When my mom was about 60, she decided she was going to use her china, silver, and crystal every day, even when the toddler grandchildren were visiting. And she's not careful with it, either--she lets the kids clatter it around, and puts everything in the dishwasher afterwards. She keeps the silver in a regular old Rubbermaid drawer organizer thingie. She and Dad got most of it for wedding presents, and we hardly ever saw it when we were kids. After Dad died, I guess, she decided it was foolish to save it for a special occasion, and now every meal seems a bit more special. Go Mom!

Ha, that is cute.

mrmoonpie, your mother has the right idea. I like it.

I think of this as being a guest in my home: I try to treat myself as I would treat a guest, which means letting myself enjoy the nice wineglasses and the pretty plate and the garnish with dinner and the good bath salts and the nice sheets.

My mom gave me some ancestress's silverware a few years ago, and I get real daily pleasure from using it: a silver spoon for my morning yogurt, a proper cake fork for my coffeecake.

I like his style too!

I don't have any fancy china or anything, but I totally love to break out pretty little artisan bowls for salsa and ice cream in front of the TV.

But one of life's true pleasures is drinking your beverage from a mason jar too. And I indulge in straws. At home. Bendy ones. It's probably the single most extravagant wasteful thing I let myself consciously do.