lucy and ivy

There’s just something exactly about this glorious green and white ivy print, and all I know is I'm in LOVE! It all started with first seeing this pretty tablecloth and napkins from Pacific and Rose.

I instantly remembered that I had some vintage Franciscan Ivy dinner plates and thought these items would be a match made in heaven.

The Franciscan Ivy dinner plates are a classic piece of American dinnerware. They were first introduced in the 1940s by the Franciscan Pottery company, which was based in California.

 

The design features a charming ivy pattern that wraps around the edges of the plates, giving them a timeless and elegant look. These plates became especially popular after being featured on the TV show "I Love Lucy"

These lovely Ivy plates and other dishware is a classic that's been around since 1948, and more importantly, you may recognize it in a black and white version, because it was featured on "I Love Lucy" for years in those darling scenes where Lucy and Desi are in the kitchen having breakfast. It was Lucy's everyday dishware!!

 

The Franciscan Ivy dinner plates definitely made their mark in TV history thanks to "I Love Lucy." 

I love how they added such a cozy touch to the Ricardo’s kitchen scenes. These Ivy clad cups and plates have become iconic in their own right.

 

It's so fascinating how something as simple as dinnerware can hold such nostalgic value and bring back memories of those classic moments. 

Do you have any favorite episodes or scenes from "I Love Lucy"? Lucy always had such a knack for getting into hilarious situations!

 

Lucy and Ricky had such great chemistry, and their kitchen antics were always entertaining. 

Whether it was Lucy’s hilarious attempts at cooking or Ricky’s exasperated reactions, those moments were pure TV gold.

One of my favorite scenes is when Lucy tries to bake bread, and it turns into a gigantic loaf that pushes her out of the kitchen. Such a classic! 

Do you have a favorite kitchen moment from the show? Or maybe a scene that always makes you laugh?

While the Franciscan Ivy dinner plates and cups are most famously associated with "I Love Lucy," they also appeared in other shows like "Bewitched."

 

As you can see here in Larry and Louise’s kitchen, the ivy pattern's timeless charm made it a popular choice for set designers looking to create a cozy, homey atmosphere.

Now take the plates featured on the set of Samantha and Darrin’s dining room. It’s red transferware. 

Red and white transferware, along with blue and white transferware has been a classic for hundreds of years!   

But set in the groovy Americana set of the 1960’s Bewitched dining room, it once again creates a relatable comfort zone for viewers.

 

Transferware is known for its intricate patterns and vibrant colors, making it a popular choice for both everyday use and special occasions.

These dishes often feature scenes of pastoral landscapes, floral designs, or historical events, and they were produced by various manufacturers, including Wedgwood, Johnson Brothers, Spode, and Mason's.

The red and white color combination is particularly striking and has a timeless appeal.

Do you have a favorite pattern or design when it comes to transferware?  

ciao fabiana

 

 

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happy 100th birthday lucy!

Those eyes, those lips, that hair! Beautiful Lucy was the "Queen of the B movies" long before she ever met Desi. To celebrate what would have been Lucy's 100th birthday on August 6th, TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is devoting 24 hours of air-time to Lucille Ball. Starting at 6am on Saturday, we will be treated to a mega-marathon of 14 of Lucy's Hollywood films.  

It all starts with Dubarry was a Lady, with music by Cole Porter and also starring Red Skelton and Gene Kelly. At 9:30am, they're showing Without Love which stars Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy and was written by Philip Barry who also penned The Philadelphia Story. Miss Grant Takes Richmond is next which stars Lucy as William Holden's wacky secretary. 

Of course The Long, Long Trailer is a classic. It stars Lucy and Desi in a very I Love Lucy like movie. I'm looking forward to Lured, a Jack-the-Ripper like movie also starring one of my favorites, George Sanders, and Boris Karloff, who's always fun to watch!   

“I'm happy that I have brought laughter,

 because I have been shown by many

the value of it in so many lives,  in so many ways.” 

Lucille Ball

"Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. 

You really have to love yourself 

to get anything done in this world."

 Lucille Ball

“Once in his life,

every man is entitled 

to fall madly in love

with a gorgeous redhead.”

Lucille Ball

“The more things you do,

the more you can do.” 

Lucille Ball

“The secret of staying young is

to live honestly, 

eat slowly,

and lie about your age.”

 Lucille Ball

“Use a make-up table with

everything close at hand

and don't rush; 

otherwise you'll look

like a patchwork quilt”. 

Lucille Ball

Women's Lib? 

“Oh, I'm afraid it doesn't

interest me one bit. 

I've been so liberated it hurts.”

 Lucille Ball

For a complete listing of movies and details go to 

TCM Summer Under the Stars Lucille Ball. 

And everyday in August, 

TCM is featuring one star per day in their 

"Summer Under the Stars" series.

ciao! fabiana

i love Lucy's persimmon cake

Who doesn't love Lucy? Well today, I'm sharing Lucy’s persimmon cake is a recipe that I tasted many years ago, and have often thought about making, especially when autumn rolls around. It’s a sweet and rich cake, and I was so happy to come across the recipe recently in my vintage Celebrity Cookbook by Dinah Shore.  

Luckily, here in southern California, persimmons are just coming into season, and my neighbor has a very fertile tree and always is generous in sharing with us. This recipe originally comes from Lucy’s mother, Desiree and her Aunt Helen and was always a part of their Christmas tradition.  They usually made this cake for gift giving. I'll be trying this recipe this weekend. I hope it’s as good as I remember! 

  

Lucy’s Persimmon Cake

Ingredients

·       2 c. sugar

·       3 T. butter

·       2 c. persimmon pulp

·       1 c. raisins

·       4 c. sifted cake flour

·       grated rind of 1 orange

·       1/2 t. each cloves, allspice, nutmeg

·       1 t. baking soda

·       2 t. vanilla

·       2 c. chopped walnut

·       1 c. dates, finely chopped

·       1 c. milk

·       2 t. cinnamon

·       3 t. baking powder

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter.  Add persimmon pulp, nuts, raisin, dates and orange peel;  mix well.  Sift flour with baking soda, baking powder and spices.  Add flour mixture alternately with milk beginning and ending with flour.  Stir in vanilla.  Turn batter into 2 well-greased loaf pans and bake approx. 1 ½ hours at 300 degrees F.  

Turn out onto a wire rack to cool.  Garnish, if you’d like, with glazed fruits and nuts.  

Persimmons  - photo credit: Two Peas and their Pod.

Persimmon Cake - photo credit:  Jessie Monds

ciao! fabiana

lemons and ivy are always a great idea!

Just in time for Mother’s Day and summer are these new prints and patterns from Pacific & Rose in a happy palette of Lemons and Ivy!

 

Let’s start with the Lemon pattern, shall we? 

One can’t help feel a sense of happiness with this new tablecloth and matching napkins.  Accessorize with a few fresh lemons and flowers, and the look is complete!

 

Easy as lemon meringue pie, a table runner and matching lemon place mats instantly add loads of charm to your dining space, indoors or out!

 

Note the unique quality of all these table linens and accessories that are hand block-printed by artisans at the fair-trade workshop in Jaipur, India.

Just like the Lemon print, the new Ivy print is an instant classic! Here I’ve styled a table out in the backyard. It’s a cozy spot between the ivy wall of the house and a small apple tree.

And how about those pretty white snapdragons? I grew them myself this year in my cut flower bed along with these pretty blush colored Desdemona roses. 

I added a little ivy from the wall to the table as a nod to this pretty pattern!

 

As soon as I saw this new Ivy pattern, I thought how lovely it would look with my vintage Franciscan Ivy plates.

 

Just like the ones Lucy & Ricky used for years on I Love Lucy! 

What’s not to love?!

 

The Snowball Viburnum flowers are from my cottage garden, and easily arranged in a vintage white ironstone pitcher. I love how they look with the soft green tones of the pretty Ivy table runner.

 

Apron & matching Kitchen Towel

So besides setting a beautiful table for Mother’s Day, here’s what I’m really excited about! Here are several fun gift ideas for mom, grandma, mother-in-law, and these items are perfect for bridal shower gifts too!

1. Aprons & matching Kitchen Towels

2. Soft Robes & Matching Cosmetic Bags

3. New and fashionable Bandana Scarves

  

Soft Robe & Matching Cosmetic Bag

New and fashionable Bandana Scarves

 Best news of all…

 

The Pacific & Rose’s Mothers Day Sale:

Use promo code MD25 to receive 25% off your whole order!

Enjoy 25% off all products now through Mother's Day, May 12, 2024.

 

To ensure delivery by Mother’s Day, 

order no later than Tuesday, May 7, 2024.  

Items will be mailed via USPS Priority Mail

 so mom's gifts arrive in time.

  

Visit PacificandRose.com to shop online now.

Or visit

Pacific & Rose at Seaside Gallery
124 Tustin Avenue Suite 100 Newport Beach, California 92663
Phone: 949-438-7277

 

 

ciao fabiana

 

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