Monday, December 28, 2015

Rennaisance

It's been so very long, but here I sit with my new computer...a pocket of time...and so many things and tablescapes to share with you.  I've longed to join my circle of blogging friends for just about a year, and I'm thrilled to renew our friendships.  I've missed staying up with you.  So many of  you have touched base periodically, and you can't imagine how your notes have encouraged me.  Our little family is doing well, and we've enjoyed pretty much a normal and traditional Christmas this year.  I've decided that I'll try to begin again where I left off...Christmas of 2014.  If you have followed me you will remember that I had my first knee replacement on October 27, 2014.  KC and David were so generous to host us for Thanksgiving that year, and indeed, her beautiful tablescape was my last post for quite a while.  Although I was hobbled with a walker and then a cane, and I definitely didn't have the agility or stamina to do much at all, I did have a secret weapon...Cindy, my home care giver and I became friends, and she came back to help make sure that I was able to get Christmas decorations displayed and tables cape designs assembled for a variety of entertaining opportunities that I was determined would indeed take place.  And take place they did!  First up:  a Christmas luncheon for my dear Garden Friends, my Bible study group of about 30 years.  Come on in, we're in the dining room...

Traditional colors set the mood for our luncheon...

 Now, I still wasn't allowed to drive when I designed this table, so motoring to the market for fresh flowers was definitely not an option.  My storage closests yielded an assortment of ruby glass bells and hurricanes, a pair of AJKA green crystal pedestal bowls holding glass raspberries.  and one of my tureens...

 ...the Copeland Spode Camilla Pink tureen.

 My anchor...a 50⍧ acrylic charger from WalMart


 An additional charger, just because I could, the Maryland China Company "Minuet" charger.  Check out their website.  They sell mostly to china painters, and their "blanks" are superbly priced.  They also offer pretty nice price breaks for quantities that we could consider purchasing.

 Just because I couldn't blog didn't mean that I couldn't continue to collect.  Offered at very good prices from Replacements,  I've grown quite fond of the Johnson Brothers, "Great Britain Pink Castles Christmas dinner plate.  I chose to buy it with a plain white center because I knew that I could use it beyond the Christmas season.

 I picked up the coordinating luncheon plate with the Christmas tree for when I wanted to make it scream Christmas.  Tidbit:  These puppies are dishwasher safe, and my family is now eternally grateful that I bought them.  Silly family...they think that I'm going to use them every time.

 Do we still do the close up of the stack?  I'm sure that I'll learn that now that I'll be able to peruse more of your blogs.

It's been a year, but I'm fairly certain that it was the Williams Sonoma Holly Damask that was my inspiration for this table. The sterling flatware is Reed & Barton Grande Renaissance.  The Madeira napkins were an estate sale find....very inexpensive!

 Thought you might enjoy seeing the drop of the tablecloth.  I really like this piece!

 For most of the last year, there were times that I was pretty certain that I was going to spend the rest of my life in physical therapy...more on that later.  Anyway, I made certain to always have my trusty iPad or iPhone with me, and during the incessant time spent icing (not griping...ice was a life saver on many occasions), I completed my collections of AJKA Arabella goblets and Waterford Simply goblets through eBay.


This luncheon for 10 turned out to be the first of 6 opportunities to entertain during the Christmas holidays!  I'm going to try to post the additional parties as quickly as possible.  I'm going to lean heavily on the knowledge that there are really 12 Days of Christmas...after all I have two years worth of tablescapes to share with you.  Hang on...it's going to be a holly good ride!  I've added some more posts this week for Christmas, 2014.  If you're interested, check out:  Christmas Two Fer and Simply Plaid for Christmas

This week I'm joining:
Inspire Me Tuesday #298 @ A Stroll Through Life

Foodie Friday & Everything Else @ Rattlebridge Farm

The Scoop #203 with Debbi @ Confessions of a Plate Addict

Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday


I am so out of touch that I'm not certain who is hosting memes, old or new.  If you host a meme, or know of one that will be appropriate for Entertaining Women's content, please, let me know in a comment?!  Thanks for helping me.

Entertaining Women
Entertaining Women

Hello, I'm Cherry Kay I was 40 before I realized that I am an artist. I love to paint, work in clay, rubber stamping, design tablescapes, entertain, and share ideas. I'm an interior designer wanna-be...no credentials, but lots of experience.

12 comments:

  1. Good to see you back -- sorry your knee replacement didn't go all that well -- but I'm sure you're up and running full tilt now. And yes, if you ARE down, there is nothing like eBay to take your mind off of your problems! LOL!

    Beautiful table and I've eyed those same dishes -- they ARE very Christmassy but also the ones sans the Christmas tree are not seasonal!

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  2. Cherry Kay! Welcome back!!! I have missed the beauty you bring to everything around you and then graciously share with us. This table is stunning. Beautiful new dishes, So glad the crystal is complete. I've really been slacking in that dept. I did manage to complete the ajka red hocks though. Bless you and your family in the new year. Xo marlis

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  3. It is so good to see a blog post from you once again. I'm so happy you have your health back. What a gorgeous tablescape. The colors are so cherry. I love your tureen. I will be looking forward to many more visits. Hugs.

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  4. So very happy to see that you have returned to blogging and will be sharing your lovely settings - you have certainly been missed! This is a lovely table and I especially like the dishes - and the fact that the dinner size can be used all year - they are beautiful! Looking forward to seeing more....

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  5. God is Good and you are back....I have been checking regularly, and I thought this morning, let me see if there is something here! I am so glad you are back!!!

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  6. Welcome back, Cherry Kay! You have been missed more than words can say. It has been a long stressful year for you and your family, but looks like 2016 is looking good. Your table certainly is a testament to your improved mobility. It's as lovely as ever. No flowers needed! I like the big bowls of strawberries. Your new glassware is gorgeous and perfect for the holidays and the upcoming month of February. '-)
    Happy New Year!

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  7. I was so delighted to see your post this morning! I enjoy looking at your tablescapes, and it's always a treat when I see a new post.
    I am glad you are up and well.

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  8. Beautiful table...

    I'm glad to hear you're healing nicely. It must be extremely frustrating when the mind wants to run and play, but your knee says "uhhh not going to happen". Your table is just lovely. The pattern is just beautiful!

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  9. Sooo happy to see your post, Cherry Kay! It is beautiful! I have missed your incomparable blog posts so much. Happy New Year!

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  10. Hello Cherry Kayak! Lovely to see you back. The table is beautiful - as always, I am sure it was the scene of lively conversation and a spirit of loving friendship!

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  11. I am so happy you are back!! I have missed you and your beautiful tables. I had no idea Johnson Brothers made that pattern, it is just beautiful. I love tablescapes and yours inspire me, I am always looking for a new way to present our food...thank you for posting again!! If you run across a blogger who does buffet tables would you direct me to them? I love tables and I try to incorporate tables with my food tables, but it gets tricky. Again, welcome back!!

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  12. Oh so good to see you back! I've been out of the blog world for several months as well...just working alot and not able to find the time! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    Sonia

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Thank you for spending your time to leave a comment. I read each and every one of your generous thoughts. They encourage me in so many ways.

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