Shower of Thankfulness

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.

Last week at this time, I was fully engaged in preparations for a luncheon for 120.  Veronica, the bride-to-be, wanted to have a Friday luncheon to shower her friends with thankfulness as she prepared to walk down the aisle on Saturday morning.  My precious daughter and I stepped in to organize the catered luncheon, which was held in the pavilion building of a local church.

We decided that each table of eight would be set with a different china pattern and chose to feature primarily pinks, blues, and golds.  Much of the day on Thursday was spent in my kitchen creating the floral arrangements.  We were allowed to have access to the building on Friday night, so we transported the dinnerware after 9:00 PM.

The next morning at 7:00 AM, we were back at the pavilion putting everything in its proper place.  The caterers provided flatware, stemware, and napkins to be used with my china and floral centerpieces.  We rented celadon tablecloths to provide continuity from table to table.  The flowers were done in my Lenox urns and in 8 reticulated creamware vases that I bought on clearance a few years ago at Michael's.  Friday evening the centerpieces were used, yet again, for the rehearsal dinner.

Everyone seemed to have a marvelous time.  I wanted to share photos of the tables with you for Tablescape Thursday.  Obviously, with this many tables, it's a photo intensive post.

For the bride's table, we chose Copeland Spode, "Jewel" with the "Jewel, Heath & Rose" luncheon plate.  It reminds me of lace...like we would see in a wedding gown.  I collected my "Jewel" over a period of time on eBay. 

We set two tables with my Wedgwood, "Albion," on the "Corinthian" blank.  It is also an eBay find.

I was able to buy a service for 12 plus numerous serving pieces in this Bernardaud Limoges, "Artois, Green."  It was a fantastic get, and I adore it.

  Nana's lovely treasures are represented today, too.  This gold encrusted plate is Limoges, "Dresden Flower," from the 1920's.

Stouffer Studios were located in Chicago.  They were known for their excellent gold decoration on china.  This was another eBay find.  They are one of my favorites...I have LOTS of favorites!

Guests always seem to really enjoy the Schumann, "Empress, Dresden Flowers."  A service for 10, plus numerous serving and accent pieces, were another amazing get from a local Haviland dealer.

I bought these through eBay.  They look a great deal like Nana's Limoge "Dresden Flower," but they are marked "Guaranteed 22 Karat Gold" on the back.  I thought that they would work well with Nana's plates.

 Another eBay purchase, I bought Castleton, "Empire, Blue," to coordinate with my mother-in-love's wedding china, Castleton, "Laurel."  Castleton, an American china company, came to prominence after the beginning of World War II in Europe in 1938, made it impossible for brides to obtain French and English china.

Copeland Spode, "Luneville,"  such a fresh, pretty pattern....another eBay find.  Did I tell you that I really like eBay?

This is one of my favorite "Nana" patterns...Haviland, "Medallion."  That's my name for it.  I have no idea what it's really called.  For this luncheon, we set two tables with this pattern.

Two more eBay goodies....I layered a Coalport, "Sevres Group," over Wedgwood, "Countryware."  Did you notice the Pottery Barn "Hour Glass" party favors...they represented God's Perfect Timing for this marriage.  

 And one final pattern from today...again from our dear Nana.  This one is by Royal Sutherland.  I don't know the name of this gold encrusted china, but it is so lovely.  Yeaaaaaa for Nana!

The dessert table featured a Pottery Barn Champagne Bucket that the bride would later give as a gift to the groom.  I bought the flowers from Sam's.  Cupcakes were from Cuppies and Joe, a local shop.

My precious daughter created this centerpiece for the bride's table.  We gave it to her as a hostess gift from the two of us.

I pick up these Lenox Urns occasionally at estate sales.  They are an incredibly useful shape.

I found these reticulated containers on clearance at Michael's.  Tip:  I use a clear glass custard cup as a liner...works perfectly!

It was a wonderful opportunity to share my passion for china by designing the tablescapes for this special day.  Wouldn't it be a dream if all of us could one day sit down together and share a lunch...wow...can you just imagine the party that we could all create!  Now that would be a party for the ages!

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. 
To visit Between Naps on the Porch, clickHERE

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."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!