Digg’s open

Very Funny!!

Hilarious

You’re near the Corningware Outlet?

Envy.

Toby, I’ll never forget the story my brother the scientist tells of his first college apartment. He made a deal with his roomies that he’d cook and they’d clean up. After their first meal together, he casually held his plate aloft and let it fall, gleefully anticipating their shocked looks, and knowing that–it being Corelleware–All was Safe. Unfortunately, the shocked look was his to own: the plate broke. Alas, nothing is certain in life! (Still, love your post!)

Ah…my mom was famous for that trick – and we figured out that it all had to do with what was on the floor(and under it) and the angle at which the plate hit. If the plate landed flat on the floor and it was something relatively soft like wood subfloor and linoleum or vinyl tile, then you had a shot that it would not break. If it was something hard, like ceramic tile, or some sort of tile on top of cement subfloor(as our kitchen was) OR if the plate went straight down and landed on its edge – disaster. On the other hand, my mom used to send the pieces back to the company and would get a brand new plate by return mail. I don’t know if that is the same policy now, but we certainly got our money’s worth back then.

Did your family also try this experiment with buttered toast on the plate? : )

It’s always been my understanding that plates should – you know – make the food look good.

LOL. That pattern is truly awful.

Believe it or not, Solai, once upon a time, I took a pottery class with a ‘production potter’ from Potsdam State at Star Lake in the Adirondacks and we actually discussed the whole issue of dishware design. The artist’s name was Art Sennett and his dicta were as follows:
1) Nothing in the ‘food area’ of the plate. Period.
2) Whatever you put on the ‘non-food area’ of the plate (the outside rim – where those dessicated twigs and leaves are on the plate in the photograph), make sure that it looks the same to you as it does to the person facing you across the table.
So, the artist involved in designing these plates broke both of those rules. I am certainly no expert, but certainly, to my eye, a balanced, harmonious design around the edge of the plate is preferable to what’s going on in this. Another thing, and this is perhaps a petty item for me – is that although the china was cast in North Carolina, it was all sent to Hungary to have all of the art work (as shudder-inducing as it may be)painted on. I realize that Hungary has a history and culture of painted ceramics. So does Poland and the former Czech Republic. But we have dishware producers here in the United States and we also have ceramic artists all over the place. Considering the claim that this project has been in the planning and sourcing for several years, one would think, given a certain sensitivity in terms of going outside the US for production, that it might have been worth exploring to find a firm that did such decorative work…such as, say for example, Mackenzie Childs(and sorry if I seem to be flogging Upstate New York businesses, but those are the ones I’m familiar with), or even going to commercial route with Syracuse China.
http://www.mackenzie-childs.com/index.aspx

Yikes. Those are some busy-busy designs.

I’m partial to Fiestaware. Glorious colors. Mix and don’t match…unless you want to. Fun colors for everyone. Or white.

Fiestaware is an American Classic (with or without ‘radiation’).

I’m partial to Heath (a Northern CA classic).

I’m not familiar with that brand/style. Stoneware? Got a link?

“Dolly” should be “Dolley”

Front Page Toby!!!
Woo Hoo.
Congrats. You’ve been writing so much. Good Job, girl.
But can you land one of the plates on the Hudson? *g*

Really???? My goodness. Well, whadya know?

Nope – but if I’m ever on a plane again, I want that pilot doing the job.

From his consulting company website:http://safetyreliability.com/about_us

Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, III is a captain for a major U.S. airline with over 40 years of flying experience. A former U.S. Air Force (USAF) fighter pilot, he has served as an instructor and Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) safety chairman, accident investigator and national technical committee member. He has participated in several USAF and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident investigations. His ALPA safety work led to the development of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular. Working with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists, he coauthored a paper on error inducing contexts in aviation. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Crew Resource Management (CRM) course used at his airline and has taught the course to hundreds of his colleagues. Sully is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy (B.S.), Purdue University (M.S.) and the University of Northern Colorado (M.A.). He was a speaker on two panels at the High Reliability Organizations (HRO) 2007 International Conference in Deauville, France May 29-31, 2007. He has just been named a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley.

Salut! to Toby. Will toast you with chicken soup brandy-laced hot lemonade in my radiant radioactive red Fiestaware mug.

Demi, I’m sold on kosher chicken soup. My late great neighbor clued me into that when I was a young mom.

Remember the fabricated story about the Clintons “trashing the place?” Sort like the Al Gore “I invented the Internet” nonsense also, where they repeat it so much that most of the public thinks it’s true?

We should try to start one about the Shrubs.

In fact, my cousin’s brother-in-law works at the White House, and I heard when they moved the President’s desk this week for carpet cleaning, they found underneath some spent condoms and a press pass for a “James Guckert.” All the employees are talking about it amongst themselves, but were warned of “dangerous consequences” if they say anything to anyone outside the bubble. Just repeating what I was told…

I want that pilot too.
Here’s what I’ve got in my cupboard:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com…..tLevelPage

Isn’t it showing up? Click on the name@ my 14….

How can anyone who has slurped kosher chicken soup during a cold and felt better not believe in God?

Yep..Portugal. That’s another country with a great ceramics history and culture. The Basque area in Spain is another; they specialize in blue on white.

OK. I’m the only one with no taste, so far. I kind of like the insects. And the plants. Dinner in the riparian zone of a hot, muggy Ohio creek.

Very cool. Very modern and spare..would go well with light woods, Scandinavian stuff… I’d love to come up with a list of all the manufacturers in the US.

My boyfriend’s proud of his plates from his homeland (Portugal). And I sense he’s trying to upgrade my taste as well. Good luck to him!

hahaha…My girls both went to college in Ohio and I recall being there during the last cicada emergence….Holy Ned, those guys were big and LOUD.

Have not seen those before – they are beautiful.

This is what I have now – they look boring on the website but are such a pleasure to use – the shapes of the bowls in the hand are perfect, simple but subtle pattern in the glaze, make food look beautiful, and nice enough for guests.

http://www.etabletop.com/Merch….._Code=LOFT

It was a gift from my mother in law. (God bless her) Not a whole set, but the large serving bowl and four soup/salad bowls. It’s gorgeous and goes with our southwestern themes.
I’ve never bought from Williams Sonoma, but have drooled over their stuff. We have a WS store in Beverly Hills.

Hey there…left you a note last thread. :)

I have a bunch of bowls and other dishes that were produced by a couple that are not too far away from me and I use them all the time(those are the pieces that are in all the Cheap and Good cooking diaries). There is something about using stuff that comes out of the ground where you are that is very special.

Just remember though if you break it you own it.

The point I think of having special things like that is to use them. Just having stuff is sort of pointless really – they only become special in the family if they are used…even if they get chipped or whatever.

And TASTY, some say! Now, a lifesized one of those on Laura’s plates… The plates all look kind of like Laura’s clothes, don’t they? Don’t they? Do they?

I don’t care if it was paid for by a not for profit foundation. Spending half a million dollars for something like that is obscene.

Oh, please Hugh, let’s not talk about George Bush anymore. :)

Yep…can’t give one iota of thought to healthcare for children…but they’ll extract half a mill to get ANOTHER two sets of china…as if there are not just a huge number of sets already.

That is very neat! So your soil is real clay around there. My aunt and uncle taught ceramics in their basement, but I’m pretty sure they just bought the clay. I should ask her.

Fugly. Just plain fugly.

I’ve got a set of US made Anchor Hocking Ironware that will soon be 30 years old. Plain geometric design on the rim, suitable for all occasions. Very inexpensive when I bought them. Under 50 bucks.

Wait a minute now. Laura’s parting gift has fourteen piece place settings.
That upstate NY Corelle only has four piece place settings
108 hrs & 20 min

600,000 for china. It is grotesque. 600,000 for a few empty plates.

Well, I’m not sure that the plates look like Laura Bush’s clothes (actually the gold eagle on the State Dinner set is rather ugly..reminds me of the Maltese Falcon), as much as they are, I think, a pretty decent embodiment of her and George’s attitude about life, about being in the office, and about not thinking about those who come after them. They don’t seem strong on long term thinking.

But Mike, they are so economical that you can just buy a whole lot; I’ll bet we could negotiate a really good deal.

Clay soil..you bet…as a gardener, I can certify that one.

And terrific weapons in a pinch, too.

Since a non-profit paid for them mayhaps the Obamas can present the new China to the Shrub family as a parting shot gift.

Yes, something for the dining area at the Library, perhaps????

Ok, here’s a thread where I can confess one of my “addictions”. Dishes.
I have probably, oh, 12 full complete sets of dishes and ….. drumroll….about 230 pieces of white “wedding band” Limoges, collected over 15 years…..the monogrammed pieces (all letters welcome) are like a drug!
Matching pots de creme cups and salt cellars are extra credit.
Maybe I should get a job in the new Obama household as “dish consultant”. I DO need a job…..

Personally, I don’t have a problem with the bugs ‘n’ leaf motif. I believe there were period(s) in the 18th(?) and 19th century when such designs were popular.

One could say the theme of the two china sets is endangered species. The first being life/nature and the second (with the eagle) representing our revered Republic. As such, a fitting tribute to the most destructive presidency in history.

Yes..just swing by the Corning outlet on your way down..

You got that right. Had a girlfriend a number of years ago who got a little, ok, a lot, drunk, dropped and broke one of the plates. After it bounced off the floor a couple times. When I was married we had a set of Stoneware. Loved those dishes. The ex took ‘em.

Wow. You! Lots on your plate. Is it ever boring at your house? Do you have any time for music any more?

I confess that I think that part of my dislike of the design rests in my feeling that this is another example of the Bush’s pushing an attitude of “we know what’s best for newcomers like you” to the Obamas. They finally got to move into Blaire House today…there are 100 rooms in that place, but ‘no room for the Obamas’. Just patronizing, arrogant, ungenerous crap.

michelle should put them on Ebay and donate the money to orphaned amputees in Iraq, or something.

Hey, that’s right; if Sarah can put the state’s plane on Ebay, I’m sure Michelle could do a little good with selling these dishes..shoot, she should sell them as collectibles one at a time.

Now there’s an idea.

My mom was a big buyer of sets of dishes when I was younger, which worked out great when my girls went off to live on their own..I was able to give them two sets EACH.

If Hillary Clinton had done this, it would have been five days worth of news on Fox. O’Reilly, Hannity, et al would be shrieking to high heaven about the buggy dishes. They’re disgusting, tacky, gross, their taste is in their asses, etc. Then Limbaugh, Boortz, et al would talk about it on the radio for another week or two. Then for years afterword, it would have been mentioned as a little joke like Bill Clinton’s blowjob.

Lotta wingnuts would just scoop ‘em up. Prolly make a lot more than was paid for them.

starving people in remote Alaskan villages would be another worthy cause…

Here and there, but not a lot….but you know what? That’s ok. My priorities are changing.
(((demi)))

That is not to say that this won’t happen…I can imagine that these will be the dishes that will never get used, frankly. Michelle Obama may have had to swallow a lot of attitude from the Bushes, but after 1/20, she’s head of the household and can use any damn dishes she wants to. And if I were her, I’d have those things put into storage…”because they are much to nice for every day” and either get something else or have one of the curators pull out something else.

Personally, I would love to see some young/old American artisans design some wonderful, 21st Century, paradigm-shifting dishes. Something affordable, functional, green, beautiful. Something that inspires other artists to share their talents. Made in America of course. Something that’s surprising for those State Dinner attendees….And some Cornelleware of course :)

Thanks for that reminder and link to Phil’s diary; folks, if you have some spare change, let’s give it up to get the word out about the situation in Alaska for the Native Peoples — there is a link there to donate.

My favorite thing about the antique dishes is the thrill of the hunt….a soup dish here for $5, a butter dish for $10. And when you put all the orphans on the table with the food and the wine and the friends…it’s like a symphony :)

Personally, I don’t have a problem with the bugs ‘n’ leaf motif. I believe there were period(s) in the 18th(?) and 19th century when such designs were popular.

Actually back then the bugs were real.

My idea:

The should auction off the bug-ware piece at a time on ebay as memorabilia of the bush legacy, and donate the proceeds (which might very well exceed the exorbitant purchase price) to some worthy cause.

D’oh. By the time I got back from getting food in the kids to post this I look up and see other had the same idea. So just change that to a “Me Too!”

– MarkusQ

hahaha…Cornellware!!! Oh, my goodness..That’s great. Considering all the advanced materials work that is done at Cornell, that would be fantastic. But there are a lot of very modern designs of Corelleware out there…square, black etc. But I’m with you..there is plenty of talent in the United States and that includes doing the decoration ON the dishes as well, if that is required. There really was plenty of time to source this completely in the US.

good thinking, MarkusQ!

thers up at the mothership

I have to run out and buy a vaporizer. Not for colds, just because it’s so freaking dry here. If you still have my email addy, write me. Otherwise, I’ll look for yours or see you later.
((RonD))

Yes, I’ve seen a number of antique patterns that were similar to the Weatherly plates; I still kick myself for not snapping up one set that went for a pittance at auction, had a lavender-colored border and a thistle motif, with a large thistle in the center of the plate. (But at the time I had no place to store a service for 12 with all serving pieces you could imagine, including soup tureens, tea pots, so on — storage would have cost me far more than the dishes.) I know I’ve also seen antique Haviland patterns that included insects in the field of the porcelain.

The pattern actually reminds me of Raynaud although it’s a bit more naturalistic.

The pattern that really bothers me is the formal china; while I love Lenox, the GREEN basketweave is noxious. They couldn’t pick something much more subtle from Lenox, like their ivory china pattern Eternal modified with the presidential seal?? No problems at all with matching the linens.

oh, absolutely. We hang laundry on racks here at our house to try to get some moisture in the air.

1600 prolly has 30 friggin sets of dishware.

Some rich Gooper who made out from the Chimp’s redistribution of the wealth needed to get in one more favor.

Besides there’s a rumor – that I’m starting – that the Clinton plates “accidently” fell off the roof last year.

Now, as a good American Housewife (and proud of it, thank you very much),

It’s good to be proud. I’m sure you also realize how privileged you are to be able to even have that option. I can’t stand that the right wing never talks about that particular angle of their so-called “traditional family values”. But of course even discussing it would constitute “class warfare”, right?

I went to an estate auction once in a quite modest Cape Cod house in Homestead, PA. The homeowner had 12 sets of china also, including TWO sets of Christmas china, AND the Johnson Bros. earthenware with the Thanksgiving motif (service for 12!). She also had multiple sets of flatware, including a Towle sterling set that the auctioneer took phone bids on. No Limoges (except for individual teacups). But I got some smokin Schiaparelli hat boxes. I’ll bet Laura Bush doesn’t have any of those — or your lovely Limoges.

That would be very nice.

If it didn’t have to be american, this is what I think would look elegant and presidential:

http://www.mytableware.com/pictures/65364.jpg

Michelle to the Chief Usher: “Box that shit up. Right now.”

Red Clay from Marshall Texas is what an accomplished potter friend of mine used. His name is John Quade.

Half a million for one set of dishes?
Sorry the art work is not that stunning, gold leaf is not worth that much.
My old pottery teacher at community college did production pottery for a while the artist does not make that much.
This is a scam look up the costs to create similar dishes a half million for one set Nope!

Am I the only one who actually likes the plates? LOL

Well, if Michelle doesn’t want them, I’ll gladly take them!

Most of mine didn’t make it through college, so I could use a new set =p

Grrribit!!

(Ahem, ahem) I mean, paging Desiree Rogers, STAT!

I hadn’t liked that stuff when I first saw it, but after browsing the beautiful, restful, gracious, balanced settings at the Heath Ceramics site, I closed the tab to find moths blaring at my eye, moths, I tell you! Please see that Ms. Rogers gets this post! (Or maybe just show her those dishes.)

for you, I could only wish that you had some smokin’ Schiaparelli hats to go in those hat boxes!

Well, you make two people who do; you’ll have to split the set, but I think it’s a really big service so both of you should end up with enough cereal bowls out of it.

Well, you never know; I’ve always suspected that the Obama folks lurk here on a regular basis. If so, Desiree, my offer still stands — I’m only about an hour away from the outlet and I’m sure we can negotiate a really good deal on multiple sets.

Umm, Toby, I am afraid you don’t understand about the Corelle dishes. When you drop them and they don’t break, it’s not that they were manufactured to survive a drop, it’s a miracle.

Just like a jet plane is not designed and built to survive a water landing and float long enough for passengers to get onto the rafts, it’s a miracle.

Most everything good is a miracle now, get real.

I like some of the Corelle dishes, and I really like Fiesta dishes. I would like to get new dishes, I’m tired of the ones that I have. However, on a fixed income, I can’t afford service for 12, like I need for the holiday meals. I only have room for one set of dishes in my apartment.

What’s the make and pattern of that set, Fern? You’re right, very presidential-looking. Tastefully understated. Picking a pattern like that would make replacements and blending in other pieces so much easier.

Agreed, completely. And I am sure there is an American mfr. who makes something similar.

Recently, outgoing First Lady (and I mean that in the ‘she’s leaving’ sense, not in the ‘she’s friendly’ sense) Laura Bush unveiled two new sets of presidential china.

Um, can’t Michelle just give it to goodwill? I’m okay with bugs, but in general, Laura’s taste seemed like republikan kitsch spurred on by the x*n*x fairy muse. I suspect plates are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of interior decorating.

RE: Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, III
What an accomplished man! Wonder why he is still flying. Maybe he needed the hours to keep his license.
Poor poor Laura. I wish her well. No really, well. Her life would be so different if she was well.