tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-779874328223185382011-07-02T07:44:51.288-07:00In Pursuit of Passion, Fashion and Feasts for all Seasons!Beth Gehringnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77987432822318538.post-5397678622555378652007-05-06T10:49:00.000-07:002007-05-22T10:53:51.449-07:00Many times during my years as a bridal consultant, I was asked the question ,"Why do I need all of this stuff anyhow? For me, the answer was a simple one. Having been brought up in a home where dinner was served every evening at a beautiful candlelit table, with beautiful porcelain was truly a blessing for me, because it was the one time of day when we were all together, and having things be so lovely was my mother's gift to all of us. Eating at a well set table is an invitation to slow down a bit, and experience food and community in a whole different way, with the people that we love.<br />So often these days, dinner is a disposable meal, one eaten on the run or in front of the TV set. Worse yet, it's eaten straight out of boxes, plastic containers and cans, all pretty bad for our physical environment, and a barren soil for our precious family landscapes. I love to refer to my grandmother's china , crystal and silver as the ultimate recyclables....It's been around for generations and we keep using it every day. Cloth napkins are so much better for the earth than paper, and I don't know anyone who doesn't feel just a little more festive with a lovely glass in their hand! All of these beautiful things can last many lifetimes, and even if you don't have anyone to inherit them from, starting your own collection is a gift for your family that they will remember forever.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/77987432822318538-539767862255537865?l=askthegiftgiver.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Beth Gehringnoreply@blogger.com1