Tuesday, October 9, 2012

A Woman Without Her Sisters is Like a Bird Without Wings

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. 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 was once again blessed to welcome a group of 65 of my sorority sisters for an al fresco luncheon this past Friday.  They came from all over our great nation, from Mexico and from France.  Many of us hadn't seen each other for more than 45 years.  It was a special, precious time, and I am still on cloud nine.  Our luncheon started at 11:30 AM, and the last guests left between 4:30 and 5:00 PM.

Fall has finally come to our house...

Come on in...

Find your name tag...It's been a long time, and some of us might not recognize each other...

May we offer you a Mimosa?...

Everyone is bringing a salad or dessert to share.  Put your salad on the dining table.  The desserts go on the buffet.

I kept the centerpieces pretty simple....there is a boatload of great food.  Blue and white toile tablecloths set the mood for the day.  The tureen is antique Luneville, French faience.  Tip:  There are currently a couple of really good looking Luneville tureens up for auction on eBay.   Best of luck if you decide to bid!  The jardinieres are from Hobby Lobby.

Some of my sweet sisters arrived very early to help with final preparations.  Because we served al fresco, the tables were all set up the "morning of."  Come on out and join us on the back porch.

 Originally, I thought that I would use fall mums in the blue jardinieres, also from Hobby Lobby, but all the pots that I found were either too large or too small.  I ultimately settled on Kalanchoe in a variety of colors.  I was happy with my choice.

The back porch is an easy fit for four 60 inch tables.

Each placesetting featured a dark rattan charger, a blue dinner plate, a simple white cotton napkin, and party favors...a plaque and a cookie with our sorority name or letters on it.

Several tables featured Spode Warwick Vase, part of the Spode Blue Room Collection.


The party favors were a huge hit.  My co-conspirator, BJ, found these wonderful stitcheries.

I love the blue in this Castleton Blue Empire plate.

Each place setting held only a fork, Reed & Barton Grande Renaissance.  The Godinger Crystal, Sutton Place Goblet was placed upside down to avoid leaves falling from the trees...it is Autumn, after all. 
The blue in the Furnivals Blue Quail was just right for the toile cloths.  The Quail is one of our everyday patterns.




My Yorkshire Terrorist, Little Charlie Dickens was doing his last minute patrol of the yard before everyone arrived.


I grabbed one last look at the tables...It's time for my sisters to be walking up to the front door.  I wanted to be on the front porch to greet each one of them with a great big hug!


Wednesday evening is the 30th edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".   Excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

Lots of great ideas to be gathered when you visit Yvonne at Stone Gable for TUTORIALS, TIPS, & TIDBITS.  Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!
                                                                
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 October, I think about glorious days, prefect for dining al fresco.  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!

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 "The Tag Hollow Sessions""  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.

29 comments:

  1. Cherry Kay, this is absolutely wonderful! You throw the most beautiful soirees!! I am sure your sorority sisters loved every minute of it...what a fun occasion!

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  2. I love those amber glasses.....I have to have some! I bet everyone felt loved....great job.
    You are the Pearl Mesta of Oklahoma!!

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  3. Lucky sorority sisters to be hosted chez Cherry Kay! This looks like the perfect setting, and I love the favours too. It's all just beautiful!

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  4. Cherry Kay, your tables offer an elegant touch to your alfresco setting. How nice to have a large terrace for just such events. Love the various blue dishes. I have a variety of plates in the Blue Room series and a few pieces of Furnivals Quail in the brown. A blogger introduced me to this beautiful pattern. Fun to see it in the blue color way.
    I'll just pick up one of those cookies on my way out.....Thanks for sharing your special party ~ Sarah

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  5. This is what I'M talkin' about!!! Beautiful, Cherry Kay!!! This is just beautiful!!! The kalanchoes are made extra special with the neat planters (gotta love that Hobby Lobby!), and you did the perfect job of mixing and matching to create a fluid look. I still think you can just never beat the look and feel of blue & white. GREAT favors!!! This makes me want to "encourage" my Mom to do something again for her friends/sorority sisters. I didn't pledge, but I can live vicariously through her crimson & cream world. :-) I hope you're getting some much needed and well-deserved rest after pulling off the dream luncheon!!!

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  6. Wow, those tablecloths and dishes are gorgeous...your sorority sisters are so lucky to lunch at your home.

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  7. Cherry Kay, I am sure your sorority sisters are still talking about your beautiful home and this fantastic luncheon! Great job!

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  8. Cherry Kay, you do throw the best parties! I love the mix of plates. I too used Kalanchoes at my last event and they are still going strong. Your tables looked welcoming and inviting. I am sure the gals had a blast and felt pampered. great job.. xo marlis

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  9. Your Chi O sisters must have loved this day, and I can't imagine they weren't duly impressed with the effort you made for them. I'm sure there were lots of stories going round your tables.

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  10. Amazing!! What a wonderful event!! You created such a wonderful atmosphere!!

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  11. Those glasses are lovely. It's always a pleasure to visit and see your fabulous tablescapes. Alfresco dining is the best. You have made the occasion very special, as you always do.

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  12. What a group! How wonderful that you could all get together. You are amazing to host it for everyone. I bet you don't recognize each other, but those wonderful friendships renew so quickly and easily!

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  13. Well you had me at the blue toile, and I knew I needed to study every detail. Not only that, I'll be back to look and study some more.You inspire me, really. Thank-you.

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  14. What a wonderful event! Your al fresco tablescapes are spectacular. Love the blue and white theme...Christine

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  15. Cherry Kay ..you sure know how to throw a party! Your sisters must have all had a wonderful time. I love the tables and your home and garden look beautiful!
    Happy Fall!
    Miss Bloomers

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  16. What a beautiful home and delightful gathering. So glad that your weather cooperated so everyone could enjoy such a lovely setting. Your blues and whites are certainly classic beauty.

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  17. Oh, how lucky these ladies are to have you to gather them. Each and every table is so very special. And a new granddaughter to boot!

    - The Tablescaper

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  18. What a lovely gathering this must have been--your tablescapes are beautiful. I love the shades of blue with the brown rattan. congratulations on your new grandchild.

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  19. What a truly special occasion, I especially loved the frames at each place setting

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  20. Lovely gathering, it must've been. Your part was done perfectly! Thanks for stopping by...I understand why you're not quite "there" with fall yet, given your location. I was FORCED into it, or the clash of summer inside and fall outside would have been difficult to navigate mentally. :) ~Zuni

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  21. The tables look lovely - I am sure each "sister" enjoyed your efforts and hospitality!

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  22. What a wonderful setting! Your tables are beautiful! That must have been a truly memorable gathering!

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  23. You are the hostess with the mostest! This looks like a very fun time.

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  24. Thank you for stopping by and comment on my Laughter post. I'm positive you sorority sisters laughed a lot at your fabulous reunion. Your tables and decorations were beautiful. How wonderful you could host this fabulous party.
    Ann

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  25. Always wonderful to have you at Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  26. Everything looks so beautiful! I'm sure everyone had a lovely time!

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  27. Once again you have done a marvelous job! What a wonderful reunion for your sorority sisters. I am sure they appreciated all your efforts!
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

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  28. Oh my this is grand! What a bunch of lucky ladies to get treated to such a nice luncheon! I hope it was lots of fun!

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  29. I'm finally getting back home and stopping by for a visit... I didn't want to miss this grand celebration of sisterhood! As expected, everything is just gorgeous. The kalanchoes were a nice touch and much less predictable than mums. What a gift you shared with your dear friends. Thanks for sharing with us, too!

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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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