Asian Autumn

"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. During this beautiful season when we celebrate harvest and Thanksgiving, 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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Sweet Mister gave me my birthday present early this year.  He gifted me with a wonderful new Nikon 7000D SLR camera and two lenses.  I'm so excited to learn how to use this amazing piece of equipment...it's going to be a loooonnnnggg learning curve, but I'm game for the challenge.  I shot my tablescape pics for today's post with my new toy...all natural light...not one flash!  Hold on...it's going to be a bumpy ride.

I've used my collection of white pumpkins again this week, but I've stretched my design equation by introducing a few Asian elements into the formula.  I noticed that this is one of very few tablescapes that I have created that doesn't utilize any family treasures.  Almost everything on this table was obtained through thrifting, eBay, or estate sales.

 I've been to some really good estate sales in the last few weeks.  The inspiration for this table was the Amber Capiz Shell Charger Plates...

...bought for $20.00 for a set of 6 at an estate sale.  They are quite large; they work more like a place mat than a charger plate.  Placing the dessert spoon on the plate, at the top, was a design descision.

Resting on the capiz charger is a Royal Worcester, "Regency" dinner plate.  I bought a set of these from a dealer in London, through eBay.  They were a good enough price to make it worth the cost of shipping overseas.  

Lending a nod to my Asian motif, the Korean made luncheon plates, with their red and white "chop" design, were also a really good get on eBay.  I decided that the dark bamboo handled flatware, a great deal at Big Lots would fit right into my oriental look.

Returning yet again to the Vietri Amber goblet...this time I have paired it with a Bohemian Ruby goblet, another eBay  acquisition.  The Pier One napkins were chosen because they offered a repetition of several colors used in today's design.

In addition to the now familiar white pumpkins, I was excited to use our pair of antique oriental lidded rose bowls...

...I didn't want to pay the full asking price for these at a recent estate sale, so I left a bid for just a few dollars more than half price.  Rolling the dice paid off this time, and I received a phone call letting me know that I had the winning bid.  I've been looking for a pair of these, in this color, for a long time....Woot...Woot!!!  I've used them with my eBay collection of Barley Twist candlesticks to complete the centerpiece.

I think that I'm ready for my guests to come to the table.  Can you join us?  I'd love it!

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.

When I think of Fall, I think of sunlit mornings and close friends gathered at my table.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAY.  Hope to see you there!


I'm joining the Blog Hop, hosted this week by Growing Old with Grace.  Sounds like fun!

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!