Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Ports O' Call

"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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I think that I'm about qualified to obtain my credentials as the harbor master.  We docked again at the game table in the living room.  The weather forcast was much milder this week...outside and inside.  The only clouds were light and fluffy in a blue sky.  (You do know that I'm talking about my friend, right?)

Feminine pinks and blues started jumping into my hands when my friend called to say that she was coming for lunch.

Today I had forty-five minutes to create our tablescape...that even gave me time to press the pink linen tablecloth, a recent eBay find.

I'm still working on my asymmetrical centerpieces...definitely not my baileywick, yet.

The Charles Field Haviland, Schleiger 1328, lidded vegetable tureen was just the right proportion for the small game table.  I bought it from a friend who is a knowledgeable Haviland dealer.  Following the "Rule of Three", I grouped it with the leaded cut crystal pitcher and a vintage cobalt and gold vase.  Both pieces belonged to our dear Nana.

The vintage vase is post-war Japan.  It normally lives on my bedside table.  Today, I snipped a handful of Plumbago from my garden and plopped them in my container.  We've had a few cool days, and some of my flowers have experienced an appreciable rebound.



The Royal Doulton Steelite, cobalt charger seemed the obvious choice as a foundation for the Coalport, "Spearpoint" dinner plate.  Both were eBay buys.  I bought the 12 chargers for $20.00...they've all ready paid for themselves!  The Spearpoint is a newcomer to my china closet.  It will take some time to acquire enough for a full table, so it's neat to be able to use them for luncheon a deux.  I used my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton, "Francis I" sterling because I needed the cream soup spoons...


...for the tomato bisque, that was served in the Haviland, "Ranson" cream soup.  The scalloped pink linen napkin was an estate sale purchase.  eBay provided the Coalport, "Countryware" napkin ring.

Today, the Waterford, "Simply Pink" and the cobalt AJKA, "Arabella" kept the pinks and blues dancing on our tablescape.  

My friend is stopping at one of our favorite Italian restaurants to pick up Grilled Salmon Salad and Tomato Bisque Soup...

...So all I need to do is pour the water and fill the wine goblets.  Remember, if you're ever in my town, all I need is a phone call or an email.  I'll set a table for us in the blink of an eye!

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!  

  

Entertaining Women
Entertaining Women

Hello, I'm Cherry Kay I was 40 before I realized that I am an artist. I love to paint, work in clay, rubber stamping, design tablescapes, entertain, and share ideas. I'm an interior designer wanna-be...no credentials, but lots of experience.

31 comments:

  1. Your table is stunning, Cherry Kay. And I love your lidded vegetable tureen. It will match my Aynsley plates.....Christine

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  2. Happy to read your friend is doing better ... Your table setting is beautiful love the flowers and bird on the tureen lid... you have paired your finds perfectly... love the details ... the personal salt and pepper shakers add a wonderful touch! Happy Wednesday, xo HHL

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  3. Beautiful, beautiful table Cherry Kay...I love all the cobalt, especially the plates.

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  4. Cherry Kay, how wonderful it would be just to browse through your collections!! You have the most beautiful things and you always come up with a creative way to use them. Thanks for stopping by!!! I'm excited for KC too. She is so blessed to have you support her in what she does. Nothing can replace that:-)

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  5. Cherry Kay, your table is divine! Love the flowers plucked from the garden made ever so special by the vase. Your "trio" is a nice composition of different elements that make the table cheerful and welcoming. Beautiful finds on ebay!!! Love your newer plates.. they are spectacular pieces. looks like a wonderful place to enjoy and grow friendships! xo marlis

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  6. You have skillfully put together a delightful setting for you and your friend...all supported by your excellent choices of china,crystal and flowers!

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  7. A very pretty table as always and love the pink and blue combination.

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  8. I love your mix of china. Your glasses are beautiful and tie in all the colors. Just lovely!

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  9. Love the mix of color in those goblets and the chargers are simply stunning.

    - The Tablescaper

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  10. It is all gorgeous - the deep bright blue on your china and those colorful wine glasses - BUT I love, love, love the lidded vegetable tureen! Gorgeous!

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  11. Hi, Cherry Kay. Thanks so much for commenting on my first blog post!! That makes me feel great! I've already been keeping an eye on your blog--you've done beautiful 'scapes. What a cool story of someone sending you the goblets! I'm seeing that the Blogland friendships are pretty neat! Thanks again!

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  12. Stunning tablescape Cherry Kay! I love your vegetable bowl with lid, beautiful! Fabulous china, glasses and chargers, they're devine. Thank you so much for sharing. Lots of hugs. FABBY

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  13. What a perfectly lovely table. It appeals to me on many levels, but perhaps the cool simplicity is the overriding attraction, as our temperatures climb up here.

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  14. 20 for $12??!??!?!! 20 for $12??!?!?!??! Are you kidding me??!?!?! Why, oh why do you torture me this way?!??!?!?!!!!! Man, Cherry Kay...you find such great stuff! I have GOT to get my patience in check and start going on Ebay! I am just floored! Beautiful and VERY feminine table. You are a master at putting together beautiful 'scapes for two in a hurry! I am glad to hear the weather is much more tolerable there now. It's great here, too, finally! Thank you for stopping by my place yesterday. I'm always honored to have you as a guest. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  15. Cherry Kay,
    Your table is so pretty in colbalt blue and pink! I love the stemware and soup tureen. I must shop on ebay...you got some great buys!
    Blessings My Friend,

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  16. Stunning as always! I love blue and pink together--one of my daughters has a room w/ those two shades with toile and I think it's a timeless combo!

    I LOVE the stemware and have always wanted some just like them!! I need to go EBAY shopping!!!

    :)

    Hugs/blessings,
    Lana

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  17. 45 Min? Girl you are a wizard and a master at setting a beautiful table in such a short period of time. It would take me that long to prepare a menu, then try to get it cooked. lol.. I've searched and searched on EBAy for some of these beautiful chargers, no luck YET! Thank you for swinging in... love when you come. hugs ~lynne~

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  18. I would love to be in your kneck of the woods -- such a pretty table you set. I especially love the dinner plates and the goblets. I have always wanted some of these. I love to hear about your finds. Joni

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  19. Wow, I'm impressed! What a great friend you are!
    I ♥♥♥ the leaded cut crystal pitcher of your Nana's, as well as all the other beautiful heirlooms you've shared. So precious!

    I have a wonderful White Sesame Seed Salmon Caesar salad recipe that I must share some day. You just jogged my memory! I learned it from a Gulf bay restauranteur, when we lived in FL.

    fondly,
    Rett

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  20. I love these shots! You really have an eye for mixing and matching to get such a lovely tablescape!
    Thanks for popping by my place!
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

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  21. You always set such beautiful tables, even on the spur of the moment! The salmon and bisque sounds delicious! So nice that she is bringing it!

    Have a nice week!

    Katherine

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  22. What wonderful treasures you have! I like how the colors in your tablescape are repeated in the painting. I just love these little peeks into the homes of others. Thank you for sharing!

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  23. You have such a wonderful "arsenal" at your fingertips for pulling together an impromptu table! I would have a hard time choosing what to use if I were in your shoes :-)

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  24. Enjoy your soup and salad...you have a beautiful table to sit and visit while enjoying your meal!!

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  25. Hi, thanks for coming by my blog, Lilly's Lace. It made me come back to see you! I love the cut crystal pitcher, Love it!! Great post, thank you for sharing! xo-cindy

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  26. Cherry Kay,

    I bought my one way ticket from Istanbul to US and bringing packed Turkish and Armenian food so please honey set up your beautiful table I'll be there in two hours.

    Again wonderfully done table.

    Love,

    Karin Åžen Cankan
    karinsfairytale.blogspot.com

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  27. What a buy on those chargers! The table is just lovely!

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  28. Oh how pretty! I love those gorgeous goblets -- they alway look like jewels on your table.

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  29. Cherry Kay, I truly believe that you would put together a lovely table in just moments and whip up something wonderful if I just called and said that Joni and I were in town and then you would produce a lovely blog post to go along with it! I just love the deep jewel tones of the goblets and plates. I think those tall elegant goblets have to be some of the most lovely ever made.

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  30. Lovely table! Your guests are lucky people!
    Very pretty!

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  31. This tablescape is SO PRETTY. Guess what I happened upon at a thrift store last week? 4 pair of the same S&P shakers you have on this table for only 50 cents a pair! I did my Happy Dance all the way to the register.

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Thank you for spending your time to leave a comment. I read each and every one of your generous thoughts. They encourage me in so many ways.

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