Mother's Day

Mother's Day 2016, made me very happy.  I had been unable to sustain enough energy to entertain larger groups for what seemed like way too long.  This day I felt like my life might be returning to something that looked like normal.  I was so excited to gather our family around our table to celebrate such a sweet holiday...Mother's Day.  I set a table for ten in the dining room.  Come on in...

 Mother's Day...an opportunity to invite the men in the family to sit down at a completely feminine table.


I knew that I wanted to use the Williams-Sonoma matelasse tablecloth.  I like the texture, and it doesn't hurt that I rarely need to iron it!  I found it on eBay, and I use it often.  It's really not long enough for my new dining table, and I don't care!  That's how much I love it.  Some day I'll find one that's the 144" the table needs.


Mother's Day and Spring...a perfect match...new life and new beginnings...delicate blooms...pinks and greens...oh the possibilities!


Come a little closer and have a better look...


Always a regal base for any place setting...the Mottahedeh Blue Lace charger plate is flanked by Horchow's hot pink flatware.  Howchow called this a red.  I disagreed but kept it anyway.  I use it fairly often, and I'm still looking for a red flatware pattern.


I adore the Royal Doulton Lowestoft Bouquet dinner plate.  Did you happen to notice the wavy scalloped pink line just at the top edge of the verge?  That simple little detail adds so much interest to this very English design.  The whole design just makes me smile...so old fashioned, yet timeless.


  I alternated the Waterford Simply Lime and Pink goblets along side our Nana's antique French crystal goblets.  I wish that I knew more about her crystal.  It's so special.  Nana also provided the Limoges open salts.  It's always a treat to use her lovely things.  Seemed appropriate for her to be represented at our Mother's Day table.

                         
I probably was slightly carried away with the candlelight for our luncheon.  I just loved the way it made the crystal dance.  I've had the Val St. Lambert candlesticks for decades, and they remain one of my favorite decorative elements when creating a centerpiece...minimum effort for maximum effect.


As happens frequently, my centerpiece is really a no brainer...the crystal candlesticks...votives from Dollar Tree...


...Lenox china urns... and Hydrangeas from my garden...let me say that again...Hydrangeas from my garden.  I am not a talented gardener, and I have fought for years to finally have a number of precious Hydrangea plants that are actually flourishing  in our yucky red clay earth.  You would have thought that I had won the Westminster Flower Show.


Oh...and the Herend Rothschild Bird tureen, found during a great sale at a local jewelry/gift store.


A combination of pieces lovingly collected over time often make the best centerpieces, and we only have to shop our closets.

Delicate lady-like touches...


...to celebrate the important women in my life...the moms in our family.

I pray that each and every mother knows that she is truly appreciated and loved as we celebrate this year's Mother's Day.  I miss my mama every day, and I can't even measure what I would give to be able to share this day with her and honor her one more time.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

This week I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

The Scoop #274 with Stone Gable

Centerpiece Wednesday with The Style Sisters

A Riot of Thanksgiving Colors

• This week I bring you a new post for your eyes, but a trip back in my photo archives to our family's Thanksgiving table from November, 2015.  This holiday fell during my prolonged absence from blog world.  I thought that this would be an appropriate time to slip it in, hopefully for your pleasure.  I was still not back to full speed after my second knee replacement and subsequent back problems, but I was determined to lay a welcoming table for our guests.  It was a special moment because all four of my grandchildren would be at one of my holiday tables together for the first time.  Today I set a table for 13.  I thought that I would be preparing two tables, but Sweet Mister and KC, my daughter, were dead set on having everyone at the same table...so I happily obliged them.  This time there is a boat load of pictures, so proceed with fair warning. We gathered in the dining room.  Come on in... 

My inspiration for my Thanksgiving tablescape was...

This Williams Sonoma Harvest Jacquard tablecloth.  

 It pretty much jumped out of the closest and into my hands. Because there were so many of us seated at my dining table, charger plates were out of the question.  I liked the way the way the dinner plate

perched firmly on the dividing line between two of the color blocks of the tablecloth.

 Again, as a concession to the cozy nature of the place settings, I placed the napkins on the top edge of each dinner plate.  I couldn't bear the thought of covering up the elaborate design of the dinner plate.

 If you've been reading my blog for a period of time, you perhaps remember that come Fall, I find myself repeatedly using faux elements for centerpieces.  This table was no exception. The Autumn leaves are nothing more than several garlands from Hobby Lobby.  I've had this one for many years; it has earned its keep.  The small pumpkins were extra party favors from one of my Chi Omega luncheons.

 The pair of lanterns were also from Hobby Lobby.  I chose them because they were rather subdued and didn't try to fight for attention.

Although I wasn't able to post on my blog for a season, I was still delighted to continue adding to my collections.  I don't think that I have shared this Mottahedeh tureen with you, yet.  Again, it is lovely, regal even; but it maintains a quiet presence in the midst of a very exuberant design.  I like it a bunch!

 I think that you will agree with me that the star of this production was the dinner plate.


I kind of held my breath as I placed this Royal Crown Derby Olde Avesbury on the quite busy tablecloth.  It could have been a design disaster...but for some reason, it just worked.  I framed it with the gold toned flatware that I found at an estate sale for a steal.


The Vieri optic amber goblet and the AJKA Arabella red wine begged to be included in my design.  Entertaining tips: The Vietri is still in production, and at $21.00 per stem, I think that it is well priced for a crystal goblet.  They are available in an assortment of colors and work equally well in classic and contemporary settings.  The wine is no longer in production, but you can find it quite regularly via eBay

The tiny spots of lilac are charming little antique Limoges open salt cellars that belonged to our dear Nana.  I love the opportunity to use them whenever possible.  The beaded napkin rings are really candle rings.  Remember to think outside "the box". 

I look forward to this year's Thanksgiving feast.  I'm playing with different elements for my new tablescape.  Is your table already set?  I'll bet that I find lots of inspiration when I visit your blogs this week!  This year I am thankful that I live in the United States of America.  After a turbulent election season for all sides, I find encouragement as I watch the beginning of the peaceful transition that plays out between the current executive administration and the new administration.  We are truly blessed.

This week I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Antique Club Christmas Luncheon, 2015

After my last small luncheon on Friday, December 18, I had the weekend to prepare for my antique club's Christmas luncheon on Monday, December 21, which also happened to be my 47th wedding anniversary.  It was a busy and wonderful day.  Our little club sets its membership limit at 25.  Today I set three tables for 24 guests.  Come on in and allow me to share the day with you.

 One of the tables was, as you have probably already speculated, at the games table in the dining room.  What would I do without my trusty flip-top tabletop that turns my games table for four into a comfortable table for 6-8?

 Today, the table was set for six.  I had such a good time mixing precious old family items with other vintage pieces that I've collected over the 47 years of our marriage.

 My Baroque silver chargers, a gift from my sister many years ago, provided a lovely seat for Nana's Limoges thick gold rim dinner plates.  Take just a moment to notice the amazing flat to satin appearance of the gold rim, found on any number of wonderful old plates.  I'll show you later why I wanted to mention this.  My estate sale gold-tone flatware makes a fitting companion to the plates.

 Another of my collected vintage finds, the Kings Crown ruby flash luncheon plates and the dinner plates were removed right before the luncheon was served.  The luncheon plate was later used for several dessert offerings.  The AJKA Arabella red wine was paired with my mother-in-love's cut crystal goblet.  I don't know the name or maker of her crystal.  It's so pretty, and I am blessed to be its caretaker until it is passed on to the next generation of our family.  The angel in the centerpiece is one of a number of angels that you will see today, another gift from my beloved sister, Pat.  I also enjoyed using my antique cranberry bell collection on all the tables today.  The table linens are yet, another example of my decision to mix old and new.  The antique lace runner and the matching placemats and napkins belonged to our Nana.  The Williams-Sonoma toile tablecloth is one that I found on eBay.  Tip:  eBay is such an amazing resource, if you are willing to do your homework and BE PATIENT!  Yes, that was me yelling to the rooftop.  You guys, several week ago, I bought an absolutely amazing set of 12 Aynsley cobalt and gold trim dinner plates for $9.95 and free shipping!  It was the opening bid, and I turned out to be the only bidder.  Can you imagine being able to give a beloved daughter, niece, grand daughter, etc., a gorgeous set of 12 excellent English china dinner plates as a wedding gift for less than $10.00?  Oh my word...I hope you'll start shopping, if you're not shopping already!

 The crystal bowl with amazing silver overlay belonged to Nana.  The inexpensive Pasabache crystal compotes were another of my eBay finds.

 That's probably more than you wanted to know about this table, so let's head into the dining room...

 ...where I've prepared a table for twelve.

 Starting with the centerpiece...more angels, more cranberry bells, gold cone Christmas trees and assorted picks and berries from Hobby Lobby.  "Rose Lilies" and red roses  from La Grocery Store are resting in Nana's vintage Glastonbury-Lotus bowl.

 Can you see all the layers in the Rose Lilies?  They are gorgeous!

 Oh yes!  Please, give a hand to my co-hostesses for the luncheon.  They were an amazing team, and I'd work with them any time.  Linda (center) brought each of us one of the pretty aprons to wear while we served our fellow members.  We were worn slick by the end of the day, but we had a great time working together.  I'm so thankful for them.

 Friends and guests often ask me to name my favorite tablecloth...

 ...This has to be the one...

 The antique tape lace figural tablecloth and the napkins belonged to...you knew it all along...Nana!  I'm also blessed to have Nana's antique gold medallion dinner plates by Stouffer Studios.  This also has to be one of my favorite plates.  By this point, I probably don't even need to identify the Retroneau Hollydays flatware.

 The dining table was festooned with the Waterford Simply Red goblet and Nana's amazing antique French hand-cut crystal goblet.   The Lenox Holly napkin rings were an estate sale find.  Score!  I was so busy that I never remembered to light the votive candles...ah well.  It didn't seem to put a damper on the party.

 I did notice that there were lots of handbags reserving early seats at this table.  I took that as a compliment for Nana.

 Never say never.  I rarely, if ever,  repeat a tablescape, but I may have to pull this one out of the archives one day.  I really enjoyed putting this design together.  So, you may ask..."Where did the kitchen help sit?'...

 Just like Mrs. Patmore and her crew at Downton Abbey, we were seated in the kitchen. Again, I mixed another set of Nana's antique placemats and runner with a Williams-Sonoma toile tablecloth. The napkins were an estate sale buy.  The crystal is the same as that used at the games table.

 The gold rimmed plates looked so much like Nana's Limoges plates on the other table.  You know...the ones that I asked you to notice a while back.  When I saw them on eBay, I snapped them up.  Upon opening the box, it took only a moment to realize that I should have asked the seller more questions.  Instead of the rich satin finish of the antique plates, the newer ones have a bright shiny, almost gold mirrored finish.  You may be able to detect the difference in the bottom right plate.  eBay Tip:  When shopping on eBay, take the time to read every single word in the description, examine the pictures as closely as possible, and if you're trying to match plates that you already own, ask extra questions!  I like the plates just fine; I happily use them; but they are not what I thought I was buying.

 I almost deleted this picture.  The far end of the breakfast room never received the attention that it deserved prior to seating guests in this room...even the kitchen crew.  Well, it happens, and once again...I'm pretty sure that it didn't put a damper on the party.  Oh wow..."that little girl with the red hair chews her pencil!" (You're a Good Man Charlie Brown)...

 I guess my message is...just do the best you can; then let it go and enjoy your own party.  If anyone makes a snarky comment, just don't invite them back again...or let them host the next party!  Besides, today was my 47th Anniversary, and I knew that there was a great evening waiting for me with Sweet Mister and our dear friends, Ken and June.  Ken and June were married exactly one day to the year after our wedding.  We have celebrated together for many years, and we love our precious friends.

May all of your celebrations be lovely and last many years!

I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch