Wednesday, May 9, 2012

For Mama

"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.


I always love a good challenge, so when Cuisine Kathleen threw down her latest challenge, Moms' Day for "Let's Dish", my mind went into high gear. The Garden Friends came for a birthday luncheon today, and I thoroughly enjoyed creating a tablescape for them that celebrated my mama.  Daddy was an architect and an engineer, and he always leaned toward minimalism.  Mama was decidedly more traditional, but she always made an effort to respect Daddy's preferences in design.  Together they created a lovely blend of styles.  They both had a great appreciation for oriental art, and my sister and I are blessed to act as stewards of their beautiful pieces until the time comes to share them with our children.  Today's table reflects her quietly elegant manner with a nod toward their fondness for the Asian arts.




Mama liked blues and greens, and I wanted to make that my color story for today.

I kept the centerpiece low-key with a trio of white reticulated porcelain lanterns and the pair of Republic Period Rose Famille lidded rose bowls, which I found at an estate sale.  The lanterns are from a local flower shop, and I'll bet that they can currently be found in one of your local stores, too.

Making an encore appearance, a pair of the Lenox cream urns topped with Hypericum Berry topiary balls flanked the other pieces in my centerpiece.  The Williams-Sonoma navy blue linen hem-stitched tablecloth was an eBay find.

The gold bamboo flatware was a very inexpensive estate sale purchase.  I don't know the maker. When I folded the napkins, I was thinking about the oriental scrolls that Mama adored.  I have some of her charming antique pieces framed on my walls.  The Tiffany Blue linen/cotton hemstitched napkins are another great eBay purchase.  They are held in place with the 
Coalport "Countryware" napkin rings, also eBay.  

The Steelite Cobalt Charger Plate, another eBay score, was yet again called into service as the base for my place setting...

I always feel Mama smiling when I lay her classically beautiful Royal Doulton Harlow on the table...wonderful English bone china, with a gold rim and a simple cobalt and gold ring at the verge, punctuated with cornflower blue blossoms... 

...And then there's the Coalport Chinese Willow Accent Plate.  This pattern has been on "the list" for a long time, but I've never bought any because it is so. dang. expensive.  My nod to Mama's collection of oriental art was, yep, another eBay acquisition.  This plate sells for about $140.00 each...I found a set of 12 for $60.00...$5.00 each.  And you're not shopping on eBay because...? 

I love you and miss you, Mama.  I think that you would have liked this, too.

Continuing with my color story, I've chosen the Vietri, Apple Green Optical goblet and the AJKA Arabella Cobalt wine stem.

When I was a little girl, I remember the gorgeous flowers that my daddy would grow each Spring and Summer.  I've shared that I am not a skilled gardener, so it was an absolute thrill for me to walk out to my garden this morning and cut fresh Hydrangeas to fill the pair of oriental vases on the buffet.  It mattered not a whit that they weren't the same colors as my table design...I was ecstatic!

I can hardly wait for my Garden Friends Bible Study to walk through the door.  This will be our last study before our Summer hiatus.  I anticipate that we'll linger long after lunch for laughter and sweet fellowship.

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 MAY, I think of my mama and precious memories celebrated on Mothers' Day.  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 eighth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  So excited to be 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.

36 comments:

  1. A very pretty table -- love your color scheme.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, I love blue and green, so I was very happy to inspect every element of this table. What a lovely tribute to your dear Mama!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, how beautiful! You are so talented at setting tablescapes!
    Thank you for sharing!
    Leticia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, my but this is lovely! The colors are so rich one almost doesn't need any food. LOL This is a gorgeous table and beautiful tribute to your mom.
    Happy Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Simply beautiful and very touching, Cherry Kay.

    Francie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cherry Kay, this is a simply stunning table! I would never think to use a navy tablecloth and Tiffany blue napkins, but they work beautifully together and with those wonderful salad plates. The centerpiece elements also play together wonderfully well! Happy Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The blues and greens are so cool yet inviting. Such an elegant, rich looking table with the deep colors and Asian influence. I love it. And the unexpected centerpiece but you still have flowers. Happy Mother's Day!

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm giving you a wow right back.. OMG, i love the combination of the blues. You scored a big one on those plates. So beautiful with the china pattern below. The centerpiece is fabulous.. Congrats on the blooming flowers.. I only wish!!! Have a happy, beautiful and blessed mother's day! xo marlis

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have no words for this. No words! Cherry Kaaaaaaaayyyyy!!!! This is magnificent!!! Girl, you really "put your foot in it" with this table!!! (That's something my great-Grandmother always used to say when something was particularly wonderful!) I am just bowled over again and again!!! The colors are so beautiful together, and the design of your centerpiece is fabulous!!! You really knocked that out! Gorgeous place settings! I just marvel at your tenacity with eBay. I just can't get with it! I try, but I just can't! I think I'm just too hyper. It's hard for me to sit there looking for very long. (That's why it takes me several days to visit everyone's blog posts. I have to do a few at a time!!!) I applaud you for this fabulous table for which your Mother would have forgotten her ladylike Southern upbringing and done a cartwheel for joy!!! :-) Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend, and enjoy your last Bible study of the year. I'm sure the ladies will enjoy what you have put together for them!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful story and table! Your momma would be proud! I just love it!
    Blessings My Friend,

    ReplyDelete
  11. Simply stunning!!
    Very elegant setting and love those blue.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is one of the prettiest tables that you have ever done! Love the repetition of the elements and the colors!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cherry Kay, I absolutely love the vibrant color combination of this table! I'm not usually a big fan of Asian design, but you found the perfect mix of styles to make me smile. I'm so glad you finally found your accent plates. What a deal! I just know your Mother would be so proud of the way you set a gorgeous table -- and then share it with others. What faithful stewardship of the treasures you've received. Happy Mother's Day, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You sure can set a fabulous table. Love the patterns and colors. What a lovely way to celebrate Mother's Day. Enjoy! Linda

    ReplyDelete
  15. Once again your friends are so incredibly lucky to sit at one of your exquisite tables. I very much like the Chinese willow plates and can imagine them in a number of settings.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is a fabulous table-love all the colors and the mix of plates.Great find on your ebay purchases.

    ReplyDelete
  17. You have the most amazing pieces! I love your combination of the blue and green in the glassware. How fun to share their love of Asian in your table. I just love having a few things of my parents to remember them by.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think I always said: IT'S TUNNING for every table you make and this one in honor of your dear mama is no different! IT'S STUNNING AGAIN!! I love all the pretty elements you've used for your LOW-KEY centerpice, lol
    The dishes are gorgeous as I am very partial to anything oriental, for no freason, I just have always loved oriental everything! Beautiful tablecloth too. Your E-bays are fabulous, I should go and do some shopping there, yu are such an insentive. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is gorgeous! Love the blues and greens! What a lovely tribute to your mother using her fine treasures!

    Happy Mother's Day!

    Katherine

    ReplyDelete
  20. This looks like a table one would see in Tiffany's. Your china, crystal everything is so gorgeous and perfectly put together. Visiting from Let's Dish. xo

    ReplyDelete
  21. Exquisite!!! Just perfect. Your mother is undoubtedly smiling on you. Happy Mother's Day.

    ReplyDelete
  22. To all my Word Press/no reply blogging friends...I have so far completely failed when I try to leave you a comment via Word Press. I am obviously technically challenged. I so appreciate every one of your comments. They are precious to me. I am reading your posts, and enjoy them greatly. Someday, I hope that I'll figure out Word Press. Cherry Kay

    ReplyDelete
  23. How lovely! You mixed the Asian with the tradition beautifully!
    I am always amazed how well you do on ebay! I think the shipping turns me off. I must be more persistant!
    Ebay should be thanking you! I did get a thank you from Sams club, lol!
    Thank you for sharing this beautiful table with Let's Dish!
    A very Happy Mother's Day to you!

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a beautiful table!!! I love the green and blue together, especially the stemware! This is such a nice tribute to your mother (and your father too!!)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love the simplicity and symmetry of this table. So elegant with it's Asian accents! The RD dishes are just gorgeous! I bet your mother would have loved this table! Thank you for sharing it with us! Happy Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is so elegant! The tablecloth looks like velvet!! I love the asian plates and design of the table. My parents lived in the orient for many years and I have so many of their pieces. I love how you have used vases and urns on the table! I am going to have to get more creative and use some of my Mom's pieces as centerpieces! You have inspired me! Love your hydrangeas and so glad you have them to cut. I adore them! Once again your table is gorgeous and so unique!! Happy Mother's Day!
    Miss Bloomers

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is just stunning! I love the colors and I really love setting a table that brings memories. I realized before I even lost mom, that so often every tablescape I did had something that she either bought for me or gave me from her collections.

    I love what you said about 100% goodbyes. I always knew it would be so hard to lose her because we were so close. Those who don't have that kind of relationship may not feel the void quite as much...but I wouldn't trade it, would you?

    I hope you have a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love seeing the navy and turquoise color mix.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Absolutely Beautiful! I love everything about this tablescape! I'm sure your Mother would have adored this.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi darling, absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful tribute to your mother. hugs ~lynne~

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wow... your color scheme is unbeatable. The green/blue works. TY for sharing this, coz I never think of mixing them.

    Always elegant, Lady. Always love the way you sets you table and every piece of your treasures are adorable.

    Happy w/end, soon...

    Greetings.
    /CC

    ReplyDelete
  32. I cannot imagine how I missed this post, until I saw it on Between Naps on the porch. This is one of the most sophisticated uses of color that I have ever seen. Not many people could pull it off (I could not!), but you have done it beautifully. Love all of your treasures, too!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is stunning! I love the apple green with the cobalt blue, and all the varying blues and green hues you've used. A superbly elegant table! Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I know your Mother would approve and appreciate this!

    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