"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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If you've been reading my blog for a while, you might remember that I celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts with two small groups of friends. In 2012, I called my party A Cup of Christmas Tea. A few weeks ago I shared the first luncheon for 2013, with you. The two luncheons are similar because I give the same gifts to everyone. This year I gave each friend a cranberry bell for Christmas. I wanted to share the second party with you because I made a few changes...typical artist...I get bored if I have to repeat my designs too often...like twice.
Bells Part Two: I decided to add a bit more color.
The centerpiece remained the same...but the stack changed slightly.
The
red Bormioli glass charger rang clear against the gold and cream toile tablecloth, an
eBay find.
New to the festivities was the
Royal Sutherland gold encrusted dinner plate, one of our treasures from sweet Nana.
I continued to go to the
Kings Crown ruby flash thumbprint accent plate. It's pretty hard to beat during the Christmas season.
...and a new bell for each guest's place setting.
The
Waterford Simply Red remained, and I added the
AJKA Arabella in green.
A red hemstitched napkin was snuggled into the ceramic basket napkin ring, which belonged to my mama.
The ruby flash pitcher was a $4.00 estate sale find.
I repeated my menu of Quiche Lorraine, Simple Salad, Mixed Berries, and hot bread for brunch. Three parties in one week; I was looking for ways to simplify the process each time. Using the same menu helped.
Did you have a favorite between the two Bells are Ringing tablescape designs? The monochromatic table or this one in clear colors? Happy New Year! I look forward to your tablescapes for 2014! Let a new round of blogging begin!
This week I'm joining:
Let's Dish with Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
Don't ask me to pick a favorite. I think both tables are stunning. The ruby bells make a thoughtful and no doubt cherished gift. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and your family for a wonderful 2014. Happy New Year!
Your table is stunning! And what a lovely gift to give your guests! Your estate sale find, the red pitcher is beautiful! I hope you and your family have a blessed new year!
ReplyDeleteLove them both...no favorites! Love that pitcher...what a great find.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and what a treasured gift you've given to all of them! ! I want to be your friend! Did you change your dining table?
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect tablescape for a Christmas party! Those charger plates are great. What did you use for the napkin rings?
ReplyDeleteDaniel, the napkin rings are tiny ceramic baskets adorned with holly. The set of 12 belonged to my mama. I think they were probably intended to hold nuts. Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Cherry Kay
DeleteGorgeous table, Cherry Kay, as usual. It looks so festive and cheerful with all the bright reds. The bells are very thoughtful gifts. You have beautiful glassware...Christine
ReplyDeleteI have been MIA from the tablescaping parties for a while -- just no time. But I was catching up today now that my company has left, and once again, you have blown me away. Your tables are always works of art, and it is such a feast for the eyes. I hope you have had a wonderful holiday, and I think your new chairs are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBoth were beautiful, but I do have to say that I was so inspired by the first one that I immediately got online and ordered myself a bell - almost like I was at the table with you and got to bring mine home! Thanks for the beautiful inspiration and may 2014 be wonderful for you and yours!
ReplyDeleteBoth were beautiful, but I do have to say that I was so inspired by the first one that I immediately got online and ordered myself a bell - almost like I was at the table with you and got to bring mine home! Thanks for the beautiful inspiration and may 2014 be wonderful for you and yours!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see that the cranberry bells remained center stage. I'm still in awe of the pieces you have collected and as always, you find a perfect way to present them.
ReplyDeleteAll I can add is that your friends must look forward to coming to your home for lunch! I remain so impressed by your lovely tables filled with wonderful china, crystal and silver. Looking forward to sharing via email many beautiful tables for 2014. Wishing you and your family great blessings for the New Year, MM
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness...I could never chose between them! Both tablescapes are incredible, Cherry Kay!
ReplyDeleteThe bells are such a thoughtful & beautiful gift & they added so much to your settings. I wish I could have seen their faces when your friends walked in & saw this for the first time!
Hope you're staying warm...bitterly wicked cold here. Ugh!
Hugs,
Rett
Cherry Kay your tables are 'always' gorgeous and a delight to see, like this red, cheery and beautiful setting. I love the bells, wish I was there to receive one too...lucky guests in every sence! Happy and blessed 2014 my friend.
ReplyDeleteFABBY
I don't know what is going on with all the Internet stuff (I'm not a technical person, so I don't even know what to call it), but I have not been getting the email alert when you do a post. I was subscribed to your blog, but suddenly I was kicked off. I thought I re-subscribed, but I still haven't been getting the email thingies. So I just re-subscribed again. Hope this time works. Technology...a blessing and a curse!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteLOVE this tablescape, Cherry Kay! Red and gold are a favorite combo of mine, and I love the red charger against the tablecloth! The centerpiece is so BOLD in both color and stature!!! You KNOW I LOVE BOLD!!!!
That pitcher? Just $4??!?!?! I'm sending the cops to your house, sister, 'cause that was a straight up steal!! :-)
Happy New Year, Cherry Kay! I hope 2014 brings you all the good you deserve! And let's hope it brings me my email alerts when you post! :-)
question, can you help me, looking for some dinner plates, really like Wedgewood Ulander Powder Blue, but a bit too expensive, $50 per plate, any suggestions...thanks.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne Melson
I love them both, but if I HAD to choose, would pick the first luncheon. I can just imagine the delight of each of your friends as the tables were seen for the first time.
ReplyDeleteThey are both beautiful! What a wonderful gift for your guests! I have everything down, but many trips to the basement still have to be made. I am tired, and everything looks so bare! Hope all is well there!
ReplyDeleteThey are both so lovely! I think they (and you) are amazing. I am wild over those Sutherland plates.
ReplyDeleteIf I were forced to choose, I think I might like this table best. I love color.
Happy New Year, my friend, and many blessings!
xo
Sheila
This is absolutely stunning! I love the transparent saturated colors! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry to hear about your friend. That has to be super tough on the family and all who loved him.
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous table!!! I just love it!!! The tablecloth is really pretty...love the shimmer. It's a great color backdrop to the blues on the table.
I couldn't love those crescent-shaped salad plates more if I tried!!! Randolph Hurst got it right with that pattern, too, for his ranch house. Really pretty!
I get the alerts for those Horchow sales all the time, but I never follow up on them. The flatware is beautiful. I should be more vigilant!
Have a wonderful, warm weekend!!!