Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Family Style

"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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Today the Garden Friends Bible Study gathered to study and then celebrate our January birthday girls with a luncheon.  I had a wonderful time with my tablescape; I decided that I wanted to create a design that highlighted a number of our precious Nana's treasures, used so beautifully by her from the 1920's until the 1970's.  First, allow me to introduce the cast of characters...











Bloggy friends occasionally ask me what I would pick as my favorite pattern.  I can never choose just one, but this one ranks in my top three.  The cobalt and gold encrusted plates are marked Epiag, I think.  There is a laurel wreath surrounding some letters that I cannot read, and they were made in Czechoslovakia.  I've been eager to share them with you.  Be warned, this is a photo intensive post.

 To prepare a table for 12, I needed a pretty honkin' big tablecloth.  I think that Nana might have chosen this wonderful old linen, with lace inserts and cutwork, as a foundation for her cobalt and gold plates.

The wonderful antique napkin came from my stash of Nana's linens.  It's always fun to dive into the drawers and pick one of her patterns...it's even pleasant to sit and iron them...such exquisite fabric.

The silver Baroque Charger plates were a gift from my sister.  I think that Nana would have liked them.  I also added my Val St. Lambert crystal candlesticks and the Pasabache Turkish crystal lidded compotes.  The compotes were an inexpensive purchase at Tuesday Morning.

I used my wedding sterling flatware, Reed & Barton, "Grande Renaissance" once again.  Nana gave us some of our silver when we were married.  I relish the opportunity to use it with some of her beautiful things.

To introduce a strong dose of hot pink to the table, I paired my Waterford, "Simply Pink" goblet (eBay), with Nana's antique French cut crystal wine goblet.  I'm confident that Nana would have liked all the beautiful options that we now have with cased crystal.  Yep, I think that she would like this a lot.

As soon as I decided to use the cobalt and gold portrait plates, I knew that I wanted to use Nana's beautiful old silver oval presentation bowl.  I don't know much about this piece.  It is marked, but I don't know how to read the impressed symbols.  I think that it is English and old...and I know that I love to use it...

...It was wonderful to use fresh flowers again.  I found myself using faux decorations all the way through Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Yesterday I hightailed it to my personal florist, Sam's Wholesale Club, and picked up the flowers for the centerpiece...

...and for the buffet.  The Barker-Ellis candelabra , the Reed & Barton champagne buckets, the Towle, "Lafayette" sterling tea service, and the Lalique, "Coq" pair all belonged to Nana.  They resided in her dining room for many years.  It was an amazing room; I wish that I could have shared it with you.


Lunch was presented on my mother-in-love's Castleton, "Laurel."  I hesitate to serve food on the cobalt plates.


Dessert was served on these glorious plates from Crescent & Sons, England for Ovington Brothers.  Do you think that you've seen these plates someplace else?  Well, you have.  I was fortunate to acquire these from our talented SUSAN @ MY PLACE TO YOURS.  They are going to work with so many of my patterns!

That covers most of the details.  I was pretty excited about the candlelight shots that I was able to capture last night...















I just had a call...one of my guests is not going to be able to join us today.  I'd love to have you take the extra seat...just how flexible and spur of the moment can you be?  Creamy Baked Spaghetti, Green Salad, Shrimp Étouffée, Hawaiian Sandwich Rolls, Chili Relleno Squares, Fresh Fruit Salad, Hot Bread, Red Velvet Cake, Lace Cookies, & Brandy Ice...we won't be able to walk away from the table...Someone get a crane!

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.


Thank you to the talented Tablescaper for hosting "SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Come on over and join the party!



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.

48 comments:

  1. This table is beyond elegant. Just so breathtaking. Lucky the one invited to this grand event.

    - The Tablescaper

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  2. Those dishes are beautiful. I especially love deep cobalt blue and your new dessert plates are lovely. I used my grandmother's dishes this week too. Your menu sounds amazing!

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  3. Your table is breathtaking beautiful! I would feel like a queen having dinner with you .it is so lovely you sharing your wonderful home . Your nana would love it! Thanks for sharing Joann

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  4. Your table is breathtaking beautiful! I would feel like a queen having dinner with you .it is so lovely you sharing your wonderful home . Your nana would love it! Thanks for sharing Joann

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  5. Oh my heavens, a feast for the eyes! What an enchanting tablescape, every plate is just exquisite! Everything on that fabulous table is truly beyond sensational!

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  6. Oh, I know the Garden Friends will gasp with delight when they see this amazing table! Thank you for sharing all the beautiful items from your Nana's collection and your own. Just gorgeous! The pink crystal caught my eye, but the vintage crystal with it is also marvelous!

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  7. Your Nana was a very classy lady and you are fortunate to have her fabulous heirlooms to cherish,use and remember her forever! Love that cobalt and gold dinner plate, it's a work of art. Your entire table setting is absolutely gorgeous and so very elegant! Enjoyed my visit here today! Hugs~Poppy

    http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

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  8. Cherry Kay, I too would be hesitant to serve food off the blue plates.. Those are true works of art. Your choices are once again exquisite. The silver pieces of which you are the present caregiver are so beautiful. I am sure you get much pleasure out of them. I too love ironing pretty things. Lovely, I'm so glad to have had the time to really soak this table in! xo marlis

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  9. Cherry Kay, I knew you had something special in mind for those Crescent & Sons dessert plates, yet you still "wowed" me. I'm always partial to Nana's gorgeous linens, but those plates... oh, my! The cobalt and gold with the courting couples cast of characters are absolutely stunning. Your centerpiece bowl and candles are absolutely gorgeous, but I kept imagining your table with the courting couples girondoles (from the same estate as your new plates) that I'll be listing in my shop this week. (Did you notice them in my collage?) By the way, thanks for the mention! I'm so happy the plates have found a new and worthy home!

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  10. Oh I would have loved to take that extra seat, Cherry Kay, so I can see your lovely things in person. You have the most beautiful things. Your nana have the most exquisite taste and both you and KC inherited it. I am drooling over the beautiful plates and the intricate silver bowl and the tablecloth. Thank you for sharing this eye candy with us...Christine

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  11. I will be there, but you will need a wheelbarrow to roll me out after that fabulous menu!

    Those cobalt Epiag plates are absolutely to die for! I love them. Each one is so beautiful and I am glad you showed all of them. What a magnificent table. We have been saying we need a bigger table as our family has grown so much these past few years with all of the new babies.

    I was wondering how you have your cutwork so smooth? What is your secret? I have had mine professionally cleaned and it is never that nice once it has been cleaned.

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  12. Simply Gorgeous! What a beautiful table to sit down to! Everything from the cloth, dishes, centerpiece are stunning!

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  13. I must confess that I just logged on and have almost no time to look at this week's postings. When I saw that you had a table posted, I went there directly. To the other posters, I promise that late tonight I will check each one of them. Cherry Kay, once again you have created a truly beautiful table. I continue to be impressed by the pieces that you have in your collection. I am sure that your Nana would be very proud of how you are treasuring her things, and more importantly, using them. Too many people keep lovely things in cabinets afraid to actually put them to use. Your guests are treated to more than a luncheon or dinner, they get an experience. Thank you for sharing this table, and I would dearly love to be close enough that one day I could be seated at one of your beautiful tables. MM

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  14. You continue to top yourself. This table celebrates Nana and all things fine and elegant. Love the dishes, linens, and silver, silver, silver. Wow! Save some Red Velvet Cake for me! Have a lovely week. ~CJ

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  15. Oh Cherry Kay, I believe this is your most elegant table so far, and my current favorite (until next week) :-)

    Wherever did you get that gorgeous tablecloth? I love the lace trim and inserts! Everything is just lovely -- the cobalt plates, the sterling flatware, the beautiful goblets, the silver presentation bowl, and your gorgeous fresh flowers. Your buffet looks spectacular, as well.

    Thanks for sharing and have a great day!

    Denise

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  16. Your table has left me speechless with its beauty and elegance.

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  17. Your table is gorgeous and elegant. Your guests will love it. Your florist is mine, too! :) I'm following you and hope you will follow me. Love your style, Helen

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  18. Your posts for the Granden Party ladies are always stunning!! I love it all. I'm drooling for all your beautiful silver and the buffet is grand. The cobalt blue dishes are pure elegance! Your Nana had such fabulous taste and we're so lucky to inherit from such ladies like I did from my MIL. I enjoyed looking at your gorgeous tablescape display and amazing elements. Hugs,
    FABBY

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  19. This table is exquisite!! Love each and every scene on each plate! You really have set a gorgeous table! Enjoyed this so much right down to your beautiful tulip centerpiece!
    Miss Bloomers

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  20. As much as I love all the creativity in everyone's tablescapes, you just can't beat a classic, traditional table. And, this is the most beautiful example I have seen in a long time.

    Elaine

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  21. When I first started this post I thought "Oh no, don't eat off those plates!". Then I found you didn't. Just a beautiful, elegant table but my favorite is the presentation bowl. I think you realize how fortunate you are to have your Nana's things!

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  22. Simply elegant, my dear, and the centerpiece is a knockout with the deep blue. Again, I think how lucky your various groups are to have you as a hostess. I'm guessing that when there's a choice, everyone opts to come to your house.

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  23. I'm too late coming to this post to accept that lovely invitation. What a beautiful table. Despite the richness of the dishes, the deep colour and the glow of the gold I found the entire setting to be very restful. If such utter elegance could be 'homey' then this was. I know it sounds strange, but that was my overwhelming feeling.

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  24. Oh my, Cherry Kay...can you imagine how delighted I am to be able to SEE & learn about all these wonderful items? You are so blessed to have inherited so many lovely things. Plus, you USE them, which makes it even nicer.

    I swooned over that gorgeous cutwork tablecloth & I would have loved to iron those heavily embroidered napkins. I don't mind THAT kind of ironing at all!

    The cobalt blue peeking out around your mother-in-love's Castleton, "Laurel" makes for a beautiful placesetting. I would have loved to be able to take that extra empty seat!!

    Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful photos & history of all this. I'm in Heaven!

    fondly,
    Rett

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  25. Some of the best tables are those created with a certain person in mind and at heart. Whenever you put together a table using your Nana's treasures, the love shines through! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! I would be a basket case, though, if I had to iron that linen! :-)

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  26. Oh my goodness, This is beyond my wildest dreams tablescape! Exquisite, breathtaking come to mind immediately. Your Nana would be very pleased at how you use and display her beautiful cherished silver and china. You so obviously have her taste and gift for entertaining. You must have been as special to her as she to you. I was so absorbed in your tablescape I've had to scroll up and down to make sure I didn't miss a thing. I so enjoyed my visit with you……..

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  27. What an opulent table, so full of wonderful treasures! Your dishes are gorgeous as are your linens!

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  28. I am oohing and aahing over your Nana's gorgeous silver center bowl, wow that is just beautiful. I would pop right over if I could, this table is so stunning! So many beautiful and elegant components, the napkins, tablecloth, china, and crystal, it's all just beautiful!

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  29. Big wow on the cobalt plates! They are exquisite! I would hesitate to use them to! Your grandmother's silver bowl is gorgeous! What a treasure! Love the color of the waterford stemware! Those tulips were opening just nice- they are a beautiful color! I would be thrilled to take the place of the other person, but alas it's too late!! I'm sure your guests feel very special sitting at your table!

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  30. IN a word, "Exquisite"! Loved everything about it!

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  31. What a gorgeous table!!! So very elegant. I love your dishes and your candleholders are beautiful. The whole table is just stunning!

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  32. A special Nana is a wonderful person to grow up with and a great influence on you. I had the great advantage of two Grandmothers and Great Aunt. So glad you shared the cobalt and gold plates with us. The elegant plates and linens are just perfect together. The plates used for dessert add to the ambiance. I use paper doiles between my special china and the smaller plates to keep them from scatching. I completely understand not dining on Nana's plates. I really enjoyed all the photos. Thanks for a beautiful post. Happy Tablescaping. Pam

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  33. I agree, your table is breathtaking, simply elegant. The candlelight is exquisite. Everything is so beautiful. I'm glad I discovered you!

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  34. This table is breathtakingly beautiful. Every detail is pure eye candy. You and Nana have exquisite taste.
    Love the linens and everything else. I was wondering about the cobalt plates. I am so glad you don't serve food on them. LOL
    Thanks for sharing the beauty.
    Blessings, Ginger

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  35. I am a new follower,Please come by and follow me too. ginger

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  36. Well the guest who cancelled really missed out! Thanks for the empty seat!

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  37. found you thru the Tablescaper today! I am just sitting here missing my grandmother so much. This table reminds me of her so much...and my mom, too:) They always set the prettiest tables with silver, crystal, and china. It's only occasional for me, but still I love it.

    Is the recipe for the creamy baked spaghetti on your blog? Sounds delicious!

    Your home is beautiful!!
    Amanda

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  38. Your Nana certainly had gorgeous things. And you are so fortunate to be the one to care for them till passed on to the next generation. I know the birthday girls felt special sitting at this gorgeous table. Thank you for sharing these wonderful shots. ~ Sarah

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  39. I was debating where to start on my comment, Cherry Kay, then you extend your kind invitation--yes! yes! yes! I'll gladly take that available seat! :) Every element is absolutely gorgeous--the tablecloth (swoon), the crystal (swoon again), the centerpieces, the buffet pieces, on and on and on...but above all, I can only imagine how pleased Nana is to see how you not only enjoy her pieces, but love and cherish them. How fortunate SHE is that her son found a wife who would value and love him and her pieces! All lovely! What joy to share in this setting! ~Zuni

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  40. Oh, my goodness! Yours is just the most elegant table I've ever seen! I love those cobalt blue plates and love it there are different couples on each plate! You linens are stunning and the centerpiece - outstanding. I'm sure your guests were so impressed at all of the beauty you set before them!
    Thanks so much for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  41. This is my first visit and I must say, I would like to become a regular follower. Everything about this setting is truly beautiful. I think you inherited your Nana's love for beautiful things, as well as, so many of her pieces. She was very lucky to have you. Is there a way to receive your posts via email like I do with other blogs I follow?
    Marsha

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  42. Marsha, thank you so much for following me. If you scroll all the way to the bottom of my post, you'll see "Atom, Subscribe to Post. I think that you can sign up there to receive my blog posts by email. Thanks so much! I hope that you come across this note. You have a 'no reply' address that prevents me from contacting you directly. Cherry Kay

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  43. I have a huge crush on your pink goblets....I mean huge!! Your table was fabulous. I cannot wait for the next table!

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  44. Hi CK...

    Hope you're having a great TTT/TS days.

    EXCELLENT choice... I love every piece on your table, as to speak.

    Great job.

    Happy mid-week.

    Greetings from freezin Stockholm,
    /chie

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  45. Stunning, so elegant! The plates, the linens, the flowers, just wonderful! Maybe the Queen can make it, as it is fit for royalty!

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  46. The centrepiece, the stemware, the flatware - - so much loveliness! xo

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  47. I have similar octagonal plates that belonged to my grandmother...but hers were made by Haviland. I only have 10 and am still searching for a couple more so I have enough to divide between my three daughters. Ebay is my constant friend. Haha!

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