Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Simple Pleasures

"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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Wasn't certain that I would find time to write my post this evening.  Late this afternoon our city was hit with a violent storm that featured hail the size of baseballs, tennis balls, softballs, and grapefruits.  For the second time in two years, there will be many thousands of homes in need of new roofs.  At least this time, our home didn't sustain broken windows, but our giant tree in the back yard does look like it's been napalmed.  We were blessed to have enough warning to pull all the potted plants and patio tables and chair underneath the porch before the storm hit.  We have our electricity thanks to underground cables.  That said, there are about 100,000 homes in the city without power.  All in all, we came through the storm with minimal damage.  So...

Once again, I'm preparing for a birthday luncheon this coming Friday.  Last week, I set a small table for four for lunch.  Take out, but of course.

It was windy outside today, so we shared lunch at the games table in the living room.

The flowers are left over from the ROUND THE CLOCK SHOWER/LUNCHEON that I hosted last weekend.  The Haviland "Ranson" tureen, elevated on an oriental stand, served well as our centerpiece.  Aside from wedding and inherited dishes, the Haviland, "Ranson" was the beginning of my china collection.

Blogland has proven to be such a delightful resource for all of us dishaholics.  Just a week or so ago, Alycia Nichols, of TABLESCAPES AT TABLE TWENTY-ONE showed us this lavender charger from Michael's. I hot-footed it to Michael's, and was fortunate to find a large inventory waiting for me.  Thank you, Alycia!  They are going to be wonderful with so many of my dishes.  Today I'm using them with the Royal Doulton, "Old Chelsea" dinner plate.  The pink linen hemstitched luncheon napkin belonged to Nana.  The Reed & Barton, "Francis I" flatware belonged to my mother-in-love, and it was still out after the shower/luncheon...made it an easy choice.  

The tablecloth was a great get at the end of an estate sale, and I always enjoy using it.  The covered butter dish is also Haviland, "Ranson".  The Hydrangeas are still happy in the Lenox urns.

 The color mix of the crystal reminded me of a childhood memory.  Shortly after I was allowed to dress myself, I came out of my bedroom thrilled with the outfit that I had put together.  I was wearing a yellow sweater and a pink corduroy circle skirt.  Mama immediately sent me back to choose a more appropriate ensemble.  The "Old Chelsea" plate features a wonderful pink design with an amber rim.  I couldn't resist....

I pulled out the Waterford, "Simply Pink" and the Vietri, "Optic" amber goblets.  Mama is either smiling or gently shaking her head.  

Ready to roll...lunch would be coming through the door any time.  For dessert, I had a batch of mama's Brandy Ice ready and waiting in the freezer.  I'd love for the day to come when you would be walking through the door to share food, fun, and fellowship.



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 MAY, I think of easy going days and time to share a meal with friends.  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 eleventh 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!  KC has just released her 5th studio CD project, "The Tag Hollow Sessions".  The sold out CD release concert was this past weekend.  "The Tag Hollow Sessions" 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.

17 comments:

  1. A pretty table as always. So sorry about your storm -- we've been lucky so far -- no storms -- in fact, not much rain either! Hail and wind storms can be vicious -- almost as vicious as tornados!

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  2. Thaks for showing us this table, Cherry Kay. Everything looks so beautiful, from the china to the hydrangeas..Christine

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  3. Holy mackerel, Cherry Kay...sounds like your area got hit really, really hard!!! The storm had apparently weakened considerably by the time it came through here last night. We got some thunder, a lot of lightning, about a half inch of rain, but no hail...thank goodness! I had just planted a bunch of new stuff out front!!! I am sorry for all the people who are without electricity in this heat and hope it is restored soon. Sorry about your tree, too. I hope it didn't sustain damage that will hurt it in the long run. As for your table...beautiful! I am so glad you were able to get those lavender chargers before they were all gone! They are quite the coup and look wonderful with your fabulous china! I liked the story about dressing yourself...these days we are able to mix colors with abandon. Nice, isn't it? :-) Those hydrangea are about as big and puffy and pretty as they get!!! Just beautiful! Hope the bad weather stays away and that you have a good week!

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  4. Oh Cherry, each week you share your magnificent tables. I love how soft this one is and the Royal Doulton, "Old Chelsea" dinner plates are amazing!!!

    I'm so sorry to hear of the storms hitting you, but so pleased to hear that you are safe.

    - The Tablescaper

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  5. What pretty soft colors and those Michael's chargers look great next to your more valuable pieces. We had our first tornado warning last week and it was scarier than I imagined (it was cancelled soon after). I'm glad you weren't hit worse. Take out will be special on that table!

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  6. Glad to hear you are safe. Storms brewing west of here tonight. I don't wish for hail and strong winds, but would welcome some rain.
    Your table is gorgeous with its beautiful china and silver. The chargers are great. I agree, bloggers certainly do share the info. I made a trip to World Market today to pick up one of the cute metal red, white, and blue picnic baskets that Mary @ Home is Where the Boat is shared this week.

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  7. Lovely table! Those plates are so special and love wonderful with the chargers! I love Francis I sterling. My oldest granddaughter chose it, when she was quite young and we have been adding pieces to her collection, since then. Any guest would love to dine here!

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  8. Lovely table, lovely china and soft colors and the flowers are still gorgeous. Glad you are safe after the storms.
    Did you get the glass chargers the other night? I hope you remembered to open the garage door before you backed out! I know you were on a mission! :)

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  9. I'm so glad you didn't get serious storm damage. I've never seen hail that size and hope I never do. We are FINALLY having a bit of rain right now, I hear bits of thunder but nothing scary. We need the rain so badly, our yard is burning up.

    The table is lovely, so elegant. Anything goes better with hydrangeas!

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  10. Oh we have had years where the hail just destroys my plants! No amount of fist shaking at the sky can stop it! I am happy to hear you are safe! Your table is just beautiful! Quite the romantic lunch it appears :-) I picked up some of the chargers too! Look how rich and expensive they look on your table! Thank you for sharing it with us ♥

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  11. I feel for everybody with the hail damage. Been there ourselves. So glad that you away unscathed. Your lavender chargers are absolutely perfect with those plates.. And I love the two different crystal pieces.. Your Haviland pieces are so pretty. I love visiting you.. Have a great weekend. xo marlis

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  12. As always, a beautiful elegant table. I'm stopping by Michaels looking for the chargers and by Gordman's for the aqua chargers you mentioned on your message you left at my blog. You have the most wonderful China to share on your blog, I am always in amazement when I study your details. Thanks so much.

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  13. Oh my goodness.......that table is simply stunning! And, I've never seen that china pattern before. I love, love, love it....you are a very lucky chickie..

    I heard about your storm on the news here....and saw photos of some of the HAIL BALLS... holy moly. Glad you were spared and hopefully your tree will make it through too.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Blessings,
    Spencer

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  14. What a pretty table. Love the soft colors. Your tablescapes are absolutely stunning! I think I’m going to stay for awhile and visit every thing on your blog! :)

    Polyester Chair Covers

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  15. Lovely as always, and I bet your mama is smiling, because looking back, like we all do, we see that pink and yellow are fine. :) The dinner plates are to die for. So glad you and yours fared well, but so sad about others who were hit hard. Enjoyed visiting. ~Zuni

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  16. What a crazy year this has been for storms! I'm glad you experienced nothing more than the discomfort of this one. As always, it appears that you are the perfect hostess with your elegant table.

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  17. I love your use of the lavender, it is unusual and effective!

    Francie

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