A Peek Into My Vintage Dish Collections

I have always been fond of vintage dishes since my childhood. I grew up with one grandmother using Blue Willow and another having the Corelle Butterfly Gold as their everyday ware. Over time, I have slowly accumulated pieces of different sorts at varying prices. Most have been purchased from eBay and the local thrift stores. The expense adds up over time with eBay.

Several of the Blue Willow sets were gifts from my husband when Ingles offered specials twenty-something years ago. The gifts were/are special treats since the dishes were a splurge (my wants) for him. To understand my utter excitement, I remember calling my grandmother when I finally received the smaller fruit bowls. We would talk forever about these dishes, which always led the conversations to how hard it was to set up housekeeping during her early years of marriage. Saddly, I was unsuccessful in getting all of the pieces before Ingles stopped carrying the special dishware.

I was introduced to the Memory Lane ware by my husband. He happened to unfold a bread plate while sorting through various treasures. Since then, I have been on the hunt for any pieces that can be added. Unfortunately, any collected piece has been purchased from eBay sellers. Memory Lane is not easily accessible to find in my area. I see a set as telling a story. Each piece has an illustration of a homeplace and families working together. I would love to learn the history behind Memory Lane’s designs.

The Blue Willow and Memory Lane dishes are a daily staple at mealtimes. The Blue Willow was pulled from the hutch when I saw that our original dishes had decreased in number. Beforehand, the Blue Willow were removed from their decorative place on special occasions.

Currier & Ives pieces hang on my wall at the end of the kitchen cabinets. I recall seeing similar pieces in familiar kitchens. This, too, is a slow journey in gathering pieces. I find a dish here and there but not many collections.

I know I am wiser now since I have grown older and wish to invest money on dishes of my past than on the latest fashions. I guess this is what separates me from the younger generation when I have a fondness of my youth.