Orleans Toile and Spode Mayflower

"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 four of us gathered to celebrate a belated birthday for Debbi.  I was blessed to host our luncheon.  I've begun collecting a set of plates for my daughter-in-love, who has her own wonderful blog, THE BLACKBERRY VINE, and I decided that this would be a delightful opportunity to let her know about her plates by using them in a tablescape for my blog post!  I'm excited to give them to her.

Although I considered setting up my tablescape on the back porch, the possibility of rain convinced me to locate our luncheon at the game table in the living room.

A yellow and purple color combination doesn't normally fall within my comfort zone, but lately I've been encouraged by all of your wonderful tablescapes to expand my horizons.  

   The Williams Sonoma "Orleans Toile" tablecloth was an eBay purchase.  Entertaining Tip:  This tablecloth is actually a 126" x 70" cloth, obviously too large for my 42" round game table.  I folded the cloth into a 70" square, and Shazam...I was in business.  The excess was completely concealed, and the drop was generous for my small round table.  I made certain that the four points fell between the chairs.

After viewing Mid-Atlantic Martha's blog this summer, I was inspired to pull out our dear Nana's vintage Pansy Rings.  I layered them on tiered cake pedestals to create height.  Creating this centerpiece took just a few minutes.  I snipped a bundle of white spray roses from Sam's and stuck them in the rings.  I embellished the roses with sprigs of assorted ivy that I cut from a couple of small pots of ivy that I bought at Lowe's.  So easy!

The silver salt and pepper cellars also belonged to Nana...

...and once again, the Tuesday Morning crystal decanters made it easy for my guests to refill their water goblets...

My candleholder is really a miniature amethyst hyacinth bulb vase.  I bought them in assorted colors at SteinMart years ago. A tea candle fit perfectly and provided just the touch of reflective sparkle that I desired.

 My daughter-in-love adores Copeland Spode, "Mayflower", so when I found some good buys on my old friend, eBay, I started collecting them.  I've been able to acquire 8 dinner plates for her.  For my table, they seemed to be a natural match with the "Orleans Toile".

As much as I love to use high color, these shades and hues were so intense that I felt like I needed to neutralize them a bit with an additional 'color'.  I chose silver, starting with the beaded silver chargers, a gift from my sister...many years ago.  I use them frequently.

Yet again, I've chosen to use my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton, "Francis I".  It's hard to go wrong with this elegant old pattern.  I've had the Two's Company silver tassel napkin rings for many years, but this is the first time that I've used them.  They are so pretty, but they are not extremely versatile.  I've tried them many times, only to return them to their drawer in favor of something else.  Today however, they added just the right touch.

The Corbel silver goblets were a wedding gift from my mother-in-love almost 43 years ago.  I actually decided to remove them right before my friends arrived because the table was feeling a bit too crowded.  I did return them when dessert was served...filled with my mama's recipe for Brandy Ice...a favorite of the Birthday Girl.

The Vietri Amber goblet is one my newest acquisitions. I've told my kids that this is at the top of my wish list for Christmas.  At $19.00 per stem, I'll collect a few at a time until I have a full set. They are probably available in your area, too.  I think that this will be a classic design that I'll enjoy for many years.  It also comes in a color called "Smoke" and in a great "Apple Green."

The finishing touch for my trio of goblets was the AJKA, "Arabella" amethyst stem.  I have an assortment of 12 of these in 4 colors, a Tuesday Morning purchase many years ago.  Lately, I've been able to add extras in each color thanks to eBay.  As is so often the case, these have escalated in price, but by watching and waiting, I've been able to find some good deals on additional goblets.

I love these marvelous old Double Damask linen napkins with a geometric stripe border and a field of small dots.  They belonged to my mother-in-love, and there is a lovely matching tablecloth that I use often.

In lieu of a birthday cake, I asked The Cookie Princess to design a cupcake for our party...

...She did a wonderful job!  I placed them in the individual lidded dessert pedestals, and they became a part of the tablescape.

The menu for today also includes the Pioneer Woman's recipe for Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti, a crisp green salad, and fresh baked French bread...just right for a cool Autumn day. My dear friends should be here any time.  I can hardly wait for them to arrive.

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 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 Fall, I think sunlit mornings and close friends gathered at my table.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper 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!