True Grace

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.

It should be blatantly obvious by now that I have zero objectivity when it comes to my son and daughter and son-in-love and daughter-in-love.  I think that they are the greatest!  Both of my girls share my passion for gracious entertaining and tablescaping.  This week my post covers a lovely dinner that my precious daughter hosted for our family.  At the time they lived in a 1920's American Storybook Home that oozed charm and character.  The dining room was one of my favorite spots.

KC was excited to bring out her very best china, silver, and crystal for our special dinner party.  She made a trip to my house to dig Nana's wonderful vintage tablecloth out of one of my linen closets.  She snagged Nana's antique linen napkins while she was there, too.  I'm always thrilled to share our stash of linens with our kids for special occasions.  

David and KC were in agreement when they registered for their Vera Wang, "Duchesse" crystal goblets.  They lend such a genteel sophistication to the table.  KC chose her grandmother's pattern, Reed & Barton, "Francis I," for her sterling flatware.  Did you know that Francis I is the most popular of all silver patterns?  KC had originally registered for a lovely cobalt china pattern by Pickard.  Then one day she was in a local china and jewelry shop when she happened to notice a sales clerk pulling plates out from a normally closed cabinet.  The clerk all of sudden removed this plate...and everything changed.  KC said, "Mama, she pulled out this one plate, and it took my breath away.  I knew that it had to be my china."...

...And that's how she found her china pattern...Bernardaud Limoges, "Grace."  I told her that she shouldn't expect to receive very many pieces because it is so darned expensive.  She didn't care; she was ready to collect it slowly for many years.  By their wedding day she had received almost a complete service for 12, minus a couple of salads and desserts...incredibly generous friends...and family...I gave her a few pieces, of course.  I think that if I were to register again, I'd pick this gorgeous porcelain, too.  It's one of the most beautiful designs that I've ever seen!

Apple never falls very far from the tree...my sweet girl enjoys mixing and matching just like her mom.  Today she used her Haviland, "Ranson" bread and butters.  I collected a service of "Ranson" for her at the same time that I was building my own set.  For the centerpiece, individual posies were placed in small glass vases fitted with place card holders...just the right touch.

The entrée was in the oven; she baked her yummy lasagana recipe.  KC and David were ready for all of us to come to the table for salad.  What a delight...I'm one lucky mom!

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 HERE 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.

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!