Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Royal Crown Derby Brittany...for the Garden Friends

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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Last Wednesday, the Garden Friends came for our final Bible study before our Summer break.  I am so blessed to call this group of women my dear, dear friends.  I was delighted to invite them to remain for lunch.  Today I set a table for eight.

 We're seated in the dining room today...


 ...Come on in and join us!

 It was time for a girly, frilly table design.

 Yet again, the Bormioli hot pink charger plate grounded my place setting atop an antique double damask pale pink placemat...

 ...Today the star of my production was the Royal Crown Derby Brittany dinner plate...

You won't be surprised that I couldn't resist the cherry motif.  I'm pretty sure that it was designed with me in mind!

 The sweet antique Madeira napkin picked up the impression of berries with its French knots.  Once again, my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton Francis I sterling flatware added a touch of elegance...besides, I hadn't put it away from our Mother's Day supper, yet.

I love the mix of red and pink in the Brittany dinner plate, so I wanted to repeat the color story with my crystal stemware...the Waterford Simply Red goblet, from eBay and Replacements, and the Stelle hot pink wine, found at a Scottsdale Home Goods.  

Yep, made me smile! :-)

The flowers are left over from Mother's Day.  I merely exchanged two tired blue Hydrangeas for two white Mophead Hydrangeas...

 ...to flank the Hartley-Leeds Creamware large Chestnut Bowl...


and a pair of Hartly-Leeds Creamware Strawberry Bowls.  An additional little folly was achieved by placing an individual MacKenzie-Childs salt and pepper at each setting.  Centerpiece complete!


It was a beautiful late Spring day...

 ...and the sun was once again in a kissing mood...

 The simple menu consisted of a trio of salads...chicken salad, tuna salad, and mixed berry fruit salad served with croissants.  Dessert included Apricot bars, Blackberry bars, and Macadamia Nut bars...low key and just right.
 
 The Garden Friends have a mutual understanding...any time one of us needs a Garden Friends "fix"...we put out the call and meet for lunch throughout our summer hiatus.  I look forward to gathering these precious friends around my table a number of times this summer...want to join us?  Just let me know you're on the way!

This week I'll be joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
The Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop @ Catherine's Corner 


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. A pretty table as always and that dinnerware is just meant for you!

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  2. Cherry Kay, I wouldn't have been able to resist those darling, cheery, cherry dinner plates either. I love that you mixed the pink and red crystal!! It's perfectly at home on this table. Your centerpiece presentation tureen is gorgeous! I know that each lady felt pampered and cared for around this table. xo marlis

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  3. Cherry Kay, you are blessed with friendship.
    The table is so very pretty, and the plates so very appropriate!

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  4. Beautiful table, Cherry Kay! I am getting to like pink so much more than I ever have...the chargers and wine stems are such a pretty shade of pink.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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  5. This is absolutely gorgeous. I love cream ware and the chestnut tureen (is that the right word?) is absolutely superb. Lucky lunch ladies! xoxox

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  6. Cherry Kay, every time I think you cannot "top" yourself, you manage to prove me wrong! This table is simply gorgeous and the perfect one for a ladies' luncheon. I know your guests were to honored to sit there and enjoy each other - what a blessing!

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  7. I love all the cranberry tones on your table, and the effort you make for your friends is a real gift.

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  8. Hi Cherry Kay, My very best friend chose this Royal Crown Derby for her wedding china, mid 80's, and I have been in love with it ever since! Her table is just gorgeous when she sets it with all the pieces. I think it is discontinued now. Your table is as beautiful as always. Linda

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  9. I am crazy about pink and love that stemware...gorgeous!

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  10. The hot pink pops beautifully. Accents your gorgeous pieces.

    I know your guests always feel regal!

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  11. The pink chargers? the pink goblets? to die for...I don't always leave a comment, but I always come by!~

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  12. I love the pinks on this table starting with the chargers. The goblets and accent plates complete your gorgeous table. How fortunate you are to have such wonderful friends.

    Hugs,

    Janet

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  13. What a gorgeous table, Cherry Kay! I adore the red & pink combo & am pea green with envy over those Waterford goblets. You have so many wonderfully special treasures.

    I hope your friends know how lucky they are to be invited into your beautiful home to share a meal with you. So special!

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  14. Cherry Kay, not sure how I missed this when you posted, but here I am. I love to take in the beauty of your tables. I know your friends are always eager to dine at your home.
    Sending hugs………S

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  15. Excellent! Excellent! This looks to me to be just the kind of table Bible study friends, garden friends, and BLOG FRIENDS would love! I am super impressed that your Mother's Day flowers were still looking so great. You're probably very good about changing the water out and re-cutting the stems.

    If those plates weren't made with you in mind, I don't know what was!!! What a beautiful design! Up top for mixing the hot pink and red stemware to mimic the colors in the plate design!!!

    So sorry to get around to this post so late. I'm hoping your Summer is in full swing and bringing you nothing but good things. Take care, and see you soon!

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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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