Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Spode Christmas Tree x 2

"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. During this beautiful season when we celebrate harvest and Thanksgiving, 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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Ours turned out to be a quiet Christmas celebration.  Christmas Eve we were happy to be invited to share dinner with KC and my son-in-love at their bungalow...after attending the Christmas Eve service at their church, where they led the worship music.  It was delightful and focused us on the reason for the season.  Christmas day found us celebrating the most important birthday of the year with a late breakfast at our house, after we returned from our church service.  Sweet Mister and I were thrilled to host KC, David, and a friend of theirs.  Without consultation, KC and I both set our tables with our Spode, "Christmas Tree."  Did you know that Spode, "Christmas Tree" is the number one seller of all patterns?  I just recently learned that little tidbit.

The bungalow was all decked out for the holidays, and  KC set a lovely table for us.

Gold lacquer chargers made a good foundation for the Spode, "Christmas Tree."  The vintage silverplate flatware belonged to my maternal grandmother.  KC is such a good steward of many of her great-grandmothers' treasures.  It brought a smile to my face when she used this lovely old pattern.  I don't know the name or maker.

The bullet wines are their casual crystal from Williams-Sonoma.  The tumblers were from Dollar Tree. 
A pair of sterling candle holders flanked a simple silver mint julep filled with fresh flowers to create the centerpiece.  We had such a wonderful evening.  After dinner, more of KC and David's friends dropped by for dessert and good conversation.  


Late the next morning, KC, David, and one of their friends joined us for a hearty breakfast prepared by the master of breakfast cuisine...Sweet Mister.  The only thing that I did was push down the lever on the toaster.  It was a laid back occasion...the easiest Christmas feast that I can remember.  Keeping with the casual tone, I prepared our birthday table in the breakfast room.

  The Spode, "Christmas Tree" tureen worked well as my centerpiece.  I flanked it with two small white Poinsettias.  I simply wrapped the nursery pots in a wide red ribbon tied in a bow...easy peasy.

A pair of Spode, "Christmas Tree" hurricanes completed the centerpiece.  The coordinating place mats were a gift from a friend many years ago.

The Holly Basket Napkin Rings belonged to my mama, a gift from someone in her weekly bridge group.  I smile each year when I unwrap them.  The red napkins were an eBay purchase. eBay Tip:  These are great hemstitch napkins at an amazing price.  They come in a large variety of colors.  Check out the seller HERE.  We've been using the Retreneau, "Holly Days" gold tone flatware for more than thirty years. Juice and milk were served in the red Fenton, "Empress" goblets and the Spode, "Christmas Tree" goblets.

The Good Lord blessed us with a beautiful sunny Christmas Day to celebrate the birthday of His only begotten Son Jesus.  

I pray that you, too, had a peace-filled Christmas surrounded by family and friends...

...and as the Simpich, "Christmas Carol" dolls remind us...in the words of Tiny Tim..."God bless us everyone!"


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.


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.

25 comments:

  1. Two beautiful tables, Cherry Kay! Like mother, like daughter! I also just read in my new Dish book that this pattern was number one at Replacements, Inc.

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  2. Both tables are lovely -- the interesting thing is that even though much of the Spode was sold you find very little in antique malls and flea markets -- actually, the only Christmas china you see in those places are the cheaper sets sold by Dollar Store or Target -- never the good stuff. I think that is treasured and passed on unlike perhaps the regular china. Christmas memories, you know!

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  3. Cherry Kay, KC's table is wonderful. I love how she incorporated the old and the new, creating traditions of her own. Your table is stunning. Love the gold flatware with the Spode. The red goblets add a perfect pop of color to the table. Love the simplicity of the bow on the poinsettia pots! Your breakfast room is the perfect spot to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior! Happy New Year and may all the best come your way. xo marlis

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  4. Both of those celebrations looked wonderful. How sweet it must be to watch one's daughter develop her own style, making use of treasured heirlooms and putting a new spin on the traditional.

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  5. It's very beautiful and I love your dishes and silverware. Awesome!! Wishing you and your family a Happy NEW YEAR!

    Tablescape Thursday

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  6. Hi Cherry Kay! Both tables are beautiful and so very festive! I know you must be very proud of your daughter--how sweet of her to use your family's beautiful heirlooms! I love the casual, yet festive table for breakfast. The Spode Christmas tree pattern is lovely. Glad you got to relax and enjoy, you deserve it! Happy New Year!

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  7. Both tables are very inviting, perfect for a cozy meal! I will check out your link, Miss ebay quees.
    I scored a great deal at the Lenox outlet last week, so I bought 18 of the Holiday pattern plates for my dil. I just called and the salads are on sale this week, so I will get them for her Jan bday. They don't have a set of Cmas china, but they set a beautiful table with their china as you will see in my post.
    Happy 2012! I got such a kick out of the comments over at CJ's blog about your advice! :)

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  8. Hi Cherry Kay. I really enjoyed both tablescapes. KC definitely inherited your talents. Beautiful Christmas Tree Spode dishes on both tables. Such a pretty classic design. One of my daughters had her baby 2 nights ago an I blogged about it just below my tablescape. I hope you get a chance to visit. Happy New Year to all!..Christine

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  9. Great table!!! And I think breakfast/brunch time is one of the most fun ways to entertain!!!

    It sounds like your Christmas holidays were wonderful. Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  10. What lovely tables. The china is so festive. I have a similar pattern, Happy Holidays by Nikko. It's always so fun to dress the table for Christmas. Happy New Year.

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  11. Just gorgeous! Yes, this is one of my favorites although I don't own it. I love this and the Lenox holly plates. What a lovely evening and a lovely table. Glad you had a wonderful Christmas and ahve a fabulous New Year.

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  12. Love your stunning Spode table, wow it is beautiful and I love the hutch with more beautiful dishes...all so pretty...love the dishes so much and the tureen is sooo cool...I am a new follower of yours and I will be back soon...

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  13. Love your beautiful table...so welcoming for the holidays...Your Spode dishes are sooo pretty and I love the tureen...I left one message don't know where it went..into blogville...lol

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  14. Such lovely tables, I love them both! We did a breakfast-lunch Sunday too, as my daughter Sofia and her family had to go home and drive for 4 hours. I love this kind of food and you sound like you had a great time and KC inherited your talent and it's no surprise. Wishing you a wonderl and happy New Year 2012. Love,
    FABBY

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  15. Cherry Kay, Your daughter is blessed to have you in her life, and clearly she has learned from your example! Two great tables. Your grandmother's silver plate that she used, is one that I also share and use often. It is Morning Glory by Community circa 1940. You are my guru and muse, bossy lady. Table for Two anytime (but I would be way out-classed! ) Hugs! Your fan and friend, CJ

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  16. Beautiful tables...love the red goblet with the tree plates.
    Happy New Year!

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  17. Simply elegant - as always! Love that tureen!

    - The Tablescaper

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  18. Beautiful tables, both! Sounds like it was a perfect family Christmas.

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  19. Thanks for your recent visit to my corner of the web and your comment. I will certainly investigate whether or not Spode will replace my chipped plate.

    I love that you and your daughter both used Spode "Christmas Tree" for your tablescapes. My sister and I keep a lookout at all the local estate sales to added to our joint collection of the pattern.

    Have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve!

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  20. I am so glad to know you enjoyed a peaceful, quiet, loving holiday celebration. I am reaching that point where I would much prefer just a few as opposed to the great masses. That is getting harder and harder to do, though, with the kids wanting to invite all their single friends. I'm not complaining...I enjoy being able to host those who have nowhere to go on important holidays. I'm just saying I'm getting a little tired. Maybe just because this has been a hectic season. Moving on......beautiful tables! It warms my heart to see how your daughter cares for her grandmother's fine things. Not all young people would be so caring and careful. I hope that you and your family enjoy an equally wonderful New Year's Eve. It has been a pleasure to know you in 2011, and I look forward to more in 2012! Take care, Cherry Kay!

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  21. Glad you made mention about feeding those in need. So many communities are turning to churches for help because of gov. cutbacks. Thankful that our church started a food pantry and clothes closet this year. We are truly blessed and Our Lord would have us share the blessings.Love your decor..gorgeous! New follower.
    Audrey

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  22. I see that you've quite the Spode collection. Would you happen to know if there is a good online forum (or chat room) for Spode collectors? I've just started purchasing the later Marlborough Sprays pattern for my wife, but am in a bit of a personal quandary as to whether I can successfully mix in Copeland stamped Luneville and the older Marlborough Sprays pieces, despite their relatively minor differences.

    BTW, while my wife has set her older daughter up with a nice collection of Christmas Tree, we use Johnson Brothers Merry Christmas in our home.

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  23. How pretty! I've always loved this pattern of Spode Christmas Tree. Thanks for your sweet visits in 2011 -- Wishing you all the best for 2012!

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  24. Wow, what beautiful tables! I love the classic design. Thanks for sharing!

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  25. I love all of your Christmas Spode, so excited there are others like me...lol. I have a huge collection and get so so excited to put it out every Christmas. So glad I found you


















































































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