Paisley, II.

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. As the harvest season approaches 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.


When my Russian Paisley Scarf arrived from the Australian eBay seller (see Paisley, I HERE), I immediately knew that I wanted the ability to create multiple tablescapes with the scarf.  Therefore, I needed more than one!  I contacted the seller in Australia, and sure enough, she had an additional scarf.  This particular day, I used both pieces on my dining table to create a casual autumn tablescape, and I invited the Garden Friends to stay after our Bible study for lunch.  

Today there were ten of us who shared lunch.  Poppy Seed Chicken, a green salad, and hot bread were easily prepared ahead of time.  I didn't want to spend time or money for floral arrangements, so for centerpieces on the table, I pulled from my pumpkin collection.  The pair of Della robbia topiaries on the buffet make an appearance every year from Fall through Christmas.  I put them in assorted containers depending on my design for the table.  Today, I chose a pair of Chinese red tole jardinieres.  

       The Val St. Lambert crystal candlesticks fit right into the seasonal template with the addition of beaded candle rings in the colors of Autumn.  Trios of ceramic pumpkins were purchased years ago on clearance at Hobby Lobby.  I've used them in many locations throughout our home.  I like the curve in the paisley design against the shapes of the pumpkins.

The pumpkin tureen with the lettuce leaf underplate is an early Fitz & Floyd piece.  I am still as thrilled to use it today as when we bought it, oh so many years ago.  Every once in a while, I actually put soup in it.  The chunky green  goblets were originally purchased to use with the Spode Christmas Tree dinnerware. They were made by Viking or Colony.  I just can't remember for certain...brain freeze.

  The Bordallo Pinheiro "Cabbage Leaf" charger plates were a great get at an estate sale for $3.00 each.  I'm quite fond of the honey colored Luneville "Louis XV" faience dinner plates.  They were a bargain that I scored on eBay.  I think that the Country French napkins worked because of the touches of black and the red that tied them to the various hues and shades in the paisley scarf.  The classic shape of my everyday stainless, Wallace, "Antique Bead," again captured the curve in the paisley design.

The timer on the oven just signaled that the Poppy Seed Chicken is ready.  Grab your dinner plate; we're serving ourselves in the kitchen.  We've had a wonderful Bible study; now I'm looking forward to good food and precious fellowship.

Poppy Seed Chicken

3 Cups cooked, diced chicken               8 ounces Ritz crackers

8 ounces sour cream 2 cans -Cream of Chicken Soup

2 T., poppy seeds 1 stick melted butter

Crush crackers with melted butter and poppy seed. Cover bottom of lightly greased 3 quart casserole with crumb mixture, saving some to put on the top of the casserole.

Mix soup, chicken, sour cream and spread over the crumb mixture.  Sprinkle with the remaining mixture. Bake one hour at 350º.  Freezes well.  Serves 12.

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."

    

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, "Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "Tablescape Thursday.  Click on the button below to hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.