Entertaining Women Blogiversary and GIVEAWAY!!!

"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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Happy Birthday to Entertaining Women!  To celebrate my first year of blogging, I want to GIVEAWAY something from my personal collection.  One of you will be the winner of the luncheon plates that I used in my tablescape today.  My table was set for four, but the winner will receive a set of 12 of these antique Theodore Haviland, Limoges France luncheon plates.  I'll share instructions for entering to win at the end of my post.

It. Is. So. Dang. Hot.  This is the time of year that I often choose to stay home where it's nice and cool.  That said, I still like to spend time with my dear friends, so today I've invited three of them to share lunch with me.  

If you've spent any time at all in my little corner of blog world, I'm fairly certain that you knew that because I was preparing for a small group of four, I would choose to create my tablescape at the game table in the living room.  Today I've switched out the usual Minton Spidel high back game chairs for the McGuire rattan chairs.  I thought that they were more in keeping with a dainty summerscape.  I may leave them here for a while; they kind of say "Summer" to me.

The table is anchored with a dainty cotton tablecloth sprinkled with lovely little violets.  I bought this on eBay for $6.00!  It had ribbons sewn into the cloth that when ruched, create a scalloped effect...

...I layered it over one of my white matelassé cloths (also an eBay purchase) to emphasize the scallops and the violet trim.

A quick trip to my personal florist, Sam's, yielded an inexpensive bundle of hot pink spray roses, and a mixed bouquet for the centerpiece.  The amethyst pedestal bowl is a Hobby Lobby find...

The delicate Royal Albert creamer and sugar belonged to my mama.  I didn't even fill them; I just liked them on the table.

The individual salt and peppers are McKenzie - Childs.  I'm still working on my collection.  They are interesting miniature works of art that serve a practical purpose. They were perfect for today's girly- girl table.

I waffled back and forth between different napkins for today.  I tried assorted pinks and greens, but ultimately, I couldn't resist the elegance and texture of these wonderful antique linen cutwork napkins that belonged to our dear Nana.  I've gathered them into the Coalport, "Countryware" napkin rings.  For someone who doesn't often use napkin rings, I've been using these a lot lately.

The charger plate is Bordallo Pinheiro, "Cabbage Leaf". I've collected them from eBay and the occasional estate sale.  They are wonderfully versatile.  I sometimes "co-op" these with several friends.  Together, we can serve a large number of guests.  The service plate is actually a Royal Doulton, "Lowestoft" dinner plate, also an eBay acquisition.  Tip:  I have a "saved search" set on "My eBay" page for "Plates, set of 12".  I'm generally interested in buying sets of plates...enough to set a table.  When new auctions come on line with this description, eBay sends me an email telling me what's new.  It saves time and keeps me informed. Give it a try!

The vintage Theodore Haviland, Limoges France luncheon plate was the inspiration piece for my design today.  I wanted you to see my blogiversary giveaway up close and personal because I hope that you'll fall in love with it!  I adore the beautiful embossing on the scalloped rim.  The tiny pink and lavender floral motif is typical of numerous Haviland patterns.  I am an enthusiastic advocate for luncheon plates.  They exponentially expand the opportunities for mixing and matching.  Most dinner plates can be used as chargers when paired with luncheon plates.  Just imagine the possibilites!

    I found a large service of the gold-tone bamboo handle flatware at a garage sale.  This is the first time that I've used it.  I don't know the maker, but it has a nice weight and balance.

  My girly-girl table was just begging for lots of pink and green.  The Waterford Simply "Green", another eBay goodie, paired perfectly with the hot pink Italian crystal goblet.  I found the hot pink stems at Marshall's on a recent trip to Scottsdale, Arizona.  I've recently discovered that we have two Marshall's in our city.  I've searched for more of these, but to no avail, so far.  If you happen to come across any and you don't need them for yourself, I'd love it if you would let me know.  They were a hit with my guests today...such a yummy color!

The table is ready...

...Wine, iced tea, and water are waiting in the kitchen...

Tomato Bisque soup is warming on the stove top, waiting to be served in Haviland, "Ranson" cream soups.  Hot bread is baking in the oven and will be served in our sweet Nana's antique silver roll basket.  A main course of chicken salad and avocado served on a bed of lettuce is just light enough for a hot summer day.  Dessert will be a raspberry sponge cake pyramid presented with fresh berries and peaches in Val St. Lambert crystal bowls.

I'm ready to roll...

The house is spit-spot, and I'm eager for my dear friends to ring the bell.  I'm excited to tell them about the blogiversary giveaway.  The  instructions follow just below.  I hope that you'll sign up for a chance to win the set of 12 luncheon plates.

Here's how you can enter:
1. Become an official follower of Entertaining Women. Then leave me a comment to tell me that you're a new follower!! You can also leave a comment telling me that you're already a follower.

2.  For a second chance to win, leave me a comment telling me your first thought about how you would use the Theodore Haviland, Limoges, France luncheon on your table.

I'll draw and announce the winner on Tuesday, July 19.  Good luck!  I think that the winner is going to enjoy using the plates for many years.  I can hardly wait to see how they'll look on your table, if you're the winner!

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 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.


Thank you to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for sponsoring her delightful blog party...PINK SATURDAY.  I'm pleased to join he fun!  Click HERE to explore all the yummy posts that celebrate PINK.

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!