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Sunday, February 3, 2013

Villeroy and Boch, Casa Azul

 Today I am sharing part of my Villeroy and Boch Blue and white, Casa Azul wedding service.


 Perfect for a lazy Sunday morning. The Pretty blues brighten any space and It  feels light and fresh.

 The decorative salad/dessert plates are my favorite.

 I picked my wedding dishes out in the summer of 2000, in Paris at the French department store, Au Printemps.

Au Printemps, Haussman Boulevard, Paris
As romantic as it sounds, for some reason (that I can't recall now) I had a three hour time period in which to pick out my service. I was not with my groom-to-be but instead, with my father-in-law to be (c'est la vie!). I just kept thinking....keep it classic.
 

I am almost certain these beautiful sugars I receive every year from my Mother-in-law come from the same area in Paris. Either, Au Printemps or Galleries Lafayette which is right next door.  I love my Canasuc and they are always fun to serve at any party.
 

Here you can see the flatware I later  picked out  with Stanislas in Nantes. We agreed on something very simple. Our flatware is Couzon. I cannot remember the pattern name. My mother doesn't like the spoons and ALWAYS remarks that they are too tiny. They are tiny because the French do not use spoons for dessert. Perhaps ice cream, but, in general always a small dessert fork. The spoon, is simply used to stir your coffee and often it would be just a tiny espresso....hence the tiny spoon.

 I am using the salad/dessert plates for our toast and oranges. These gourgeous oranges came from my mother's neighbor. The are fresh and delicious.


 I found these napkin rings at a small estate sale, here in Woodland. I don't always remember where I get things, but the wonderful old man that was there  is hard to forget. He was all alone. No other family members helping him. I am sure his wife had passed away and he needed to move on and out. I am usually in such a hurry to rush from one sale to the next, but having just lost my father the year before, I felt connected to him in some way. He showed me around his house and told me stories about all his belongings that were now tagged and ready to be handed off to strangers. I was friendly and took my time. I liked him and felt for him. We made small talk and I could tell he enjoyed our time together. He took me outside to show me his collection of stones. Then into the garage where he had an amazing workshop. He cut the stone for a living. He offer me two beautiful stones. One for Lucas and one for Lucie. His last name also started with an"R" like us. We both thought that was funny and I bought these napkin rings from him with our initials. Less than month a later I saw his house had sold. The garage door was open and there was no sign of his workshop. He was a sweet man I appreciate our exchange to this day. What may have been a part of his wedding service, on his table years ago, is now is a part of mine.

 
I have a twelve piece setting of my wedding service. A beautiful covered vegetable dish, two big platters, bread plates, salt and pepper. When it was time to leave France, I had NO idea how I was going to get my dishes back to The States.
 In 2003, Stan came over to stay with my parents and find a job. Lucas was almost 2 and I was 7 months pregnant with Lucie. I had to stay in France alone to deliver Lucie. I am a very strong person and we had a plan. Stan did not meet Lucie until she was already a month and half old. There were definitely tears at the San Francisco airport that day. We couldn't afford to have the dishes shipped.
A week before I left, a wonderful Scottish couple working for a big company at the shipyard (Stan built cruise ships in France) offered to have our dishes professionally packed and sent via their company using their travel expenses. I was so fortunate. To this day, I can't believe how lucky I got. It cost us nothing and everything arrived in perfect shape.

I am going to bringing these out more this year....even if it's just for a simple coffee and toast breakfast with Stany.

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday morning!

Bisous!!

Karen

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44 comments:

  1. Your wedding china is lovely. I hope you'll show more of it in future posts. Ad I love that dainty spoon! It was fascinating hearing about their history and when you chose them and how they made it safely to the US when you moved. How fortunate it was to find the silver napkin rings with your initial. And now they can become heirlooms for your children. I'm sure the elderly man you gave a listening ear to hoped they would have a good home with you.

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    1. Thanks, Dewena. I do need to use them more often. If I pass them down to Lucie, it will be so much meaningful if they come with memories! I need to get over the fact that they don't match my decor! I'll never forget my estate sale friend. It was an odd day like a Friday mid-morning. No one was there. I was a little worried for him too, being all alone. He was frail. He walked me through the whole house, told me stories. I knew he needed to share. Sweet sweet man. Thanks for stopping by and reading my story!
      Karen

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  2. What a wonderful story. Your china is so beautiful!

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  3. I enjoyed the story of your wedding dishes! I think Villeroy and Boch make the prettiest patterns. My daughter chose Switch 3 when she married in 2000 for her everyday dishes, and I still love it. If I were choosing a pattern today, I think it would be a V&B pattern! Enjoy yours!

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    1. Oh...it was a toss up between Switch 3 and Casa Azul!!! Blue was such a popular color that year. I do love the Villeroy and Boch patterns. There was a small store in Nantes or maybe Rennes, that was a Villeroy and Boch store. Paper napkins and all kinds of accessories that matched all the current patterns! I'd love to go back to that store now!
      karen

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  4. Really nice story and beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!! Lynda

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    1. Thank you, Lynda!! I try hard with the pictures, but I have a silly little camera. :) I am glad you liked them!
      Karen

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  5. Beautiful story (stories0 I love that china and that flatware. So much history. You should use it more. It will never mean that much to anyone but you. So nice of you to spend time with the nice elderly man.

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    1. Thanks, Debby! I agree. I need to use these dishes more. I'd like to make some nice memories with these dishes. It will mean so much more when I pass them down to Lucie (or Lucas) The elderly man was so sweet and deserved the time I took for him. I was sad he was all alone on that day.
      Karen

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  6. Just re-paying a visit to you! Love the china ... and the oranges make me thirsty! Love the colors ...

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    1. Thank you, Debbie! I know! The oranges looked so good to me and I am on a low-carb diet. So dumb. Couldn't eat the toast or oranges. I think I am going to throw in the towel on this diet. The one thing I crave all the time is orange juice!! These would have made a great orange juice!
      Karen

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  7. Karen, I so enjoy the way you tell the story of things. For me, that's much of the joy in material things....the stories that go with many things. It's what makes collecting special and connected. The stories give our treasures substance. So thank you for taking the time to share your stories with all of us.
    Last time I was in Paris, I bought several boxes of Canasuc hearts to take home to friends. They were a hit! Just this week I found a cookie cutter in the same shape so the cookie can hang on the rim of the cup. So cute! I'm going to use them for an up coming valentine dinner party. ~ Sarah

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! It's true it really is the stories behind the "things" that make them special.

      Isn't that something that you have gotten the same decorative sugars from Paris? Even in the grocery stores they had all the card suits..hearts, spades, etc. I thought those would be so cute for a group of women that play cards! It does make a great gift. I think that this summer Stan is going to back to France with just Lucie. Maybe I'll send them out looking them. Do you remember where you bought them?
      I hope your Valentine's Day party goes well! I bet you throw a wonderful party!
      Karen

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  8. Karen you've shared so many interesting stories in this one blog post! First let me say you china is lovely. What a wonderful story you have to tell about picking out your wedding china! I shopped at Au Printemps on each trip to Paris and what a china selection you had to choose from. What a wonderful couple who made sure your wedding china was shipped safely to your new home. I love the story of the estate sale where you shared your time with the elderly man. I'm sure it was sad for him to sell his life's treasures. You made it a little easier for him knowing his things and a little of his shared life were going home with someone to enjoy. So interesting for you, and the stones were a thoughtful thing to offer you for your children. I enjoyed your stories so much. Thanks for sharing them.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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    1. Thanks, Emily. I love that whole area of Paris. The shops are amazing. I used to love the big mark and Spencers too, but it's no longer there. In fact, no more Mark and Spencers in France. Boy I loved that English department store. I could find so many things I loved and missed from the States. The Scottish couple was amazing. I have since lost contact with them. They were traveling constantly with his job. I am so glad you liked my stories. I was worried I would bore people! Thanks for the reassurance! Hope you are having a great week!
      Karen

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  9. I loved every bit of your tableware story! It's wonderful that each item has a person and a day attached to it.

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    1. Thanks! It's nice to have all the stories behind your "things", It makes them special. I have learned to get rid of things that have negative stories attached. Otherwise that's what you think of when sing them. :) Have a great week!
      Karen

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  10. Thank you for the wonderful images! That combination of strong vitamin orange against the delicate white and blue china is so pretty to look at :)

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    1. Thank you!! I'd love to have big fancy camera, but I do have fun with my little one nonetheless. I am glad you liked the pictures!! Thanks for stopping by!
      Karen

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  11. Karen,
    What a special story with the old man and the dishes. They are so pretty. I'm not sure if I mentioned to you or not but my wedding china was in a blue pattern too. There's something about blue china that I like the best. How nice of the old man to show you around his house and tell you stories about his belongings. It sounds like you and him connected in a wonderful way. Thank you for sharing your wedding dishes, they are lovely.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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    1. Thanks, Sheri! Yes, blue and white is very appealing in a kitchen in general. I love blue transferware as well. I didn't mention that there were soup bowls I LOVED and something got lost in translation I didn't get those. They were a big part of why I chose this service too!! LOL I really want to change my colors up soon. That elderly man was a doll and he seemed to be going through such a difficult time...such transition. People need to be kind. Loneliness is not okay. I hope you are having a great week!
      Karen

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  12. I lke the pattern you chose from Villeroy & Boch; they have a store in our outlet mall and I enjoy wandering around looking at all the china patterns.
    You probably made the gentleman's day by spending time with him and showing interest.
    Judith

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    1. Thank you, Judith! Oh, boy! I would love to go to that outlet store. I am going to Google that now. Crossing my fingers there is one close or one in Las Vegas (I go there a lot) :) I just had to show an interest to that elderly man. He was turning a page on his most important chapter in life and was all alone. I think it can be particularly hard on men as well. They have often times been so taken care of. When they find themselves alone it's all so foreign to them.
      Karen

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  13. What a lovely story you tell! I felt like I was sitting there with you, enjoying the oranges and toast!

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  14. Thank you for sharing the stories about your dishes and the kind man from the garage sale. Your dishes are beautiful and so special because of where they came from and what you had to do to get them over here.

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  15. Beautiful dishes and I love the story you shared! They were worth it. Have a nice week.
    Fabby

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  16. Karen,
    This is a lovely blue & white tablescape!!!
    I adore the softness of the hue of the blue!
    The silver napkin rings are exquisite!!!
    That pop of orange is stunning!
    Very inspiring!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  17. Hello Karen,
    Your tea here looks delicious! And your wedding china is indeed classic and lovely. I can't imagine picking out china with my father in law!
    I loved hearing about the older gentleman you bought the napkin rings from. Your story really pulled at my heart strings.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  18. I love your Blue and White china. Just so lovely and fresh looking...and the napkin compliments is to well! The oranges looked so fresh as if they had no long been picked from the tree....and then you said that they had!! The stories you told about buying the china...I remember Galleries Lafayette so well from when I was in Paris (a very long time ago...some shop!!)
    The stories you tell about where you bought your china but, especially, the old man are really precious!! Joan

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  19. Hi Karen,
    What a lovely story! Your blue and white china is beautiful and how romantic that it came from France, although I cannot imagine my future FIL helping me to pick it out. My son has been to both Paris and Nantes but he preferred Nantes. Your photos are so lovely and I enjoyed my visit very much. Thank you for sharing with us and coming to tea. Hope you have a beautiful day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  20. Your dishes are gorgeous, Karen, what stories they could tell! How kind of that couple to arrange to have them shipped here to the states! And your napkin rings are so pretty, that man sounded sweet. I bet he was happy that they found a new home with you.

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  21. What a pretty china pattern...and your oranges really pop on it. It is nice to know there are still kind people that will do nice deeds expecting nothing in return other than a thank you and appreciation.

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  22. Hi Karen,
    What pretty dishes you have! What a great choice you made. I enjoyed reading the history of them and the lovely napkin rings. Wishing you a great week!
    Nancy

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  23. Love, love your blue and dishes pieces, they make the table stunning plus your additions of orange to the group really makes it pop. Thanks you for sharing your table and special story.

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  24. Your dishes are just beautiful and what a story on how you chose them and got them to travel here with you. I know they mean even more to you. What an interesting life you've led and you still have so much to look forward to! Enjoy your week! Those oranges looks yummy!

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  25. Karen Mary, your dishes are precious. I have wanted a set of Villeroy and Boch for so many years..how fortunate you are! AND to have had someone do such a kind things as get them to you! That was wonderful!
    Thank you again for pointing out the polka dot cups and saucers. I am hoping for a full set..but this may be all I will be able to find. It was sweet of you to go to the trouble.
    Mona

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  26. Love your dishes and such a pretty and inviting setting. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  27. Everything looks so pretty and elegant - I LOVE it !!:)

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  28. I just discovered your blog and will be your newest follower! The stories about France thrilled me - I love to visit there. Thank you for sharing your stories - I cannot wait to read more!

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  29. You will always cherish this lovely china for it is has been with you through the ups and downs of life. The wonderful story is so special and I hope it will become a story told to your children so they will have these great memories. Your flatware is lovely and I will be enjoying by demitasse spoons which I love and think of you and the small french spoons. Your story of the man at the estate sale brings memories I have of where I bought some china or crystal and is part of each pieces history. I bought two Villeroy and Boch teapots this summer at an antique mall in Oregon and the price was low so I quickly checked out. The surprise was seeing your pattern for it was the blue one I bought. I had so much fun reading your posting and thanks for sharing!

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  30. Karen, your dishes are beautiful! I love the blue with the colorful delicious orange. You were so fortunate to have them offer to ship them for you. Dishes are heavy and could be quite pricey. Wonderful too that they arrived in perfect condition! Enjoyed learning that your hubby built crusie ships in France. Not many could say that. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  31. Villeroy and Boch, Casa Azul. Today I am sharing part of my Villeroy and Boch Blue and white, Casa Azul wedding service. Perfect for a lazy ... vvilleroyundboch.blogspot.de

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