Dining in the Snowy Woods, 10.16.13

"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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This week Cuisine Kathleen has challenged us to design an all white Fall tablescape.  I found myself still thinking about the woods in Fall, and since we were shooting for all white, I decided to add elements to represent snow and ice.  Think Vail and Aspen.

Even the pumpkin patch and the pine trees are covered with a dusting of snow.

We're in the dining room today, and I've set a table for eight.

To stay within the guidelines of Kathleen's challenge, I've used a white on white palette with the addition of one color, shades of brown.

I shopped my accessory closets for the centerpiece.  A bumper crop of Pottery Barn mercury glass pumpkins were paired with a selection of mercury glass candlesticks.  The serpentine grouping of snow covered pinecones is simply a pair of garlands from Michael's.

 Chosen to prevent the white dinnerware from fading into the white matelasse tablecloth, the hammered bronze charger plate was a great get at an estate sale...

 ......quickly becoming my go-to charger plate, the Maryland China Company Minuet charger plate seemed to be an obvious choice...

 ...to collaborate with the Wedgwood Countryware dinner plate...

 ...and the Royal Doulton RD199 luncheon plate.  Tip:  I am an advocate for luncheon plates.  They are so versatile!  Not only can they be put to work as a luncheon plate, they also work beautifully for salads and desserts...especially a big honkin' piece of delicious cake!

 Today the antique white shades of the antique carved flatware and the L'Argent Sophia flatware added a touch of needed contrast to my design.

Repeating the taupe shades of brown in the garland, I chose the Pottery Barn Flax hemstitched napkins.

Just for you, Kathleen, I left my colored "cased" crystal in the crystal closets today.  I paired the Mikasa French Countryside goblet with the Tiffin Chrysanthemum (My name for it...I have no idea what it's really called) wine goblet, an estate sale find.  I like the silver reflecting through the crystal stemware.

My guests might need to wear their coats to the table for dinner in the snowy woods...I kind of like the thought of that!  Bundle up, and come on over.  We'll linger after our meal for fellowship...even if we need to put on our mittens!

This week I'll be joining the following parties:

Lets Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper