Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Garden Friends Luncheon, September, 2012

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.


Ten days from now, I'll be hosting another luncheon for my sorority sisters.  I've built a data base of around 250 women who were in the sorority house at some point during the four years that I was in college.  This year, we already have 65 who are planning to attend from all across this great nation and 39 who have replied that they'll be unable to attend.  I'm thrlled to be in contact with nearly half of my sisters from forty-eight years ago.  

An abundance of organization and preparation goes into a luncheon of this size, so this week, I'm sharing a Garden Friends luncheon that I attended last week as we gathered for a new year of Bible study and fellowship.  Minimal text...I don't know all of the details, but I thought that you'd enjoy the eye candy.

The red back wall is the perfect complement.


 The placemats and runner were a wonderful heavy, woven cotton or linen fabric.

Flowers from the grocery store.  The hostess created the arrangement.

Herend "Rothschild's Bird"...on my list...someday...maybe.

 The luncheon plate is Haviland "Silver Anniversary."

Absolutely stunning! 

I think that the brick colored Linen Hemstitched Napkin is probably Pottery Barn.  I think that the crystal is Baccarat, but I'm not certain.  




     If you ever pass our way, out here on the prairie, the Garden Friends Bible study group would love to have you join  us as we study the Word and enjoy delightful fellowship over delicious food.

Art by Kreia...Kreia, a professional photographer, is a good friend of KC's.
Beatrice Emaline is almost two weeks old.  She decided to enjoy a lovely day on her front porch.

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 "TABLESCAPETHURSDAY."   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 September, from now on, I'll always remember it as the month that brought us our first granddaughter!  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!



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!  
                                                               

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Beatrice Emaline is Here!...And a Birthday Luncheon

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.



Busy times in our neck of the woods.  Our precious Beatrice Emaline was born last Friday, and our entire family is on Cloud Nine.  Several weeks ago, before our newest family member made her appearance, I was blessed to host a small group of some of my closest friends for a birthday luncheon for five.  I was excited to use the Coalport Chinese Willow, one of my favorite patterns for our celebration.

We gathered at the games table in the living room.  I was in the mood for high color!

I even pulled a pop of color into the foyer... 

...to greet my dear friends as they crossed the threshold.

Come on in!  Gifts for the birthday girls are waiting on the piano bench.  

I made the green undercloth.  Tip:  See the way that the bottom of the green cloth curls in and out?  When I make the cording for my tablecloths, I break the rules.  Instead of cutting the fabric for the cording on the bias, I cut the fabric on the grain.  It makes the cording stiff, and it holds its shape beautifully.  The Whitework cloth used to live on the bedside table in KC's childhood bedroom.

 I started our meal with chilled Gazpacho, served in the gold rimmed Tiffin bowl.  It was delivered to the table after my guests were seated, so it wasn't a part of "the stack" when everyone came to the table.  The accent plate was used later for dessert.


 The truth was that I couldn't bear to cover up these glorious plates.  The Chinese Willow design puts a smile on my face every time.  Today they are resting on one of the great apple green glass chargers that I found at Gordman's because of our dear Alycia from TABLESCAPES AT TABLE TWENTY-ONE.  Thank you, Alycia!

  The Zina Vasi Jacquard Linen Napkins were a birthday gift from one of todays honorees.  I found the beaded napkin rings at Pier One.  They'll work well in a variety of designs.  The gold tone Bamboo Flatware was a garage sale treasure.

 
The Waterford Simply Lime goblet and the Tiffin Gold goblet played well when set against the bright blooms that I retrieved from Homeland Grocery. I arranged the flowers in four crystal rose bowls, which I later sent home with my guests as party favors.

   Each of the birthday girls received either a tureen or a centerpiece bowl and an oriental wood stand as a birthday gift.  The recipient of this antique Nippon Cobalt and Gold Moriage Bowl unwrapped an empty box.  She squealed when she realized that the centerpiece was going home with her because she collects antique cobalt and gold Nippon china.  It was a fortunate find on eBay

   It was a glorious day for a birthday celebration featuring a Southwestern Chicken Salad, Homemade Guacamole, Toasted Garlic Bread, and a beautiful Birthday Cake.  We sat and visited until it was time for everyone to go home and prepare dinner.  I'd love to spend a similar day with you!


Wednesday evening is the twenty-seventh 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!

Lots of great ideas to be gathered when you visit Yvonne at Stone Gable for TUTORIAL, TIPS, AND TIDBITS.  Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!
                                                                
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 September, from now on, I'll always remember it as the month that brought us our first granddaughter!  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!



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!  
                                                               




Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Lazy Day at the Ranch

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 after dinner with Mr. Randolph Hearst, we finally found our bedrooms, and I hope that we all had a good night of sleep.  
After breakfast, we'll mosey out to the guest houses and decide how we're going to spend our day of leisure here on the ranch...Mr. Hearst appears to like ketchup with everything!


...I think that it's going to be another rotten day in paradise. 

I ate so much breakfast, I may rest a bit here in the living room of the guest house...

 ...or take a nap... 

...or a bubble bath. 


How would you like to wake up to this each morning?
  
 Another gorgeous lamp shade.

Not bad for a bunk room. 

No comment.

Let's go to the "pantry", which was built above the kitchen, for a snack...
The original Booth's Real Old Blue Willow was produced until 1942.  After that time, Royal Doulton began to produce their version of the pattern.



I love the faucets, and the back splashes were spectacular!

 The huge island is actually a warming table.






A large crowd at the ranch would have been around 50 people.  The kitchen is more than ample.
   
Tennis, anyone?

Or how about a swim in the Neptune Pool? 

The cabana is an authentic Greek temple, taken down, shipped to California, and reassembled.  Oh, my. And if you find it too hot to swim outside...

We can spend some time doing laps in the indoor Roman pool...


This might be the most magnificent spot on the entire property.  It blew me away!



 We can practice our dives from the diving tower.  The far room features a shallow water pool if we just want to soak.

I'll race you to the other end.  Oh, by the way, the tennis court is built on top of this building...just thought that you'd like to know.

Ho hum, I'm pretty exhausted.  Let's mosey on back to our guest houses and take another nap...

















...and then we'll sit and visit until it's time to saunter up to the ranch house again for dinner with Mr. Hearst.  La. de. dah.  Now this it the definition of vacation.  No wonder Cary Grant managed to be invited here as a guest more than 40 times.  Our invitations are in the mail!

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-sixth 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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