Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Rose Famille Valentine

"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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My friend Marsha has been hosting the Garden Friends Bible Study in her home this year.  This week, there was a death in her family, and I was blessed to have the group in our home.  Last night I decided to make a large pot of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and invite those who could stay after our study to join me for lunch.  It was a good opportunity to play with the colors of Valentines Day, yet again. 

 I had heard on the news that Iran declared that Valentines cards and other heart shaped items are now illegal.  I had never really given any thought to whether or not other countries celebrated Valentines.  I'd pretty much always thought of it as a Hallmark holiday, fairly exclusive to the USA...I know, I know...hardly a global mindset.  The whole topic sent my mind on a stroll.  Do other countries celebrate Valentines Day?  What would a Valentines table look like in Sweden...in Portugal...in China?  That thought sent me to the china closets (pun intended) to pull out some of our Rose Famille, and I was off to the proverbial races.

Today was likely to be a dine and dash moment for some of my guests.  They didn't even know that I had prepared lunch until they arrived for Bible study.  For that reason, I decided to stick with placemats, and keep it fairly low-key.

The scalloped Capiz placemats were picked up inexpensively at an estate sale.  In case you're interested, just this week, I saw them advertised on Horchow's website in several shapes and colors.  The Royal Worcester, "Regency" dinner plate served as the liner for the soup bowl.  Although not pictured, I later added a bread plate to the setting.  The gold-toned bamboo flatware was another estate sale purchase...$65.00 for a service for 16.

 Today the lead role went to the Rose Famille Rimmed Soup Bowl, another estate sale score.  I only have six of them, so they are only used when I'm entertaining small groups.  They make me smile...sigh.

I chose the "Lipstick Red" linen/cotton blend napkins to coordinate with the crystal elements and the Alstromeria's...left over from last week's table.  

The pair of Republic Period, Rose Famille rose bowls were picked up for a pittance at the tail end of an estate sale last year. The pair of Cranberry Glass hurricane sleeves were found in a local antique store.

I recently happened upon the coordinating Rose Famille Tureen on eBay.  It was the floral pattern on these pieces that sent me to the crystal cabinet to retrieve the Waterford, "Simply Pink" goblet and the Bohemian Maroon Crystal wine stem.

The tablescape came together very quickly.  I had time to catch some candlelight shots once evening came...











 I think that I'm going to want to reprise this design for a dinner at some point.  I love the way the candlelight gleams off the Rose Famille.

I can smell the aroma of the Chicken Noodle Soup wafting from the kitchen.  Hmm...chicken...noodles...almost sounds like Chinese food...almost.  If you are one of our bloggy friends across the world, do you celebrate Valentines Day in your little spot on the globe?  Is it a holiday observed throughout your country, or it is just you?  Whatever the circumstance, Happy Valentines, my bloggy friends!


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 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  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.

39 comments:

  1. What a spectacular table.I love the play of color, but the Rose Famille Rimmed Soup Bowls really steal the show. They are spectacular. You get such great Estate sale finds. I haven't been to one in an age, but you're giving me the itch.

    It will be wonderful to have you with us this Sunday at Seasonal Sundays. Thank you for your continues support.

    - The Tablescaper

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  2. A very pretty table. I love that pattern of your bowls and have a centerpiece bowl in the same pattern. I love your centerpieces -- those bowls are all terrific!

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  3. Beautiful table! I love the soup bowls. A lovely tablescape to linger over after the meal.

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  4. Stunning as always my friend. I love those three oriental soup tureens, as you know, I adore oriental things. Funny, I also did my Valentine's table with oriental touches. I love your red sleeve hurricanes and your coffee station, just lovely. We celebrate Valentine's here in Ecuador, always, and there's some pretty stuff and great flowers, chocolates and beautiful jewelry for Lover's Day. Thank you for sharing.
    FABBY

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  5. Lovely table...the soup bowls are beautiful. Hope you can find more to get your full set.

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  6. So pretty! I love the colors in the candlelight too. Great shots! Your bowls are really beautiful. I bet your friends felt so welcomed by the warm and thoughtful lunch and the beautiful setting. So sweet!

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  7. I LOVE your color combination! By the way, those bowls make me smile, too. :-)

    In Brazil, the Day of Love is celebrated in early June. That's why it's easy for Hope Unlimited to do a Valentine Project. People can make/purchase extra Valentines when they're preparing their own to send -- or make them later like many of us plan to do this year! I hope you and your readers will consider joining the Bloggers for Hope and participate. Receiving Valentines for their celebration means so much to our girls! Just click the button at the bottom of tonight's post if you'd like to know more.

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  8. Beautiful table. You have great taste and make good decisions at estate sales. I like this tablescape and learned several things. One, your table is big (like mine) and by placing five things in the center it balances and the proportion is good. I have struggled with this. It feels ok, with less but doesn't photograph as well. Does this make sense?

    I have several old Rose Medallion plates that I hang around a mirror and some small pieces I group in a hanging shelf. It is amazing how many oriental pieces I have. Something in every room.

    Your crystal, china, flatware,flowers and linens are beautifully coordinated. Enjoyed this. Thanks.

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  9. My dear, sweet, talented Cherry Kay...this is a knockout! I love the Rose Famille! I am not familiar with a lot of various china patterns. I just kinda know what I like when I see it, and I KNOW that I like what I see here!!! The fact that you got them at a great price makes them even better!!! I tell you...you really are the Estate Sale Queen! :-) The tureens are spectacular! Those are the kind of pieces I just treasure! Alstroemeria...isn't it wonderful how long it will last under the right conditions? One of my favorite "go to" flowers! So pretty, Cherry Kay! Enjoy your weekend!!!!!!!

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  10. Your table is so elegantly set for your friends..I am sure they were thrilled to discover that you had provided a beautiful lunch in such an elegant setting...Gorgeous!

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  11. Gorgeous setting! Your friends will certainly be delighted to stay and enjoy lunch with you. Wishing you a wonderful day..xo HHL

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  12. Oh my gosh. I love it when someone thinks outside the box. Or in your case, outside the country.

    Those tureens are to die for! Like your coffee station too.

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  13. I just love your Rose Famille bowls, tureen and jars -- just so fabulous! You obviously have great estate sales where you live. Crystal looks great with it too. I'm sure your study group loves to come to your house. Beautiful table, as always.

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  14. Cherry Kay, you have the best eyes in blogland for outstanding bargains! Your rimmed soup bowls make my heart pitter patter. Love the hurricanes!!! After seeing the table in candlelight,, yes by all means a dinner with this setting is warranted!! it's gorgeous!

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  15. What a joyful table full of beautiful color. Once again your friends experience such a special treat.
    FYI, I read that Uzbekistan cancelled Valentine's. That would never work in this country!

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  16. What a beautiful setting. I can never get enough of looking at beautiful dishes and your are spectacular! XO Cindy

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  17. Rose Famille has to be one of the most beautiful things a human has ever created. Your table is beautifully put together, and I know that your friends love to come to your house so they can experience your fabulous hospitality.

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  18. Wow, those soup bowls truly are the "belle of the ball", aren't they. Gorgeous! Your table is beautiful!

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  19. CK...

    You always make my heart stop §;-)
    Every single inch and piece of your finds... you choose them so dearly.

    Loving the bowls too...so Asian and so do I.

    Happy TS...

    Greetings from freezing Stockholm,
    /chie

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  20. What a beautiful table and it is fabulous by candle light.Your bowls are out of this world.

    I was wondering the same thing about other countries and just read a post from Enlightenment For The Sleepy about the traditions in Great Britain. How interesting that it is now illegal in Iran! I wonder what the reasoning is.

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  21. Another wonderful tablescape, Cherry Kay. It looks very exotic. I love the soup bowls and EVERYTHING else!...Christine

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  22. I can only imagine how fortunate the ladies in your various groups and clubs must feel when they sit down at your table. Just lovely, as always. MM

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  23. Such a happy table to share with friends. You certainly have found some beautiful treasures at your estate sales. I've actually only been to one and didn't buy a thing. I know your guests must have been delighted to enjoy your soup at this lovely table.

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  24. An overseas response!

    Valentine's Day is celebrated in Melbourne, Australia. People send flowers (mostly red roses) to loved ones. Lots of couples dine out.

    This Oriental table made my heart skip. We love Chinoiserie here!

    By the way, Chicken Noodle soup is Chinese!

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  25. Hooray for June, who sent us a response from Australia with an answer to my question: Do you celebrate Valentine's Day in your spot on the globe? Thank you for the information! Of course, you're absolutely right...chicken noodle soup would be Chinese food...I was organized in spite of myself. Thanks for the visit. Drop by any time. Cherry Kay

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  26. Gorgeous!What lucky friends to have dined on this table. You have some lovely pieces.

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  27. This is beyond gorgeous! I love Rose Famille and the pairing with the burgundy is amazing! Perfection!

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  28. What a beautiful collection of china. Very beautifully done!

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  29. I am always amazed when someone says it came together quickly or easily, because it never looks that way! This is a beautiful table. Those bowls really steal the scene, though, but I guess they should! The stemware works wonderfully, and I really like the look of the lighter color placemats. Another great table, Cherry Kay!

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  30. Beautiful! The Rose Famille bowls are stunning.
    Not too many estate sales around here. I would love to go, but it would be dangerous!
    You find great things!

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  31. Lucky friends to find a table so beautifully and unexpectedly set for lunch!
    In Canad Valentine's Day is celebrated, and I remember that when we lived in Germany it was acknowledged but not as much as at home.

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  32. Beautiful table!! This pattern reminds me of so many of the gorgeous asian tables I was blessed to be invited to when we lived overseas. Such elegant and unique pieces..the colors are gorgeous too!
    Once again lovely tablescape!
    Miss Bloomers

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  33. Exquisite! The soup tureen and the beautiful soup bowls could not be any lovelier. I bet the soup was delish!

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  34. Hi Cherry Kay,

    I'm with Alycia on this one -- you are the estate sale queen! This is the first time I've ever seen Rose Famille, and it is lovely. It looks wonderful on the Capiz place mats with the "Lipstick Red" napkins. And those goblets are truly gorgeous treasures.

    Once again you've set a beautiful table and serving buffet. The candlelight shots are fantastic. You're doing quite well with that new camera. :)

    Happy Seasonal Sunday, Cherry Kay!

    Denise

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  35. Your table is beautiful. I love Rose Famille. The cranberry really sets it off. It would have been so much fun to share a beautiful meal here. Great job. Thanks for stopping by, Richard from My Old Historic House.

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  36. What a beautiful table! I should think they all feel like princesses when you serve them on such beautiful china!
    I always thought of Valentine's Day as a U.S. thing too!
    Your estate sales have landed you some beautiful pieces!

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  37. My goodness, I don't have words for this one! Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous, rich and warm. SO lovely to see your table then all those rich colors on top. Just beautiful!

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  38. I almost missed seeing this lovely, colorful table! How pretty everything looks with the Rose Famille! Gorgeous color choices in the stemware & napkins...they really set it off beautifully.

    Your guests must feel so blessed to be able to sit at one of your tables, Cherry Kay. I know I would!

    Thank you for sharing all your pretty things.
    fondly,
    Rett

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  39. Oh, this is a lovely table. Lucky gals who were treated to dine her! I never thought much about the celebrating of Valentine's Day in other countries. That's an interesting thought. I do know that France celebrates Valentine's Day.
    Gorgeous dishes! ~ Sarah

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