Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Birthday Luncheon for the Girls of Summer

It's once again time for Centerpiece Wednesday with the Style Sisters.  I am reprising this post because I want to share my Daughter-in-love's wonderful and delicious cakeballs.  They not only make a beautiful and whimsical centerpiece, they also serve as a marvelous party favor for my guests!


Before the Garden Friends Bible Study began a summer hiatus, we gathered one more time to celebrate birthdays for our dear friends who were born during the summer months.  It was a precious time of fellowship with my dearest friends.  I enjoyed every moment preparing for them to come to my table.


  It was a gorgeous sun-filled day when I took this early morning shot.  My table was all set, waiting for a few last minute details...and my precious friends.


Once again, I chose to place a special order with my daughter-in-love for her beautiful and delicious cake balls.  The Red Velvet cake balls on lollipop sticks, individually wrapped and embellished with chocolate organdy ribbon, were perfect as a centerpiece.  My guests took some home as a party favor to share with their families.


Small creamware tulipieres held gorgeous Parrot Tulips, from my dear friend, Marsha's, yard.  We call these 'roadsideia.'  The buffet was flanked with two jardenieres holding Azalea plants.  The flowers were simple, by design, but they added just the right touch.


Zina Vasi designs lovely table linens that are made in Russia.  The cloth for today featured bunches of cherries and butterflies.  My name happens to be 'Cherry Kay,' so this one seemed a natural choice for me.  I found several of these on close-out at Dillard's, and they can also be found occasionally on eBay.   They are made in a nice variety of designs and sizes, and they launder beautifully.  Take a look at them sometime.  I think that you'll like them.  White Italian faience candlesticks provided continuity for my table.  I pick them up periodically on eBay, for a mere pittance.

There are some nice estate sales in our area.  I found the Fire King Jadeite "Alice," on the second day of a sale for $3.00 each.  I've since learned that my purchase was a great find.  Woohoo!  I'm enchanted by the color and the knowledge that they were originally commonly used in restaurants.  They are seated on Spode, "Luneville" dinnerplates, atop Caspari rattan service plates.  The flatware is Argent, "Sophia," another one of my Tuesday Morning purchases...also available through Horchow.  The baby blue linen napkins have a heavy passementerie design.  They are part of a round placemat set that I found on eBay.  They are one of my favorites, and I use them frequently.

I liked the smooth pearlized surface of the pink goblet, bought years ago on close-out at Pier One, contrasting with the texture of the cut crystal goblet, Cash Crystal, "Sutton Place."  Cash Crystal is also marketed as Godinger Crystal.  These goblets look quite opulent, but they can still be bought very inexpensively.  Did you see the tiny MacKenzie-Childs salt & pepper? I collect them, and they add a special touch to many of my tablescapes.  I like the reflective value of the individual dessert cloches, a Tuesday Morning find, at each place....


...and I adore the nests that my generous friend Marsha created...just the perfect size to hold an 'almond amaretto' cake ball for dessert.  Check out my daughter-in-love's blog: http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com/ for more information about the cake balls.  She is so incredibly talented!


The time has come, and I just heard the door bell ring.  My cherished Garden Friends have arrived.  They've each brought a delicious dish for us to share...


For our first course, a scrumptious cold strawberry soup looked perfect in the Haviland, "Ranson" cream soups, that once belonged to dear Nana.  I pray that I shall always be a good steward of the lovely things that she made it possible for us to have.  I think of all the magnificent women on both sides of our family each time I create a tablescape to honor my family and friends.  I am truly blessed.  


Everything is prepared.  Here, take a seat on my right.  I have a feeling that we have so many things in common.  I'm excited to have the opportunity to know you better.


"Il n'ya pas de bon repas sans bonne compagnie."  


I am pleased to participate in the 101st Tablescape Thursday at Susan Between Naps on the Porch.  Thank you, Susan, for providing such a wonderful vehicle for those of us who love entertaining, dishes, and tablescape design.  Click on the link below to see a marvelous variety of tablescapes by some extremely talented bloggers.










I am linking this post to "Centerpiece Wednesdays" athttp://www.thestylesisters.blogspot.com
Thanks to The Style Sisters for hosting the party.  Hop on over and see all the great ideas!
Centerpiece Wednesdays Button

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.

48 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful table. I love the pinks and greens together. You and your friends must have had a wonderful time of fellowship. You made their birthday luncheon so special. I must find out if your DIL will ship cake balls to Virginia!

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  2. How beautiful! Your friends are certainly lucky to be able to dine at a lovely table with dear friends. The jadeite plates are divine! Thanks for sharing with us today.

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  3. This is a beautiful post, both in how you set your table, but also in how you mentioned the women in your family.
    I love that.

    Question-
    how do you get such wide angles on your photos?

    Laura

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  4. Komali,
    what a stunning table. I like it, love it all from the tablecloth to the centerpiece. This soft green plates are so nice with the tablecloth and I like the pearly pink goblets, too. I will hopp over to your DIL to see the yummy recipe for the cake balls. Sweet idea to have a centerpiece, which the guests can take home.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  5. I am one of those especially blessed birthday girls at this gorgeous table. You never cease to amaze me with your talents. Marsha's nests made the Amaretto cake balls by Jamiann especially fetching - especially since I happen to love birds and nests and eggs. Each tablescape you create is my favorite. And, I know how much fun you have creating them, as the giving, loving person you are. Thanks for sharing!!

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  6. What a wonderful find that Jadeite was. Oh your table is lovely. Once again, I'm delighted to have stopped in for a bit. Thanks for the lovely comments on my blog.. cya soon, I love dropping in for a visit.

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  7. Truly a gorgeous table setting. I can't wait to check out your DIL's blog.

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  8. How lovely! You set such beautiful tables! Your friends are blessed by the love you show through these parties! You are so blessed to have friends who enjoy such things! Around here everybody is into quick things, fast food, etc!

    Love the little salt and pepper shakers too!

    Katherine

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  9. This is fantastic! I am in love with those individual pedestal cake plates that showcase those terrific nests and chocolates! Such a treat to be invited to dine at a gorgeous table like this and have unique items like that. The chilled strawberry soup looks delicious and again, another "out of the ordinary" pleasure, I'm sure! What fun your guests must have had!

    DD

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  10. Gorgeous table~ that early morning light looks beautiful streaming across those dishes & glasses! LOVE your tablecloth~ I'm on my way to Dilliard's :-)

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  11. Cherry Kay, this is a wonderful & memorable table but the sentiments you expressed are even more touching. I love how you honor & respect the treasures that were handed down to you. You've done them true justice by continuing to create bonds of friendship & caring with those who gather at your beautiful home.

    I'm laughing at your "'roadsideia" comment. :-)

    You MUST promise to tell us more about that gorgeous silver I see in the background!!!

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  12. How could one resist lunch at your table where every detail is tended to perfectly and is such a tribute to your friends. I know all of you had a wonderful time.

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  13. This is so beautiful! I've always wanted to buy one of those little cake pedestals but I didn't know what I would do with one. Now I know, I need to buy more than one. Thanks you for sweet comment on my blog. I can't wait to check out more of you lovely tablescapes.

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  14. What a beautiful table you set for your friends. I especially like the green plates and the individual dessert cloches. The cake balls look so good in them! Joni

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  15. Lovely Table setting! Simple stunning.Fatima-Scrapart.

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  16. What a stunning tablescape! LOVE the pink and green with white. Your guests are very blessed by you, I'm sure.
    The whole room is just lovely.
    Debbie@houseatthelake

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  17. Oh everything is gorgeous!!! Amazing! I have made small red velvet cake balls but never those big beautiful ones....I am going to her blog now to visit!
    Great job!

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  18. Wow! Just beautiful! I love all of the color!The cakes are amazing! Lucky you to have such a talented DIL!

    Simply stunning!

    Enjoy!
    Cathy

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  19. Absolutely stunning! what a gorgeous treat for your friends to find when they arrive! Every details is so lovely. Well done!

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  20. Your table is a sheer delight to look at...so many little details...beautiful.

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  21. Everything is just stunning, every little detail! I love looking at your tablescape. Great job! You have a lovely dining room....Christine

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  22. Just delightful. So sparkley! Thanks for sharing. -Sharon

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  23. Great tablescape. How special everyone must feel as they sit down. Love the cloches at each place setting.

    Hugs,
    Joanne

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  24. Cherry Kay, this is such a beautiful table! I know your guests must have really enjoyed it. Your daughter-in-love (love that and hope I can say the same some day!) is very talented. That made such a pretty centerpiece. You have such lovely details that make up a most gorgeous table.

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  25. It's all just lovely and very elegant!

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  26. Oh this tablescape is just delightful! These are all my favorite colors and I adore Jadite! What a lucky find that was!
    I am now following your beautiful blog, everything about is "SO ME:)
    My only regret, wish I was sitting at this wonderful table too!

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  27. Oh, this is beautiful! I love the stemware and the linens. Such a perfect setting for ladies. Thanks for stopping by.
    Sherry

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  28. You have such a graceful entertaining gift!! I want to be just like you when I get the house cleaned up! I'm sure collecting the dishes.

    1 of the coolest things I've ever seen is your cake ball pedastal for each guest!! wow

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  29. How beautiful! Everything is stunning. I love the cherry (cheery) tablecloth and the individual cloches at each seat. You have a gift at making your guests feel special.
    Sheila

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  30. Pink and green is such s soft but festive color combination. I especially love your pink stemware and faience candlesticks! Thanks for sharing.

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  31. Lovely table - thanks for visiting my blog today!
    Susan

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  32. Wow, it's beautiful! And such a big table! I'm sure the birthday girl felt honored.

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  33. Wonderful table. Great pink stemware.You've got plenty of seat there, would you mind if there was one more? I'll be right over.

    - The Tablescaper

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  34. A lovely tablesetting! I also checked out your DIL's blog. Please see if you can get her to post a tutorial on those cake balls for those of us who live far, far away!

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  35. What a fabulous setting! So festive!

    Hugs
    Charo

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  36. Just love your setting! The cake pops are fascinating, something we don't get in SA..thanks too for stopping by and have a super weekend.
    Shel

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  37. What a cheery and lavish table! Fabulous colors! Jacqueline

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  38. Hi,
    What a lovely and exquisite table you have set, right down to smallest detail. Love the soft colors and your special pieces. You have a very lucky group of ladies to be able to enjoy such wonderful hospitality and fellowship.
    Enjoy your weekend.
    Maryrose

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  39. Cherry Kay, another beautiful table. These soft colors are so pretty mixed together. Those Jadite plates are wonderful and what a find! The napkins are just exquisite, and so is your dining room. What cute dessert presentations - the flower cupcakes, and the birds nests in stemed cloches. It's all just beautiful. I love strawberry soup, and that looks delicious in your pretty heirloom bowls. laurie

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  40. What a beautiful table! Everything is so inviting, I'm sure you had a wonderful meal together with your friends. I love your dishes, stemware, and your centerpiece...how fun! Your home is gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing and stopping by to visit!
    Sharlotte

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  41. What is not to love about this gorgeous table! LOVE your FireKing, and especially with the baby blue napkin. Love the crystal too, and the tablecloth is just perfect! What a wonderful lunch it must have been!!

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  42. This is positively beautiful!!! I love every single thing about it. My favorite part? Those dessert cloches and nested dessert in them. I'm definitely heading to your DIL's blog to see more. It took me a while to navigate tablescapes this week, and THIS was so worth the wait.

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  43. Oh my, your dining room is gorgeous and your tablescape is stunning. What a beautiful setting to great your friends. Your china and crystal are all just perfect, and the linens are gorgeous. I LOVE your desert cloches, and desert looks fabulous too. So beautifully done. Thanks also for your gracious comments about the fabrics and colors I am pulling together for the familyroom redo. It is such fun to plan. Hope you have a blessed Sunday. Hugs, Marty

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  44. Such a beautiful table! I love the cake balls, they are fun!

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  45. Hello Cherry Kay...

    Ohhh my, this is really one of the most beautiful tables that I've ever laid eyes on! I bet your garden friends were just "awed" with the beauty of it! I love your table linens...such pretty colors! The place settings...sooo beautiful! Wow, you really did get a great deal on the pretty jadite plates...the color really compliments your table beautifully!!! Love, love, LOVE the small individual cloches at each place setting...that just looks sooo pretty! Mmm..and I bet the almond cake balls in a nest were fabulous! I love that you used your DIL's cake balls for a table centerpiece...unique and beautiful!!! Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous table with us today! I'm coming over from the Centerpiece Wednesday party!

    Have a wonderful Wednesday, my friend!
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  46. Wow! Can I be your friend and come to the next get together! This is magnificent! Every detail is awesome! I love the cake ball centerpiece idea. Thanks for linking up with such a beautiful tablescape and fabulous centerpiece idea.

    Karin

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  47. I'm a new follower from the Centerpiece Wednesdays!

    Your blog is wonderful and I'm so glad I found it.

    Happy Fall & nice to meet you!

    Marie @ Sally Lee by the Sea
    http://nauticalcottageblog.com

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