Wednesday, April 18, 2012

EARTH'S SUMMER BOUNTY

"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. As you consider your own philanthropic opportunities, 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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Tonight is Cuisine Kathleen's Earth Day Challenge.  I published another post EASTER, SECOND VERSE, yesterday, but I decided that I could do better for Kathleen.  When I think of Summer, I'm always excited to put beautiful fresh vegetables on the table for my guests' pleasure.  I can hardly wait each year for the amazing home grown tomatoes...and squash...and corn on the cob...and on and on.  I love the smell of freshly turned earth in a vegetable garden, especially right after a rain.  Those were the thoughts running pell mell through my mind when I created my contribution, "Earth's Summer Bounty."

Come on in...this one's for you...even if you're wearing your overalls, straight from working in your vegetable garden.  We'll gather at the games table in the living room.

The inspiration for my Earth Day table was this large ceramic basket filled with an assortment of delightful ceramic vegetables.  I found it for $10.00 at an estate sale in Dallas.  I was there visiting my kids, and my daughter-in-love and I were able to slip away for a bit to indulge in one of our guilty pleasures...estate sales.  Flanking the basket is a pair of Vietri "Cabbage Leaf" candlesticks, an eBay find.

The green and white striped tablecloth reminded me of rows of green sprouts poking their heads up through the earth.  It was also an eBay find.  The napkins were bought several years ago at an after-Christmas clearance sale from Pier One.

Like a nest of fresh leaves, the Bordallo Pinheiro, "Cabbage Leaf" charger plates cradled the place settings.

Yet another eBay purchase, I collected the Luneville, "Louis XV" plates over a period of time for sometimes less than $5.00 per plate.  I checked them recently, and they appear to have increased in price.  I chose them because they picked up some of the colors in the basket and they reminded me of baked squash!  The Rattan handled flatware was a dirt cheap get from Big Lots several years ago.

More "garden goodness"...the Bordallo Pinheiro, "Leaf Plate" added interesting shape, texture, and colors to put the finishing touch on each place setting.  The multi-colored edge again picked up more of the colors in the vegetables in the basket.  

After a morning of tending to the garden, it's nice to sit down to a large glass of freshly brewed ice tea and a generous goblet of thirst quenching ice water.  I've used the Mikasa, "French Country" and the Lenox, "Red Holiday Gem".  I used the red stem because I love that a vegetable garden features a full spectrum of color.  I used the clear goblet because although I wanted to feature a variety of color, I didn't want to fall over the cliff into a chasm of color chaos.

Ready to rock and roll....

Go ahead...choose where you'd like to sit.  We deserve a relaxing time of good food and fellowship after a busy morning tending to our garden on this Good Earth.


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 THIURSDAY."   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.

When I think of April, I think of rainy days that give way to glorious sun-filled skies and the blessed Easter holiday.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!



Tonight is the fifth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LETS DISH".  So excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun! Tonight we're all participating in Kathleen's Challenge "The Good Earth."


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.

26 comments:

  1. What a great table! I love all the colors...it looks garden fresh! The cabbage leaf chargers are always a fave of mine to see on a table. The matching candlesticks are wonderful! I haven't seen those anywhere before! The basket with all the ceramic veggies is fabulous!

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  2. What a fun veggie centerpiece! Love the fresh green striped tablecloth! Of course those cabbage plates are my favorites..love using mine this time of year! Pretty post!
    Miss Bloomers

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  3. Beautifully coordinated, Cherry Kay! I think the mixture of colors & textures is especially interesting. Your Bordallo Pinheiro, "Cabbage Leaf" charger plates would go great with my same line cabbage salad plates & bowls. Too bad we don't live closer, so we could share, huh?

    At first I thought the centerpiece of veggies was REAL...what a beautiful find, along with those Vietri candlesticks. I swear, you have the best luck on Ebay!!!

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  4. What a pretty garden bounty tablescape. Perfect for Earth Day!

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  5. This couldn't be any more perfect for earth day, Cherry Kay. Love the centerpiece. What a great deal!...christine

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  6. I used to find great stuff in Dallas -- I don't get back there any more because everyone I know has moved away. Your ceramic basket is a real find.

    Your table is great as always. What I have been meaning to ask about, though, is that huge console table along the wall -- is that a custom piece? I really like it!

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  7. That centrepiece is just beautiful! I love the thought of you and your DIL sneaking out to an estate sale and finding that piece. The table is lovely - it just says 'bounty'.

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  8. I had no idea that Vietri offered cabbage candlesticks. I love everything about this bountiful table. Perfect for Earth Day!

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  9. This is just a beautiful table set for spring inspiration Cherry Kay. Your chargers are the best I've ever seen and the ceramic veggies are a perfect centerpiece. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Perfection, Cherry Kay! Gorgeous Earth Day table.

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  11. Gorgeous, Cherry Kay. Cabbage leaf dishes make my heart sing, and your stack is wonderful. Love the basket of ceramic veggies too.

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  12. Didn't know about the candelsticks.. will be keeping an eye out for them. Your table is fabulous.. $10.00 for a basket of veggies.. goodness, good deals just fall in your lap! Your table is a wonderful expression of the bounty the earth gives us when we tend her well! thanks for all the ebay tips.. I hadn't thought of having them open in different tabs..
    xo marlis

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  13. What a delightful table! I just love the centerpiece. The chargers are so perfect. Seeing your cabbage dishes make me think of my grandmother. I was so young when she passed that I can't believe I would actually remember that but I do believe I might. Thank you for that. Your tablecloth sets everything off perfectly. Lovely for Earth Day!

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  14. What a great centerpiece and a bargain. It's perfect for Earth Day. I love the cabbage chargers.

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  15. What fun that striped cloth is as a backdrop to your great setting. Lots of great earthy touches!

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  16. Cherry Kay, Your centerpiece is amazing. What a find for $ 10! I think you have captured the flavor of Earth Day very well. I did veggies too! Happy Earth Day. Linda

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  17. Like others here, I am very taken with your centerpiece.

    However, it's the tablecloth and napkins that I'm coveting. Make me think of a resort on the beach.

    Those Bordallo Pinheiro's are very nice too.

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  18. Great garden elements from Ebay and an estate sale. Like dining in the middle of the garden without the bugs and you don't have to get dirty! My favorite is those candlesticks.

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  19. Aww, thanks so much for making the extra effort to do this scape, I am honored. I can't believe that centerpiece, fabulous! Loved your narrative, and indeed, the elements of God's good Earth are well represented. Thanks so much for your support, CK!

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  20. Oh wow! I am your fan, so this table is also gorgeous! I love the pretty cabbage dishes, they fit perfectly for the earth theme. The centerpice is fabulous, the fruit look almost real! Your mixture of colors with the tabletopper couldn't look more perfect. Thank you for your kind visit Cherry Kay. Happy Earth Day to you! Enjoy the weekend.
    FABBY

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  21. Cherry Kay,

    What a beautifully detailed table. Love the way the bold stripes, so reminiscent of a beach cabana, create a strong foundation for the veggies, cabbage plates and candlesticks. You are a master at mixing textures and colors. Happy Earth Day! ~CJ

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  22. Great table with your veggie centerpiece, what a find. I always love cabbage plates. I think I need to look for some of my own. Thanks for sharing.

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  23. Your table is spectacular! I love the veggie centerpiece and your dishes, well let's just say I WANT THEM!!! I love every single bit of it. So inviting.

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  24. Lovely table...what a deal on the basket of produce! Love the color of your Louis XV plates.

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  25. Earth's Summer Bounty is right! this is all so nostalgic for me. Your green and white stripes remind me of Harzfeld's, a store that used to be in Kansas City, and your ceramic vegetables remind me of Mother's silver footed bowl filled with white Italian ceramic fruits and vegetables...always on her dining room table.

    Francie

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  26. Seeing the bamboo flatware reminded me of the inexpensive bamboo flatware you and I both bought on eBay a few years ago. Have you had a chance to use it? I had a summer picnic right after I bought them and paired them with some cute tiki plates. What a hit! Glad to run across this post; I'm going to dig out that silverware and plan another summer party!

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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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