Black & White Lunch on the Back Porch

I've been part of a wonderful Bible Study for the past twenty-three years.  We gather in a different home each year, and we represent a wide variety of denominations.  Our group is called "The Garden Friends," and they have become my dearest friends over the time that we've been studying together.  We celebrate birthdays, once every month or so, throughout the year.  There may be three birthday girls, or there might be seven birthday girls.  I adore the times that I receive the blessing of hosting them for these occasions.  The size of the luncheon group varies from around twelve to around twenty.  This day, I prepared two tables for an al fresco birthday fete for sixteen.

Can you see the trunk of my giant shade tree, just past the Knock-out Roses?  It provides welcome shade, and we normally have at least some type of breeze (We also occasionally have 100 mph straight winds...go figure!).  This particular day offered the best of everything for a birthday luncheon on the back porch.  My back yard is certainly not a fancy spot, but it welcomes my guests to while away an afternoon sharing a meal and conversation.

I am a huge advocate for Matelasse cloths, and I bought these on eBay.  Wheeee!  You'll see them on my tables in many different tablescapes.  Today I thought that they were the ideal complement to my wedding china, Oxford Bone China by Lenox, "Filagree."  I still enjoy using it after all these many years.  I, like so many young brides, seemed to prefer a platinum band for my china.  My tastes have shifted toward gold rims as time has passed.  At one point, I considered giving it to my daughter, but my husband spoke up and said that he really wanted us to keep it for now.  I like that he had an opinion and that he still cared for the wedding china that we picked out forty-two years ago!

The black lacquer charger plate was an inexpensive purchase at Hobby Lobby.  I think that they serve as an effective anchor for each place setting.  Resting atop the "Filagree" is a Haviland "Ranson," Schleiger #1, luncheon plate.  I wanted a set of white china, and I couldn't find one that I liked until I ran across this antique pattern.  I collected them for about three years, and I've enjoyed learning about Haviland, in the process.  "Ranson" is the name of the blank; there are a multitude of different painted designs that were created by Haviland on the same blank.

My black and white color theme was enchanced by the assorted party favor boxes that I made and wrapped with a variety of black and white ribbons.  I made the boxes with my Cricut Expression.  The Cricut is a marvelous tool.  It also creates wonderful place cards.  The boxes rested on some of Nana's crisp white antique Madeira napkins.  I'm a fan of individual salt and pepper shakers, and these cut crystal S&P's added just a touch of shine and a bit of texture.

I liked the subtle splash of contrasting colors provided by the Waterford 'Simply Lime Green" goblets, and the casual arrangement of white daisy mums and pink Alstroemeria.  I didn't want to spend too much on flowers, and good ole Sam's offered just what I needed.  The Black Tole container was an estate sale purchase.  I actually found three of the same design that day.  I use them regularly, and you'll see them again!  The Reed & Barton, "Francis I," was my mother-in-love's sterling flatware, and we are blessed to have it.  I used it on one of the tables.  I think that it works well with the "Filagree."  On the second table, I used our wedding silver, Reed & Barton "Grande Renaissance."  It was bought to complement the  "Filagree."  

 

It's always an easy endeavor to design a tablescape for my Garden Friends because each one of them always calls and offers to bring a dish for everyone to enjoy.  The food is always magnificent, and I don't have to prepare the entire meal.  Are you ready to eat, yet?  What did you bring to share with us today?  Sit next to me...I want to get to know you better!

I am participating in Tablescape Thursdays, with thanks to Susan Between Naps on the Porch.