Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Spring Inspirations and Spode Peacock

"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 love that inspiration can come from so many different directions...sometimes just around the corner...sometimes it's right outside your window!


 When I opened my bedroom window shades yesterday morning, a smile formed on my face.  I grabbed my camera to capture these brand new buds.  Years ago, Sweet Mister planted a pair of ornamental pear trees outside our bedroom windows as a surprise for me.  Every April, they signal that Spring has finally arrived...

 This morning when I opened the shades, all those buds had burst forth in a symphony of delicate white blossoms.  My inspiration for this week's table was not to be denied.


Friends are coming for an easy lunch on Friday...


...Back to the games table in the living room.

I love this mix of colors.

The Luminarc "Zest" cobalt charger was an eBay find.  It was the perfect staging ground for my place setting. 


Also lending a nice foundation was the Royal Worcester Regency dinner plate.  This pattern is available on the secondary market in a number of color choices.  In addition to the ruby, you can also find a lovely cobalt and a great green.


The crown jewel for today's table is the Spode Peacock (my name for it) luncheon plate.  I  found a set of 11 of these on eBay several years ago.  Someday, I'll find the 12th one!


Some of my favorite crystal patterns....Waterford Simply Red, & AJKA Arabella Cobalt...both found in a variety of places including eBay, Replacements, & Tuesday Morning.


Part of the 'crowd scene"..Nana's silver and cobalt salt cellar, red hemstitched napkin (eBay), my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton Francis I flatware, and a cream matelasse tablecloth.


Although I've had the Spode Peacock luncheon plates for a number of years, ...

 ...the pair of Spode Peacock spill vases are a relatively new addition.  I was thrilled when I came across them on eBay.  I filled them with a profusion of the ornamental pear blossoms.  I made the arrangements wild and free...much like they appear on the trees.  Why are they called 'spill vases"?  I've always wondered about that.

 I combined the vases...

 with a pair of the cobalt depression glass candlesticks to flank...

 ...a ruby glass bowl.  Did you notice the "stand" underneath the bowl.  It's the base of one of my silver lidded butter dishes!  Remember...always be willing to think outside the box.

 We'll see if the blossoms last until Friday, and hopefully we won't have one of our raging thunder storms,  which will instantly wreak havoc on the ornamental pear blooms.  We often have them to enjoy for what seems like mere moments.

Ready to enjoy good food, hours of laughter, and blessed fellowship.  If you're passing my way, let me know...I'll set an additional place just for you!

This week I'm joining:
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop @ Katherine's Corner
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ 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.

17 comments:

  1. The Spode pattern is a new one to me, and as always your taste exquisite. The choices for your stack couldn't work together more perfectly. The colored crystal too! I'll make a note of this pattern. We need to find you a 12th plate. ;-)

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  2. A very pretty table and I love your Spode. That's a pretty pattern!

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  3. Beautifully done! I adore all of these beautiful jewel tones at the table!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    2014 Artists Series

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  4. Such a rich table you have set. the jewel colors are so beautiful. I have always been in love with the cobalt color. Your peacock plates are so ornate. Your blooms are so lovely on the table and outside. Yes, spring is here. Joni

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  5. Nice departure of what I think of as a red, white and blue table...more elegant! I always enjoy seeing your vivid stemware.
    Have a wonderful week, Cherry Kay.

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  6. This is a stunning table, so much eye candy here. Thanks so much for the inspiration and your daughter is very talented.

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  7. You know? Just like you like my two tiered Meissen server, I always drool over your stunning colored stemware! I've seen Italian and Czech here, but so very expensive...some day! Your Spode china is gorgeous and elegant as is your entire loveliness of a setting! The flatware is fabulous too!
    Have a lovely spring weekend ahead my dear friend.
    FABBY

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  8. Hi! Lovely setting - I love the salt seller, just a gorgeous piece! I think the vases used to hold kindling, which they called spills in days gone by and they were often displayed on the mantle above the fireplace, similar to how we might put long matches in a cylinder by the fireplace. Enjoy your lunch!

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  9. I love the blue crystal and the lovely jewel tones of your tablescape. Very beautiful! Visiting from BNOTP :)

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  10. Beautiful table...love those Spode plates.

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  11. Totally elegant red, white, and blue table settings. The Spode plates are particularly beautiful. Love the Luminarc charger plates too.

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  12. Such a stunning table!! Your colors all blend so well together and I love your china choices. I'm drooling over your stemware: it truly is table jewelry. So very pretty: thank you for sharing.......Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

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  13. "Entertaining Women" has been included in the A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that I hope this helps to point even more new visitors in your direction.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-sunday-drive.html

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  14. Jerry sent me over, and I'm glad he did! Your table looks absolutely beautiful. I love the vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and the lovely flower arrangements. I can only imagine what your outdoor parties look like in your spectacular garden. Your daughter is very talented, and it's wonderful that she is contributing to such a worthwhile cause.

    Julie

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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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