I found this little tidbit while searching for info on my pattern. I have copied an excerpt from the linked article. I found it fascinating to learn why the knives and forks were named "grille". In researching other patterns I've collected, I kept finding them called "grill". Now THAT's confusing! The New Style So what of longer handled knifes with shorter blades and longer handled forks with shorter tines? This Style was developed over 70 years ago in 1930 and variously called Viande, Grille, and Vogue, which called for the handle to be longer than the blade to fit more comfortably in the hands of sophisticated tastes. Long-handled flatware also reappeared in Europe in the 1960s. International's "Viande" and Oneida's "Grille" The International Silver Company quickly acquired the rights to the style and its subsidiary 1847 Rogers Brothers called the new style "Viande." It was touted in contemporary advertising copy as the last word in smartness and chic." The word "Viande" was trademarked, and the Viande knife was patented. Other subsidiaries of International Silver followed suit. In addition, Oneida Silversmiths picked up the concept, calling the new style "Grille," and offered pieces under various labels in many silver-plated patterns. It's Just a Style As applied to flatware, the origins of the names "Viande" and "Grille," are unknown. Viande in French means "meat." "Grille" is a variation of the French term for cooked on a grill, or broiled. But neither word has any direct relevancy to the flatware design concept to which it was applied. It is believed that they were appropriated just because they sounded sophisticated and catchy. But whatever you call it, and how often it is misidentified or not identified at all, when you see a Listing that features a long-handled fork or long-handled knife know that if it was made by International Silver Co. and its subdivisions, it should correctly be identified as Viande. If it was made by Oneida Silversmiths and its subdivisions, it should be correctly identified as Grille. Even I will, most likely, continue to identify this "new" style as Grille/Viande to cover them both. Gorham's "Vogue" You don't see the word "Vogue" as much in terms of flatware, but worth mentioning here is that The Gorham Manufacturing Company was not to be left out in implementing the new style. Through its subsidiary the Alvin Corporation, the style was marketed as the "Vogue" and offered in several patterns. Alvin probably chose "Vogue" to convey the idea that the flatware patterns with the new design concept were fashionable and desirable. I have yet to see flatware by Gorham and its subdivisions being called Vogue. But just in case you see it, you will know what it is. Here is a link that might be useful: Ebay Guide

Setting the table is the best part of entertaining for me. I love using my beautiful things, and I love washing them and putting them away again, and washing and ironing the linens. (Yes, I hate ironing shirts as much as the next person, but ironing linens keeps me in touch with where they came from- my mother, my grandmother, my MIL, wedding gifts, and even tag sale linens!) I love using my sterling, which my mother picked out for me when I was a baby, and my grandmother's Haviland and cut glass. I love fresh flowers and candles on the table. In fact, I love using the dining room, and if it's more than the 2 of us, I do. We moved last year and the dining room in the new house is easier to use than in our previous house, and I'm happy it gets so much use. I don't always use my good china for everyday dinners in the DR, but I always use my sterling. When my boys were small, I taught them the correct way to set a table, and we always used placemats and cloth napkins, even in the breakfast room. My daughter-in-law is beyond casual - no placemats or tablecloth, sometimes you have to ask for a napkin, bread in a plastic wrapper, etc. My GD, her daughter, is only 2, but she refers to my china and crystal as "Su-su's pretties". I tell her, "Play your cards right and this can all be yours." I gave her an infant feeding spoon in my pattern when she was born as well as a sterling baby cup and a small spoon and fork in my pattern. I am pleased to see that my DIL lets her use them often. I am going to give my DIL (among other things) some pretty washable placemats and cloth napkins (no-iron). Small steps.

The advantages of having kids and grandkids! Well, well trained ones, if you can get them! Even a SO will do in a pinch! If I had lived there, I probably would have been able to finish everything the morning after the party. Also, I spent quite a bit of time the next day dealing with an issue that came up with my elderly father, whom I am quasi caring for at yet another place. How I long for the stability of one home and one town that I live in rather than endless packing and being on the road. I can say from my perspective, one of the reasons china and other dishes that need to be carefully washed and stored are not popular now days is because folks are so busy, many working two jobs and trying to care for children and/or elderly parents and also many folks single and not living near friends or family, also moving around a lot to follow work or on the road commuting long distances, so just not having the extra time or energy. I know folks worked a lot in the past, but the constant moving I think has always been an impediment to having lots of nice, fragile things, as well as having the time to entertain. Back when mom entertained a lot, she was not working, she stayed home and enjoyed doing those kinds of things. But still, yes it was fun while it lasted, lots of fun and I so wish that kind of experience was more available to me. It used to be when I just worked full time one job and lived and worked in one place, I used to have dinner parties quite often, as some old timers on here will remember.

Sterling is forever. It can't "wear out" unless it is silver plate. Yes, even a boxed dinner tastes better if one uses sterling! Perhaps it's a southern thing - after the Civil War, people had no money but they still had their silver and china and they used it daily. It is the epitome of "genteel poverty", a style I have mastered over the years! I had to - my husband was a secondary school teacher and there was no trust fund!