Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Winter Paisley, a Reprise

"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. During this beautiful season when we celebrate harvest and Thanksgiving, 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 just returned from five days in Dallas with my beloved grandsons, my cherished son and wonderful daughter-in-love....and. I'm. pooped.  I'm sharing a reprise of one of my favorite posts from 2012.  Hope that you enjoy it for the first or second time.  I'll be back with a new post next week.

I can't believe that January is half gone.  It's been a rather lackadaisical few weeks.  Tonight I've prepared a luncheon table for eight.  I'm going to invite the Garden Friends to join me for lunch after we finish our Bible study...or we might just hit one of our favorite local restaurants. We'll see.  After all the high color of the Christmas holidays, I wanted to create a design that was soft and calming...

...and I've been eager to use the Waverly, "Paisley" tablecloth, a Tuesday Morning find, for quite a long time.  Shades of teal and aqua always rank right at the top of my list, and I adore paisley patterns.


 My centerpiece is anchored by an antique wash basin and pitcher by Kirkland & Pidduck, England.  It belonged to my beloved Aunt Ida, my mama's sister.

I used our collection of antique Barley Twist candlesticks to flank the basin and pitcher.  The dried hydrangeas are still hanging on, after I cut them from my garden this summer.

 The hammered copper chargers make yet another appearance as a base for the Royal Doulton, "The Beaufort" dinner plate.  I liked the chocolate furls featured on the plate's rim, punctuated by just a touch of blue and pink.  I collected this pattern over a stretch of time from eBay.  The soft golden ivory tones of the antique carved ivory flatware  seemed a natural choice with the cream and taupe paisleys in the tablecloth.

Each placesetting is crowned with the Wedgwood, "Majolica Grape Leaf" plate, an eBay acquisition.

You won't be surprised to find our Nana's antique linen napkins gracing the table.  The lacy edge seemed made to go with the intricate furls in the cloth.  Did you know that in the 20's, paisley was often called the  "Persian Pickle" design?  It was evidently considered quite a treasure, especially among quilters. 

I haven't used the Godinger, "Sutton Park" goblet in quite a while.  Today I've paired it with one of my favorite new tabletop items.  Throughout the Autumn, I enjoyed using the Vietri, "Amber Optic" goblets.  I liked them so much that I decided to add the "Smoke" goblet to my collection.  This is really a pretty amazing piece of stemware.  It's a lovely gray tone, but when you place it against other colors, it becomes a crystal chameleon.  Depending on your line of sight, this stem will appear to be aqua or taupe.  It makes me smile.  I can picture using this pattern in any number of designs.

I'm good to go for tomorrow's luncheon.  I captured some candlelight shots...








I am so grateful for the new camera that Sweet Mister gave me.  I've enrolled in some photography classes at our Museum of Art.  I can hardly wait!  Do you read the Pioneer Woman's blog?  She has a section devoted to photography.  Her archives go back about four years...tons to read and learn!  Give it a try; I think that you'll really like it...

The sun was dancing through the dining room windows this morning, and I couldn't resist the opportunity...













 I'm off to my Garden Friends Bible study, my favorite day of each week.  If you're passing our way, you will be more than welcome to join us as we sit and study the Word at the knee of sweet Jesus, lover of our ragged souls...and of course, I'd love to have you here to share a meal at my table. So many many blessings!

Wednesday is the 56th edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "Let's Dish".  I'm 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."   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.

April...ours has run the gamut in just over a week.  Last week I noticed that my peonies were poking their heads up through the earth, and today our city awoke to an ice storm.  Fingers crossed for my favorite peonies and hydrangeas.  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.

15 comments:

  1. Yes, I remember this elegant, gorgeus tablecloth, which brings everything together beautifully in your tablescape. The center piece is great and so is the lovely china. I'm sure you had a terrific time at the grands'..nothing better than that! Rest end enjoy been back home sweet home, too. Hugs,
    FABBY

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  2. I am glad you reposted this, Cherry Kay, cause somehow I missed it the first time. As usual, it is very stunning and elegant. I am always in awe with your extensive gorgeous china collection and these are no exception...Christine

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  3. The tablecloth is gorgeous, Cherry Kay, in the paisley print. I love the centerpiece, which is certainly a treasure. Your Nana's napkins are my very favorites. The layers of dishes are just so perfect. I'm sure your guests feel so special at your lovely table.

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  4. You know Cherry Kaye, it's funny. Tonight Marlis did a repost too and I'm going to say the same thing I said to her. Some people really dislike a repost, but I don't. If you didn't see it, it gives you another chance. If you did see it, it gives you an opportunity to look at it and see something you might have missed before.

    Your flatware is AMAZING!!! And those candlesticks! What a collection. I have one pair. Yours are truly beautiful.

    - Alma, The Tablescaper

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  5. PS

    So glad you're having fun with your family. That's what life is really about.

    - Alma, The Tablescaper

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  6. So glad to see this gorgeous table again. The crystal is gorgeous and I do love those plates. Your copper chargers are splendid and look right at home with the barley twist pieces. Gorgeous napkins.. Just stunning, as always Cherry Kay. I sure hope you get rested and that the cold weather hasn't been too harsh this time around. blessings, xo marlis

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  7. Hi, Cherry Kay! I remember this post for many reasons (the candlelight shots, the china, the stemware), but mostly for the beautiful table linen. So, so pretty!

    I think that storm is going to bypass us, but we've had a TON of rain and thunderstorms!!! No snow or ice. I'm glad you and I are going to be out of this soon!!!!!!!

    I gave you a big ol' shout out on my blog this week. Those of us here in the Midwest deserve a little extra attention for all the horrible weather we've had this winter. But then again, the Northerners and those folks in the NE didn't fare so well, either. And a lot of Southerners! So I guess we could just say this was an AWFUL winter and we look forward to a much better Spring!!!

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  8. Cherry Kay, so happy that you had a wonderful visit in Dallas. You know I adore seeing your tables again and again. Your tables are a wealth of fabulous details to enhance the beautiful china. Fun to see all your barley twist candlesticks because I have a group of those too. Like minds....... ~ Sarah

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  9. Cherry Kay - it is so interesting to me that you used the Beaufort plates. I probably did not pay attention to this the first time you posted this. I have been noticing them on eBay and Replacements lately, because I have a friend who has a second home in Beaufort, SC and I have been thinking that she "needs" some of these plates. Anyway, I do love this post and the things I really did remember were those magnificent barley twist candlesticks. Wow! Always, everything is done to perfection!

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  10. Beautiful table...I have no idea why, but I smile every time I see those grape leaf plates. Your linens are so pretty, especially the tablecloth.

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  11. Your table is beautiful and elegant. I love your candlestick holders. Thanks for re-posting. I'm glad you had a good visit with family.

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  12. Cherry Kay, you deserve to rest on you laurels just a little - especially when the laurels are comprised such a lovely reprise. I'm glad you had a good visit - I'm heading off for one of those next week!
    I love the barley twist candlesticks.

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  13. This is just so pretty Cherry Kay. I love those vintage napkins. They are gorgeous. You certainly have an amazing collection of dishes and serving pieces. I nice that you got to spend time with your family.

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  14. I feel your poopedness! I have been in and out for the past two months and I am finally home for a while and it feels great!

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  15. Beautiful, CK!
    Glad you had fun with your family!

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