cabinets have changed over the years
as we moved.
The china cabinets in this house are built-ins
in the dining room.
This was taken at night so is a tad "off"
but I tried to lighten it so you could see it.
We started out with two place settings of Spode for
our first Christmas and then the grandmothers
added another place setting every year
until we had service for 12.
Remember when I helped my friend,
Ruth, stage her house here?
She gave me several more pieces, too.
So, now I will think of her and Tom
every time we use the set.
This is bit of close up of the other end of the mantle.
The copper tree is a gift from my son & his wife.
It has birthstones on it for every member of our family.
Pardon the green  light cords- I haven't "buried" them yet.

After we had service for 16 there were 
serving pieces added.
I love this set.
All of our kids grew up with this set and now my grandkids get to eat off it, too.
I used to be afraid of breaking it but now I have
decided to just use it and enjoy it.
There is an antique musical tree 
tucked up into one corner.
It's missing a bauble or two which makes it all the 
more precious to me.

And, can you guess what else is precious to me?
This sweet boy that spent the day with me yesterday
as he continues to recover.
We did a little monkeying around.
Look who stood up to get the monkey
off his back truck!
Buh-Bye Monkey!

I am doing things in dribs and drabs here
so bear with me.
I hope to post some more Christmas pictures tomorrow.
WAIT till you see what that ELF is up to now!
You won't want to miss it!
MyHero might or might not be 
featured also.
your photo name

52 comments:

Anna Hanley said...

Hi there friend~ Just Beautiful! Anna

Kathy said...

Your dishes are gorgeous. And I love your little copper tree.

It was so GOOD to see your grandson looking more like himself. God is good!

Anonymous said...

Love the Spode, Diana, and love your philosophy about using the beautiful dishes. Your grandson looks wonderful...so happy he's doing better.

Connie in Hartwood said...

What a lovely collection of dishes!! (especially awesome that it has such a strong family connection)

Great to see that little tyke up and around and spending time with his Nana.

Linda said...

Those dishes are beautiful!!! It's so nice to see your grandson playing at your house.

Japolina said...

You're Christmas Decorations are so pretty but I was especially happy to see your little cutie pie hanging out there! That is the best Holiday gift yet.

Be sure to stop by my blog and enter my contest. There are only a few hours left!

Dixie Delights said...

I too love that china! Ours was mostly wedding gifts, but my mother has continued to add to it over the years. xo

Julie Marie said...

Your Spode is so beautiful Diana, and what precious memories it holds... so happy to see your boy "monkeying around"!... that has got to be the best Christmas gift of all... xoxo Julie Marie

Tessa~ said...

Ohhhhh how simply beautiful...

And I like night photos, which have this little "off-ness" or "blurrrrr" about them. I think they are lovely and artsy and etc. (Dare I say "Artsy-Fartsy"??? -gigggles-)

Oh how wonderful to see your wee 'Grand,' up and playing. Your family has already gotten all it needs for Christmas. :-)

Susan said...

Beautiful. Look forward to seeing more fun stuff. Regarding the last post...I love red and anything resembling red. I usually go with a burgundy red at Christmas, just to step outside the red and green box. Love all your decor. Looking forward to seeing your hero, too. xoxo.

Perfectly Printed said...

That's how my husband and I got our Spode Christmas dishes...my mother in law gave us a place setting for two our first Christmas and then she gave us serving pieces next....when she passed away I received her collection..dishes, and her large collection of Spode glassware! Love using it and it is a wonderful memory of her! So glad your grand is feeling better!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Diana I love your built-in hutch and your Christmas china looks beautiful in it! So happy to see that little guy up and around!!

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

Good for you! I am so happy to hear that you are using your beautiful Spode dishes....I started using some of my "good" stuff too! Hugs, Penny

Karen said...

I am sorry that I was not aware of your grandson's illness. I had been out of town for a week. I am so thankful that he is home and getting better! I'll be praying for him. Your home is decorated beautifully. God bless you.

Victoria's Vintage Designs said...

Beautiful china Diana ~ go glad your grandson is doing so well!!

Cranberry Morning said...

What joy it brings to see that little guy up and around, Diana! Praise God. And it is fun to see the pics of your house decorated for Christmas. Your Christmas dishes are beautiful. What a treat! I inherited my mom's Christmas dishes, and we will be using them on Christmas Eve when we have our traditional clam chowder and popovers.

Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping in at Cranberry Morning. I can feel the cold off the bay that you mention. That's one of the reasons that I'd love to live in Duluth EXCEPT for the cold wind off Lake Superior in the wintertime!! I'm very happy here in spite of our sub-zero temps. We have a fire in the stove and a pot of coffee and Christmas music. :-)

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Beautiful china and how nice to have acquired it over the years as gifts..it makes it all the more precious.
Speaking of precious...so glad to see your little sweetheart getting better and better each day.
I like your tree ( earlier post ) too...I hope that you found Baby Jesus...he was probably playing with the Elf! :)

Susie said...

Diana, I love your Christmas dishes. I have to tell you it does my heart good to see your boy there ,playing. I feel thankful. I'll show Teddy if you make that elf do something to Hero.LOL He laughed about Itch&Scratch yesterday.:) Blessings sweet friend, xoxo,Susie

Kelly said...

Love how you've displayed your Christmas dishes in your cabinet. You've got a wonderful collection now! So glad to see your grandson up and about too.

SImple and Serene Living said...

So happy to see that sweet boy up and playing. It makes everything else fade into the background. xo Laura

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

How nice to have a great Collection of the Spode dishes and it makes it very special when some of the pieces were gifted to you…I so love that classic pattern…Several years ago, I got a great deal on the Spode Christmas tree lamp at HG…I love it…

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Anonymous said...

Howdy Doodie, Diana! Oh, how beautiful. I love your cabinet and of course nothing beats that gorgeous Spode. Have a great weekend.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Claudia said...

Diana, I'm just now catching up and I wanted to say how happy I am that your grandson is recovering! What a miracle - to be led to a diagnosis by a fellow blogger! Just another reason why blogging is such a wonderful thing.

Much love,
Claudia

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

I just loved seeing your grand love up and looking so great God is so good to us..Merry CHRISTmas my dear friend..Many more blessings to you in 2014..Hugs and love Gloria

Our Hopeful Home said...

Spode is so beautiful, I love it at Christmas. My mother-in-law gave me some pieces early on in our marriage 19 years ago and I take them out every Christmas (Large Christmas Tree cookie jar, sugar and creamer, teapot) and think of her. Your collection is fabulous, and all the better that generations of your family have gotten to enjoy it.

Shirley said...

Good Morning Diana, Your Spode is beautiful for this time of the year and your home is pretty. Your Precious grandson is progressing and makes our hearts feel good to see him standing. We will still continue to pray for his progress. I have enjoyed reading this morning and catching up with you. The snow and ice missed us, but it is really cold. 9 degrees without the windchill. Have a great day. Many hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend.

Vee said...

Beautiful touches of Christmas in your home from the china to the copper tree and the very best you saved for last! So happy to see your grandson giving the monkey the boot!

Curtains in My Tree said...

Your spoke is so Christmasie
I like how they look in your beautiful cabinet
I am sure your Christmas table is beautiful

Chatty Crone said...

Your Spode dishes are lovely! And what a nice set of them you have!

Looks like your grandson is feeling better - praise the Lord.

sandie

NanaNor's said...

So thankful for your grand!!!! I love Spode, my mom had some and I have several pieces of white ware that has turned yellow & gray with age. I think I have one piece of Christmas spode-I just love it.
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs, Noreen

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

You did a lot...and I am glad to see te last few pictures!!

White Lace and Promises said...

Love, love, love!

This N That said...

The Spode is beautiful..Use it and enjoy it..My sister and I have both decided to do that..I use my grandmothers sterling flatware for daily use..I've done that for years..It's good for it..Cute picture of the "Monkeys"..Glad he's doing better...Your Mantle is pretty even with the wires..:)

Merlesworld said...

Lovely china and the little fellow is looking much better now.
Merle...........

One More Time Events said...

Everything is just beautiful!! Love your china! The best part seeing your grandson up and about!
True Blessing!
Xo Tammy

Anonymous said...

Diana, your Christmas decorations look so festive! I, too, love Spode and use it myself! I use mine every Christmas season. Woo hoo on that precious boy standing! God is so good! I know your are so relieved! XO!

Debbie said...

Hi sweet friend. I came over to get caught up on your posts.
I must say, the best was your hero and the elf in their masks!!! lol!!
It was wonderful to see your little man standing up. LOVE your nativity.
Seriously, your house looks beautiful all prettied up for the Christmas season, Diana. You always make things look all sparkly, and festive.
Do you happen to have Donna's address? I have the one from Washington, and can't find the one from Tipton.
Thank you.
Smooches.
xoxo

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Everything looks so pretty at your house! Love the little copper tree. It's so good to see the little guy playing and standing up, too! Yay!! Have a nice evening and weekend!

Maureen Wyatt said...

It's lovely that you have such a pretty set of dishes and even better that some of them were purchased by your grandmas. But, as much as your decorations are lovely, I know you would be just as happy eating from paper plates as long as that little guy is back on his feet!

Nellie said...

I love the stories of how our collections began! I bought a piece a month in order to complete the Christmas Magic I love.

How amazing that CJK is able to do some walking. Sending along continued prayers for his complete recovery.

xo Nellie

tammy j said...

there is nothing quite so beautiful as the line of a baby's cheek. when it's still full in profile. like the first picture here of him.
i'm so enjoying your showing us nana diana's christmas magic a little at a time! xoxo

Pam Kessler said...

Has he not hidden that elf from you yet? I thought My Hero was smarter than that! Enjoy your weekend. Hope the snow stays away from you!

Cristina Garay said...

It is a beautiful set, Diana! I love to look at the build ins flaking the fireplace and now all dressed up for the Holidays even better! It's also fun to see CJK like if nothing ever happened to him.

Dewena said...

There is that little sweetheart we all prayed for and kept in our hearts! Now he's a Christmas gift!

Your cabinet is beautifully arranged with your Spode Christmas Tree! It is my pattern too and I love it every bit as much as I did 20 years ago. Not that I wouldn't have a dozen more sets of Christmas china if I had the room but this was in classic.

That copper tree is another family heirloom! Love it!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

So great to see your little boy!!!! Who needs Christmas gifts when you can watch that little sweetie up and walking around...Just put a bow on him!

Carol

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh Diana, so glad the boyo is doing so much better - he is a cutie.
Love your Spode it is beautiful and I know it looks terrific on the table.
So glad that everything is getting back to normal.
xxoo
Mary

Kim said...

I do not have fancy china, Diana. I only have the Spode set and I love it. It was a gift from my mom and I use it as I usually host Christmas (and lately Christmas Eve as well) for a large crowd! :)

Leena Milligan Lanteigne said...

It does my heart so much good to see that little guy looking so well! It is truly a miracle! I changed one of the settings here so am hoping that I don't show up as noreply any more. Love your Spode dishes! I have some Christmas tree china and stoneware and I'm always on the look out for more at thrift stores. I even found stemware that has holly on it for drinking egg nog. I'm feeling festive! Hugs, Leena

Gert said...

It is so nice to see your little grandson up and around! Oh those plates are beautiful!! Would love to be at your home during this season!! So....pretty!

Anonymous said...

It is great to see CJK looking so much better, it is wonderful how they bounce back.
I started collecting Spode a few years back. I look out for the 'Made in England' pieces, but mine is mostly from China! I hadn't thought of displaying it at Christmas, I might have to copy you. Well they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Your Spode is beautiful. I think those cherished items take on more beauty if they are used by the people we cherish.

Little Blue Mouse said...

It's good to see your grandson up and about.
Your Spode is lovely, I would love to eat Christmas dinner off that!

Can't wait to see what Elf has been up to....