Spring Inspirations and Spode Peacock

"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 love that inspiration can come from so many different directions...sometimes just around the corner...sometimes it's right outside your window!

 When I opened my bedroom window shades yesterday morning, a smile formed on my face.  I grabbed my camera to capture these brand new buds.  Years ago, Sweet Mister planted a pair of ornamental pear trees outside our bedroom windows as a surprise for me.  Every April, they signal that Spring has finally arrived...

 This morning when I opened the shades, all those buds had burst forth in a symphony of delicate white blossoms.  My inspiration for this week's table was not to be denied.


Friends are coming for an easy lunch on Friday...


...Back to the games table in the living room.

I love this mix of colors.

The Luminarc "Zest" cobalt charger was an eBay find.  It was the perfect staging ground for my place setting. 

Also lending a nice foundation was the Royal Worcester Regency dinner plate.  This pattern is available on the secondary market in a number of color choices.  In addition to the ruby, you can also find a lovely cobalt and a great green.


The crown jewel for today's table is the Spode Peacock (my name for it) luncheon plate.  I  found a set of 11 of these on eBay several years ago.  Someday, I'll find the 12th one!


Some of my favorite crystal patterns....Waterford Simply Red, & AJKA Arabella Cobalt...both found in a variety of places including eBay, Replacements, & Tuesday Morning.


Part of the 'crowd scene"..Nana's silver and cobalt salt cellar, red hemstitched napkin (eBay), my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton Francis I flatware, and a cream matelasse tablecloth.


Although I've had the Spode Peacock luncheon plates for a number of years, ...

 ...the pair of Spode Peacock spill vases are a relatively new addition.  I was thrilled when I came across them on eBay.  I filled them with a profusion of the ornamental pear blossoms.  I made the arrangements wild and free...much like they appear on the trees.  Why are they called 'spill vases"?  I've always wondered about that.

 I combined the vases...

 with a pair of the cobalt depression glass candlesticks to flank...

 ...a ruby glass bowl.  Did you notice the "stand" underneath the bowl.  It's the base of one of my silver lidded butter dishes!  Remember...always be willing to think outside the box.

 We'll see if the blossoms last until Friday, and hopefully we won't have one of our raging thunder storms,  which will instantly wreak havoc on the ornamental pear blooms.  We often have them to enjoy for what seems like mere moments.

Ready to enjoy good food, hours of laughter, and blessed fellowship.  If you're passing my way, let me know...I'll set an additional place just for you!

This week I'm joining:
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop @ Katherine's Corner
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch