An Autumnal Change

We've had our Indian Summer and Autumn is here. Time for a change to match my frame of mind.

This is the dinnerset I bought in Oatlands at the beginning of the month. It's a totally sentimental buy.

Its made by J & G Meakin and called "Chinese Lanterns" from the Studio range, made around 1960.

When I was about five years old, I can remember visiting one of my mother's uncles in Toowoomba. My brothers and I squatted in his vegie patch delighting in these fruits that we called Cape Gooseberries. Bitter sweet bite sized golden orbs encased in dried papery sheathes. To me they were right out of the fairy story books that my mother used to read to us about fairies painting damson plums and dressing themselves in these papery lanterns.

Mixed in is the mustard coloured Bessemerware that my maternal grandmother used everyday. I loved the bowls and oval plates when I was growing up, perfect sizes and easy to handle for young hands. The orange crotched doily was made by my paternal grandmother and I have never had an opportunity to use it before (not an easy colour to work with) so I feel very nostalgic and also very cosy with the bright colours of Autumn to cheer us. They seem to glow against the wood.

When you look closely (you can click on the top picture for a closer look) you'll see the little characters have also changed. These are from the days when I worked for Royal Doulton.

 This is definitely the last dinnerset though because I haven't got anymore storage room!