Did you know that the tradition of honoring mothers annually began in my home state of West Virginia? Yes, it was Anna Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia who began lobbying Congress in 1907 to memorialize mothers everywhere, nationally. Her inspiration was her mother, Anna Reeves Jarvis, who, during the Civil War, established a Mother's Friendship Day to reunite families divided by the war (West Virginia was a state divided and eventually separated from Virginia in 1863). Anna Reeves Jarvis was also responsible for organizing mother's day work clubs to help sanitize both Confederate and Union camps to prevent the spread of typhoid. Although officially a state holiday in West Virginia in 1908, it wasn't until 1914 that the day became a national holiday in the US.
Mother's Day is always a nice time to primp the table and pamper a few of the favorite females in your life, whether it's your mom, mother-in-law, sister, daughter, or close friend. I recently created this cheerful and light tablescape with a Sunday brunch in mind, perfect for a Mother's Day celebration.
Pulling from my vintage collections, the table is set with a clean mix and just a subtle hint of color. The linens are all white, as is the china. The hint of color comes only in the stemware, porcelain placecards, and fruit that's being served.
The china is Mikasa's Magnolia (1982-88), elegantly shaped and simply embossed with the flower's bloom.
The damask tablecloth blooms with hydrangeas, while the center table topper and napkin rings both feature roses in bloom.
The flatware is Oneida's Bordeaux Silverplate Prestige from 1945.
The stemware is Depression-era, with a faintly pink cup and iridescent pink stem. I don't ordinarily collect glassware, but this came to me from an elderly woman's estate. If anyone recognizes the pattern, I would be very appreciative to receive that information.
Rounding out the presentation are a select few serving pieces in a mix of sterling (the sugar shaker, or muffineer, eagle claw serving tongs, and jam jar lid/spoon) and Victorian quadruple silverplate (the sweetmeat, or wedding basket, serving bell and salt & peppers). The wedding basket is Meridan (CT, later became International Silver), I believe. The napkin rings are contemporary silverplate. Sweetmeat baskets were (and still are) typically used for serving sweet treats at tea time; in this case, for serving fruit.
The pitcher, ideal for mimosas or juice, is American Brilliant Period (late 1800s - early 1900s) cut glass.
All of the items used for this Mother's Day brunch tablescape are part of my collected china and serving piece collections, assembled over years of attending mostly auctions and estate sales.
A Happy Mother's Day to all of my readers! Whether you are fortunate enough to spend time with your mother today or simply thinking of her in her absence, we all certainly have a lot to be thankful for on this day honoring them.
Sharing at any given time with these fine hosts:
One More Time Events
Seasonal Sundays
Mother's Day is always a nice time to primp the table and pamper a few of the favorite females in your life, whether it's your mom, mother-in-law, sister, daughter, or close friend. I recently created this cheerful and light tablescape with a Sunday brunch in mind, perfect for a Mother's Day celebration.
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| Mikasa Magnolia |
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| Oneida Bordeaux Silverplate Prestige |
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| Depression-era iridescent pink stemware, porcelain placecards |
The pitcher, ideal for mimosas or juice, is American Brilliant Period (late 1800s - early 1900s) cut glass.
Sharing at any given time with these fine hosts:
One More Time Events
Seasonal Sundays
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