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thanks, bj

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

A Tablescape from the past....



Some of you will remember that I stumbled upon the BEST
ESTATE SALE
last summer and came home with this LARGE set of vintage dishes
that, when I first saw them, sitting on the table at the sale,
the whole room started spinning.
*
I was walking IN SLOW MOTION it seemed,
hoping to get to them before that OTHER elderly lady did !
I saw her pickup truck out front....the whole backend packed with BOXES...
looked like good stuff from sales...
and now she wanted MY DISHES !!
***
**
...but.....I guess I was faster on my feet than I thought I was
'cause....I BEAT HER TO THEM !!!
**
Not really !
She was very nice and let me have them when she saw me starting to cry !
just kiddin' ya !



Cold, icy water with lemon,
served in a frosty glass....
It hit the spot..
 A simple meal served on BEAUTIFUL dishes..
*
...hamburger steak with melted SHARP Cheddar cheese..
pan fried cottage fries with onion slices...
baked chili beans...
*
Little crystal stemed vintage champagne glasses...
such a pretty tone when thumped with your finger....
I bought these a long, long time ago at a little
country antiques shop...
**
*
Just a light dessert of sweet GRAPES
with just a touch of whipped cream...
Ginger Snaps....some of my favorite cookies...
They are much better to dunk
than Oreos...
yes...they are !!
*
LINKING WITH
FABULOUS NEST FRIDAY
FRIDAY FINDING BEAUTY
SHOW AND TELL FRIDAY
TICKLED PINK FRIDAY
GARAGE SALE'N FRIDAY
OOPS...my comments came over from the past, too.
So sorry...I thought I got them off...
OH..WELL !

84 comments:

Lift Like A Mom said...

I love those dishes!!!! I so enjoy finding a great garage sale, estate sale, anything sale!!!

Dinner looks amazing too! When should I be over? Haha :)

Lynn said...

Very nice! The burlap runner looks great and I've never had grapes with whipped cream!

Stacey said...

Oh mercy, did you pan fry those burgers? That's one of my favorite meals!! Your table is so pretty. You are so talented, Miss BJ.

Blondie's Journal said...

Your table looks delightful, as always. I can see why you cleared a path running for those dishes at the estate sale!! They are gorgeous. Your dinner looks even more delicious on them! I am using a burlap table runner this week, too. Did you peek?!! ;-D

Everything is very pretty Miss BJ!

xoxo
Jane

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I love your dishes, they really are just gorgeous. I love the crystal too. So pretty. Dinner looks just fantastic. Great tip on the napkin. I missed that one. Hugs, Marty

Joanne Kennedy said...

What a great find! Your dinner looks yummy. What time should I stop by?

Hugs,
Joanne

Unknown said...

DON'T put those leftovers away yet ... I'm on my way over!!! Chuckle ...

TTFN ~Marydon

Susan said...

No way you are 72 years old........you do not look a day over 50!!

I so love your cream ware dishes!! What a nice find!!

PAT said...

Your table is beautiful, as always.

Your meal looks delicious. This is one of J's favorites.

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Your table is gorgeous, Bj and your food looks so delicious but I can NOT quit laughing! That is so, so funny! There is another one about a 50 yr old woman who went to the Dr. and comes home to tell her husband that the Dr. commented about her breasts being as firm as a 20 yr olds. The husband replied and said, "What did he say about your 50 year old a s s?" The wife said, "Your name never came up"! SO funny! Thanks for sharing that one...I'm going to pass it around to my good sense of humor friends!

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

p/s I am shocked to read that you're 72! You're a knockout, lady and I would NEVER have guessed your age!

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

BJ...You always have such interesting scapes...and WITH food!
Your candle centerpiece is wonderful...
Those plates you CRIED over!Lol
You'll be getting a lot of use out of them...so cute.
Pass the grapes please,
xoxo~Kathy 2
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Sooo lovely, bj! Will you s'cuse me...I have to run to the potty...brb.. :)
(I always do this when I visit you..no idea why!)
Love and hugs,
Mona

Julie Harward said...

Very nice dishes...what a find! Loved your treats too! (That joke at the top LOL..a good one!) :D

Justine said...

Well, that napkin thing is a nice etiquette technique I guess, but... who the hell keeps their napkin in the ring? What are they wiping their mouths on then? Their sleeves? Could be... have you ever seen my family eat?

Those dishes are just plain gorgeous. I'm glad you had on your Keds that day!

Justine :o )

Rettabug said...

You deserved to get those dishes, BJ! They are perfect with all your extra additions & will work in many, many tablescapes.

You're making me hungry with those foodie shots. Yummo!

I think your etched crystal looks like the same ones Bill from Affordable Accoutrements used in his TT. I looked online for some & they are not INEXPENSIVE!! Lucky Dog!

Deanna said...

I chuckled at your joke at the top of the page about miracle grow!!! Cute!

Lovely table you have set. Thank you for Dinner.

God bless,
d from HomeHaven

LV said...

You did a great job. So many pretty goodies for today. If I may have a favorite, i pick your top remarks about the man and his wife. That is priceless.

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

BJ, your table is lovely, but the joke just about did me in! That's really the funniest thing I have ever heard. You are the ultimate role model - I aspire to have your sense of humor!!
Luv ya, Andrea

Johanna Gehrlein said...

BJ, I understand why you wanted to have this dishes. They are really beautiful. And you made with them and the additions a stunning table. And this yummy meal. I enjoyed it very much, thank you for the invitaition.
Greetings, Johanna

Bonnie said...

Loved the Joke, BJ, and of course all the rest is fab too!

Coloradolady said...

BJ, beautiful dishes, love finding things like this at estate sales. And now...I'm hungry! Have a great VTT!

Marigene said...

BJ, I always love coming to your table...those dishes are lovely, glad that you beat that other OLD lady to them!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

BJ, I love your table! It is just so neat, and I can't believe you found those fab dishes at a tag sale! WOW! I want to go shopping with you. I love your whole table! AND I love that delicious food, too! I did know that about the point, but sometimes I cheat and do it the other way if it looks good on the table. LOL! I guess now, though, I'm gonna get busted so I will mind my ways around you! :-)

Loved this! Happy Tablescape Thursday!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Sarah said...

BJ, glad you prevailed with the set of dishes. They are lovely and look familiar. What is the name of the pattern? Your burlap runner and book motif centerpiece is charming. ~ Sarah

Paulette said...

Nice dishes you landed! Ooh, baked chili beans? I feel a craving coming on. If only I had a recipe!

Shelly said...

I've just found your blog and so glad I did! Not only are we fellow Texans :), but I, too, love estate sales....and I especially LOVE those dishes you found :)

I'm adding you to my blog list!

XO

Lori @ Dining Delight said...

So glad you got those dishes first! They look lovely and especially nice with that delish-looking food on them!

DD

Diann said...

I can see why you fell in love with those dishes! They are beautiful!

And all the food looks so yummy!

Pretty and inviting table!

Chubby Chieque said...

You know what? I will die for your candle holder, Lady? §;-)

So pretty...

Happy TT Day...

Beansieleigh said...

Hi BJ! Love your table today, and that you were the lucky one to bring those dishes home with you!! The cottage fries look delicious, and are a favorite of both Dear Son and I!.. As for Oreos, I LOVE them; but I have a homemade recipe for a Molasses-Spice Cookie that someone very nice gave me, that reminds me very much of a ginger snap cookie.. maybe better!... And yes, they are DELICIOUS for dunking!! ~tina

viridian said...

Happy VTT! the ice water with lemon looks very refreshing.

Lift Like A Mom said...

Hey BJ,
Hopefully you get this. I tried to reply to you, but for some reason, they kept getting sent back to me. The site for the stickies is: www.wigflip.com/superstickies

They're pretty fun :) Have a great day!!

Dena said...

Everything looks so yummy BJ! I love fried potatos :) And the Miracle Grow cracked me up!

Hugs,
Dena

Ann said...

I love those dishes, you certainly came away with a great deal. I know the feeling of getting dizzy, hop on over and see my Transferware I picked up last week at an estate sale. The food looks so delicious.
Ann

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Oh I love this table scape or whatever it's called. I see basically brown & white. Love it!!!

I know the dishes are more than just "white" but ... You know what I mean, I hope. :-)

Yummmmm looking meal too.

And I never knew those "Napkin Rules"! -giggles-

^_^

Salmagundi said...

I've said it before but those are really great dishes - I always enjoy seeing them in one of your beautiful tablescapes. Plus, you always show us yummy food to dream about! Sally

Susan Freeman said...

Those vintage champagne glasses are my favorites!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Kissed by an Angel said...

Lovely table setting again!! Your meal looks great too!!!
xxxx

CC said...

Ohh,your dishes are gorgeous..I'm so happy for you that you got them.
Youe tablescape is so very pretty..happy VTT..

Journey said...

BEAUTIFUL DISHES!!!! Great find. And I understand how you feel when you are so close and just miss that "special something" you have been looking for!

Have you tried adding cashews with the grapes - one of my favorites. LOL - of course, anything with nuts is my favorite.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Beverly said...

BJ, your table and meal look wonderful.

I remember when my mother prepared hamburger steak. It was so...good. And, I love gingersnaps, too. When we were newlyweds, my husband brought them to me in a brown paper bag.

Kathleen Grace said...

Well I learn something new every day (really!) I din't know about the napkin pointing. Thanks for the lesson, and, by the way, I am hopping the next flight to Texas so I can come to dinner! *sigh* some day:>)

Unknown said...

Glad you ended up with those dishes...beauties they are! Great post :)

Blessings!
Gail

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hi BJ....LOVE your dishes...and your story LOL!! Oh and by the way...I LOVE your music too ;) Mmmm your meal looks sooooo good...now I'm craving pan fried potatoes with onions and a hamburger steak! Have a wonderful day...Maura :)

Pinky said...

HI BJ! The dishes are SOOO pretty, I can understand why you would have RUN HER OVER to get them:):):) I love the crystal and the grapes look so delish! Maybe that will be our dessert tonight. It is dinner time and I am hungry now!!!! Beautiful table, as always, YOUNG LADY!!!!!! XO, Pinky

Jean Tuthill said...

That's a beautiful table setting. I love the dishes. And the food looks so good! Thanks for letting me know about the napkins, I didn't know that.

★Carol★ said...

I'm so glad you didn't really have to resort to crying to get that set of dishes! It's a lovely set, and the meal you served on them looks so delicious!
Happy VTT!
Carol

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

I got such a giggle from your joke! Love your tablescape -- but I really love the food you prepare each time! It always looks so good. And I have to agree with some of the comments -- you're a knockout!

Miss Merry said...

Adorable dishes, adorable table, you are adorable!!!! And your food looks SO good! What a fun post.

Sherrie said...

Just when you think that you can't learn another thing, I learn how to do a napkin. Thank you for sharing. By the way I love your dishes.

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Absolutely lovely.

:)
ButterYum

Claudia said...

Hey you cute thing!

What a delightful tablescape!

Would love to have your join us over at Friday Finding Beauty... you always brighten my day.

Hugs!
Claudia

Anne Lorys said...

Those dishes are amazing! I would've pretended to cry, too! ;-)

Thank you so much for entering my book giveaway, good luck!

All the best,
Anne

aladdinsane12 said...

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

I absolutely adore estate sales! I have gotten some of my favorite jewelry from them :) Those dishes are GORGEOUS! You are so lucky to have beat that lady to them.

Jeanne said...

What a beautiful table!

I'm envious of your wonderful find with those dishes! I try to pick up any Metlox pattern when I see it and your Antiqua set seems to be in wonderful condition. Its one of my favorites. I love how much more elegant the mold looks when done all in one tone as it is in these dishes. You are very lucky to have found such a wonderful set.

Shell said...

That looks gorgeous! Maybe someday when my boys are old enough not to break everything, I can have pretty things, instead of just durable ones!

Thanks for visiting me on my SITS day on Monday!

THE STONE RABBIT said...

I always knew you were a quick little thing, BJ. Glad you beat that other chick to the dishes first...also glad you turned on the tears! I love your dishes and that amazing looking plate of food!! OMG...that looked good! I was also glad to learn about correct napkin pointing!!

Hope you're having a great week! L, Dana

Unknown said...

Your tablescape is pretty and your dinner looks yummy! Congratulations on a great post :)

Sarah

Beth said...

Beautiful dishes! I'm so glad you got them and showed them to us. You are an outstanding cook, BJ - the food always looks so-o-o-o-o good! Love the crystal champagne glasses too.
Only 3 more tablescapes before Alaska! Bet you're getting excited! I am thrilled for you!

Coryanne Ettiene | Kitchen Living with Coryanne said...

Just loved the dishes and the setting, mind you the joke really made me laugh. Thank you for that and for linking to Fab Nest Friday. Have a great weekened.

Kathleen said...

Did you have your running shoes on? :)
I am glad you got the dishes..Lord know bloggers need lots of dishes!
Your table looks lovely! And that will be the day when anyone I knows puts the napkin back in the ring and points it the opposite way to signal they are done! And If they snap their fingers at me..well, I don't want to say what I would do! LOL

I think I am all caught up, BJ. I have not been on line as much..lots of work here this time of year! And I am getting slower and slower..

Chicken Wrangler said...

Lovely table display, and the meal looks so wonderful! Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Alycia Nichols said...

Great score on the dishes!!! :-) Very nice all around! (By the way, I really like the photo of you and your husband on the side of the blog! You look like you have a lot of fun together. I guess so...50+ years!!!)

Maria@BubblegumandDuctTape said...

I loved your story, very funny. I've panicked from time to time wishing my legs were faster to get to a sale.

Your dishes are beautiful and if you had to arm wrestle or outrun anyone for them, they would have absolutely been worth it. We would have all done the same thing.

Happy Tablescape Thursday!

Debbie said...

So I'm "technically" the second commenter instead of number 69...
I like that.

I love it that some of you who have done tablescapes for a while repeat them. I had not seen it, of course, and I'm glad to get the chance.

I would have wanted those dishes too. I love the tone on tone nature of them. They are different from more contemporary white dishes.

The table is really lovely, and the food looks marvelous!!

The Style Sisters said...

Love the burlap on the table and your dishes are so pretty! I must try your dessert...I love gingersnaps and my husband loves grapes in ice cream!

Karin

Chubby Chieque said...

Hello Dear Bj...

Ur such a lucky lady, who won that gorgeous vintage set.

Everything is sets & serve perfectly. Thanks for inviting (now am drooling with your food, Lady?)

Hope everybodys' fine in this sunny but chilly day, at least in Sweden §;-)

Happy TS day!

Greetings from chilly Stockholm,
/chie

Southern Lady said...

Love your dishes, BJ, and that supper looks scrumptious. I'm so glad you were faster than the other lady at the estate sale!

Coloradolady said...

Beautiful dishes, I love your table setting....and now...I'm hungry!! Have a great VTT!

Midlife Mom said...

What beautiful dishes! I would have pushed that lady over in my attempts so get them! haha! Not really but I would have picked up my pace a bit! You do such beautiful table presentations! xoxox

Anna said...

Beautiful dishes, what a great find.

Sweetladyelaine said...

Lovely dishes with lots of potential! A very pretty tablescape! Your dinner looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

Susan Freeman said...

What a lovely table and such a yummy meal!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Anonymous said...

Hi BJness! OH, I do love those dishes and I'm so glad there were no accidents with you and the olden lady!! :)
You sure can set a beautiful table,Dear One!! Your dinner looks fantastic too!
Yes, I collect those little Staffordshire doggies!
We've been traveling and I'm a little behind on my visiting! I did some preposts and now to catch up!! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Deborah Kay at The Paint Splash said...

Love the dishes. Glad you posted them again, I wasn't around in May yet. Have a blessed day. Debbie

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Oh, BJ that china is wonderful! It would have been worthy of a cry or hissy fit or whatever was needed to prevail. ;)
It's amazing how fast we can be when we NEED china. Love your tablescape and dinner looked yummy!
XO
Susan

Natasha in Oz said...

I hope you read this comment BJ...I think I am number 79! I just wanted to tell you that you won one of the gifts from my give away! Will you be able to email your postal details to me so I can send it to you?

By the way, I can see why so many commented on this post-everything looks beautiful!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Claudia said...

Hi sweetie!

I laughed out loud (really LOL) about when you started to cry!

I could maybe see you fakin that to get these beauties :)

Thanks always for making my day by joining with us... you always have such a bright spot to visit!~

Have the best week!
Now Im hungry... oh joy! :(

LOL
Claudia

Halie said...

Lovely dishes and lovely comments too.

It's great that the lady decided to let you have the dishes. hush don't cry (smiles, lol).

I feel I'm going to be a frequent visitor here.

Debbiedoos said...

BJ stealing dishes from an elderly lady!!~ Just kidding, believe me if she wanted more than you, she would have had them/ They sure are pretty! But the meal on them looked even better YUM! Thanks for joining me. Have a great weekend. Debbie

Entertaining Women said...

Had to laugh...many a time, I have kicked these tired old legs into high gear to be able to throw my upper body, prostrate across some folding table holding the dishes of my dreams...at least for that minute. Estate sales are such an odd adventure. I'm going to a great one this weekend...it will be interesting to see what I find! Thank you for sharing your charming tablescape design. Cherry Kay

Erin said...

Looks great, and glad you didn't really have to cry to get those dishes, but that is a handy tactic ;)

Holly Lefevre said...

Those dishes are lovely! What a beautiful tablescape. Love the addition of the books too.