Let me explain… My family has been collecting Quimper dishes
for three generations, maybe four. And for those four generations, every dinner
plate, platter, soup tureen, salad plate, cake plate, oyster plate, mustard
jar, salt cellar, tea set…every single solitary piece has crossed our path.
This is definitely the Smith family collection. Smith is my mother’s maiden
name as well as my aunt and my grandmother’s married name… The Quimper Collectors.
So, imagine this, you collect a certain pattern with gusto for your whole life,
so you must’ve had conversations about this pattern to hundreds of people
including salespeople (“I would like to order a 5 Piece place setting for 12 of
Quimper, please.”), antique dealers (“What is the price of this antique Quimper
butter dish?”), your family (“Can I borrow the Quimper fish platter?”), housekeepers
(“Please only hand wash the Quimper.”), and to your children (“You can have my
Quimper after I die, so take care of it.”) You must’ve said the word “Quimper”
thousands and thousands and thousands of times over the generations. But in my
family, we found out last year, yes, just last year that we had been
pronouncing the word “Quimper” incorrectly the entire time! The entire time! For at least 100 years!
You would think someone would have checked the pronunciation. But, no. So yes,
we are stupid. The correct pronunciation is similar to “cam pair.” It does not,
as the O’Connell’s say it, rhyme with “wimper.”
Things like this happen to our family all the time. This is
why my family has such a good sense of humor. However, I have to admit, the
source of our laughter usually stems from my mother. I could start an entire
blog titled, “Stuff my mother says.” It has been an endless source of entertainment
for my sister and me. Do not be mistaken, we are not laughing with my mother, it is definitely at my mother. However, after we explain
to my mother just exactly what she had said or done, she laughs hysterically
and then eats a candy bar or chocolate croissant. Please remind me later to
tell you about the time my mother got stuck in the train doors at Versailles.
But for today, I thought I would tell you what my mother said yesterday
according to my sister. My sister told me that she and my mother were having a conversation
about canning vegetables. My sister said she did not like to can vegetables
from her garden because the canning sterilization process is so difficult. My
mother said very seriously and emphatically, “Yes, do you know that green beans
have killed more people than any other vegetable?” Obviously, she was referring
to botulism… But in her own special way. My family spent the remainder of the
day teasing my mother about dangerous violent green beans.
Collectors can get rather particular about their Quimper and its history and markings. If
you’re into that kind of stuff, you might like this article HERE.
So that’s it for the dishes obsession blogs. Tomorrow I
thought we could end the series by looking at my favorite table settings to
bring this full circle. Thank you for all of your nice comments. Or, as my
mother would say thank you in French, “Mercy.”
A toute!
I am thoroughly enjoying the dishes series and will miss it when it's over.
ReplyDeleteKaren
I just adore your blog! I always 1: learn something (things plural), and 2: laugh out loud. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnother top-notch post! Quimper is wonderful and I would love to have a set - or two or three. I would love to know yourmother!
ReplyDeletebds
Ellie, when I read this blog, I really feel like I am getting a full education. I've learned more bout interiors, style and good taste on here in a few months than in all my years reading "style" mags and blogs. THANKS AND KEEP THE POSTS COMING! You're awesome.
ReplyDeleteSuper funny blog - I’ve just discovered you and enjoy your writing so much. Tonkath
ReplyDeleteyour mother and family sound like a blast! Love your posts!
ReplyDeleteI too have just discovered your blog and agree with Anna that I have learned a lot! I love dishes and have really enjoyed the posts. My twin sister loves Quimper so i am forwarding this post to her. I rented a house in Montecito a few summers ago very close to town where your shop was and I always thought it was the prettiest storefront on the street. I wish I had met you!
ReplyDeleteDon't you love Montecito! Wish I had met you as well. Glad you like the blog.
DeleteI feel like we need a reality show starring the women of your family! Awesome as usual:)
ReplyDeleteThis series was awesome. You are am amazing connoisseur and storyteller. I can't wait for more. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy new favorite blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I don't care one bit about dishes (not entirely true) but I have enjoyed your series about them the last few days. I prefer boots to bowls but you write so well that I found myself happily immersed in plate talk. I just found your blog recently via Habitually Chic. Thank you again for such a good blog.
ReplyDeleteDear Robbi, so glad you like the blog. Thank you for your nice words. I like boots too! Hope you're having a great day
Deletehilarious, enlightening and beautiful... great piece...
ReplyDeleteYou are sooo funny, BUT very enlightening!
ReplyDeleteI love your voice and all you have to say. Thanks for a wonderful read each morning!
ReplyDeletemercy mercy merci ~ "so funny" ~ love your mom funnies, my mom could get more done before I woke up, fabulous cook, spaghetti strap dress for dinner with dad that night, and never ending go go go, I love Quimper ~ I like these too by Biordi ~ xo
ReplyDeleteEllie, Margaret here. The psycho who still reads your blog and leaves comments because, as weird as it is, your "voice" was so familiar to me, and I really miss it. I wonder what you would have thought about the Trump presidency . . . . Anyway, I truly believe you're in Heaven watching over Gracie and Bunny and the rest of your nearest and dearest. So when I write these comments, I feel like I've kind of got a pen pal (and I am not a girl given to excessive fan-dom or stalking, I absolutely PROMISE).
ReplyDeleteThough I live in Boston, my husband's mother's family hails from the Lou, and his grandmother's maiden name is Smith. She is undoubtedly the fahhhnciest and the most stylish person I know. I can't help but wonder if Granny Jane might somehow distantly be related to your fahncy and stylish Smith ladies. I'll probably never know, but I do intend to buy your book!