French Enamelware, May, 2014

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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Our hostess for this year's Garden Friends Bible Study was out of town this week and next week. I was blessed to welcome my precious friends into our house for our Bible study yesterday, and I look forward to their presence next week, too.  I couldn't resist the opportunity to ask those who had time to remain for lunch.  There were five of us, and I set a small table in the living room.  Won't you join us?

 Do you feel like you're in the midst of a deja vue moment?

 After choosing my dinnerware, I started the process of selecting a tablecloth.  No matter how many cloths I pulled for consideration,  I kept going back to the striped cloth that I used last week.  It just provided the right balance with all the other elements in my design.  So stripes it is...again.  Good enough!

 Time has been sparse since I was sick with that icky respiratory infection week before last.  Shopping for and arranging floral centerpieces just wasn't going to be a part of the program, so this was another "centerpiece in moments" opportunity...


The funky pair of Italian reticulated urns were an eBay purchase a number of years ago.  A young woman in Australia was selling some items that she had inherited from her great-aunt.  I think that at some point her little old aunt decided that she wanted the embossed roses to be pink because I'm virtually certain that she painted them herself, after the fact.  They make me giggle, and I always enjoy using them.

 A selection of  Hartley-Leeds creamware plates has long been on my "someday" list.  To date I don't have the plates, but I was thrilled to find the large "Chestnut Bowl" tureen and a pair of the "Strawberry Bowls and under plates.  I started to fill them with fresh strawberries for our luncheon, but I ended up placing a Hydrangea topiary ball in each one. 

 Now...on to the meat of the design...

 Such a versatile color of green...the MacKenzie-Childs enamelware charger plate brought a nice touch of Spring to the table.

 For a spot of texture, I chose to use the Wedgwood Countryware dinner plate.

 ...and the marquis topper for the show....this enchanting enamelware dinner plate was manufactured in France.  There is an inscription on the back of the plate that indicates that it was a Christmas gift from the owner of the company that made the plates to his employees.  I found a set of 12 on eBay.

 Completing the place setting, I used pink flatware and a soft green hemstitched napkin held by the Coalport Countryware napkin ring.  The crystal salt cellar was a gift from my friend Debbi....

 ....the finishing touch was found in the Tiffin Optic Green wine and the Waterford Simply Lilac goblet.  Both were acquired through eBay.

 I always like to preview my tables from the "guest's eye view."

 Yep, it works for me.

A simple lunch included Strawberry Chicken salad, hot garlic bread, and a triple-berry pie for dessert. I'm so blessed to gather my Garden Friends around my table as we draw to the end of another year of wonderful Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.  Next week is our last lesson before a summer break, and I'm thrilled to be able to prepare another table for them.  Passing our way?  You're more than welcome to join us!

This week I'll be joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop @ Katherine's Corner