Wednesday, April 16, 2014

An Easter Retrospective, 2014

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.
                   ****************************************************************************

I've been down with an irritating upper respiratory infection and aggravated asthma all week  As a result, Sweet Mister has decided that we'll entertain family with Easter lunch at the country club.  Because I won't be designing an Easter tablescape this week, I'm sharing our Easter table from last year...Beatrice Emaline's first Easter celebration.  I hope that you'll enjoy it whether you're seeing it for the first time or revisiting it again.  Have a blessed Easter celebrating our Risen Christ!
  
It is so special to have a grandchild living close enough that I can share my holiday tables, our family traditions, with her.  When my son and daughter were children, I loved decorating the house for each holiday to make it a wonderland for them.  Beatrice Emaline is 6 months old now, and I know that she won't remember this year's holiday. Therefore, I'm looking at this Easter as a dress rehearsal for celebrations to come.  I've had a ball designing my table, and I'm looking forward to many more special occasions with my family gathered around my table.  Welcome to a Bunny Easter Parade!

 I was thinking of Beatrice Emaline and my darling grandsons, Haden & Jack, so I decided that my table would highlight pinks and blues.


Let's take a look at the cast of players...

 Playing the role of the crowd in the background is the Maryland China Company Minuet Charger Plate.  Tip:  MCC primarily markets white china blanks for china painters.  This one, manufactured in the Czech Republic, reminds me of some of the beautiful Herend patterns, but at a fraction of the cost.  Check them out!  They also have some good sales on a regular basis.
 Pink for Miss Honey Bee...The Copeland Spode Irene Dinner Plate was a fortunate eBay find.  I found a set of 12 of these lovelies.
 Blue for my precious Haden & Jack...The Royal Staffordshire, Louis XVI, was also a great deal for a set of 12 on eBay.  They will be removed for our luncheon and reappear for dessert.
An unbeatable rim shot...Eat your heart out LeBron James.

Sun kissed and ready to celebrate Easter lunch with our family...

With all the different patterns on our Easter table, I decided that a white napkin was the best choice.  I was thinking of you, Rett, and the time that we found the Waterford Ballet Dot Napkin at Tuesday Morning.

I picked my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton Francis I flatware because...it was close at hand.  Besides it's hard to go wrong with good ole' Francis.

Each guest will have a pair of the individual salt & peppers by MacKenzie-Childs.  I've been slowly collecting them for a number of years.  They're kind of a splurge, but I really enjoy them!

The Pink Pier One Goblet has been hiding out in a kitchen cabinet for quite a while.  I bought them years ago for $1.00 each on deep clearance.  Today it is paired with the Waterford Simply Blue Goblet.  I bought the Waterford stems some years ago on eBay, while they were still very reasonable.  Their price has increased substantially in the last year or so.

These make me smile every time I walk past the dining room table...and they put the exclamation mark on my pink and blue color story.  Have you noticed the navy blue and white eggs?  I painted them some years ago.  I used a faux, foam-filled egg that I found at Michael's.  They've become a dependable design element...especially when I don't have time to go buy flowers...

...Speaking of flowers...The flowers in the centerpiece are all left-overs!  The white mop head Hydrangeas were used for my St. Patrick's Day table.  They were also used in combination with the smaller green Hydrangeas for a wedding shower for forty that my dear KC hosted in our home this past weekend.  I'm hopeful that they'll make it until Sunday, but I'll replace them if necessary.



 I've long had a fondness for Fitz & Floyd.  These bunnies are from their Old World Collection.  I found them one at a time at the tail end of different estate sales for far less than they cost on line.  I love Mr. Bunny pushing flowers in his wooden cart, and the two lovely lady bunnies are tending my painted Easter eggs.  I think that they've been laying them out along the table for an old fashioned egg hunt.
Our feast will be after church.  We'll share a predictable Honey Glazed Ham, baked potatoes, deviled eggs, green salad, fresh asparagus, hot rolls, and an assortment of desserts.  Everyone will contribute something to the meal, and we'll enjoy focusing our time on blessed fellowship and lots of laughter.  I can hardly wait to celebrate this most special of days...the day when my sweet Jesus Master overcame death and prepared a way for me to have access to eternal life and a relationship with my Almighty God.  Now that's worth celebrating!  We are truly blessed.  I pray that you will have a peace-filled holiday surrounded by family and friends.  Happy Easter!

This week I'll be joining:

Seasonal Sundays with The Tablescaper


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.

16 comments:

  1. I'm sad to hear you've been so sick. I think you are wise to let the club do the cooking and entertaining this week.
    Of course I love seeing this table again. It is one of my favorites with the gorgeous hydrangeas, the blue and white eggs, and the fabulous dishes, crystal, and silver. Classic and elegant from end to end! How lucky little Beatrice, Haden, and Jack are to have you for a grandmother.
    Take care of yourself and get well soon. Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh sweet lady, I'm glad you are feeling better and just in time for Easter ahead!
    This is such a beautiful table and all the dishes are gorgeous and of course, the stunning stemware. How lovely you thought of your boys to place the blue plates too. Thanks for sharing it again with us. Have a wonderful Easter ahead, along with your dear family.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful table. It's so wonderful to have you granddaughter nearby. Mine is twelve hours away and I miss out on so much. I hope you are soon back in good health. Happy Easter. Peg

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am so sorry you have been sick.. I hope you are feeling better today...and this is such a beautiful table. I do remember it from last year but enjoyed seeing it again..
    Love, Mona

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear CK,
    Hope you are in the best of everything now. Take it easy and relax to the max. No stressing out.

    Another wonderful collections. I love every elements you shared and the bunnies are dearest of them all.

    Happy Easter to you and your family.

    God Bless,
    /CC girl

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your collections are gorgeous! Hope you feel better soon and have a peaceful Easter.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cherry Kay, this is gorgeous! I did pink and blue for Easter, too, but your table is soooo much more elegant than mine!! I always love looking at your fine old china and your lovely stemware. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm glad your husband is so wise and you are having a Easter at the country club. I love your table from last year and the precious bunnies for the centerpiece.
    Get well soon!

    Pam

    ReplyDelete
  9. Don't make me have to come down there and shake you out!!! C'mon, woman...get up and get well!!!!!! :-)

    There's no forgetting this beautifully set table...ever! It is truly one of the prettiest I have ever see. Lunch at the country club sounds pretty good to me, though, especially if neither of you have been in the best of health recently!

    Best wishes to your entire family for a blessed and wonderful Easter weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous table. Just Gorgeous. I love your bunnies.They are very special.

    Hope you feel better soon and have a wonderful Easter. Your table couldn't be prettier.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh how beautiful!! Happy Easter from Buttercup Bliss!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm sorry to read that you've been ill, Cherry Kay. Letting the Country Club cook Easter lunch is a fine idea!
    I remember this table - so fresh and pretty. I enjoyed having a little look back on your recent posts - I've missed such a lot. Your posts are like a visit to a beautiul place - thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am sooo very sorry to hear you're under the weather, Cherry Kay. Please take care of yourself? I know you've been the caregiver lately & than can run down your immune system.
    I truly enjoyed seeing this beautiful table all over again...just a joyous occasion. Love the color combinations & all your special pieces.

    I bet your little angel is getting big. My grands were here all day on Easter...a rare occasion these days, as they're growing up & so busy with activities. Enjoy her while she is still little!!

    Sending {{Healing Hugs}}

    ReplyDelete
  14. I hope you are feeling better soon. This was a beautiful tablescape. I enjoyed the colors in it and the mix of dishes.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hope you are feeling better! Take care of yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh Sweet Sister didn't know you were having respiratory problems again, take care, so enjoyed your update and lovely table.

    ReplyDelete

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.

Follow Me on Instagram