Ridgways "Lynton" Alfresco

"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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Here on the prairie, we experience extreme weather variations ( with the exception of this winter) during each of the four seasons.  Our Spring this year is glorious, and we know that with the strong possibility of a blazing hot summer, we want to grab every opportunity to enjoy our time outside now!  Everything is greening up nicely, and although the Plumbago is still small and the Day Lilies have yet to open, my potted Geraniums and the Knockout Roses are putting on a lovely show of reds and pinks.  I am not a gifted gardener, but I do love a wonderful display of color in my flower beds.  With that in mind, yesterday I set a table on the back porch for luncheon with friends.  The day was perfect!

Come on outside and see what's waiting for your enjoyment...

We'll settle in the shade of the big ole tree, and we'll soak up that magnificent clear blue sky.  We might still be sitting here come supper time.

Happily returning, yet again, to my cherished blues, I layered the patio table with the Williams Sonoma, "Light Blue Linen Hemstitched" Tablecloth, an eBay purchase.  These are such lovely tablecloths.  They are machine washable, and I usually lay them out to dry across one of the patio tables.  They iron up nicely and easily.  eBay Tip:  These tablecloths can be listed for a pretty penny on eBay.  Once again, take your time!  Keep watching by saving items of interest to your My eBay page.  You'll start to see a range of prices appear, and you'll quickly learn to recognize when someone lists one for a "good price for the particular item."  Pay attention to the ending time for the auction and plan to bid during the last 30 seconds or so...depending on the speed of your computer and server.  I prefer to bid with 20 seconds left in the auction, and I bid the highest price that I would be willing to pay.  I rarely actually pay that price; it's usually just a dollar or so above the current high bid.  By bidding my high bid and bidding late, the other bidder rarely has time to come back and bid against me.

My centerpiece was a no brainer...I used the blue and white pot filled with Geraniums that sits on this table throughout the summer....

...flanked by a pair of Hobby Lobby small blue and white footed bowls holding battery operated pillar candles...

...and a pair of Coalport Decanters, another inexpensive eBay find.  Today the decanters were filled with water and wine which prevented frequent trips to the kitchen for refills.

The featured player for today's table is the Ridgways, "Lynton, Blue".  You can also find it in a wonderful brown.  For years, I've been searching for Ridgways, "Portland Basket", to no avail.  When I came across the Lynton pattern on eBay, I decided that I could achieve much the same design effect.  The Portland Basket remains on "the list."  If I ever happen to find it, I'll give this pattern to my children...maybe.  

I used the Wedgwood, "Queens Plain" 'Large' Dinner plate as a charger.  I bought these from Replacements for a better price than I could find on eBay.  The small Cream Reticulated Plate was one of twelve that I picked up at the tail end of an estate sale for $10.00.  They are not marked, and I don't think that they are particularly valuable...except to me.  I really like them.  The flatware is the L'Argent, "Sophia" in the 'gold'...

  ...I chose the "Sophia" gold because they nicely punctuated the yellow roses in the plate's floral garland.

The blue and white gingham napkin is the napkin most used by Sweet Mister and me.  We've had them since 1985...I'd say that they've proven their value.

The sun was so crisp and bright that I knew that clear crystal goblets would be dancing in the light...

The larger Godinger, "Sutton Place" goblet was another eBay acquisition, purchased a few at a time for $5.00 each or less.  The last time that I checked, the price was higher.  The wine goblet is Tiffin, "Elyse", found at the end of an estate sale for a scandalously low price.  Tip:  Have you ever tried to find someone to identify a crystal goblet design for you.  Most replacement places will help you.  I thought that it was interesting to learn that when you send them a photo, they are most interested in the stem of the goblet...more than the bowl.  Evidently, it is the stem that is usually peculiar to a specific manufacturer...pretty cool little tidbit.

I'm good to go, and if you check the top right portion of the pic, you'll see that Dickens, my Yorkshire Terrorist, has almost finished his perimeter patrol of the back yard.  This has been a really easy process for me because once again, my generous friends are bringing...

  ...take out!...

...I think that I'll step over to one of my chairs, put my feet up on the ottoman, and catch a wink or two until my dear friends stroll through the door.

Wish that you could join me for fellowship, food, and fun.  Let me know if you're going to be passing through my neck of the woods.  I'll set a table just for you!

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  glorious sun-filled skies and meals shared al fresco.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAY.  Hope to see you there!

Tonight is the sixth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  So excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

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!