Adding the Kids' Table, Thanksgiving, 2017

 Although I know that a bevy of 'on the ball' bloggers are already publishing Christmas tablescapes, my tables are always set for actual guests at real time meals.  As a result, I hope that you will grant me a measure of grace and  are still content to stroll through one more Thanksgiving post.  By the time our holiday house guests left for home last Friday afternoon, I was ready for a long nap. I'm now rested, the house is fully dressed in its Christmas finery, and I have a spot of time to compile my Thanksgiving post.  

The grandchildren are growing so fast, and for the first time, we set two tables...one for the old fogies and one for the children.  I had a ball setting the kids' table, and as always I thoroughly enjoyed creating the design for the dining table.  This will be a photo intense post, so I'll try to minimize the text.  I set a table for four for the grandkids.  We're in the breakfast room; come on in and join us...


Although the tables each had their own unique look, I utilized the same china and chargers on both tables.


A Pier One copper charger was coupled with...


...a creamy acrylic charger from Kirkland's.  I like the effect of just the edge of the copper plate showing beneath the cream plate.


I was so excited to use the Hartley Green Leeds Pottery reticulated creamware dinner plate.  Pictures just don't do it justice.  I adore this pattern.


Fenton Empress Goblets...chunky enough for little hands...lent a Colonial feel that worked well with...


...the linen flax tablecloth, an estate sale find, and our Anna Lee Pilgrims, which have been a part of our family celebrations for decades, since my own son and daughter were the age of our grandchildren.


I was even able to integrate another piece of the Hartley Green Leeds for the centerpiece.


The kids loved them, and they made me giggle and smile.


A day for prayer...


..and praise.


The Furnival Blue Quail...






...and a selection of some of my tureen collection seemed pleased to have been invited to the festivities.


The kids' table met with good reviews.  Now let's head into the dining room.


Everything is ready and waiting for family and friends.  This day I set a table for twelve.


I always love an opportunity to use the linen tablecloth and napkins that Sweet Mister bought for me while we were vacationing in Sorrento Italy.


Again...the table is set with an assortment of the Hartley Greens Leeds Pottery reticulated creamware.


Waterford Simply Lilac paired with our Nana's antique French crystal goblet.  



Each piercing in the Hartley Greens Leeds Pottery "Chestnut Bowl" is created individually by hand with antique cutting tools.  Just amazing.

 
I love the way that the carved wood finials work with the reticulated china pieces.  The fall leaves are garlands from Hobby Lobby.


Gold flatware was an estate sale find some years ago.


Everything is spit spot shiny and ready to go.


It was such a blessing to have both of my children and their families gathered around my tables this Thanksgiving.


Certainly a perfect time to offer prayer and praise to our loving God.


I humbly thank you for stopping by for a visit, and I pray that I'll see you often here at Entertaining Women.


Until we meet again, may your tables always be set with an abundance of love and joy.  And remember, if you happen to pass my way out here on the prairie, I would love to set a table just for you. 

This week I'm joining:

Inspire Me Tuesday with Marty @ A Stroll Through Life

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

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Garden Friends Birthday Luncheon, 11.15.17

Well, I'm not quite sure how to explain my long, long absence from blog world.  All I know is that since my lung surgery, I've felt better than I've felt in decades.  I've been able to do more things than I've done in years, and I've just been so doggone busy, I haven't had extra time to work on my blog.  I appreciate that you are willing to stop by for a visit again and check out what's happening on the tables at Entertaining Women.  I'm so glad you are here!


Today the Garden Friends Bible study met for the last time before Thanksgiving.  It was a perfect opportunity to celebrate Sheila's birthday with a luncheon.  I've set a table for 8 in the dining room.  Come on in...


Lately, I've been indulging my passion for blue and white.  Today's table is chocked full of a variety of blues and white with gentle touches of Autumn. Makes me smile.  The birthday girl requested my homemade chicken noodle soup for lunch today.  It was pretty much a gray old day, and hot soup and cornbread muffins filled the bill perfectly.  We finished off our simple menu with Italian Cream Cake. Can you ever go wrong with comfort food?  I think not!


I just wasn't in a mood for a tablecloth today, but our dear Nana's antique ecru tape lace placemats and runners seemed to be calling to me.  The older runners are not as long as more modern offerings, so I layered three of these magnificent old pieces to cover the entire length of the table.  Fittingly this old lace design features acorns!  How perfect is that!




Nana's antique Madeira napkins with a floral design stitched in ecru were caught in silver reticulated napkin rings.

 The Mottahedeh Blue Lace Charger provided the foundation for today's place setting.  I adore this pattern.  It continues to be the plate that guests "want to take home".


Making its premier appearance, the Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Half Lace is one of the newer denizens in my "China Town".


The antique Meissen Blue Onion was eventually edited from the opening act of the production.  I just couldn't bear to cover up the Royal Copenhagen.  The dinner plate deserved to stand centerstage on its own.  The Meissen did make an appearance later,  during the dessert course.

 The Waterford Simply Blue and the Tiffin Elyse were superb in the ensemble cast.  I' found my collections of each on eBay and Replacements.com.


Appearing as extras were the Reed & Barton Grande Renaissance flatware, my wedding sterling.  I use it more than my other patterns mainly because it's stored close at hand, and that's the truth.  That and I still really like it.  If I were registering today, I would still choose Grande Renaissance.


Every production needs an eye catching backdrop.  Today's centerpiece is concocted with an assortment of blue and white appointments and a variety of autumn touches.

The tureen is from Andrea by Sadek.  It was an eBay find.

The pair of bell candlesticks are Mottahedeh Blue Canton.  They definitely make a statement, and I am a little bit in love with them.  They fascinate me.

I recently found the smaller pair of Mottahedeh candlesticks at a local estate sale.

The pair of blue and white lidded jars are from Hobby Lobby.  The wooden acorns and sleeping foxes were found at a local antique shop.

Knitting all the elements in the centerpiece together, several Hobby Lobby garlands of autumn leaves meander down the table in a serpentine fashion. 

Let the festivities commence!  My precious friends would be arriving shortly.  Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  I'd be thrilled to pull up an extra chair and add another place setting just for you.  Well, a girl can always dream...Someday...if you happen to find yourself out here on the prairie... give me a call and plan to come for a meal.  We'll visit for hours!

This week I'm joining:

Inspire Me Tuesday with Marty @ A Stroll Through Life

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

It's a Party @ DIY By Design

The Scoop with Yvonne @ Stone Gable