Thursday, April 5, 2012

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!


  














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.

23 comments:

  1. This is absolutely beautiful. I love your new tureen. The Coalport plates are stunning. The colors are so vibrant and perfect for Easter. Thank you for your sweet comment. Happy Easter! He is risen, indeed!

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  2. An absolutely beautiful post - both visually and spiritually. I am inspired!!

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  3. A very pretty Easter table and what a lovely tureen! The changes did make for a prettier table. I did that yesterday with a luncheon table -- had an idea -- didn't work and had to rethink but I simply adored what "plan B" turned out to be! Sometimes you have to just play! But it will "all come together" eventually!

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  4. Oooooooh, I LOVE, ♥♥♥ your new Luneville French Faience Majolica tureen, Cherry Kay! You are so right...the icing on the cake! How pretty & what a commanding presence!

    The flower petal carrots & little bunnies are so fluffy cute & they look right at home with the Val St. Lambert candlesticks & those GORGEOUS Coalport "Exotic Bird - pink luncheon plates. My heart skipped a beat when I saw those!

    I think the napkins echoed the pretty soft color in the Stouffer blue dinner plates nicely.

    Your stems & flatware are simply divine. I know we're not supposed to envy others but.....I can't help being jealous of all these incredibly beautiful pieces you own.
    You are extremely knowledgeable & I continue to learn at your feet.

    I just received my order of hemstitched napkins & they are wonderful...thank you so much for telling me/us about them.

    Have a wonderfully Blessed Easter, surrounded by your family.

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  5. Gorgeous combination of dishes. Beautiful table- full of eye candy!

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  6. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

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  7. This is absolutely exquisite.You have some amazing items. Each is more beautiful than the next, but I do know what you mean. I think we become a bit of perfectionists. We want things to look just so, and when they don't, we're not satisfied.

    That is an amazing tureen. Looks like an unbelievable table by an wonderful hostess.

    - The Tablescaper

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  8. As always, your table is stunning!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Happy Easter
    Shel

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  9. Isn't it lovely when things come together in the way you'd envisioned? The table is beautiful and would be the setting for a grand Easter Celebration!

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  10. Your tablescape is so gorgeous! I do have days when I can't decide what to use and where. I see you didn't have this problem with this tablescape. It looks like you knew exactly what you wanted and set it that way. I love all the gorgeous china, stems and when I strolled down to the Luneville French Faience tureen I had to lift my jaw up. I love it. It is gorgeous. I have two plates in the pattern and color so I know how lovely it must be. Lucky guest! They won't taste a bite you prepare.
    Happy Easter.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  11. What a gorgeous table, I liked both versions. The soup tureen is so special. Happy and blessed Easter to you xo

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  12. That tureen is wonderful and I also love the exotic bird plates. So festive. Hope you have a joy filled Easter

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  13. Beautiful. Nothing more I can say.

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  14. Your tureen is a queen among the beautiful table place settings! The dishes are stunning...Cherry Kay, you sure are my kind of gal, you're a master tablescaper! Everything is so elegant from the beautiful glasses to the tabletopper. Loved plan II. Have a wonderful and BLESSED EASTER SUNDAY lovely lady.
    FABBY

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  15. What a beautifully elegant table! Thank you for sharing.

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  16. Beautiful job, wish that postman would have brought such a fabulous piece to my house. It really pops on your gorgeous table. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Hi Cherry,
    Hope you are enjoying your Easter Sunday! I'm just now sitting down after cooking a full Easter meal and taking some time to rest and visit blogs! Your table is just gorgeous!! That soup tureen really does make a statement..how beautiful it looks with the bird luncheon plates. I know what you mean about trying something and then not having it look as envisioned.
    I think the changes made an already beautiful table even prettier! I hope you do find some pentas and plant them. I haven't seen any for sale yet as they love the heat...they are well worth planting..hummingbirds love them too!
    Thanks for your sweet comments!
    Miss Bloomers

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  18. Oh my! Simply gorgeous, Cherry! I am swooning over the Lunéville tureen...amazing! When I lived in France I was not far from Lunéville so it has a special place in my heart! Hope you had a fabulous Easter!...hugs...Debbie

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  19. Cherry Kay.. this is fabulous.. Well worth the journey. Your new tureen is magnificent. I agree with the changing of the plates, the new choice just brings everything together in perfect harmony. Hope your Easter was a special blessing to you. xo marlis

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  20. What a gorgeous table with so many special pieces! So elegant! Thanks for the recent visit!
    -Shelley

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  21. Your dilemma turned into quite a delight! This is certainly more and more gorgeous as you go along!

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  22. Love your white matelasse cloth too!

    Francie

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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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