Port in a Storm

"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.

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Last week, I was staying close to home and avoiding the oppressive summer heat, when the phone rang.  It was one of my dear friends.  She shared that she had been out and didn't want to have to go home right then.  She asked if we could have lunch.  I suggested that she pop into one of our favorite haunts and pick up a couple of grilled salmon salads to-go.  She agreed and said that she would be at my house in about thirty minutes.  I quickly went to work to put together a luncheon á deux.

I was glad that I had decided to leave the McGuire rattan chairs at the living room game table after the luncheon that I shared with you for my first Blogiversary giveaway.

The green and white striped tablecloth is one of three that I bought for a song on eBay.  It was a nice and easy, 'cool' choice for a hot day.  eBay Tip:  Do you remember that I told you about 'saved searches' that will show up on your 'My eBay' page HERE?  Sometimes, if I'm serious about searching for a particular item, I'll create a saved search for multiple titles.  For example, I have been seeking (and finding) Coalport, "Exotic Bird" plates for a long time.  The registration number for the plate is Z3137.  eBay searches are published according to the title that sellers create for their auctions.  Some sellers might list the plate as Coalport "Exotic Bird",  or Coalport bird plate; others might use Z3137 in their title, and another might even just list it as "Coalport plate" because they really don't know what they have.  I'm probably going to create searches for all four possibilities, and it will improve my odds of finding the plates.  Okay, go set up your 'My eBay page'...just follow the directions; it's not hard.  Now start entering a variety of titles that might apply to the item that you are seeking.

Because my timeline was abbreviated, I grabbed the Wedgwood, "Napoleon Ivy" teapot (estate sale), one of our Wedgwood, "Edme" tureens (eBay), and a Bordallo Pinheiro, "Cabbage Leaf" pitcher (Tuesday Morning) for an asymmetrical centerpiece grouping.  The green hydrangeas were quickly cut from my garden.  The heat has left them rather sad looking, but the occasional brown petal seemed to fit right in with the terra cotta wine brick and the green Williams Sonoma pitcher.

 The texture of the Caspari Rattan Charger picked up the vine motif in the Wedgwood, "Napoleon Ivy" dinner plate.  I bought a large service of the Napoleon Ivy during the last hour of an estate sale...It was a great deal!

The Wedgwood Majolica "Leaf Plate", is a fairly recent acquisition.  I found the set on eBay.  I've seen this plate many times in green, but I had never seen them in the white.  I thought that they would be a nice accent plate for the Napoleon Ivy, as well as several other patterns.

The Pottery Barn Hemstitch Linen Napkin is called "Flax".  I like the natural color and simple design for my outdoor inspired tablescape.  I watched the Bamboo handle flatware for weeks at Big Lots until it went on clearance.  A friend and I each bought 24 place settings for $1.00 per piece, and we share them when we entertain larger groups.  Think co-op!

We've had the dark green Colony goblet (I think) for many years.  The Optic wine glass with the green stem was listed as Tiffin, when I bought a set of 8 through eBay.  Just this last month, I bought an additional set of 8 through eBay, and they were listed as Fostoria.  I don't have a clue which one is correct; I just know that I really like them.  Tip:  My saved search is for 'green goblet'.  Pick a color...start your own search.  

She would be here in another ten minutes or so.  I'm so blessed that my friend trusted me to be her 'port in the storm.'  What would we do without our precious friends?  I'm convicted that friends are gifts from our loving God...our Abba, Father.  I pray that I shall always be a good steward of the gifts that He has provided for me.

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."   Hop on over HERE 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.


When I think of summer, I think easy going afternoons shared with friends over a no fuss table.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper HERE for her meme Seasonal Sundays.  Don't miss out on this marvelous blog party.  See you there!  

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!