Tag: Dishes

Facebook and a Mikasa Bowl

Last week I started a facebook page for my blog. I like being able to connect with my readers in different ways, and facebook is a really great way for me to get to know you all better as well. I would love it if you go and follow along.

Short post for today, but I also wanted to share the wonderful Ben Seibel Mikasa dish that my brother and his wife bought for me. They are such dears. After my last post they found this Mikasa bowl in the vintage shop near there house and bought it for me. Isn’t it just lovely?

French Toast with Blueberry Sauce

Lately I have been obsessing over dishes (again) online. Up until Christmas time last year when I got started on my Raffia collection (which is now two pieces away from being complete to me) I have always had ugly and boring Ikea dishes.While I completely adore my Vernonware Raffia set, when it comes to entertaining, I would really like to have different options for different occasions.

All week I have been looking up Mikasa Ben Seibel dishes on etsy and ebay. I love the huge and bright floral prints from the late 60’s and early 70’s that was on so many wonderful sets of dishes. They are so festive and fun, and would be so lovely to eat from outside on a warm Summer evening. I think I am going to start collecting them, but in mismatched prints. I just love all of the prints so much, and I love how eclectic they would look together around a table.

Yesterday when Russ suggested a trip to the thrift store, I jumped at the idea. I was determined to find some amazing dishes. I didn’t even really look at anything but dishes, and I found this set of four dessert plates for $2.95. While they are not the incredible and colorful Ben Seibel ones I have been looking at, they are Mikasa, and I think they are pretty fantastic. The set says Mikasa Ivory China, Riviera on the bottom. I looked them up online when I got home, and had a hard time finding any more from the set, but I am okay with that. I think they will look great for a dinner party paired with a pretty solid colored plate, or another black and white set.

This morning I made French toast with blueberry sauce and served them on my new plates. I made the blueberry sauce last weekend and have been serving it over vanilla ice cream for dessert for a few days.I loosely followed this recipe.

  • 3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch or flour
  • a pinch of ground cinnamon
  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the blueberries, 1/4 cup of water, orange juice, and sugar. Stir gently, and bring to a boil.
  2. In a cup or small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water. Gently stir the cornstarch mixture into the blueberries so as not to mash the berries. Simmer gently until thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the almond extract and cinnamon. Thin sauce with water if it is too thick for your liking.

Vintage Dinnerware

One thing in my home that I have always wanted an upgrade on are my dishes. I have a ton of vintage pieces, most of which seem to be serving bowls or platters, but none are matching. I don’t even want to get started on the dishes we use on a daily basis. I am still eating out of a mix of hideous Ikea bowls and a set of unmatching various floral patterned thrift store plates.This drives me crazy when I want to invite guests over for a fancy dinner party.

Lately I have been looking into different sets of dinnerware that I can start investing in. I don’t really have the funds right now to buy an entire set, but I have found a few different lines that I love, and hope to start buying pieces and build up a set over time.

The first, which I discovered about two years ago, when I picked up a serving dish from the collection at a thrift store, is Franciscan Oasis.

Franciscan Oasis

Anyone who watches Mad Men will recognize this next set from Betty Draper’s kitchen. These are Vernon Ware Raffia. They are a bit more elegant than they appear in this photo. They are also green, but look tan here.

Vernonware Raffia

This set is really fun, and also from Vernon Ware. They are called Anytime.

Vernon Anytime

I really love this set. I like how the pitchers are in the complimentary blue color. This set is by Metlox called California Del Ray.

Metlox California Del Rey

I love all these dishes for different reasons. Right now I am really into the last set, but who knows how I will feel tomorrow. I may even find a set I like better than all these.

What do you think? Which set do you like best of these, or any other sets?

Images from ccdinnerware.com. If you want to find out more about vintage dishes check out HillHouseWares.com.