The Perfect Platter

When I got married, I decided that I would not choose china, serving dishes, and fancy stemware thinking that by the time I would actually have a home for entertaining, and a cause to do so, I would want a different style of china than my under-experienced twenty-year-old self would pick out. I was right. But what I didn't factor in to this great equation was that when I did want china, I would be the mother of three young girls, and the wife of one college professor, and the co-owner of college loans. And a list of wants longer than my arm, and my other arm, and both legs.

Basically, what I'm saying is that there were (and are) many things on our to-buy list that are so much more important than china. So, we use our trusty Corelle given to me by my loving aunts at my bridal shower.

I am ever grateful that the practical bride that was me chose the 'Winter Frost White' pattern instead of the other beauties that were popular around my wedding time.
I have nothing against sunflowers, seed packets, or bumblebees. I just think maybe my plate would be a weird place to encounter them. Every day. For fifteen years. Perhaps now you understand the relief that is mine. White is good. Sunflowers are bad.

So, the point of my reminiscing about plates and patterns--While I don't mind our Corelle that is trusty and plain, I do mind that I don't have any fancy large platters to carry treats and treasures to the occasional baby shower or church shin-dig. But, as predictable as this may seem, I want a white one.

But not Corelle. Something solid and large and plain and not earth shatteringly expensive. It may come as a surprise to you that these ample, modest and satisfyingly heavy platters also come with an ample price tag. Which is why I nearly cried out with glee when I was browsing the clearance isle and saw a perfectly simple, yet substantial, white platter for three dollars.

I snatched it up, and checked for flaws. One miniscule fingerprint on the bottom of the oval platter was not going to hinder it's performance at all, so home I went with my treasure.

I proudly showed my find to the girls, to the husband, and would have showed the neighbors if my family didn't stop me. I tempered my disappointment of it not being socially acceptable to run through the streets showing off my find by thinking about the many social events this fabulous platter would attend. It would be famous. I would be proud to carry it anywhere.

And now, I'm guessing that you are hoping that I will bring it to the next party you invite me to. Or, that you can at least catch a glimpse of it through the scientific wonderness called the World Wide Web. And, you shall not be disappointed. Here it is, in all it's glory:
In the garbage. Which is where it was a mere twelve hours after it joined our household. A glass dish was dropped on the platter, and the platter did not survive. The other dish was Corelle, so, of course, it's not going anywhere. It's been around fifteen years and aims to make it another seventy. Someday, I will have a large, plain, and perfectly heavy white platter to put my goodies on. And maybe it will be a Corelle.