A SPRING TABLESCAPE WHERE IT'S OK TO SPILL... FAMILY SECRETS
Our quarantine family manifest includes three adults and two dogs (and on any given day, a very rude woodpecker squatting somewhere in the rafters, and a family of ermine in residence under the front porch who are determined to make fools out of the poor dogs). So as I put out Mr. P’s placecards for the three of us who would be dining at our Easter table, I had to laugh at myself—it seemed a little superfluous to say the least.
But set the table we did—and, it turns out, the stage for spilling some very funny family secrets. After three weeks of social distancing, on what better topic to brush up?
For the tablescape this year, my mother and I collaborated to mix the old (china, goblets, Easter decorations from decades past) and the new (India Amory napkins and tablecloth, and Mr. P’s placecards) along with grocery store flowers and willow cuttings from our yard. (For those who have asked, the Bordallo-esque cabbage and bunny tureen is a family heirloom and also somewhat of a mystery. We know that along with a pair of cabbage salt and pepper shakers and several other decorative pieces in the family, it was made by an artist friend of my grandmother’s in 1974. Little else is known about “MAVIE” and her affinity for cruciferous vegetables! Cabbage tureens abound, by the way, including those by Mottahedeh, Dodie Thayer, and Majolica.)
As we sat down to our most unusual Easter dinner, we couldn’t help but reminisce on Easters past—which brought to mind some not-so-sordid family secrets—both our own and by proxy.
As my husband worried that he had stained his pink India Amory dinner napkin with vinaigrette, the conversation turned to linens. We had a good laugh: my mother recalled the time years ago when she discovered (don’t ask how) that to save on entertaining costs, a noteworthy hostess in her circle had a habit of reusing cloth napkins dinner party after dinner party without laundering in between, if the napkin was “clean enough!” Should we adopt this practice with just family around, we had to wonder? Call it a little bit of not-so-clean quarantine humor!
And for a long time in our family, we recalled, there were no secrets: an extended family member’s stint as a prescient family oracle ran for 92—yes, 92 years… when she was finally intercepted and confronted while eavesdropping on a private conversation from a telephone landline in another room!
If for no other occasion, setting a cheerful spring tablescape is the perfect opportunity to gather, reminisce, and spill some lighthearted family tea for a much-needed laugh during this trying time. And don’t forget to wash your han—rather, napkins!
SOURCES
The Old
China pattern is Bristol Garden by Royal Cauldon (and these Paulette plates from Aerin are a great modern alternative)
Feathered duck figurines — adorable white set available here
Porcelain cabbage ware tureen—so many great options from Bordallo at Replacements and Chairish, and I love this one from Tory Burch
Antique crystal egg plate — similar here
Vintage milk glass water goblets — similar set of 4 for only $22!
Rose Point by Cambridge wine glasses available at Replacements
The New
India Amory tablecloth and napkins
Mr. P’s placecards and holders
Grocery store flowers
Branch cuttings from outside
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