Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Welcome Home, Summer, 2013.

"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 knew that my sorority sister, Nancy, would be home in early June, on a visit from her beautiful home on the ocean, deep in Mexico.  I offered to invite a group of her closest friends in our sorority for a luncheon.  We had a marvelous response, and I set two tables for a total of 15 guests.  Per my usual MOS, I prepared chicken tetrazzini, and everyone brought a salad or dessert.  One of the girls brought red and white wines...  

As each guest entered the foyer, she was offered a Mimosa...served in one of the flutes that I hand painted.  Brother, I get so much mileage out of these little goblets.  They also are popular with many of my friends, who borrow them for assorted showers and other parties.  Tip:  When I paint goblets, I use 1" blue tape around the top rim of the goblet.  It not only gives me a place to hold the goblet without smudging my paint...it also keeps lipstick marks away from the painted design and makes washing the stem much easier and safer.  I've had these goblets for almost ten years, and they are still in perfect condition.  Any other questions about painting glass?  Get in touch and I'll try to answer any questions.

Come on into the dining room, where I set a table of eight.

Today's luncheon actually took place only two days after The Exotic Peacock Bridal Shower, so rather than put everything away and start from scratch, I decided to stay with a blue and white theme.  I added to the hydrangeas from the bridal shower, and I even decided to re-use those funky cloisonné peacocks that were our Nana's.
 
The centerpiece continued with assorted blue and white containers...

and then I added probably......my favorite tureen...

Mottahedeh's Musee de Decoratif.  What's not to like about this piece?  It always makes me smile.

I  started each place setting with the Royal Doulton Steelite Cobalt Charger.  It is flanked by the Oneiday Gold Tone Modern Baroque flatware.  I bought 20 place settings for the price of two settings at an estate sale in Dallas(while visiting my son and daughter-in-love).  The Williams Sonoma Matelasse tablecloth created a nice contrast, and I liked the texture with the hydrangeas.

The star of the production is the Minton Consort dinner plate.

Occasionally I like a plate so much that I can't bear to hide it in a stack.
  
Sometimes less really is more.  Today I paired the Waterford Simply Blue goblet with the Tiffin Optic Gold.  Blue hemstitched napkins were held by the Coalport Countryware napkin rings. 


 
Next stop is the games table in the living room...

I created much the same design for this table for 7...

...and yes, I found a second tureen for an indecently low price on eBay.  I may or may not keep two, but it really was a nice touch for today's luncheon.  I used a two piece blue and white tulipiere flanking the tureen and filled it with more hydrangeas.  The crystal decanters held chilled water for my guests to refill their glasses.

In order to achieve a gold border on both tables...

I used two chargers.

The Minton Consort was the finishing touch, once again. 

I also repeated the Waterford Simply Blue paired with an antique Tiffin Optic Gold goblet.

A pair of Hobby Lobby compotes filled with grocery store hydrangeas carried the look onto the refectory table.

  Everything is ready and  waiting for my guests to arrive...

When my dear BJ arrived, she brought one of these precious framed stitcheries for each sister as a party favor.  How cool is that?!


Just the perfect...


...finishing touch! 

It was a wonderful day filled with good food, great conversation, and cherished fellowship.  The last of the guests left after 5:00 p.m.  I'd love for you to be a guest at my table, and we could while away an afternoon, too.

I'll be joining the following parties:

Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen
Tutorials, Tips, & Tidbits with Yvonne @ Stone Gable
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Come join in the fun! 





























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. What a beautiful table. You can't miss with blue and white. I love the tureen.

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  2. First, I love your gorgeous dining room! Your table is set exquisitely, with all the layers of stunning dishes and the gorgeous White tureens. Lucky guest dear friend. I love to come and visit you, as you make the most elegant luncheons. Thank you for inviting us!
    FABBY

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  3. I spotted that Mottahedeh tureen first and foremost.. and then if you (really?) decide to get rid of the second tureen... I want first dibs on making a purchase... OMG, that is a magnificent piece. You are right, what's not to love about it. The blue and white is gorgeous, and the Minton plates are wonderful reasons to be a dish collector. Cherry Kay, I know your dear friends felt so special sitting surrounded by your wonderful easy style to a table with so many beautiful pieces. (no table here this week... resting).. xo marlis

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  4. Your tables are just wonderful..and that tureen makes it so special..both of them....
    love, Mona

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  5. Your tureens make me swoon! Lucky guests to join you for food and fellowship at your tables!

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  6. Beautiful table! I am in love with the Waterford glasses!

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  7. Absolutely gorgeous!! The bird tureen is incredible.

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  8. Hello Cherry Kay. Happy Wednesday friend. Let me just say that you have set the most gorgeous and elegant table for your sweet friends. The layers of stunning dishes is truly amazing. My favorite is the Minton plate. And that soup tureen is just fabulous. What a lovely luncheon.

    Hugs,

    Janet

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  9. Blue and white dishes, a white tureen with a bird, and blue hydrangeas! All are things I love, and you have set two beautiful tables with them for your luncheon. Thank you for sharing at Stone Gable's linky party.

    Judith

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  10. Your tables are beautiful. Oh I love the tureens. They are gorgeous!

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  11. Cherry Kay - I adore having these peeks at your gorgeous tablescapes! Those tureen are "stunners", indeed... Every place setting is so well thought-out and welcoming. I would love to spent the afternoon at one of your tables - lol!!

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  12. I am having trouble commenting from blog lovin sometimes. In order to comment I had to go to my blog and click on your thumbnail from blogger. This has happened several times on several other blogs too.Not sure why. If anyone can explain please share with me.

    Cherry Kay, this is a beautiful table. Those tureens are gorgeous. Everything is so elegant and looks like a magazine. I think you too, could publish a book. Glad to know Williams Sonoma has matelasse tablecloths. Yes, I would love to be sitting at your table and I am sure I would enjoy staying all afternoon too. Again, I could not give you enough accolades.

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  13. I am having trouble commenting from blog lovin sometimes. In order to comment I had to go to my blog and click on your thumbnail from blogger. This has happened several times on several other blogs too.Not sure why. If anyone can explain please share with me.

    Cherry Kay, this is a beautiful table. Those tureens are gorgeous. Everything is so elegant and looks like a magazine. I think you too, could publish a book. Glad to know Williams Sonoma has matelasse tablecloths. Yes, I would love to be sitting at your table and I am sure I would enjoy staying all afternoon too. Again, I could not give you enough accolades.

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  14. What a perfect party for your sorority sisters, Cherry Kay. The soup tureen is a work of art! I know your guests oohed and ahhed over your gorgeous tables.

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  15. How sweet of you to host~the tables are lovely. I especially love the tureens! Jennifer

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  16. Mercy -- these tables are fit for a queen!

    I just noticed that your light over the games table is also blue and white -- I really like it!

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  17. I love the blue and white...have you ever shared your chicken tektrazini recipe?

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  18. Oh.my.goodness...
    How beautiful- as usual.
    You are a gifted hostess and I wish I could sit in your living room and look at all of your stuff!
    Then you could come to my house and do the same!
    Enjoyed visiting,

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

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  19. What a lovely afternoon you must have had with your sorority sisters. The tables are beautiful, and I was enthralled by the glasses you painted.

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  20. Wow! What a gorgeous table! That tureen is to die for!!
    You know I love your blue and white!
    Miss Bloomers

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  21. What a beautiful table. Your dishes are gorgeous and I would eat a sour grape for that beautiful tureen! You really do have a lovely dining room too.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  22. Looks like the ladies had a wonderful time - such lovely settings for them!

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  23. You are the hostess with the mostess! It is a beautiful table, and I adore the framed saying. My gkids always answer with that when I tell them I love them. :)
    Your sisters must have felt special indeed. The tureen is beautiful!

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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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