Thursday, October 10, 2013

Fall = Chicken Noodle Soup!

"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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Each year when Fall saunters onto the plains, my mind quickly turns to the pleasure of friends gathered around my table sharing a simple but satisfying meal of homemade chicken noodle soup with crusty hot bread.  Today I invited the Garden Friends to join me for lunch after we finished our Bible study...my idea of a perfect day.  Yesterday I prepared a table for 8 in the dining room, and early this morning I constructed my soup in the crock pot.

 Come on in and grab a seat.  

When I design my tables, there is usually one element that captures my attention and starts the ideas flowing.  Today inspiration came from the April Cornell Paisley tablecloth, an inexpensive eBay find.  I loved the addition of the pops of blue with the golds, browns, greens, and dusty corals found swirling through the paisley pattern.  I kept visualizing the floor of a forest in Autumn...a tapestry of fallen leaves proclaiming the splendor of Fall.

 I wanted a shot of strong blue at the base of my place setting.  I chose the Pottery Barn Outdoor Collection Cobalt Enamelware charger because...

 ...It was large enough to pair with the Maryland China Company Minuet charger...


 ....which I thought was the perfect frame for the Booth's Real Old Willow dinner plate.  Tidbit:  The Booth's Real Old Willow is an opaque Silicon China made in England between 1906 and 1981.  When the Booth factory went out of business, the pattern/mold was purchased by Royal Doulton.  Royal Doulton made The Majestic Collection, Real Old Willow as a translucent fine china pattern from 1982 until 1999.  The Royal Doulton version is still widely available on the secondary market.  The original Booth's can  also be found in several variations of the lattice pattern on the verge, but not in the same abundance.

  I placed the white charger behind the Real Old Willow because it made the design pop against the busy pattern in tablecloth.


  Look at the motif in bottom right of the picture.  Can you see the blue outline cozied up next to the white paisley with the brown accents?  Now look at the plate and the stack.  The designs played well together and became the source of my inspiration.  The brown handled flatware came from Howchow.

 I always enjoy using the AJKA Arabella cobalt wine goblet.  It's a perfect size, and its superb balance makes it a pleasure to hold.  Tidbit:  AJKA is the source for some of Waterford's most lovely cased crystal.  It is a quality crystal available at relative reasonable prices.  Today I have paired it with the Vietri Optic Smoke goblet.

I began building my centerpiece with a trio of blue and white import lidded jars from Nell Hill in Kansas City.  I elevated them each on oriental wooden stands.

Three pair of antique Barley Twist candlesticks continued my Fall forest story line....think tree trunks!  The burlap and twig pumpkins and the meandering fall leaves garlands, found on sale at Michael's, continued my vision of a forest floor in Autumn and added an interesting texture.

  Can you hear the leaves crunching under you feet, yet?  Pondside, I keep thinking about you on your beloved island, walking through your beautiful woods.  As you embark on your amazing adventure to China, I hope you'll tell us if the Chinese have an opportunity to walk on crunchy Fall leaves, too.

I captured some candlelight shots last night...



 and for those of you who have inquired about the dining room crystal cabinets...

 My wedding crystal, Lalique Treves, Rosenthal Iris, and Lalique Angel Flutes, and Waterford Simply Amethyst....


 Nana's Lalique Palm Frond tumblers (my name...I don't know the real name.), Nana's antique French crystal champagnes, tumblers, and wine goblets....

 Waterford Simply and Nana's French crystal chillers (for Shrimp Cocktails), and my Aunt Ida's antique Imari charger plate....

 and Waterford Simply goblets.


The soup was plated in the kitchen and served in our everyday Burleigh Blue Willow.  I think that it works well with the Booth's.  There are abundant Blue Willow patterns from which to choose.  Do you have a favorite?


It was a beautiful Autumn day...

Everyone had seconds of the soup, and we lingered and laughed into the afternoon.  If you're passing my way, let me know.  I'll put on a pot of soup just for you!

My post is currently featured on the AJKA website, Crystalacarte.  Check out all the lovely crystal at: http://www.crystalacarte.com/entertaining-women-is-our-guest-blog19.htm

This week I'll be joining:

Let's Dish with Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch




  



  
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.

20 comments:

  1. What a stunning tablescape. I felt like i was sitting there with your bible group. Everything works so beautifully together - great job. I can smell the wonderful chicken soup right now. What recipe do you use?
    Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful tablescape.
    Mary

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  2. A very pretty table -- but then I adore blue and white! And it pairs well with almost any color!

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  3. Love this beautiful table! Those Willow plates are gorgeous!

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  4. I love seeing what inspires table settings and your April tablecloth is a wonderful source! Those dinner plates are exquisite. Your knowledge of these patterns is endless and I always, always learn something when I visit you. It looks like your Nana also had the excellent-taste gene! Beautiful! Linda

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  5. Beautifully inspired table with your Willow blue dishes and Fall centerpiece. Thanks for the information on the Booth company, I love to know the history of china patterns. Your crystal collection from your sweet Nana is gorgeous too, my friend. Hugs,
    FABBY

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  6. Very striking, Cherry Kay! The tablecloth is beautiful and really showcases the china.
    Have a wonderful week...

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  7. I would have never thought of paring the printed tablecloth with the blue willow plates! Cherry Kay, but they work beautifully together.. Your table is very striking, love the centerpiece and your crystal collection is extraordinary....Christine

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  8. The tablecloth certainly did set the stage for this gorgeous tablescape. Everything plays off the orange and blue hues so beautifully. The blue willow was a perfect choice to accent the beautiful oranges. The wine glasses are so lovely too. You have done a wonderful job of bringing all of these elements together in a cohesive and masterfully blended canvas.....Candy

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  9. My goodness, you sure know how to set the most elegant and breath taking tables. The April Cornell tablecloth is exquisite and the Willow china is a classic. What a joy to look at. I would love to join you for that delicious chicken soup. PS, love your glassware collection.

    I hope you can stop by for a visit.

    Hugs,

    Janet

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  10. Your tables always inspire me, Cherry Kay. Love the paisley textile with the blue and white. The barley twist candlesticks are about to come out of storage for a fall setting at HFTS. '-)
    Absolutely lovely as only you can do with your selection of gorgeous china patterns.

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  11. Cherry Kay, this is gorgeous and absolutely feels like a walk in the woods during fall...I love that beautiful tablecloth paired with the blues..That reminds me of the deep blue fall sky we often have here..
    Love, Mona

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  12. Cherry Kay, this is gorgeous and absolutely feels like a walk in the woods during fall...I love that beautiful tablecloth paired with the blues..That reminds me of the deep blue fall sky we often have here..
    Love, Mona

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  13. I love your forest floor! It is stunning! It sounds like you all had a great lunch and some chicken soup for the soul!
    Blessings My Friend,

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  14. Graciousness, Cherry Kay... my chin hanged and drool while browsing down to your post.

    What a lovely collections. Every piece is absolutely fabulous. Just loving every inch of them.

    Happy weekend.

    Hugs,
    /CC girl

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  15. Exquisite!! There's just no other word. Rosie

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  16. Wow! What a beautiful table. I love using the ginger jars alone -- I have one, but usually put flowers in it. I think it looks even better alone, so that you can see the pretty lid.

    As always, you have inspired me to do better! xoxox

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  17. Wow! It all looks wonderful.

    I love using the ginger jars as is -- I have one, but usually fill it with flowers. I think I like it better this way, so that you can see the pretty lid.

    As always you are an inspiration! xox

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  18. A beautiful table, as always. The tablecloth is perfect...it creates a rich foundation for the rest of the table! I always think your Bible group must love coming to your table! ~Zuni

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  19. Oh be still my heart! What a gorgeous tablescape! You know I love Asian inspired tables and blue and white is my favorite! You are the master at setting such elegant and pretty tables! Enjoy our fall rain this week!
    Miss Bloomers

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  20. What a beautiful table! The tablecloth is lovely, and those pumpkins, wow!
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

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