Mother's Day

I know Mother's Day is over, but I decided to blog about it anyway.  First of all, I am not a mother (unless you want to count three unruly cats!), and my mother passed away nearly 23 years ago (at too early an age).  None of my sisters are mothers either.  Seems we are pretty underqualified for this holiday!  Actually, my own mother didn't like Mother's Day.  She always said that there shouldn't have to be an official day where people are "expected" to celebrate their mothers.  But if she were here, I would have afternoon tea with her.

She had a wonderful teacup collection (which I now have) and I started my collection right along with her.  We each used to pick out a cup from her collection and have tea together (though I am not big tea drinker).  She made great soda biscuits and there was always raspberry jam that her best friend made (DELICIOUS!!). 

My mother was an anglophile AND a francophile. . .so the apple doesn't fall far from the tree with the anglophilia!  I would make her scones, tea sandwiches, and some sweets,  Perhaps she would have liked fruit tarts because she loved fruit.

I would set the table with my Old Country Roses, though our taste in china was different.  If she could have chosen a fine china pattern, it would have been something like Lenox Tuxedo Platinum. . .classic and elegant.  She wasn't a flowery person.  But I'm sure she would be delighted to have tea set with my floral china (which is mostly what I have).

She came from very humble beginnings, but was intelligent, well-read, and gracious (my favorite word to describe her).  She was warm and had wonderful manners and was gracious (there is that word again) in all situations.   I know that she would have loved having the internet so she could explore the world.  Her curiosity was vast and she was a voracious reader, a love of reading that she handed down to all four of her daughters.   It is very interesting when we all talk to each other about her...we always learn so much about her from each other.  Since we are so different, she interacted with each of us differently.

My mother never met my husband but I know that if she could have picked out a husband for me, Peter would be exactly the one she would choose.  She would have adored him! 

I miss her and wish I could share all of the changes that have happened in my life since she passed away.

Miss you Mom!!!

Tess

P.S. Not to leave out my Dad...there will be a post about him as well.

Dinner

I've been thinking about a dinner to make for my wonderful Brit...something new for him.  So I decided to make macaroni and cheese.  He's never had it before but he LOVES cheese.  I am going to try to make a lighter version.   Then I thought I'd make some oven baked pork chops.  I love almost any vegetable, but peas are the only green things on his VERY short vegetable list.   So peas it is.  This is the table I'm planning for dinner.

Here's the table for our first foray into mac and cheese, light style.  Oh dear, red AGAIN????

Believe it or not...these are the same flowers I used

 for Easter... with a little tweaking... 

I love these white dishes...I thought they'd could be used as plates OR platters (and who can't use more platters!). 

Won't this be perfect for the planned menu?

The edge on these plates is so pretty...it's what caught my eye in the store

 I am going to make the mac and cheese in this cute ramekin.  They come with lids and are oven-safe

 This little server will be great for custard...one of my husband's favorites!

This is the side view of the square dish...

...which matches the little ramkin

Close up of the silverplate flatware

If he ends up liking the mac and cheese...it may become a staple at our house.  Wish me luck!

Now for the dish on the dishes:

• Those white platters/plates were a find at TJMaxx...I should have bought more!!
• The ramekins and square dish are Temp-tations "Old World" in cranberry.  I have several pieces and it is WONDERFUL to use (got them on QVC)
• Red placemats from TJM
• Damask napkins from ebay
• Silverplate flatware was my mother's
• Glasses are Waterford's Marquis line
• The flowers are in a Paul Revere silverplate bowl...love that shape

Thank you for dropping in...please visit all of the gorgeous and creative tables at Susan's Tablescape Thursday.  Just click on the button up on the right! 

Love to hear from you!!!

Tess