As you have already figured, I have several sets of china. Some might think I need a family intervention, except they help with the cause! For my 30th birthday, my family purchased 8 dinner plates, 8 salad plates, 8 soup bowls and 8 goblets in a gorgeous ruby glass. The set, along with a ruby red glass vase I found at a thrift store that matched perfectly with the set, are what I call my “30th Birthday Dishes”. Later, 4 dinner plates found themselves on the clearance table at Herberger’s, where the birthday dinnerware was purchased, and those were added to the set.
The plates and bowls are Classique Ruby by Arcoroc, a French glass company. The goblets are Casual Settings Ruby by Cristal d’Arques/Durand, also a French company. My West German crystal goblets (thrift store) were used for the red wine (merlot), and flatware was Reed and Barton’s Titanic (QVC). Mimicking Titanic’s star pattern, I used two Diamond Fire crystal votive holders (gifts) for the centerpiece, which flanked the red vase (thrift store) that matches the glass. The cute ruby glass strawberry salt and pepper shakers and my silver plated bird salt and pepper shakers (both thrift store finds) rounded out the table. Of course, the “workhorse” table cloth and napkins were used (Walmart), and I think it does a great job showing off the rich ruby color of the glass. I used the set for a casual dinner with family. On the menu was:
Tomato Basil Soup
Crisp green salad tossed with ranch dressing
Spaghetti with garlic bread
Chocolate Cake with chocolate frosting (a la Duncan Hines and Pillsbury)