I didn't buy them; they were a gift from CHM. He's a very generous man. He told me that these dishes were his mother's. She passed away nearly 40 years ago, if I remember correctly. CHM also said he would probably never use the platters and other dishes again, so he offered them to us.
You can be sure that we will use them. They will appear on our table on a daily basis from now on. Walt and I say a public thanks CHM for his generosity and for thinking of us when it came time to give up the stainless ware.
These platters and bowls are not only practical and unbreakable, but they are or soon will be antiques. They remind me of the hundreds of times over the past 40 years that I've had lunch or dinner in Paris restaurants and have seen these kinds of platters brought to the table.
So glad you and Walt like them. I am happy they found a new loving home :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gift. It's nice to have things with a story. They are in wonderful condition, and you are the perfect recipients.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful set!
ReplyDelete(Must've been a very heavy suitcase!)
Ellen, the suitcase was actually not nearly as heavy as it is when I bring it back from the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI'll be back in Paris from 7/24 until 7/27. Maybe you'll be in town then...
What a great present with its history. The platters look like new! I'm sure you'll do them proud :-)
ReplyDeleteThe platters and dishes are great.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know that you will be using the platters regularly, and appreciate both the generosity of the gift and their history.
Gaynor, Antoinette, Niall, Susan, isn't that a nice set? Practical (diswasher-safe) and good-looking...
ReplyDeleteYou have a very good friend in chm but then you already know that. :)
ReplyDeleteLucky you....and wasn't CHM the
ReplyDeletesource of all those Bonne Maman
jars you have?
WOW! what a wonderful gift! just lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful set. What a nice gift from CHM :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice gift, chm! You'll never worry about breaking one of those nice pieces! I still enjoying using two small stainless steel casseroles that I got when I married.
ReplyDeleteSheila, I remember when chm gave Ken those jelly jars- the suitcase was probably heavier that go around :-)
how nice of CHM......I know y'all will be using them regularly
ReplyDeleteWith such a family history for CHM, not only was he showing how much he values your friendship, Ken, he also knew you and Walt will always (my guess!)think of him and his Mother when the dishes are used. CHM is a true friend - but then, you already knew that! How thrilling. We will all be enjoying them!
ReplyDeleteDitto!
ReplyDeleteEveryone said it already!
ReplyDeleteWe have a platter and two bowls that resemble yours. We use them constantly--so practical and handy.
I'm admiring the stainless steel dishes and platters.
ReplyDeleteWhat a generous gift from CHM.
I am in love with your table too.
If I was going to give away cookware my mother used and cherished, I couldn't think of two better guys to whom to give it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if CHM knows how old that set of stainless ware might be. I'll have to ask him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your nice comment, starman.
I have a set of pyrex mixing bowls that are older than I am. I know that because my mother gave them to me. She herself got them as a wedding present in the 1940s.
Isn't it wonderful to have something so useful that also has history and friendship attached?
ReplyDeleteJohn Gray posted today that we never really own "stuff". We just look after it for a while, then it's passed on, along with the memories.
One of my most treasured possessions is a large brown stewpot that belonged to my grandmother. She passed it on to my mother, who gave it to me when I first set up my own home. Assuming it was a wedding present for my grandmother, which I can't be sure but is very likely, it must be about 90 years old and I still use it to make beef stew.
That's very fine, Jean. Walt and I have some old pieces of cookware that we've bought in second-hand or antique stores over the years, but that's not the same thing -- less special. Sadly, a lot of usable and attractive 'stuff' just ends up in land fills these days.
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