Flare-up of my "dish addiction"

7 years ago

What on earth was I thinking? Every Christmas Eve, we have raw oysters on the half shell in the LR before dinner. I bought a Smith & Hawken copper-look boot tray that we use to put the ice and the oysters on. I have sterling oyster forks, and I put small ramekins of vinaigrette in the ice. We all gather around the coffee table (which is cleared for the tray), and slurp down oysters and drink Veuve Cliquot champagne. Utterly decadent and delicious.

But I've always wanted oyster plates. I really wanted plain white limoges plates, rimmed in gold - they're out there on eBay etc but far too pricey. So, I saw a set of 8 white pottery ones that were simple and affordable. I hit "buy it now" and they arrived today.

They're quite attractive but I now realize that it will be impossible to hold them on our laps and eat them - some liquid is destained to spill on the linen velvet sofa or on a linen chair, or the oriental rug. So, do we now have them as a first course at the dining table? They're a bit too "casual" for my table but I guess I could use them there. I unpacked them and then realized that I am full-up on dish storage. I am the dishes queen and won't even admit to how many I have. They will have to go to the basement cabinet where vases for flower arranging live ( and my pie basket - one of my favorite things!).

Geeze, buying them was a stupid thing to do! What was I thinking? I need a keeper...

Featured Answer

Fun2BHere

7 years ago

It sounds like you need another occasion to serve oysters as the starter to a seated dinner party which seems like a wonderful "problem" to have! Enjoy your new plates even if you don't use them exactly as you had envisioned.

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Comments (10)

party_music50
7 years ago
Since you have so many dishes, perhaps you have the perfect set to use as charger/liner plates to the oyster plates so that spills can be avoided in the LR?
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carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
7 years ago
Can't you return them? Why keep something you don't want or need?
lucillle
7 years ago
If you can't return them:

They sound very elegant but you have also characterized them as simple and affordable. Perhaps they could hold cookies or a small assortment of chocolates, covered and beribboned, that each guest could take home?
LucyStar1
7 years ago
I would return them and cut your losses.
morz8 - Washington Coast
7 years ago
Many Ebay sellers don't accept returns unless the item is found to be other than was described ;0)

Anglo, if you find an enthusiastic keeper, my SIL could use one too - my input has had no effect whatsoever. As of last month, she has three homes, and more dishes than she could possibly ever need for the three combined. She has absolutely no will power when it comes to china and porcelain - the Lenox and Vilroy and Boch, complete sets, in my basements cabinets proof of that. I have storage space to share, but really wouldn't mind the closed door dust proof shelving for my mothers Christmas decorations, other things that I'm now keeping for her since she downsized to a senior apartment. SILs sterling just left here last month after living 3 years in my basement. Service for 24! and now at the home just finished where I hope it sees lots of use.

If I have need for formal or prettier service though, I'm in good shape...I borrow ;)
jojoco
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I have no advice to offer, but I did want to say that I love the title of your post. Suddenly, I can think of a lot of things in my life that "flareup "
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
7 years ago
I always check the return policy when buying things @ ebay. Ebay is very good about enforcing return policies too - because some sellers try to renege.
patty_cakes42
7 years ago
I refer to myself as a 'disaholic' or maybe I just have a fetish for dishes. Over the past 15+ years i've bought new dishes at least every other year, not full sets, but dinner plates/salad plates/bowls, individually. I bought this years' at Z Gallerie, which is always the first store I go to since their selection is a bit out of the ordinary, and they're not rediciously priced. I'll sometimes use them for other holidays/dinners, but 'tone down' the dinner table decor.
Gooster
7 years ago
oh, I can relate, as of the past three years I've been binging on kitchenware. Always something new I can get, although I am supposed to get rid of something for every new thing that comes in. I'm not like that (yet) with dishes and flatware.

Flare-up of my "dish addiction"

Fun2BHere

Comments (10)

party_music50

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