My Retro Table Setting if My Grandparents Were Here

On days like Father's Day, I can't help but think of my Grandparents, especially the ones that lived in the town where I grew up. My grandmother wanted me to have her china. It's the Franciscan Coronado pattern in matte aqua. I have a huge collection, 27 place setting. I've put a 6 place setting away for each of my sons. Since I love to antique and junk, I've picked up many pieces of the other colors: white, yellow, rose...mostly matte, but I do have a few gloss.
So, since we only had 15 people coming for supper, I had time to goof. HA!


I set the old farm table in our kitchen as if they were coming for lunch. If only they were.

While I was setting the table, I was thinking of the type of things that my grandmother served. She always had bread and butter on the table. Grandpa, being the German that he was, was always served some stinky cheese. She served milk for the drink, and they always sat down at a set table to eat, even when he was gone and it was just her. Meatloaf was big, a vegetable and potato. She always had vegetable gardens, so this time of year, she'd have the neverending bowl of cukes & onions in vinegar. Sigh, I miss them so.

I remember stopping by one afternoon when she was 90 or so, she was working in her lawn. She had a shower cap on and was wearing one of my grandpa's long sleeved shirts ..and a pair of work gloves. It was kind of a warm day but, she was smart. I'm the gardener that she was but, end up covered in scratches and itchies after yard work. She sometimes cut flowers and brought them in but, mostly enjoyed them outdoors...she had about an acre, with many gardens, me too.


Above is the type of glassware that my former inlaws had in the 50's. It's called frosted grape and is real common. But, I like it for it's nostalgia. The "runner" on the table was an estate sale find. It has 'Barney Cafe' embroidered on it. But, it's sewed in a loop so, I believe it was hung on a dowel for use.

Last but not least, I bought these retro decorations from Olive Rue. If you saw the rest of my 60's kitchen, you'd get why I have them. My sister liked them. We all had a big laugh about the parents on "Everybody Loves Raymond" and their kitchen with these.

I hope everyone had a good Father's Day. We had 6 fathers here. My Dad, my two brothers, brother in law, husband, and my first husband. It was a terrific day that ended with a campfire thanks to my 21 yr. old son. Good Times!