Wednesday, August 29, 2012

A Weekend at the Ranch House

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.


As we drove up the twisting drive to the Hearst Castle, I looked at Sweet Mister and said, "Gee, it's good to be home again.  Will it just be the two of us, or are we expecting guests this weekend?"  This week, I thought that I would share a typical evening at the ranch with William Randolph Hearst.  The guests should be gathering in the living room in just a short while for dinner...

We're here.  Some of the staff will bring our luggage up to the house...

...don't forget anything!  We don't want to have to make extra trips up and down these steps!



It's nice to have a great patio.


Ah, here we are at the ranch house.

Come on in.  

Make yourselves at home... 





 Cozy, don't you agree?  Yep, definitely cozy.  Right.

Mr. Hearst will join us through this 'secret hallway' which leads to the stairs to his private quarters. 
Come on in to the dining room...
  

...there will be eight for dinner.
  

We always dine casual here on the ranch...


...yes, definitely casual.
   

The Booth's Real Old Blue Willow is the only pattern used at the ranch.  After all, it's all very casual here.  It's always about the opportunity to visit with interesting people.  The dinnerware was special to Hearst because it had belonged to his mother.
  
After dinner, we'll mosey on into one of the entertaining rooms for cigars...





...and then, we'll saunter into the next room...



...for a few rounds of pool (or is it billiards...I can never tell) before heading for bed.  Just another low key, laid back evening at the ranch...hope that you've enjoyed yourself.  Do you remember how to get to your room?  Next week we'll take a look at some of the guest quarters!

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 August, I think windows of opportunity to travel to new spots.  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!



Wednesday evening is the twenty-fourth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".   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!  KC has just released her 5th studio CD project, "The Tag Hollow Sessions".  The sold out CD release concert was this past weekend.  "The Tag Hollow Sessions" 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!  

Monday, August 20, 2012

Wine Country Wedding

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.


Last week I shared photos from the Vinyard Rehearsal Dinner.  This week I want to share some pics that I shot at the wedding and the reception.  The wedding and reception took place at Santa Margarita Ranch, in Santa Margarita, California.  The ranch is quite rustic, and the people of the community are quite excited about the possibilities of having this venue in their town.

The bride's family owns a multi-generational railroad transportation car company, and one of the neat features on the ranch was one of the original Disney Land Trains that offered guests rides around the property.  Once again, I've provided limited comments, and I think that you'll enjoy the details that I was able to capture of the wedding set-up, the reception, and the dinner.  Enjoy!


It. was. very. hot.  The market umbrellas provided welcome shade and comfort.  After the service, we gathered on the lawn immediately behind the ceremony site for a cocktail reception that preceded the wedding reception dinner.
  
Cool seating...

...open bar and passed appetizers.

 Iced tea, water, and lemonade...

...I knew that you'd love the details.

Bistro tables...


...and a delightful vignette for the guest book.
  


The flower girl and the ring bearer had a grand time! 

The outer walls of the amazing, huge barn were filled with tables of 8 for the wedding guests...


The food was delicious...beautifully presented and prepared.

I thought that you would enjoy the treatment for table numbers and the gorgeous centerpieces.

 The wedding party made up of the bride and groom, 10 bridesmaids, 10 groomsmen, and spouses/dates were seated at this stunning long table that ran through the center of the barn...






A special spot for the smallest guests...

 Details...

Notice the variety of containers for the flowers... 

  ...catching the light in charming fashion.

The lovely bride and the handsome groom make their entry...

...The best of weddings always seem to capture just the perfect details.

 ...Everyone was delighted with a pair of wedding crashers...they watched the proceedings from high in the barn rafters throughout the entire evening.  They were quite well behaved.

Once again, the day started out hot and ended up perfectly cool, comfortable with just the right amount of evening breeze.  Next week, I'll share our day at the Hearst Castle.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

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 August, I think windows of opportunity to travel to new spots.  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!



Wednesday evening is the twenty-third edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".   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!  KC has just released her 5th studio CD project, "The Tag Hollow Sessions".  The sold out CD release concert was this past weekend.  "The Tag Hollow Sessions" 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!  








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