K.I.S.S.

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's been a lovely Spring week, and things have been relatively quiet after the Easter celebration.  It  was a perfect opportunity to invite a few close friends for a simple lunch.

The living room was ready to welcome my guests, and the game table provided ample space for a party of four.

K.I.S.S. ... Keep It Simple, Stupid.  A white matelasse cloth, purchased through eBay, anchored my tablescape, and soothing pinks and blues made for a relaxing, laid back time for food and fellowship.

Up to my old tricks again...I used the Copeland Spode, "Jewel", dinner plate as a charger placed beneath the vintage Ridgways, "Lynton" luncheon plate.  The Lynton pattern is also available in brown, for those of you who love brown and white dishes.  Both of the patterns were collected over a period of time through eBay.  The individual salt and peppers are MacKenzie-Childs.

Sam's, my personal florist, provided the flowers for my centerpiece.  The blue and white tulipiere, an estate sale purchase for $4.00, made it easy to showcase a simple bunch of pink alstroemeria.  The miniature blue and white pots were originally votive candle holders.  Today they served nicely to hold tiny clusters of candy pink sweetheart roses...seated at the top of each place setting.

The trusty Pier One, pink luster goblets, purchased on clearance a number of years ago, always add a nice to touch to any table.  I also have the matching wine goblets.  My guests were offered wine when they arrived, and they brought the additional goblets to the table when it was time to eat.

Our everyday stainless steel flatware, Wallace, "Antique Bead" lent a casual tone for my luncheon.  They were accompanied by vintage pink linen napkins with a scalloped edge.  The napkins are yet another eBay acquisition.  Are you sensing a theme?  I am a huge advocate for shopping on eBay.  One of my favorite entertaining strategies...a crystal decanter filled with water, waits to refill glasses for my guests.  I bought several of this decanter for $19.00 each at Tuesday Morning.

Today's "Triple Salad"...chicken salad, tuna salad, and fresh mixed berries/fruit salad...is prepared and waiting in the refrigerator for my guests to arrive.  Dessert will be my mama's Brandy Ice.  I hope that one day, you'll be crossing my threshold to sit at my table.  Perhaps we'll dine in this same spot.  That would be such a delight for me.

Here's mama's recipe.  I think that you'll like it.

BRANDY ICE

6 oz.  Brandy

1 oz.  Creme de Cacao

1 oz. Triplesec

1 oz. Drambuie

Place all of liquor in measuring cup.  Mix with 1/2 gallon premium vanilla ice cream, about a third of ice cream and 1/3 of liquor at a time in blender.  Return completed mixture to original ice cream container.  Replace cover.  Freeze at least overnight.  At Christmas, add a bow, and it makes a great gift to exchange with friends.  Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving.

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."   Hop on over HERE 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!