Let Freedom Ring!

"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.

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My grandsons brought their daddy for a visit this week.  I decided that we would have an early Independence Day celebration for the family.  I set a table for eight at the games table in the living room.  The mood was quickly set with the tablecloth that I recently found via eBay.

 At first I imagined that I would wait and pull this cloth out for an Autumn table...what was I thinking?  The red and white stripes were shouting 4th of July!

Blue and white starred bandanas added the rest of the color story.  I caught them in the Waverly red and gold beaded napkin rings that were a gift from Cuisine Kathleen.  They've turned out to be quite versatile.  The gold beads picked up the gold and brown leaves that frame the red and white striped ribbons in the cloth...a match made in heaven, I'm thinking.

 Anchoring the stack was the Steelite cobalt blue charger.  Flanking the plate is the L'Argent Sophia cobalt flatware.

The Luneville Louis XV dinner plate played very well with the honey tones in the leaves on the cloth.

Crowning the stack is the Royal Worcester Regency luncheon plate.  All of the plates were purchased through eBay, over a period of several years..

I really liked adding the touch of old gold to the design.  It somehow made me think of the golden beak of our Bald Eagle.

The colors of the place setting reminded me of old colonial American colors...perhaps the tones of the uniforms of those brave men who fought for my freedom all those centuries ago.

 To complete the setting I paired the Vietri Optic Red goblet with the Libbey Cobalt goblet  from Dollar Tree.

 I definitely needed to add some strong pops of blue to the design.  A pair of vintage depression glass cobalt candlesticks were just what the doctor ordered.  I found them at a local antiques store.

I have a modest collection of cranberry glass bells...

...They were perfect for the centerpiece of my "Let Freedom Ring" tablescape.

 The smallest bell belonged to our dear Nana, and it was the inspiration for my collection.  When I entertain large groups, I actually use it to draw the group together to say grace before we dine.

A simple blue bowl was placed on a stand and filled with blue and white hydrangeas that I already had from another luncheon...gotta love those hydrangeas...great bang for the buck.  Tip:  Every once in a while, one or two hydrangeas in an arrangement will unexpectedly wilt.  Did you know that you can fill a bowl with hot water (101º) and submerge the entire flower in the water...walk away and leave it for a few hours...come back and it will be totally revived?  It really works.  Amazing!

All set to celebrate the men and women who laid their lives on the line for your freedom and for mine.  I pray that we never take the measure of their sacrifices for granted.  I hope that you have a joyful Fourth of July, Independence Day celebration surrounded by family and friends!

I'll be joining the following parties:

Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen
"Tutorials, Tips, & Tidbits" with Yvonne @ Stone Gable
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
"Seasonal Sundays" @ The Tablescaper