Mottahedeh Duke of Gloucester, May 10, 2018

Spring was slowly beginning to rear it's gentle head, and it was a nice sunny day, still not warm enough to dine al fresco, but nice, none the less. I invited the Garden Friends Bible study to celebrate my dear friend Kathy's recent birthday. Today I prepared a table for six in the breakfast room. Come on in and join us...

I had a great time designing this tablescape. As I do so often, I found myself turning to lovely appointments that can be found in my repertoire because of our dear Nana. She was quite the entertaining woman, and I am blessed to shepherd her treasures until it's time for them to move on to the next generation.

 I was also eager to share one of the newer denizens in China Town...

...the classic Mottahedeh Duke of Gloucester. I have long admired this pattern, and the more I play with it, the more I understand that there are a myriad of ways in which it can be used. It's really an amazing design. It reminds me of that priceless little black dress in the back of all of our closets. You know, the one that can be dressed up or down, and it will always be perfect for any situation.

I kept the plates to a minimum this day, and the first layer of my design was Nana's antique lace placemat...just the right touch of texture. The flatware is my wedding silver, Reed & Barton Grande Renaissance.

Duke of Gloucester offers four different center designs that share the same rim design. This pattern has quickly worked it way to one of the top spots in my favorites list.

I was in a mood to use clear crystal, and I selected what I call the "Lost and Found" crystal goblets. These are Nana's goblets which were stolen by a woman who pretended to be a friend of my sister-in-love. They were missing for years, and then one day I spotted them among the pictures marketing an up-coming estate sale for a pawn shop that was going out of business. There they sat on a shelf where they had gathered dust for years. I made sure that I was one of the first people at the sale, and I was able to get my hands on most of them, so now they are back with the family. I say a little prayer of thanks every time that I use them. 

A linen napkin caught in a gold beaded napkin ring and the whimsical individual s&p's that I use so often completed my place setting. Simple, but effective, I think.

My mind kept thinking about the gardens of early spring with buds suddenly appearing . I had a great time slipping crocus buds into the small assortment of Glastonbury Lotus gold vases. The Lenox urns were simply "snip and slip" prepared bouquets that I bought at Whole Foods.

 

Being a less than accomplished gardener, I really appreciate the bounty to be found at our local grocery stores. Currently I'm praying that my hydrangea bushes are going to make a come-back from a particularly late and hard freeze that we experienced in April. Thank heaven for good old fish emulsion. They are finally starting to fill with their lovely leaves, and I'm beginning to see the hope found in baby buds nestled in the leaves. Now if they would just hurry, hurry hurry! I have two luncheons in the next two weeks, and the second one is supposed to be served al fresco. Maybe it will, and maybe it won't.  It's yet to be seen.


The centerpiece is completed with the Royal Copenhagen Gold Fan tureen, which is elevated on the Schumann Empress Dresden Flowers reticulated compote.



Everything was ready before my precious friends arrived for our Wednesday morning Bible study.

The birthday girl had requested a light salad luncheon, so the chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, broccoli salad, and fresh berries salad were waiting for each one to fill one of the dinner plates.


Dessert was a delicious Tiramisu birthday cake. It was so incredibly light, I'm fairly certain there were few if any calories. Sure. As happens so often, I was blessed to have my friends gathered around my table long into the afternoon. I sent everyone home with flowers and left overs for their husbands, so they didn't have to worry about fixing dinner.


Remember that entries are still being taken for Entertaining Women's 8th Blogiversary Give Away! Just make a comment on today's post, and for extra entries take a stroll back into my archives and leave as many comments as you want on older posts. The drawing will be made the week of July 7, so you have plenty of time.

This week I'm joining:
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

The Scoop with Suzy @ Worthing Court