Spending Time with Angels

Posted on January 9, 2021

by Jane

Hi Frank!

You’re going to think this is so sweet that you won’t even need dessert for the next couple of weeks. I have two quick stories to tell you, with pictures provided. They’re stories about two angels. I’m certain they are angels: they each have translucent, creamy skin, large twinkling eyes that mesmerize, a head of hair that gleams like a halo, full pink lips and a darling nose. Plus, they’re loving-encouraging-kind (all the characteristics we expect from real, live angels).

The best part, though, is that we adore each other’s company, they (by special request) ask to spend time with me, and I do the same. They listen intently to most everything that comes out of my mouth, and gift me with frequent warm hugs and kisses (and I, them). They believe that I know how to make everything better, and I believe the same of them. Mutual admiration. Sweet, huh.

These photos and descriptions you’ll see below are of the dinner parties I held for them. Who wouldn’t want to have a nice, long one-on-one with an angel? I certainly wasn’t going to miss out.

You’ll see that I described in great detail the china, crystal, silver, linens and so forth. I pulled out all my pretties and fun objects for several reasons:

1) Angels need to be given special attention whenever possible,

2) These particular cherubs would enjoy learning about their ancestors,

3) Collected objects that hold a story can be fun to hear about, and

3) A Facebook group called “Beautiful Table Settings” (of which I am a member) enjoys posts containing all the details regarding china, glassware, silverware, centerpieces, linens, along with their maker, pattern, origin and history. I would be posting to that group’s page.

A side note regarding the Facebook group: There have been moments when I’ve questioned the addition of a such a group to my life and have, therefore, avoided them. Wouldn’t their overly vigilant policing of rules drive me crazy? Would I experience from other members that abhorrent one-upmanship seen often in other Facebook groups? Interestingly enough, these two posts proved me to be entirely wrong. I received hundreds of heartfelt, kind comments about my little guests and about my efforts, and with that, I made a complete about face. The members are quite a lovely tribe of warmth and encouragement and are a great and happy addition to my life. After sharing with them, I couldn’t imagine not sharing with you…

“Dinner For Two!”

Vivienne (my first grandbaby) and I love spending one-on-one time together. We recently sat down together to share a meal.

Our aperitif was orange juice with “spicy water” (aka LeCroix ?) Then, we had pizza roll-ups, carrot-raisin salad and buttered English peas. The menu was planned towards what I thought she’d like (and eat!). After all, she’s just 5-1/2 and at that age we’re figuring out what’s worthy of our tastebuds and what’s not.

During our movie afterwards, we enjoyed salted caramel ice cream. (She had two servings).

I intentionally set the table with things I could tell her about. Everything has its story: The flowers were arranged in her great-grandmother Glady’s Bavarian Winterling, Valley Rose coffee pot. The little nosegays, in her Lefton Hand-painted cups & saucers.

The larger frog seen on the table was a gift from my girlfriends in Waco, Texas and the smaller one, from Capri, Italy. Gold boxes are Limoges porcelain. (The bee box, mother let me take from the living room table to keep when I was 10 years old (Marlin, Texas, 1961). The other is from Austin, (my hometown) 1967.

The napkin rings were from an antique shop here in Charleston. I quickly painted the place cards to put in each of them. ?Embroidered and appliquéd napkins were mother’s and the two placemats were four of mother’s, sewn together. I made the tablecloth (with a pleated ruffle) because I adore stripes and pleats.

Cambridge, by Gorham, is mother’s flatware. Godinger Primavera plates are from a local gift shop. Tiny sauce bowls are from Atotonilco, Mexico. Crystal goblets were mother’s and my mother-in-law’s (coincidentally, they had the same pattern). Wheat by Glastonbury. Ice cream cups were my sister, Ann Bashara’s Continental Cups by Libby.

We had such a sweet time together, making dinner, talking about family and all. It was a warm, loving evening!

”An Evening with Charles Chambers Allen (aka “Chocolate Chambers”)”

Charles unpacked his bunny backpack, washed his hands and was ready for supper, but first, he wanted to see the table! What a sweetheart.

We admired his great grandmother’s Bleu de Roi by Alfred Meakin china with Boston Terrier plates from Pier One. Tiny sauce bowls were from Mexico and grandmother’s flatware: Gorham, Cambridge. Flowers nestled in cut glass, sitting pretty with two iron bowtied Bostons. Goblets from World Market!

While Gus dogger guarded the front door.

…we enjoyed meatloaf with english peas in a nest of mashed potatoes. After watching a short cartoon as we enjoyed chocolate pudding, (in his mommy’s Royal Doulton Bunnykins cups) …