Welcome Home, Summer, 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.

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I knew that my sorority sister, Nancy, would be home in early June, on a visit from her beautiful home on the ocean, deep in Mexico.  I offered to invite a group of her closest friends in our sorority for a luncheon.  We had a marvelous response, and I set two tables for a total of 15 guests.  Per my usual MOS, I prepared chicken tetrazzini, and everyone brought a salad or dessert.  One of the girls brought red and white wines...  

As each guest entered the foyer, she was offered a Mimosa...served in one of the flutes that I hand painted.  Brother, I get so much mileage out of these little goblets.  They also are popular with many of my friends, who borrow them for assorted showers and other parties.  Tip:  When I paint goblets, I use 1" blue tape around the top rim of the goblet.  It not only gives me a place to hold the goblet without smudging my paint...it also keeps lipstick marks away from the painted design and makes washing the stem much easier and safer.  I've had these goblets for almost ten years, and they are still in perfect condition.  Any other questions about painting glass?  Get in touch and I'll try to answer any questions.

Come on into the dining room, where I set a table of eight.

Today's luncheon actually took place only two days after The Exotic Peacock Bridal Shower, so rather than put everything away and start from scratch, I decided to stay with a blue and white theme.  I added to the hydrangeas from the bridal shower, and I even decided to re-use those funky cloisonné peacocks that were our Nana's.

 

The centerpiece continued with assorted blue and white containers...

and then I added probably......my favorite tureen...

Mottahedeh's Musee de Decoratif.  What's not to like about this piece?  It always makes me smile.

I  started each place setting with the Royal Doulton Steelite Cobalt Charger.  It is flanked by the Oneiday Gold Tone Modern Baroque flatware.  I bought 20 place settings for the price of two settings at an estate sale in Dallas(while visiting my son and daughter-in-love).  The Williams Sonoma Matelasse tablecloth created a nice contrast, and I liked the texture with the hydrangeas.

The star of the production is the Minton Consort dinner plate.

Occasionally I like a plate so much that I can't bear to hide it in a stack.

  

Sometimes less really is more.  Today I paired the Waterford Simply Blue goblet with the Tiffin Optic Gold.  Blue hemstitched napkins were held by the Coalport Countryware napkin rings. 

 

Next stop is the games table in the living room...

I created much the same design for this table for 7...

...and yes, I found a second tureen for an indecently low price on eBay.  I may or may not keep two, but it really was a nice touch for today's luncheon.  I used a two piece blue and white tulipiere flanking the tureen and filled it with more hydrangeas.  The crystal decanters held chilled water for my guests to refill their glasses.

In order to achieve a gold border on both tables...

I used two chargers.

The Minton Consort was the finishing touch, once again. 

I also repeated the Waterford Simply Blue paired with an antique Tiffin Optic Gold goblet.

A pair of Hobby Lobby compotes filled with grocery store hydrangeas carried the look onto the refectory table.

  Everything is ready and  waiting for my guests to arrive...

When my dear BJ arrived, she brought one of these precious framed stitcheries for each sister as a party favor.  How cool is that?!

Just the perfect...

...finishing touch! 

It was a wonderful day filled with good food, great conversation, and cherished fellowship.  The last of the guests left after 5:00 p.m.  I'd love for you to be a guest at my table, and we could while away an afternoon, too.

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

Come join in the fun!