The Bunny Parade, 2013

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.

                   ****************************************************************************

It is so special to have a grandchild living close enough that I can share my holiday tables, our family traditions, with her.  When my son and daughter were children, I loved decorating the house for each holiday to make it a wonderland for them.  Beatrice Emaline is 6 months old now, and I know that she won't remember this year's holiday. Therefore, I'm looking at this Easter as a dress rehearsal for celebrations to come.  I've had a ball designing my table, and I'm looking forward to many more special occasions with my family gathered around my table.  Welcome to a Bunny Easter Parade!

 I was thinking of Beatrice Emaline and my darling grandsons, Haden & Jack, so I decided that my table would highlight pinks and blues.

Let's take a look at the cast of players...

 Playing the role of the crowd in the background is the Maryland China Company Minuet Charger Plate.  Tip:  MCC primarily markets white china blanks for china painters.  This one, manufactured in the Czech Republic, reminds me of some of the beautiful Herend patterns, but at a fraction of the cost.  Check them out!  They also have some good sales on a regular basis.

 Pink for Miss Honey Bee...The Copeland Spode Irene Dinner Plate was a fortunate eBay find.  I found a set of 12 of these lovelies.

 Blue for my precious Haden & Jack...The Royal Staffordshire, Louis XVI, was also a great deal for a set of 12 on eBay.  They will be removed for our luncheon and reappear for dessert.

An unbeatable rim shot...Eat your heart out LeBron James.

Sun kissed and ready to celebrate Easter lunch with our family...

With all the different patterns on our Easter table, I decided that a white napkin was the best choice.  I was thinking of you, Rett, and the time that we found the Waterford Ballet Dot Napkin at Tuesday Morning.

I picked my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton Francis I flatware because...it was close at hand.  Besides it's hard to go wrong with good ole' Francis.

Each guest will have a pair of the individual salt & peppers by MacKenzie-Childs.  I've been slowly collecting them for a number of years.  They're kind of a splurge, but I really enjoy them!

The Pink Pier One Goblet has been hiding out in a kitchen cabinet for quite a while.  I bought them years ago for $1.00 each on deep clearance.  Today it is paired with the Waterford Simply Blue Goblet.  I bought the Waterford stems some years ago on eBay, while they were still very reasonable.  Their price has increased substantially in the last year or so.

These make me smile every time I walk past the dining room table...and they put the exclamation mark on my pink and blue color story.  Have you noticed the navy blue and white eggs?  I painted them some years ago.  I used a faux, foam-filled egg that I found at Michael's.  They've become a dependable design element...especially when I don't have time to go buy flowers...

...Speaking of flowers...The flowers in the centerpiece are all left-overs!  The white mop head Hydrangeas were used for my St. Patrick's Day table.  They were also used in combination with the smaller green Hydrangeas for a wedding shower for forty that my dear KC hosted in our home this past weekend.  I'm hopeful that they'll make it until Sunday, but I'll replace them if necessary.

 I've long had a fondness for Fitz & Floyd.  These bunnies are from their Old World Collection.  I found them one at a time at the tail end of different estate sales for far less than they cost on line.  I love Mr. Bunny pushing flowers in his wooden cart, and the two lovely lady bunnies are tending my painted Easter eggs.  I think that they've been laying them out along the table for an old fashioned egg hunt.

Our feast will be after church.  We'll share a predictable Honey Glazed Ham, baked potatoes, deviled eggs, green salad, fresh asparagus, hot rolls, and an assortment of desserts.  Everyone will contribute something to the meal, and we'll enjoy focusing our time on blessed fellowship and lots of laughter.  I can hardly wait to celebrate this most special of days...the day when my sweet Jesus Master overcame death and prepared a way for me to have access to eternal life and a relationship with my Almighty God.  Now that's worth celebrating!  We are truly blessed.  I pray that you will have a peace-filled holiday surrounded by family and friends.  Happy Easter!

Come join me at Marty's Tabletop Tuesday...always a great place to visit!

I'm joining Jamiann @ The Blackberry Vine for Tuesday To Do & Listmakers.  So many inspirational ideas here...you won't want to miss it!

Wednesday is the 54th edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "Let's Dish".  I'm 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 Tutorials, Tips, & Tidbits.  Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!

I'm joining The Style Sisters for CENTERPIECE WEDNESDAYS.  Don't miss it!  

                                                                

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme,  "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.

March, a month of so many transitions...I find myself still enjoying a Winter eve's fire in the fireplace while looking with sweet anticipation toward Spring.  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!  Her latest CD is called "The Tag Hollow Sessions""  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!           

Hippity Hoppity...Revisiting Bunny Trails Past

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.

                   ****************************************************************************

I'm not entertaining this week.  I thought that I'd share a reprise of several Easter tables that I've designed in the past couple of years.  I also want to include one of my personal favorite posts featuring many of our dear Nana's treasures that are such a joy to use when entertaining. I'll be back with this year's Easter table next week.  If you wish to see the entire post, just click on the title below each picture.

Easter Confection

Color Palooza

Easter Finery

....and the "Nana Table"....

Family Style

I'm looking forward to Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday...the most important day of each year.  I'm eager to see what you have designed to celebrate this special special day.

Come join me at Marty's TABLETOP TUESDAY...always a great place to visit!

I'm joining Jamiann @ The Blackberry Vine for TUESDAY TO DO AND LIST MAKERS.  So many inspirational ideas here...you won't want to miss it!

Wednesday is the 52nd edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  I'm 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 TUTORIALS, TIPS, & TIDBITS.  Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!

I'm joining The Style Sisters for CENTERPIECE WEDNESDAYS.  Don't miss it!  

                                                                

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme,  "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.

March, a month of so many transitions...I find myself still enjoying a Winter eve's fire in the fireplace while looking with sweet anticipation toward Spring.  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!  Her latest CD is called "The Tag Hollow Sessions""  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!             

Pat's Day

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.

                   ****************************************************************************

I'm fairly certain that there's a whole lot o' green going on in blogworld this week.  St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and Kathleen @ Cuisine Kathleen has challenged us with her 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl.  I've had fun pulling out 'the green' for my tablescape, and I'm extra excited because I also get to celebrate a visit from my sister, Pat!  Yes, that's right...I'm blessed to celebrate St. Pat and my sister Pat with a luncheon!

In addition to Pat, we'll be joined by KC and our darling Beatrice Emaline, plus two dear friends.  I'm excited for them to have some time to get to know my sister better.  If you've read my blog for any time at all, you're not surprised that we're dining at the games table in the living room. I've added the handy dandy flip-top tabletop to create a 60" table.  

I made the 120" round tablecloth.  Tip:  I hate to hem round tablecloths!  Instead, I cut strips of fabric and make a hefty cording.  I think that it's much easier to attach cording to finish the edge of a round cloth than to hem it.  Tip #2:  I break the rules when making cording for tablecloths.  The books teach to cut fabric on the bias, but I cut it on the grain of the fabric.  This makes the cording stiffer, and it also is what causes the bottom of the cloth to hold its nice wavy shape.  Just sayin'! 

I've used two chargers.  The base is an inexpensive black acrylic charger from Hobby Lobby, $1.99.  The next layer is the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Charger....

  The dinner plate is Coalport Cathay, an amazing eBay get.  This design is also found on the Coalport pattern called Hong Kong in a color way of cobalt, coral, and gold...in case you're in the market for an Imari type pattern.  Flanking the stack is the Reed & Barton Francis I flatware.  The Williams-Sonoma Hemstitch Linen Napkin is caught in a Coalport Countryware Napkin Ring.

Our opening course will be a cup of Tomato Bisque. After our entrée of Chicken Tetrazzini, Salad, and Hot bread, the Green Charms Dessert Plate will be used for a dessert of individual peach pies.

Continuing with the greens and blacks, I used the AJKA Green Arabella goblet with the Black Amethyst unmarked goblet found on eBay.  A number of you have asked me about the AJKA crystal.  AJKA, pronounced a-jeece-ka, is manufactured in Hungary, often considered the source of the best in cased (colored) crystal.

Some of you have also asked about the pair of crystal presentation bowls on the refectory table. They are also AJKA, and I found them at the tail end of an estate sale for $30.00.  I grabbed them so fast that it made my head spin!  Patty @ Pandora's Box has been busy again.  She painted the Courtly Check style pattern on the silver pitcher.  She's one talented lady!

  The centerpiece took only minutes to create.  I chose the Mottahedeh Musee Decoratif Tureen to continue with the bird motif found on the plate.  The small white birds are Dollar Tree treasures.  The trio of Green Mercury Glass Jardinieres came from the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby.  Today they are filled with White Mop Head Hydrangeas from el grocery store.

  At the first of this week, the temps were in the 30's, and by Friday, we should reach the high 70's.  I contemplated dining al fresco, but I may end up leaving the door open and lighting the fire in the fireplace...

  No matter the weather, I know that we'll enjoy an afternoon of good food, great fun, and treasured fellowship.  If you're passing my way, I'd love for you to come join us and meet my Pat, too!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm joining Jamiann @ The Blackberry Vine for TUESDAY TO DO AND LIST MAKERS.  So many inspirational ideas here...you won't want to miss it!

Wednesday is Cuisine Kathleen's 5th Annual ST. PATRICK'S DAY BLOG CRAWL.  I'm excited to be a participant.  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 .  Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!

I'm joining The Style Sisters for CENTERPIECE WEDNESDAYS.  Don't miss it!  

                                                                

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme,  "TABLESCAPE THURSDAYS."   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.

March, a month of so many transitions...I find myself still enjoying a Winter eve's fire in the fireplace while looking with sweet anticipation toward Spring.  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!  Her latest CD is called "The Tag Hollow Sessions""  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!             

                                                                                                                          

                                                                

  

  

Old Gold & Amethyst...Royal Crown Derby Olde Avesbury

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.

                   ****************************************************************************

The Garden Friends met at my house this last week.  I invited anyone who was available to stay for lunch.  I set a table for eight and prepared a lunch of Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto, Spinach Salad, Hot Bread, and Mini Pecan Tarts. 

This week my inspiration was all about the tablecloth.  This is a vintage double damask tablecloth that I found on eBay.  Tip:  Double damask tablecloths are quite versatile because they are reversible.  The opposite side of this one has a gorgeous cream field with the oriental toile design in the gold.  Today I was going for a strong punch of color, so I chose to use the gold field of the cloth.

  As the foundation for the centerpiece, I placed the Mottahedeh Tureen, an eBay acquisition, on a large wooden stand.

  On either side of the tureen, I used an assortment of design elements.  The pink Mercury Glass stemmed votives were found on the clearance aisle at Michael's.  I found them a couple of weeks ago, and I wouldn't be surprised if they are still available in the store.  The Lalique Game Cock belonged to our dear Nana.  She purchased the pair in the 1920's.  Today I filled the Lenox Urns with a variety of Sam's flowers that picked up the colors in the dinner plates...

  The Royal Crown Derby Olde Avesbury is also an eBay find.  I placed it on a dusty lavender charger plate from Michael's.  I like the way that the furl of the bird's tail feathers is mimicked in the shape and carving of the antique ivory handled flatware and the toile pattern of the tablecloth.

I found a dozen of these vintage Madeira napkins at an estate sale. Tip:  Have you been searching for a laundry product that safely restores and cleans antique and vintage linens?  Check with Susan @ MY PLACE TO YOURS.

Continuing my emphasis on old gold and amethyst, I chose to use the Vietri Amber Optical and the AJKA Arabella goblets for water and wine.  

I like the way this is all going together...

...A bright late winter day spent seated at the knee of Sweet Jesus and studying His Word...

...With priceless friends, more valuable than the finest jewels...

....Followed by a simple meal, precious conversation, and lots of laughter. 

Let me know if you happen to pass my way.  You'll always be welcome to join us at the table.

Come join me at Marty's TABLETOP TUESDAY...always a great place to visit!

I'm joining Jamiann @ The Blackberry Vine for TUESDAY TO DO AND LIST MAKERS.  So many inspirational ideas here...you won't want to miss it!

Wednesday is the 51st edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  I'm 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 TUTORIALS, TIPS, & TIDBITS.  Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!

I'm joining The Style Sisters for CENTERPIECE WEDNESDAYS.  Don't miss it!  

                                                                

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme,  "TABLESCAPE THURSDAYS."   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.

March, a month of so many transitions...I find myself still enjoying a Winter eve's fire in the fireplace while looking with sweet anticipation toward Spring.  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!  Her latest CD is called "The Tag Hollow Sessions""  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!