Sunday, May 22, 2011

Red, White, and Blue Luncheon


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.
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I'm posting a reprise of a blog entry that I published last summer.  I was quite new to blogworld at that point, so I think that not too many of you will have seen this.  Red, white, and blue seems to weave its way throughout my summer.  My Sweet Mister and my precious son were both born on Memorial Day; Dickens, my Yorkshire Terrorist , was also born on the same day.  We all celebrate with this most patriotic of color combinations for Independence Day, and it always seems a natural choice for picnics and barbecues.  So for Seasonal Sundays, hosted by The Tablescaper, I want to celebrate Red, White, and Blue....so closely associated with Summer in my household.  Please, click HERE to visit other wonderful blogs participating in this marvelous meme.  Thank you Tablescaper for being our hostess!



RED, WHITE, & BLUE LUNCHEON
HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT
MY DAUGHTER-IN-LOVE'S
CAKE BALLS?

My friend BJ and I decided to host a luncheon for a group of our sorority sisters.  We hadn't seen some of them in 40 years!  Yep, I'm that old.  We agreed that we would work with a 4th of July theme.  We wanted it to be somewhat casual, but very special.  There were 16 of us at the luncheon, so I created two tablescapes for our group.

As the ladies arrived, they were given a Mimosa to start the party.  The conversations picked up as if we had never been apart.  It was amazing and marvelous!  After the guests were seated, I served a first course of chicken noodle soup in blue and red star shaped bowls. (Yes, I really like chicken noodle soup.)  The invitations had requested that each person bring a "cold salad to share with your cool sisters." Every contribution was "church lady food" delicious.  For dessert, I served my daughter-in-love, Jamiann's, scrumptious cake balls. (http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com)  They are so good, they are evil.  More about the cake balls in a moment...

 Jamiann not only created cake balls for dessert, she also made individually wrapped, ribbon tied, cake balls on lollipop sticks.  I used two oasis-filled blue ceramic bowls to create cake ball centerpieces for each table.  They were quick and easy to assemble, and they had a great impact as a design element in the tablescapes.  These were red velvet flavor, and each guest took some home to share with her family after the party. 

Once seated, each guest found an individual covered dessert cloche filled with two cake balls presented on a bed of red, white,  & blue candies.  These were Pina Colada and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.  The individual covered dessert pedestals were a birthday gift from a dear friend.  She found them at Tuesday Morning Mall.  I saw some there as recently as June.  They are also available through Pottery Barn for a higher price.  I use them quite often, and my guests always comment on them.

The "Outdoor Collection," enamelware red and navy chargers and the white enamelware dinner plates were bought on clearance from Pottery Barn last year.  They are dishwasher safe and really fun for casual occasions.  The blue with white stars napkins are actually bandanas, available at Hobby Lobby for $1.27 each.  The ribbon completed the 'stars and stripes' effect.  The blue handled flatware is Argent "Sophia," purchased at Tuesday Morning Mall.

  The red goblet is such a nice size for water or iced tea.  It is Lenox, "Holiday Gem."  It is also made in a great Christmas green.  I believe that it is still available.  The cobalt goblet is by Libby, and I bought it at the Dollar Tree for $1.00 per stem...a great find!

This wonderful 1920's vintage white linen tablecloth belonged to Nana.  It's really too long for this table, so I fold it under, and it works quite nicely.  I've thought about hemming it, but I can never bring myself to cut into it.  Who knows?  Someday I might decide to use it as a drape!  It is unadorned, and I liked it for this crisp, clean tablescape.

My co-host, BJ, provided the charming 'frog jars.'  They are aqua green Mason jars that come with two lids.  One is the traditional lid, and one is a wired lid that works as a frog for flowers.  There was a frog jar with Gerbera Daisies for each guest to take home as a party favor.  They were a real hit with the ladies!  They add a special touch to a casual table.  BJ left some extras with me, and I'll use them often for future tablescapes.  Yippeeee!!!  Thank you, BJ!!!

I often use the game table in my living room for overflow seating, as well as for smaller luncheons and dinners.  The table is actually 48", but here I've utilized one of my 'flip-top table tops.'  With the flip-top, I now have a 60" table, which can seat a generous 8 to a tight 10 guests.  When seating 10, there is not enough space to use service plates, and I need to place smaller chairs.  Today, the table was set for 8.

I'm always intrigued that the same elements can be so distinctly unique on the two different table shapes. Everything is the same on this table with the exception of the tablecloth.  Here I've chosen a white matelasse' tablecloth that I purchased on eBay.  I really enjoy entertaining at a round table.  The conversation flows so easily, and everyone tends to participate equally.
Are you ready to dine, yet?  Grab your plate.  We're serving in the kitchen.




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!            
Entertaining Women
Entertaining Women

Hello, I'm Cherry Kay I was 40 before I realized that I am an artist. I love to paint, work in clay, rubber stamping, design tablescapes, entertain, and share ideas. I'm an interior designer wanna-be...no credentials, but lots of experience.

22 comments:

  1. What a great post, the tables look stunning how creative you & BJ are and the cake balls look like so much fun.
    Happy Seasonal Sunday from Normandy.
    Maggie

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  2. Beautiful table, and the individual cloches with goodies look adorable:@)

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  3. What a festive tablescape! And cake balls...how fun! Hope you have a wonderful holiday!...hugs...Debbie

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  4. Beautiful and festive table! I am your newest follower and I have a Yorkie too. Stop by and visit us sometime!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xx00

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  5. I'm so glad that you decided to repost this. What a wonderful event. I have long loved your little cloches. What a magnificent way to begin a meal. Your daughter in love's cake ball are an amazing centerpiece.

    Thanks so much for joining my Birthday Party at Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  6. Summer is Red, White and Blue time. Your tables are so festive. Tuesday Morning is fun ... sometimes I find too much (makes up for the times I don't find anything). Love the cake balls ... what a surprise! Have a lovely week!

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  7. I remember this post - so pretty. It was the first time I'd ever heard of cake balls. My daughter thought I was so au courant when she made then this year and I knew what they were!

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  8. Oh, I'm in love with this gorgoeus "patriotic table"! All the red, white and blue...wish I had some red in my things to make this! I love the cloches with yummys inside, wow, I'm in love with these tablescape! Have a nice Sunday.
    FABBY

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  9. Just terrific, Cherry Kay! Soooo colorful & patriotic, yet classy, too. Those chargers are fantastic looking & so are the individual covered dessert cloches. I hope you join in Tablescaper's "Where do you store it all" meme, because I'm dying to know where you put all this stemware. The dishes stack up easily, but I'm struggling with finding room for all the stems.

    Please wish all your sweet hubby, son & the poochie, Dickens all an early 'Happy Birthday' from me?

    fondly,
    Rett

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  10. Thanks Cherry Kay, for the info on the Hagerty quilted zipper storage containers. I will look for some. DD has the ones from BB&B & you're right...the zippers are flimsy & the material tears easily.

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  11. Cherry Kay,

    You are an inspired hostess. Love the red, white, blue, cake balls, china, yellow flowers in green jelly jars, et.al. What a fun time with the sisters. Thanks for stopping by my post as well. This week, my sister-in-law dazzled me with a bridal shower for my future daughter-in-law. What joy abounds in hosting and loving. ~CJ

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  12. These tables are fabaulous, Cherry kay! So patriotic and so much fun. The cake balls really look delicious and made really nice centerpieces.....Christine

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  13. What an adorable, festive tablescape! Love both the tables!

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  14. What a gorgeous home you have! (yes, I WAS busy snooping in the BACKGROUNDS of your lovely pictures!)

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  15. Lovely table. I love the whole thing! Great centerpiece and those jars with the frogs.. now I will be hunting some of those down! I love those cake balls. The metal plates are wonderful. Great scape!

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  16. Absolutely wonderful red white and blue table. Beautiful inspiration!

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  17. These are marvelously set tables! I am quite intrigued by the cake balls! They do look delicious!
    Very inspiring tablesettings!
    Kathy

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  18. What a great party! I almost tried my hand at cake balls for a recent party, but I ran out of time. Soon I hope to make them. I'm headed over to check out Jamiann's recipe! Glad you re-posted; missed this the first time!

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  19. As I was looking at this beautiful table, I remembered that it was on this blog that I first heard about cake balls. I think it might have been on this table. That was a year ago, and I have yet to try them. They just look wonderful, especially on this table.

    As always, it's terrific.

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  20. I enjoyed this repost! I have never had cake balls but they look like fun to serve! It is true that different tables can make a huge difference in how the dishes look. I am looking at Pottery Barn enamel dishes this year, but last year I waited for the sale and they were sold out. You were lucky to get them! Happy Birthday to your guys and the doggie too! Linda

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  21. Love this -- so colorful and star spangled! Cake balls look like the perfect ending to a fun luncheon. Happy celebrating.

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  22. This is beautiful....it belongs in a magazine!
    I just love hopping over here.
    Enjoy your Memorial Day!
    Shel

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