Rose of Sharon II. Grandma

Grandma loved lavender. Even if I hadn’t known her favorite color I would have chosen lavender for her. Quiet Grandma kept house, kept cats, kept African violets crowded together on a sun-lit table in the dining room. Grandma made butter tarts (of course! doesn’t every Canadian Grandma?). So delicious. Fresh butter tarts, always ready with a pot of Red Rose tea when we arrived, travel worn, from Michigan. Grandma always smiled sweetly, lips closed, sometimes a hand to her mouth to stifle the quiet laugh.

Although of modest means, Elizabeth Edna Parker Bush enjoyed the finer things in life. Her father, Great Grandpa Parker, had been a “gentleman farmer,” so she enjoyed some pretty luxuries at home. Also, before marrying Grandpa she worked for a wealthy family, where she learned to set a beautiful table, something she took pride in doing for the rest of her life. Although she married just after World War I, a time a less affluent than ours, for her trousseau she chose fine china — M.A. Austria’s delicate “Bridal Rose” and silverplate, Rogers Brothers’ “Old Colony.” For our events we sometimes use Old Colony silverware as an homage to Grandma.

I recall one Christmas day when Grandma was presented with a large, heavy box. When she opened it, lo and behold, there was a full set of gold-plated silverware! Grandma was amazed and delighted! Who was the generous benefactor? There had been no tag on the box. For some time the mystery persisted, but eventually the truth came out: Grandma had given it to herself.

Grandma would have loved this Royal Albert “Lilac” cup & saucer from the Blossom Time series. Our demure “Marie” (by Royal Doulton), hair pulled back and gentle smile, is evocative of Grandma, as she looks on with appreciation. See the Rose of Sharon I blog post to learn about the Rose of Sharon family connection.