A couple of months ago, I really looked at our 20-year old dinner plates. The lovely purple iris on the old Corelle plates had mostly faded away, with just a touch of the green leaf showing. The plate was colorless, bland and blah–and I am well past my purple phase. I’m no longer cooking much, but even reheated food looks unappetizing, desiccated and bland on these plates.

When I discovered that those plates had been deemed toxic years ago, no further excuse was needed to get rid of them. With joy and anticipation, we searched and found plates that make our meager meals look festive. Ranging from white to navy blue, each dish has its own appeal, and all are elegantly shaped. Just for variety, one plate is orange and another is gold.

For weeks now, we have been basking in the unexpected joy of serving our carry-out on these new dishes. Sometimes, we match the dish to the food; other times we rejoice in the color that was next in line: “I got the orange one” said my husband triumphantly the other day.

Inspired, we set the Thanksgiving table with the new dishes, adding the best silverware (the “Betty Crocker” silverware from the earlier post), candles and crystal. Topped off my the joyous faces of our family, the meal was perfect.

What a joy! A reminder that little things can bring a smile, a glow, and a burst of happiness.