"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 always look forward to Sunday supper for several reasons. First, we usually have breakfast for dinner, fried eggs, crisp bacon, toast, and a large glass of ice cold milk...one of my favorite meals. Second, Sweet Mister always cooks on Sunday evenings. He makes me feel like a princess! This past Sunday night, I prepared the table for several friends who were joining us.
I am comfortable with my breakfast room. I enjoy seeing my collection of tureens and the variety of tiered hostess trays. The space is chocked full of things that I like, and our meals taken here are always relaxing and enjoyable. I occasionally consider editing the room, but I'm more likely to add 'just one more thing.' Dusk was still waiting to fall, and the Western sky was bright and sunny outside the breakfast room window.
I found the vintage tablecloth at an estate sale this last Spring; this is the first time that I've used it. I love the red ribbon looping through the fruit motif.
The table was set about thirty minutes before Sweet Mister started the bacon. I didn't have time to create a floral centerpiece, so I put my yellow and blue scalloped bowl into service and filled it with shiny red apples. I bought the bowl through eBay. When it arrived, one of the lobes was broken. The seller refunded my money and told me that she didn't want to pay postage for me to return it. Sooooo....I took the bowl to an amazing man who does spectacular restoration work on all kinds of things. Once he completed his work, I can't even tell where it was broken!
And it's in my favorite...blue, yellow and white! Woohoo! Tip: eBay can be so much fun, if you use a few helpful strategies. Early on, I was told that in general, a buyer never wants to do business with a seller who has a feedback rating lower than normal body temperature, 98.6º. I rarely buy from anyone who has less than a 99% feedback rating. If I'm tempted to buy an item offered by someone with a low feedback percentage, I take the time to scroll through the comments left by former buyers. If I can pick up on a pattern of certain problems, I'm probably going to look for the item elsewhere. That's a second thing that I've learned shopping on eBay...Take your time! Most items will show up numerous times. Don't panic and buy something that is really overpriced.
We've had these Fenton goblets for many years....around thirty-plus years, I think.
Fenton, "Empress" was made in a number of colors. This one is a true cobalt blue. We also have a set in red. "Empress" appears on eBay every once in a while, but not often. It also comes in a lovely Williamsburg Blue. This design works quite nicely with many English transferware patterns.
I use the blue and white gingham checked napkins almost every day. They launder beautifully, and I rarely need to iron them. They began as 'lake house napkins', and we have a large stack of them. We bought them at the same time that we acquired the goblets...more than thirty years ago. Our easy-goin' meal called for our everyday Towle, "Antique Bead" stainless steel flatware, ordered from Barron's Catalog, years ago. Tip: Have you ever shopped in Barron's Catalog? They have some of the best deals on sterling flatware that I've ever found. The larger the quantity that you purchase, the better the price! Check it out HERE!
I've become quite fond of the Wedgwood, "Countryware" , and I've used it often this summer. It works with so many different tablescape designs. Today, I placed it on the Pottery Barn, "Outdoor Collection" enamelware plate. This was actually marketed as a dinner plate, but it's 12 inches in diameter, so I always put it to work as a charger. Tip: Charger plates are not just for looks! I rarely find any spillage on my tablecloths or placemats when I utilize chargers. Many times I'm able to just put the cloth on a hanger and pop it back into the linen closet. Makes me a happy camper!
Surrounded by family treasures (the Copeland Spode, "Pink Tower" belonged to my mother-in-love, and the sterling tea service belonged to my maternal grandmother) and warmed by sunlight filtering through the trees in the backyard, the breakfast room is always a welcoming, comfortable spot to share food and fellowship.
About now, Sweet Mister was finishing cooking the bacon on the griddle. It smelled so danged good. I'm in charge of pushing the buttons on the toaster...I think that I can handle that. If you're ever passing my way on a Sunday evening, just give me a call. We're always glad to add another place at our table for a friend. How do you like your eggs?
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 suppers 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 for her meme Seasonal Sundays. Don't miss out on this marvelous blog party. See you there!
When I think of summer, I think easy going suppers 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 for her meme Seasonal Sundays. Don't miss out on this marvelous blog party. See you there!
