Monday, March 6, 2017

Desert Rose Memories

My late Grandmother Dorothy Smith would have turned 98 years old this week.   We were blessed to have her for 93 years.   She was a lovely Southern lady that enjoyed taking care of her family and friends, cooking, working in her beautiful flowers, crafting and quilting.   She was a fabulous cook and held family gatherings at her home throughout the year at holidays and special occasions.   She loved her Franciscan Desert Rose dishes and used them as her everyday dishes.   When she moved to assisted living in her late 80's another family member received her daily dishes and I was lucky enough to receive her formal china.    Over the past few years I have picked up pieces of the Desert Rose pattern while looking for plates in thrift stores and consignment shops.   Each time I would see a piece I would think of her so I decided to start a four place collection.   The table this week is styled in her memory and I'm sure she is looking down from above with a smile.  




This picture was taken 30 years ago this week as my Grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 13th.  The cross stitched piece behind my Grandmother is now hanging in my dining area.  It was handmade by my Mom. 


The Capodimonte rose belonged to my Mom.   I have her entire collection packed away. 

This photo was made in 2000 in front of her prized Hibiscus plants that were up to 6 feet tall. 


In the 80's I learned the art of making stain glass windows and other glass items.  This is a piece I made for my Grandmother.  

This photo was made on my Mom and Dad's wedding day.  My Grandmother Curry is on the left and my Grandmother Smith on the right.  I have my Grandmother Curry's dress, hat and gloves packed away.  I wish hats and gloves would come back in style.   

I found these glasses at Goodwill.   I'm not sure if they are part of the Franciscan collection, but I think they blend nice with the plates. 





This photo was made in the early 2000's on a visit home to NC to visit the family.  She loved dogs and always enjoyed my lab Casey's visits. 




Happy 98th Birthday Grandma!   Love you!  



Catherine 

 This post is linked to the following parties:

Posted by at

24 comments:

  1. LVMarch 7, 2017 at 8:48 AM

    What a love tribute to your grandmother. She would be proud. I have a friend that has those dishes as well. She bought them when they first come out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatherineMarch 10, 2017 at 6:30 PM

      Thank you so much! I believe my Grandmother purchased this pattern in the 50's. I see them in family holiday photos and gatherings from the 60's. I think she would enjoy the table this week.

      Catherine

      Delete
  2. Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLizMarch 7, 2017 at 1:49 PM

    What a sweet tribute to your grandmother's birthday! The dishes are so pretty- a genuine classic! Your stained glass art flower is perfect with these dishes. Your grandmother's capodimonte rose is beautiful. The needlepoint picture is beautiful- such talent! My mother has a needlepoint picture my cousin made for her- I wish I had that kind of patience! You've reminded me my father would have been 100 years old this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatherineMarch 10, 2017 at 6:33 PM

      Thank you Liz. I continue to celebrate my Grandparents and my Mom even though they are no longer here with me. I have a feeling they are peaking in from above. :)

      Delete
  3. Rosie M.March 7, 2017 at 4:46 PM

    What a lovely tribute. I, too, have always admired the Franciscan Rose pattern, and when I see them in shops, I keep thinking I should start a collection. That's a good idea to work on putting together four place settings. I may just do that. I LOVE how you partnered those beautiful green chargers with your plates. Just beautiful. Your Grandmother would be so proud that you have honored her this way. Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatherineMarch 10, 2017 at 6:35 PM

      Thank you Rosie. I have the cups and saucers that match the set. I found them on the online Goodwill site. I will continue to add the serving pieces as I find them while junkin' for plates and glassware. I think Grandma would enjoy this table.

      Delete
  4. JoyMarch 8, 2017 at 6:18 AM

    Franciscan always makes me nostalgic - their Ivy dishes were my mother's everyday dishes and I have a few of them. I love the pink flowers in your dishes and those glasses are a perfect match! This is a lovely tribute to your grandmother and I expect it makes you happy as you remember her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatherineMarch 10, 2017 at 6:37 PM

      Thank you Joy. I know which pattern you are speaking about. It's so pretty. The glasses may be part of the set. I found these at a thrift store, but I've noticed them on eBay and they are tagged as part of the collection. My Grandmother had some beautiful pink glassware she used with the dishes and I have those packed away and use them occasionally on my tablescapes. It's been nice sitting down to the table for breakfast and dinner this week. I think of her each time I see the dishes.

      Delete
  5. Ann @ Corner of Plaid and PaisleyMarch 10, 2017 at 6:40 AM

    beautiful table and lovely tribute to your grandmother. Those Goodwill glasses were the perfect find, they complement your dishes perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatherineMarch 10, 2017 at 6:38 PM

      Thank you Ann. I think my Grandmother would approve. :)

      Delete
  6. Lil at Embracing the LovelyMarch 10, 2017 at 8:23 AM

    Just beautiful! The Franciscan Dessert Rose is my favorite and I only have a few pieces I've picked up from Thrift Stores. Your tablescape is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatherineMarch 10, 2017 at 6:39 PM

      Thank you so much Lil. I started out collecting a few pieces and have added it to the collection as I find it. It's amazing what you can find while thrifting. :)

      Delete
  7. An Oasis in the DesertMarch 10, 2017 at 12:15 PM

    That is such a beautiful table, Catherine. My grandmother was every inch a gentile Southern lady, too. My mom didn't pick up that gene, even though both lived many decades in Louisiana. I'm pretty sure my grandmother had that same set of dishes, but it didn't make the trip when we all moved to Oregon in the late 50's. My grandmother never met a stranger or someone who needed to be fed, and she always did it with sweet charm. I love the photo of your grandmothers in their lovely dresses, hats and gloves...that was how my grandmother dressed, too. I live in the AZ desert, so "casual" is the name of the game...sad to see those days of "dressing up" go by the wayside. I really enjoyed your post, Catherine.

    Hugs,
    Carol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatherineMarch 10, 2017 at 6:42 PM

      Thank you Carol. Your grandmother sounds like a lovely Southern lady. I live in hot and humid South Florida so the hats and gloves are never used here. Well, I do wear big straw hats to protect my skin from the sun.

      Delete
  8. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeMarch 12, 2017 at 2:46 PM

    Such a beautiful tribute!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatherineMarch 12, 2017 at 6:59 PM

      Thank you so much Cindy! I think my Grandmother would appreciate it. :)

      Delete
  9. Darlene GardnerMarch 13, 2017 at 8:16 PM

    This is a lovely pattern and a wonderful tribute to your grandmother!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatherineMarch 13, 2017 at 8:57 PM

      Thank you so much Darlene! I think she would have loved it!

      Delete
  10. UnknownMarch 13, 2017 at 10:05 PM

    What a lovely post Catherine! Today as I comment, it is March 13th! Happy Anniversary to your Grandparents. Love the photos you shared. I buy hats all year round and wear them...if you want them back in style just start wearing them. I promise you I get compliments constantly and most often they say I wish I could wear hats, I think it is a secret desire of most women. I wear gloves when I can. With Easter coming, I am reminded as a young child that our Easter outfits always included a hat and gloves. Beautiful table setting!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Karen MarieMarch 15, 2017 at 10:54 AM

    Catherine,
    You shared a loving tribute to your Grandma through your beautiful post about table setting. Thank you for sharing with TADA.
    Happy Creating,
    Karen Marie

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Charm of HomeMarch 15, 2017 at 12:38 PM

    How wonderful you have your Grandmother's china. It's lovely. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sharon @ Blue Willow HouseMarch 15, 2017 at 8:10 PM

    I love china with a story and yours is so sweet. Desert Rose holds a special place in my heart as well. I have picked up enough to set four places with plates wish mix and match the other pieces. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Vintage Charm.

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownAugust 18, 2018 at 12:25 PM

    I noticed how pretty the green charger plates went with the Desert Rose. Where did you find them?

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownAugust 18, 2018 at 12:32 PM

    I noticed how pretty the green charger plates went with the Desert Rose. Where did you find them?

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)