As Thanksgiving approaches and I am busy going through recipes,
I am also thinking about my tablescape.
I like to pull out all of my best crystal, china and silver.
I always wash the crystal, despite the fact that it is stored away.
I want it to really sparkle in the candle light.
I was reading an older issue of Mary Jane's Farm magazine and saw
a pattern for a dish draining quilt. I thought about making one, and then
realized I already had the perfect little quilted piece to use as my own
dish drainer. It's just a prettier way to let the crystal drain a bit, don't you think?
There is something so satisfying to hand wash china, crystal and silver.
I love to put on a pretty apron, listen to some music and wash away. I usually
think back to Thanksgiving dinners from the past when my Mom and my Grandma, Aunts and girlfriends would gather in the kitchen to clean up. The chatting and
the laughing we all did are such fond memories.
I never think of prepping the crystal for Thanksgiving dinner as a chore. I
like to think of it as a gift of love to those who will be joining us to celebrate
this special holiday.
By the way, Dr Bentley is an excellent healer and I am feeling so much
better today. His bedside manner is very therapeutic and his fees are very
reasonable. His fee is a treat and some cuddling!
I am joining ~
Bentley ~ you are full of all the goodness and sweetness there is!
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
The quilted draining cloth is beautiful. I like how you take this chore and turn it in to and "act of love", in your pretty apron and some music playing.
ReplyDeleteHow ...what product...do you use to clean silver??
I use Wright's Silver Cream. It comes in a tub and the reason I like it is that it comes with a little sponge that you wet with water. It helps to foam the cream into little crevices in detailed silver. I use their copper cream too.
DeleteSusan
oh, one more thing. I love Mary Jane Farms magazine.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have a dishwasher for many, many years and I really enjoyed doing them by hand. There is something so relaxing about it. And even now, I wash up dishes in the sink and save the dishwasher for big dinners or when I'm really busy.
ReplyDeleteSO glad you are feeling better. Was it a bug?
XO,
Jane
I like hand washing my fine china & crystal too . . . It's relaxing!
ReplyDeleteHappy you're feeling better!
So glad your feeling better..Bentley to the rescue. I love using all my china and crystal. But I am usually rushing the night before realizing the glasses are dusty!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your feeling better ! Us women in the family still do the cleaning up and dishes and have a ball in the kitchen whilst doing it every time the family gets together for holidays . Yup I don't mind washing dishes at all even though I have a dishwasher I always wash my pots and pans by hand gives me something to do and it is relaxing for me to ! Others would think I am nuts but I don't care lol. Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to make this little job so beautiful. Love the pics and so pleased Dr Bentley made you better.:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a soft and cushy setting for your fine china and sparkling crystal.
ReplyDeleteLovely....and, admirable, too.
Blessings,
Carolynn
Love your rituals with your china and glass. I consider mine old friends, especially the family silver. As in the past several years, we are having Thanksgiving with family at their home. But I still love the fun of getting ready for big holiday meals.
ReplyDeleteSam
I just loved this post....I could hear the ladies in the kitchen ( from the past ) :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea. I don't think I have any quilting but am thinking an old patchwork bedspread might be just as good? What do you think? Nice to meet you BTW. I've just popped over from Marty's Joan
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are feeling better! Lovely post -- I also find washing and drying my china, crystal, and silver, as it reminds me of my grandmothers, aunts, and sisters and the satisfaction of setting a pretty table. We will have only a few around our Thanksgiving table this year, but I look forward to choosing the dishes we'll use!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more ~ washing crystal, silverware and special bowls is very relaxing and I think, part of fluffing for Thanksgiving. I hand wash dishes all the time. I have a dishwasher, but love washing dishes. I also love doing laundry. A little quirk of mine. Can't wait to see your Thanksgiving table scape. I am sure it will be just lovely. Love your little quilted dish drainer. Now you've got me thinking. I am so glad you are feeling better. Thank you Dr. Bentley for taking care of your Mommy so well ;-)
ReplyDeletelove the quilt dish drainer. What a great comforting ritual you have
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear you are feeling better, Susan. I love sparkly china and glassware, too. I think the best thing about Thanksgiving is the fellowship of family.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Laura
So happy to hear that you are feeling better!! Bentley sure was a great healer.....
ReplyDeleteSuch a peaceful scene you've set up for washing crystal. Love your photos.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Isn't it a blessing to have such good memories of family times together?! Good reminder to get out my crystal to make sure it's sparkling as well.
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Glad you are feeling better. Never heard of a dish draining quilt - the idea is charming! Thanks for stopping by my blog -- my husband does the channel switching thing, also -- drives me crazy. Sally
ReplyDeleteOh I am with you, I carefully wash all of my fine china and crystal, and I love their beautiful sparkle. Great post. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteDr. Bentley is a true gem!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Hi Susan! I'm glad to hear you're feeling better. You had better keep that little Bentley! Now your dish washing looks so good and I agree, there is a thrill to washing pretty dishes.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Everyone should have a Dr Bentley! Glad you're feeling better, Susan. I love the sparkle of crystal and planning for a holiday table is so much fun! Thank you for stopping by for a visit and have a beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
OK, I had never heard of a quilted dish drainer. So pretty, just love the idea. I don't have a dishwasher, so I really think I need one of these. Happy Rednesday! :-)
ReplyDeleteI also love to wash my few pieces of china by hand, as soon as each piece is clean I hold it up to admire my job! :). I need a drainer as pretty as yours though!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you are feeling better and starting to sparkle and shine :)
ReplyDeleteDr. Bentley sounds like the best of doctors!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any crystal to wash but I do enjoy polishing my silverware.
Glad you're feeling better!
What a wonderful post! I completely agree with you on getting the crystal and china ready for dinner. You're so right ... it's a labor of love.
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt idea! I usually just use a boring ole dish towel... Glad you're feeling better-take care:@)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! The china and glassware so so pretty against the quilt. I usually just use a towel....Christine
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're feeling a bit more in the pink. I think Dr. Bentley deserves a raise: TWO doggie treats instead of just one! :-)I have always kind of lingered as I wash the crystal, the china, the flatware....all of the fine pieces that help to make our holiday table shine. I admit I have to clean it all very often for my tablescaping classes, but it's very different than when I'm preparing to entertain guests. It's no longer "work" in that sense of the word. A little quilted cloth to promote safe drainage is a good idea! Have a good weekend, and feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteI am glad someone likes handwashing...not me...I would rather sit and polish silver! Better yet, I love to do the cooking...
ReplyDelete