Wednesday, April 11, 2012

True to Blue for Two

"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.


Same story...one of many verses.  My friend is picking up our favorite Grilled Salmon salad and heading over for lunch.  Today it had to be blue and white...I've missed my old friend blue as we've concentrated on various holiday themed tablescapes.  Keeping it short and sweet tonight...well, at least as short and sweet as I ever am.

It's been rainy, and now the wind is rearing its ugly head...so the games table in the living room is where we've landed again.

One of the azalea plants from our Easter table added a nice touch of vibrant pink.  I plopped it in a random blue and white jardiniere that was hiding in a closet.  The pair of oriental lanterns were a half-price purchase from Hobby Lobby.  Today I didn't bother, but they'd look great with a candle inside, too. All in all, the centerpiece took moments to complete.

The blue and white toile tablecloth is one of ten that I bought on eBay several months ago for a  large luncheon that I'm hosting in October.  I bought them for less than $20.00 each.  It would have cost me $35.00 each to rent them for one day.  eBay Tip:  I sometimes find someone who is selling a large lot of tablecloths...these had been used for a wedding reception.  If you will write the seller a note and ask if there is a better price if you purchase a large number, the seller will often lower the price for each cloth.  It's always worth asking!  The Pottery Barn navy linen hemstitch napkin was an eBay purchase, and once again it's nestled in the Coalport, "Countryware" napkin ring. 

eBay was also the source for the pair of Coalport, decanters.  I filled one with water and one with wine, so we could serve ourselves throughout lunch.

Undergirding the placesetting is a Churchill, "Blue Willow" chop plate, acquired from eBay...again.  Entertaining Tip:  Chop plates will usually work well as chargers.  These are very inexpensive on eBay, and I periodically add another one.  Someday I'll have enough to set a whole table.  The L'Argent, blue "Sophia" flatware was found through Horchow and Tuesday Morning. The small white reticulated plate and the Chinese rice bowl were both found at estate sales.  Today I used them for hot bread and dipping oil.  Inverting the bowl was a design choice.  The interior of the bowl is pure white, and I wanted to highlight the blue and white design.

And yet another eBay find, the dinner plate is Wedgwood, "Countryside".  I really like the mix of patterns in this monochromatic design.  

I love that the refined AJKA, "Arabella" wine plays quite well with the Dollar Tree, cobalt goblet.

I'm looking forward to time with my friend....time to share a meal...and take a few quiet moments just to relax and breathe.  Tomorrow I'll get around to putting away the rest of the Easter bunnies.  Sweet Mister would say, "You're not the last one to put away Easter for this year; you're just the first one to start setting out Easter for next year."  He's my prince.


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 THIURSDAY."   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 April, I think of rainy days that give us time to slow down for a bit and share a meal with friends.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!



Tonight is the fourth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  So excited to become a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the 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!






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.

41 comments:

  1. I am so in love with the blue and white...Such a classically done table...just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is so pretty, Cherry Kay. I love the Oriental touch and love the blue and white pagoda lanterns...Christine

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful! That tablecloth is beautiful. Makes a lovely backdrop for your dishes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Cherry Kay
    Did you hear me sigh....so pretty!! Blue and white is my favorite!! Gorgeous pieces...love that tablecloth! What a nice place to spend a dreary rainy day! Hoping for sunshine soon!
    Miss Bloomers

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Cherry Kay!
    I'm loving your blue! I come across those Wedgwood plates so often but rarely at a price where I can make a little bit off them when I sell them. They're so pretty and the scene so serene with the bridge. I love that you've paired them with the Willow plates and Hobby Lobby lanterns. Those are really pretty! I bet they'd be pretty at night with candles inside to. The stemware is stunningly beautiful! I love the rich, cobalt color. I think you've made me want to go hunt down some of those Wedgwood plates for myself!

    Hope your Easter was blessed!

    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ohhhh.....ahhhhh....how I love blue and white! i have many of the same items and somehow I never tire of blue and white. Your table looks wonderful!

    - The Tablescaper

    ReplyDelete
  7. You are certainly the ebay queen!!! Would you believe my first ebay purchase was 12 placesettings to replace my wedding china we had lost in our fire? Yep.. hook line and sinker I was certainly addicted. Your sweet table looks fresh and clean and certainly a wonderful spot to catch up with a dear friend. The centerpieces are perfect! Love all your comments along the way. Thanks for visiting.. xo marlis

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a beautiful table; love, love the blue. Every piece is just perfect on your beautiful tablecloth. I could set and look at this table for a while. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh How I love the tranquility that Blue & White creates! It's so WONDERFUL to mix and match them and your have done it SO BEAUTIFULLY!!! Love it with the touch of the oriental too!
    Have a Happy Easter Week,
    Hugs,
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is very pretty! I hope you have/had a wonderful lunch with your friend.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Blue and white is always a super star in my book. This is a beautiful table. Thanks for sharing these gorgeous dishes and details. ~ Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a beautiful table - it sighs 'serenity' to me. I am such a fan of blue and white, especially at the table. You and your friend must have had a lovely afternoon.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This looks very French to me. I love blue and White
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  14. Gorgeous blue and white! Your table looks fantastic.
    Beautiful shots! Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is so pretty! I love the toile tablecloth and all the gorgeous blues!
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  16. A very pretty table! But, of course, I adore blue and white!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love that tablecloth!Everything looks wonderful and ready for a relaxing lunch with a friend.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Blue and white tables are a favorite of mine. This is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful setting! Your white and blue are breath taking.... xo HHL

    ReplyDelete
  20. Who does not love blue and white and this table is a beautiful homage to those beautiful colors! Love your chandelier, as well. Wonderful job and thanks for the tip about the tablecloths!

    ReplyDelete
  21. You always do beautiful tables for two. One can't go wrong with a blue and white setting, just so classy. Your stemware is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love blue & white! I am branching out to other colors sense blogging. Your table is just beautiful! I love the lanterns. I love the tablecloth too!
    Blessings My Friend,

    ReplyDelete
  23. Lovely!
    A blue and white table setting is my cup of tea :)

    Greetings from Australia♥
    ~Pernilla

    ReplyDelete
  24. Blue and White with hot pink azaleas! Just gorgeous. I love the intimate setting too!
    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sometimes the prettiest tables are very quickly put together. This is a case in point! I am a forever and a day fan of blue & white. The possibilities are endless and it always makes me feel like I'm in good company.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I too have been playing with my Blue Willow china this week, and will post a table next week. There is something about the sometimes Spring, sometimes rainy days that makes Blue Willow just perfect, as it is with your table with the toile tablecloth. Great find on eBay! Love using chop plates as chargers. I'm sure your lunch was cozy and bright. Happy Spring. ~CJ

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh those blue and white pagoda lanterns are gorgeous! I love your blue and white dishes and the pretty toile tabletopper just pulls it all together beautifully. Enjoy your weekend Cherry Kay.
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  28. Marlis is right! You are the ebay queen! I did get 3 pretty 120 in round tablecloths from there years ago. It was from a rental place. They looked brand new! Unfortunately, i haven't seen any more offerings from them.
    I love your cloth, it is beautiful! The table is just lovely, the stems are beautiful! You can keep the $ tree, send me the others! :)
    Tomorrow my order from Kohls arrives, some solid cloths, 144 long and a super price, plus linking through mr rebates i got a bit more off. Hope they are nice!
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love this sweet table. I would love to be sharing a meal with you there.

    ReplyDelete
  30. CK dear,
    You always give drool mood everytime I a in your house. Such an unbeatable treasures you have. Everyting are so beautiful, nothing less nothing more.
    Job well done.

    Hugs,
    /CC

    ReplyDelete
  31. As a lover of all things blue this table looks perfect to me and your splash of pink really gives it life. Sounds like ebay is the perfect place to do my shopping, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm so glad I happened by your blog. It is really beautiful and inspirational. I am a lover of dishes and beautiful tablescapes. My blog is mostly about cats as I run an in-home (their home) cat-sitting service but I do also show off many of my favorite dishes. I'll be by again. Deb (Ontario, Canada)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I haven't seen blue much lately, come to think of it. What a score on the tablecloths! Amazing. Your table is beautiful! Setting up in the living room always feels special to me!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I know what you mean about missing blue! Thank you so much for giving me my blue fix! I love your descriptions (you know so much about china, etc.) and I can tell how much you enjoy acquiring each treasure. Beautiful table, Cherry Kay!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Really fascinating. Thanks. I, too, have bought quite a lot of my china and cloths through eBay. There are so many delightful things out there, aren't there? I think I'll join your followers so I can learn more. Thanks Joan

    ReplyDelete
  36. There is nothing like blue and white. Such a classic combo, and your table is beautiful! I'm visiting from Let's Dish. We were away ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love the classic looking blue and white table .You always have such good style.Joann

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks for the great ebay tips. The table is a great mix of blue and white, always a winner. I like that you mixed Waterford with Dollar Tree.

    The azalea is a nice punctuation mark.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I just love this table, I could sit and stare at it for hours! Blue and white settings are so fabulous, but yours has that special something that makes it stand out from the rest! Wish I could have been the lucky guest!

    ReplyDelete
  40. You can definitely set a table. i always enjoy visiting and seeing what you have come up with. The blue is so pretty. Your tablecloth is wonderful. Thanks for sharing as always.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I just love your Wedgewood Countryside plates, Cherry Kay.

    Francie

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for spending your time to leave a comment. I read each and every one of your generous thoughts. They encourage me in so many ways.

Follow Me on Instagram