Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Copeland Spode, "Red Aster"...Waiting for Spring.

"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. As you consider your own philanthropic opportunities, 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 thought that I was going to share another reprise of one of my former tablescapes this week, but last night I received a call from my friend.  She said that she would stop by one of our favorite restaurants today and bring take-out for lunch at my house.  There was a chance that several others might join us, so this morning I went to work setting a table for four.  Although it's still winter, the Jonquils are blooming in the garden, and the Pansies are perking up for the second time for their Spring showing.  I realized that as I pulled things for my table, I was obviously already thinking about Spring.  I just couldn't help myself!

 You know my MOS well enough by now, so you are not surprised that I've created my small group design at the games table in the living room.  Come on in!

I think it was my longing for touches of Spring that led me to pull the white matelasse tablecloth, an eBay find, from one of the linen closets.

The blue Damask "Geometric Stripe" napkins were a gift from a friend.  I used my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton, "Francis I", mainly because it was handy...and I adore the cream soups...and I had a bowl of the best Tomato Bisque in town being delivered by my dear friend!




I haven't used any of the MacKenzie-Childs miniature salt and peppers for quite a while.  I want to collect a few more sets this Spring...the time is right. They are so precious; they make me happy, and my guests enjoy them each time.

I've been blessed with an abundance of lovely dinnerware patterns.  Most of the time, if I'm going to add a new pattern, I won't buy a complete service.  I usually start with dinner plates, and I may or may not eventually add other sizes.  That said, there is "a list"...a list of certain patterns that I long ago decided would be mine if I ever came across a great deal on them.

High on my list for a very long time...

...is the Copeland Spode Red Aster.  I've seen this wonderful pattern a number of times...always priced way beyond what I was willing to pay.  Finally, about a month ago, I discovered a set of 12 on eBay for a great deal...and now they're mine!  Yippeeeee!!

The Bordallo Pinheiro "Cabbage Leaf" charger framed the "Aster" just perfectly.


Soft and simple, today I chose to use the Pier One, Pearlized wine goblet, and the Mikasa, "French Countryside" goblet for water.  

The Vietri candlesticks and the Fitz & Floyd, "Cabbage" Bowl provided the finishing touch as the centerpiece for the table.  Because the table was spur of the moment, I grabbed my faux Hydrangeas.  They are actually "kissing balls" with ribbon hangers.  I perched them in   the bowl with the ribbons tucked underneath.  I recently found them at a local gift shop, and I think that I'll get a lot of use from them.


We're having a large salad with grilled Salmon as our main course...

...and I have a batch of Mama's Brandy Ice recipe in the freezer.  We'll have dessert in front of the fireplace and visit and dream of Spring until the cows come home.


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 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of February, I think of Mardis Gras and the anticipation of our Easter celebration.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!




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.

37 comments:

  1. It's so unseasonable cold up here today that we have a fire going. I hope that March brings some of the springtime heralded by your lovely table. It really made me feel spring-like! I'm going to have to talk to my friends about this tradition of calling with news that a take-out lunch is on its way!

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  2. Such a pretty table and I do like those dishes. Copeland Spode has such pretty patterns -- prettier, I think, than the later Spode company. It is a table that reminds one that spring is right around the corner!

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  3. Good morning!
    Well I love your touch of spring table! The cabbage leaf candlesticks are wonderful...they would look pretty on any spring table! Love the dinnerplates with the cabbage edges framing those gorgeous Asters! What a charming table! I am so ready for spring! I'm sure your friends enjoyed sitting by the fireside after enjoying lunch!

    Miss Bloomers

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  4. This is a lovely pre spring table. I see why you love this dinnerware-it is so happy looking.

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  5. Cherry Kay, I always enjoy your posts -- and get great ideas! I like your idea of keeping a list of beloved patterns! The bowl holding the hydrangea balls is just perfect for this table!

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  6. Just lovely! I love the pretty spring floral plates on the cabbage pattern. I just picked up a whole bunch of the Bordallo Pinheiro plates at an Estate sale. Love them!
    XO Cindy

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  7. Beautiful! Can I go to your house for dinner too? I can bring anything, even home made dessert, lol...such lucky friends that will dine in one of your beatiful tables and this one is perfect for a spring mood. . Love the cabbage charger and the Spode plates are gorgeous!
    Hugs,
    FABBY

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  8. Good Morning, I loveeeeee. your table scape so beautiful those plate the cabbage candlestick and SP.It a gorgeous spring table!
    Blessing
    XOX
    Isora

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  9. Such a gorgeous table and it does not look like you threw it together at the last minute, WOW!!!! I am loving the centerpiece with those candlesticks. I have never seen those. Are they a new "find"? If you said, I missed it. I love Vietri too. Just beautiful and you have inspired me.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  10. What a lovely china pattern...it really shows up nicely against the green cabbage leaf plate. I drool every time I see your flatware!

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  11. Cherry Kay, your table is very pretty and I love the green majolica. I love Spode Copeland also. My Mother's wedding china was Spode Copeland "Florence" and I "picked" it after she died and always try to use it when my siblings come to see us. It is full of memories. My sister says it reminded her of the Tenniel illustrations in "Alice in Wonderland" when she was small!
    The "Red Aster" is beautiful. Thank you for brightening my day.

    All best,
    Francie

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  12. Your cabbage leaf chargers are beautiful, Cherry Kay, perfect for spring and the Spode copeland plates are one of the best patterns available. How lucky for you to find 12 at a reasonable price!...Christine

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  13. Ohhh, ahhhh. How wonderful!! Having recently hosted a party where all of the food was catered, I can appreciate the take out concept. Sometimes we don't have time to do it all. Many can make good food, but to place it upon your tablescape - just magnificent!

    - The Tablescaper

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  14. I love having the chance to set a smaller table sometimes! What a pretty linen! I really need to make a list of things I want and then shop ebay for them. You always have the best finds. I too have decided I don't need every piece of everything, especially the things that don't stack well like cups and serving dishes as I am running out of space. The new plates are a great find!

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  15. That table is so lovely and inviting. I love the vietri and the F&F piece! Those are beautiful plates. I've still got one pattern on my bucket list.. so glad you were able to find yours! What a wonderful thing to do.. call and say lunch is on the way! xo marlis

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  16. Your spring table is just lovely. The colors in the flowers are so pretty and look great with the beautiful plates. Makes me want to redo around here and get my spring look going. Beautiful tablescape.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  17. Your table is beautiful. The Spode dishes are fabulous. I love your idea of keeping a list of patterns you love. I think I need to add those cabbage plates to my list of "wants". I have seen them on a lot of tables lately and they seem to go with such a variety of dishes. They look great with your amazing Spode dinner plates. Thanks for sharing your table and most of all for sharing great ideas to help us set a beautiful table. Have a great weekend.

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  18. This is truly a lovely springtime tablescape!

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  19. Beautifully inviting and put together! I think we all have Spring Fever. The back door is open as I write, and the birds are singing away!

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  20. Hi lovely lady.
    Your Tablescape is Gorgeous as always.The cabbage leaf candlesticks are wonderful...they would look pretty on my spring table also! Love the dinnerplates with the cabbage edges, you always know how to put your Tablescapes together. I hope you have a wonderful week with your family.
    XXOO Diane

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  21. Cherry Kay, I have always thought that Aster was such a beautiful pattern. I have the handled cream soup bowls and underplates in this pattern in my shop. At one time I displayed them and also used the perwinkle/blue hydrangeas as it brings out that touch of that color in the plates. I LOVE the majolica plates underneath and the individual s/p shakers are each setting are so precious. I just love the whole table. It definitely speaks of Spring...though it seems we've had lots of 'Spring' days this winter here in OK, haven't we?! It's supposed to be 80 tomorrow! I don't ever remember such a warm winter here.

    Have a lovely remainder of the week,

    Nancy

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  22. Very Lovely! Love the colors and those s&p shakers!

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  23. What a gorgeous impromptu table, Cherry Kay! Those little MacKenzie-Childs miniature salt and pepper shakers are darling...I've never seen them before.

    I LOVE your Copeland Spode Red Aster & YAY YOU for being patient enough to wait for a sale. They are BEAUTIFUL!
    I have some of the Bordallo Pinheiro "Cabbage Leaf" plates & plan on using them for Easter this year. The Copeland goes with them perfectly.

    Your Mikasa French Contryside goblets very pretty...I sure miss my Mikasa outlet we used to have here.

    What a brilliant idea to use the "kissing balls" with ribbon hangers for your centerpiece. They accent the colors & fit is so well with your Spring theme.

    I sure wish I could "drop by with food" & get to sit at one of your lovely tables. Your friends are very lucky to have you in their life.

    Stay safe as that ugly weather passes over.

    Hugs,
    Rett

    p.s. I shopped Old Time Pottery & saw lots of blue & white & thought of YOU!

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  24. I came back not only to see your table again, but to tell you that I'm loving your tablecloth, don't know why I didn't comment on it before, it lovely. Have a terrific weekend.
    Hugs,
    FABBY

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  25. I am so happy you were able to mark one off the 'want list' and if you are like me that means you now have room for one more! This is a beautiful table, and I am sure your friends felt very treasured by your graciousness.

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  26. Yea! You found the Red Aster plates! They are so pretty on your "last minute" table. I know your friends felt pampered. You're so good at that!

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  27. Just beautiful! I love all your details!

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  28. I've never seen cabbage look so lovely! Even though you didn't have much time, you created a lovely spring table, perfect for lunch with friends. LOVE the little salt and pepper shakers, too. So sweet!

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  29. I'll take 12 of each, please! :-) I had never seen the Pinheiro chargers. I love those!!! Hooray for you finding the dinner plates of your dreams on Ebay for a song! Only you!!! All hail the Queen of Ebay!!! :-) Each time I see those Pier 1 pearlized pink goblets, I just want to boo hoo for days! They are exactly what I have been looking for, and I can't believe I missed out on them! My day will come, though! :-) Great idea using the kissing balls!!!!!! I love those! They are a wonderful "go to" decorating element for so many occasions! Beautiful, ma'am!!!

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  30. Hi Cherry Kay, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

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  31. Love that Spode! How fortunate for you to find some. It all looks wonderful on your table!

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  32. I had not seen Spode's Red Aster - great for Spring. Don't you and Marlis both have the Pinheiro chargers this week? That shade of green really brings out the flowers. Of course, I love the stemware and all the detail attention you put into your table. Your guests are very lucky women! Sorry I'm late, but kept getting a blank screen that said "default" when I tried to post my comment for several days. I'm skipping a post this week -- just too much gardening to do. Beautiful table as usual - looking forward to what you do this week. Summer

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  33. I just purchased 12 place settings of Spode Aster at an antique store and was searching the internet for stemware for it. i typed in green wine glasses...so I was so surprised to see your table set with it!!! I have spode pink tower, christmas rose, and the christmas tree patterns and just purchased 6 settings of spode tapestry which is hard to find since it was only in production about 6 years. It is similar in design to christmas rose and exquisite too...

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  34. Perfect mix of gorgeous dishes for an enchanting table.

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  35. I discovered your blog today. I began going through previous posts and am enthralled with your tables! I, too, love my eBay finds. I actually gave up eBay for lent. :)

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  36. I just came across this blog as I was looking up information about the Spode Aster set that I inherited from my grandmother. I feel even more lucky to have it after reading your blog! I have 8 full place settings and my mother has about 12 more plus some of the completer pieces which I’ll inherit someday. My friends always ask where I got it. I treasure it so much and loved seeing how you set your table. The chargers are perfect!!

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