Tuesday, February 21, 2012

You know it's time for winter to end...

...when you spend a Sunday afternoon purging your kitchen cabinets because it's too cold and windy to be outside. 

Smooch: Is this really necessary?

Actually, it was necessary. I've developed an obsession with Fiesta ware and have amassed a growing collection. In order to make room for it, something had to give. Seriously, how many sets of dishes does one person living by herself need?

Once I got started throwing stuff away, I couldn't stop. I was ruthless in my decision-making. If I hadn't used something in the last year...ok, maybe two... out it went – some in the Goodwill box, lots in the trash. Getting rid of stuff is such a liberating experience. If I could get Waste Management to deliver a dumpster out here, I could fill it up in a weekend and never look back.


Rosebud: I hope she's not planning to throw us away.



Anyway, now when I open my cupboards, I can see a Fiesta going on and can't help but smile at the vibrant colors and timeless shapes. I am seriously in love with this stuff. Obviously I'm from the mix and match school of Fiesta ware – who needs six dinner plates of the same color when you can buy one of each?

Fiesta ware has been around since 1936 and has a fascinating history. Early pieces are collectibles, but I'm partial to the new stuff (check out this site to see the original colors and a huge variety of vintage items).


Smooch: Do they make dog bowls?
Me: As a matter of fact, they do! Who knew?



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22 comments:

  1. Pat in east TN2/21/12, 4:15 AM

    That stuff is totally awesome, but I am such a clutz that I would have it chipped or broken in no time, so it's Corelle for me, although I did find a neat design, so it's kinda cool.

    You've inspired me now, so with winds and rain coming in over the next several days I'll be doing some cleaning up/out of my own.

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  2. Christine2/21/12, 5:35 AM

    I was a big collector or Lu Ray Pastels for years. I had a thing for sets of dishes and think I might have had 5 or 6 at one time. I never entertain. Finally decided to let most of it go and you are correct, it was liberating.

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  3. Tina2/21/12, 5:49 AM

    Lol love the looks of the cats....they say it all!

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  4. theresa EH2/21/12, 5:58 AM

    Just opening your cupboard doors and seeing those pretty colors is a cheer up eh! very liberating to purge and recycle your unusables....I LUV going to thrift shops for all my clothing and household items...recycling and keeping my hard earned money in my neighbourhood.

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  5. Cheryl Ann2/21/12, 6:15 AM

    I have a lot of Dansk myself (white) because I like the clean lines, but can I drive over to your Goodwill? Hehehehe! (too far...)

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  6. C in WI2/21/12, 6:34 AM

    Oh my! I have almost the exact same colors of fiestaware in MY cupboards. I too mix and match the colors and LOVE to open my cupboard doors and see the rainbow each day.

    Pat, it is super hardy stuff! I have had it for years and it just doesn't chip. Really. Day in and day out with the dishwasher, family meals, etc., it just wears like iron. I love it. :)

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  7. Dave in St. Louis2/21/12, 6:34 AM

    You seem to be embracing everything "Southwest." When are you going to start casting adobe bricks out in the corral? Seriously, I like the dishes and the colors. I'm also intrigued by the fact Smooch does not come to you when you get down on the floor. She even has her back to you in the first photo. Is she used to your low photography positions, or do you have to tell her to "stay?"

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  8. Estella from Co.2/21/12, 7:03 AM

    This is all we had when I was growing up...love it. You've got to smile everytime you open the cabinet with the colors. My husband has a fit, but in the spring I do the same thing.....I get rid of things I (we) don't use. Such a great feeling...you come to my house and say you like something IT'S YOURS. The older I get the more I want to get rid of THINGS (not Bud or critters). Less to clean and less is more (got that from Buck, but it applies to STUFF, too). Hugs to all

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  9. Anonymous2/21/12, 7:06 AM

    I use Fiestaware for our everyday dishes too. I have a rainbow assortment just as you have. Hubby would use plain white every day if he had his way. BORING... Must have color in the kitchen.

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  10. Sandra2/21/12, 7:29 AM

    A great winter project now done. Yeah! I have lots around my place too. I've got to get moving or it will be summer and we'll all be going out in the sun.
    Best always, Sandra
    ps: Cats always find a warm spot. They look so cute under the fireplace. SP

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  11. Cathy R2/21/12, 7:39 AM

    I have been purging my house big time - to the point where, the last time I drove up to the donation center they said "Weren't you just here?"

    I love Fiesta ware. I am planning to get some when my current plate set gets too small to be functional. The bright colors really make me happy.

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  12. Carla2/21/12, 7:42 AM

    And you'll be coming to my house to purge my cabinets, when?? :)
    It's so wonderful when that job finally gets done. The accomplishment is visible.

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  13. KathyB2/21/12, 7:48 AM

    Grew up with Fiesta ware. My older brother inherited Mom's pitcher. Like that it is popular again.

    My friend in Pittsburgh entertains often. Dinner parties start with picking the dishes for the table. I told her she dresses her dining room table like a Barbie doll.

    Corelle is great for microwave. We have dishes similar to Fiesta. Not suitable for microwave, get scary looking lines in the glaze.

    Smooch is a good girl.

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  14. The Dancing Donkey2/21/12, 8:02 AM

    If in doubt, throw it out.:)

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  15. Anonymous2/21/12, 8:08 AM

    When I moved across country I was going to rent a moving pod, but the price was too much. So, I decided to sell everything and buy new when I got here. It felt so good to purge all of that "stuff". It truely was a new beginning.

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  16. OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts2/21/12, 8:09 AM

    Growing up, we had Fiesta ware. I still have a couple of serving bowls that my Mom had. With the Grands and especially since Ms. GK has started doing dishes, I hide what I would like to keep for when it is just us old folks again. So we end up eating off of a set of restaurant glass dishes. Not real pretty like your Fiesta rainbow but I don't have to be upset when I hear crash from the kitchen either.
    Love the look on the cats faces.
    Oma Linda

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  17. mrscravitz2/21/12, 9:13 AM

    I did not realize Fiesta Ware had a history or even been around that long. I grew up with Melamine, and then I got corelle, (Still using by the way) when I got married. I discovered Fiesta Ware a couple Christmas's ago shopping. And one of my daugthers saw me goo-gooing over it, and gave me a red set for Christmas! I like you, though love all the different colors! My cupboard would look like yours. BEEUUTIFUL!

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  18. Mikey2/21/12, 11:05 AM

    Great post!! You and I are much alike, lol. How much stuff does one person possibly need? I'm forever purging closets, tupperware cabinets, etc. Feels so much better and yours looks beautiful!! Love the animals, lol. Their expressions are classic :)

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  19. forest2/21/12, 11:38 AM

    It's a shame the Fiesta Ware is hiding behind cabinet doors...

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  20. Wendy W2/21/12, 11:44 AM

    Love the colors! I also like to throw/donate things that have been sitting for a while. Fur kids are adorable as always.

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  21. Calm, Forward, Straight2/21/12, 4:56 PM

    I got similar looks from the canines and felines. With each box out the door, the canines feared they would be left behind. The felines - mainly annoyed at the inconvenience. ;)

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  22. Carolynn Anctil2/21/12, 8:52 PM

    I love it! The colours are wonderful. I agree - mix and match is cheerful and interesting. I'll bet you could google the 'meaning' of certain colours and the next time you have guests over, their choice of plate colour would reveal a little bit about their personality. It could make for some fun conversation.

    Purging is great for the soul. I do hope Daffodil and Rosebud made the cut...

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