An Easter Confection

"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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I wasn't certain that I would complete this tablescape in time to share it with you for Easter.  Do you ever feel like you have so many choices that you have trouble making a decision?  I think that I kind of flirted with that dilemma while assembling this design.  It's kind of pitiful to even call it a problem....but I digress.  I bought a piece from "my list", and I knew that it should arrive sometime this week. but 'just in case', I thought that I should create a back up.

I came up with this...and it just wasn't working for me.  Do you ever visualize something, and then you just 'can't quite get there from here'?  Reminds me of an old joke that we have about a couple of small towns in Oklahoma.  Maud, Oklahoma and Bowlegs, Oklahoma.  They're both remote little spots, and the joke...."Did you know that you have to go through Bowlegs to get to Maud?"  (Maybe it's a "location situation"....you just had to be there.)...Digressing again.  Anyway...I finally figured out what was bothering me.  The Haviland, "Diana" luncheon plates, one of my favorites, just didn't hold their own against the Williams-Sonoma Home, white matelasse tablecloth.  They appeared too washed out.  The main problem, though, was one of proportion.  I really like the blue jardinieres, but they were just too darn large in comparison to the sweet pink and white bunny tureen, which belonged to my mother-in-love.

But everything improved this morning when the postman left the package that I'd been 

expecting on the front porch...

...and I unwrapped this...a Luneville, French Faience Majolica tureen.  I've been looking for it for a long time.  I love that it looks like pink icing on a gourmet cake.  Now we're in business!

I also remembered that I had several slightly smaller blue jardinieres on a high shelf in one of the linens closets...much better proportion.

The Azaleas and the blue containers were also a better fit with the four gold foil wrapped "faux chocolate" bunnies from Tuesday Morning.  I'll be able to use these for years.  The crystal rose bowls at either end are filled with flower petal carrots, just like the tiny bunnies.  For a finishing touch to my centerpiece, I added two pair of the Val St. Lambert crystal candlesticks.

The silver beaded charger plate and the Stouffer blue dinner plate stayed in the starting lineup.  I replaced the Haviland "Instrument" luncheon plate with another of my favorites, the Coalport, "Exotic Bird - Z3137" pink luncheon plate.  The hot pink rim provided much better contrast against the matelasse cloth.  The baby blue linen napkin with the white fair linen corner, an estate sale find, added a softness to the design.  The white porcelain napkin ring is Coalport, "Countryware".

I've once again used Reed & Barton, "Grande Renaissance" sterling flatware.  The Waterford, "Simply" goblets provided my "Easter Egg Colors" in the pink, blue, and apple green...

The clear Tiffin, "Elyse" goblet was a recent estate sale coup.  They sell online for $87.00 per stem.  I bought 13 stems for $55.00.  Yippeeeee!!!  I love that they mimic the shape of the Waterford stems.

Now I'm as happy as a Bunny hopping down the Easter trail...

It took several tries, but this is the vision that I saw in my mind...worth the journey.  I pray that you have a peace-filled Easter surrounded by family and friends as we celebrate the most important day of the year.  

Thank you sweet Jesus, lover of my ragged soul...Because of your unmerited gift to the world, I may know sorrow, but I don't have to know despair.  You paid the price for me.

I have two tablescapes posted this week.  I hope that you'll check out my post, "TAKE OUT", too.

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.

When I think of April, I think of the anticipation of Easter Sunday and entertaining friends  and family to celebrate the most important day of the year.  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 third edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  So excited to become a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

I'm participating in the BUNNY BLOG HOP!  Come on down the bunny trail and join us.

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!