I am a huge fan of “I Love Lucy,” and I love her Franciscan Ivy (American)! I promised to share some of my new collection of the Ivy pattern so I’m starting with breakfast for two on the porch! I’ll be participating in “Tablescape Thursday” at “Between Naps on the Porch” so be sure to go be there to see all the fabulous tables!
Now, come on out on the porch for breakfast…
As you can see we are still pretty far behind in the “greening up of the mountains” as they call it here. But, the weather has been so nice that we can enjoy our breakfast out here anyway.
Franciscan dinnerware was started in 1934 at the Gladding McBean plant in Glendale, Calif. My mom also has an extensive collection of the Franciscan “Apple” and the “Desert Rose” which is the most popular American dinnerware ever. She has since gifted my neice with her collection of “Desert Rose.” What a way to start out as a Southern young lady!
You can read more about Franciscan and Gladding McBean HERE.
I started with the same rattan chargers I have used several weeks now and the Mikasa “Italian Countryside.” I bought luncheon plates in this pattern because I knew I wanted them mostly for breakfast and lunch. I added berry bowls in the “Ivy” pattern and reused the Fostoria “Argus” green for juice.
I also reused the bamboo napkin rings from Bed, Bath and Beyond and added napkins from my collection. I really wanted to keep the organic feel of the ivy. I also used the Oneida “Meadowbrook” silverplated flatware. Notice I used the “grille” knives and forks. We have both kinds of forks and knives with this pattern, but I like the smaller “grille” version for breakfast. This pattern was discontinued in 1936. My grandmother had the pie server, and my mother added place settings for 16 plus many serving pieces. I think she must have about 100 pieces of it. It’s so nice to live next door:-)
I thought the vine pattern on this flatware would work well with the ivy…
Remember Lucy and Ricky using these for coffee? I need to borrow my mom’s percolator:-)
I love the creamer and sugar bowl. Some of the sugar bowls have a green trim on the lid, but I prefer this one.
It is so nice to enjoy the morning paper, a cup of coffee and a hearty breakfast outside on the porch after spending what seems like an eternity looking at snow!
Now that we have had a chat, I’ll go get the coffee and serve our breakfast and enjoy this beautiful day!
Thanks so much for stopping by to see the Franciscan “Ivy.” The most important thing to remember is that you can use basic everyday settings and add to them a luncheon or salad plate in a different pattern for a quick change.
I’ll be doing a larger family table soon with the Ivy, but I think I might just feature our new find, Noritake “Condoro” which I’m sure you’ll love if you like vintage china as much as I do:-)
Please come again because you are always welcome!!
Anita
