S'No Bleu Today

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

I set the game table last night for lunch with my Garden Friends after our Bible Study tomorrow.  Some of the Garden Friends are currently out of town, so I prepared a table of eight for a simple meal.  I invited them to join me for chicken chili, jalapeno corn bread, spinach salad, and lemon cake.  It was starting to snow as I laid the table.  This morning when I arose, it was apparent that we were in the midst of a bonafide blizzard.  The bitter cold weather and two to four foot high drifts will be here for at least a few more days, and this has become the "luncheon that wasn't."  Despite the change in plans, I wanted to share my tablescape with my blog friends.  For this table, I've returned to my first love...blue and white.

    As much as I adore my dining room, I always enjoy small groups gathered around the game table in our living room.  The flip-top tabletop has been added to accommodate a party of eight.  Round tables are wonderfully conducive to good conversation during a shared meal.

I laid the foundation for my table with a Waverly blue and white toile tablecloth, an eBay purchase.  Simple  white cotton napkins from Pier One were purchased on deep clearance several years ago.  I took the opportunity to buy four dozen of these napkins for pennies on the dollar.  They are wash and wear and come in handy for large groups.

One of my favorite tablescaping strategies is to use a dinner plate as a charger.  Today I put the Burleigh Blue Willow, one of our everyday patterns, to work as an anchor....

...under the Meissen "Blue Onion," luncheon plate.  Tip:  I often purchase quantities of assorted luncheon plates.  They increase my tablescaping options exponentially.  With a luncheon plate, any good sized dinner plate can become a charger.  The "Blue Onion" is my latest estate sale find.  Tip:  Our estate sales will usually cut prices by up to 75% during the last hour of the last day.  I frequently go early and scope out special items for which I'm unwilling to pay the full asking price.  I'm willing to roll the dice and go back during that last hour to learn if the objects of interest are still available.  I am frequently successful.  Give it a try!

My centerpiece is the Burleigh, "Blue Willow" tureen, a gift from Sweet Mister many years ago.  The pink nosegays are faux...just intended to add color for my post.  The fresh flowers are chilling in the refrigerator in the garage.  Once I knew that there would be "S'No Blue Luncheon" tomorrow, I decided to postpone creating my floral arrangements.  Hopefully, I'll have the opportunity to welcome dear friends to my table before the weekend passes...always the optimist!

The pair of Coalport decanters, an eBay purchase, serve double duty.  They contribute to the centerpiece design, and I fill them with fresh drinking water as a convenience for my guests.

The Fenton, "Empress" cobalt goblet is paired with an unmarked black amethyst goblet for water and wine.  The L'Argent, "Sophia" flatware completes the place setting.  Did you notice the miniature blue and white tureen just above the goblets?  My dear friend Marsha gave me a pair of these for my birthday.  She found them at Nell Hill's in Kansas City.  I think that they'll be perfect for serving butter or maybe as a salt cellar.  I wish that I had more of them.  

Sooooo...here I am...all dressed up and no where to go...certainly not the worst problem that one could face...not a problem at all, really.  If you happen to be out tomorrow on your cross-country skis or hiking in your snow shoes, slide on over.  I think that it will be a great day for that chicken chili, and I'll warm you up with a hot cup of cocoa or a steaming chai latte!  I'll keep an eye out for you.

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, "Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "Tablescape Thursday.  Click  below to hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!