Announcing a GIVE-AWAY for My 8th Blogiversary!!!

Several weeks ago I was blessed to gather a few close friends around the games table in the living room for an easy going luncheon. I call it one of my dine and dash renditions because I think we all have those times when everyone is running in a thousand different directions. Still, it's nice to stop for even a short respite to have a bite to eat and spend some time, however brief, with your favorite people. This was one of those days. Lunch consisted of chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, and broccoli salad, all served on the kitchen counter from their refrigerator storage containers. Regardless, it was a precious time filled with cherished moments, and sometimes that's the most we can ask. We're about to grab our plates and head into the kitchen.  I'll grab another place setting just for you, so please, you're invited to come on in and join us at the table. I hope you're plenty hungry!!

The centerpiece consisted of one of my favorite jardinieres and flowers left over from a luncheon earlier in the week.  Centerpiece...check. As so often happens, I was in the mood for something blue and white...

The Williams-Sonoma Sofia dinner plate perched happily on my Anna Weatherly cobalt charger.

The Williams Sonoma Sofia Boat luncheon/salad plate was made available for anyone who cared for dessert...today it was a yummy slice of coconut cake.

Many of you are no stranger to my Pier One pearlized pink goblets. Today they were the perfect choice for Nana's pink and white Madeira placemat and napkin. The L'Argent Sofia cobalt flatware (no relation to the dinnerware) completed the place setting.

And especially short and sweet for me, that's the complete setting for today.  But wait!  You didn't really think that I was going to fade away that quickly, now did you? Come on now!  So here's the deal...On July, 7, 2018, I'll celebrate my 8th Blogiversary!  It doesn't seem possible!  I published my first post on July 7, 2010. I've so enjoyed sharing my tablescapes with you, and have come to think of many of you as dear friends. You need to know that I'm serious each time I invite you to come sit at my table. Because it is my blogiversary, I want to celebrate with you by announcing an Entertaining Women give-away!! During the week of July 7, 2018, I'll announce the winner of a set of 12 Williams Sonoma Sofia dinner and luncheon/salad plates, as seen in this week's post. Everyone who leaves a comment on my posts between now and July 7, 2018, will be entered to win the set of dinnerware. If you want to earn additional opportunities to win the set of Sofia, you could also take a stroll back through my archives and leave a comment each time you visit an older post. I hope that I'll be hearing from you!

This week I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Dishing It and Digging It with Christine @ Rustic & Refined 

When the Deep PURPLE FALLS, 10.9.14 and a Winner!

"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 during this harvest season, it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

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Kathleen of Cuisine Kathleen has challenged us to create a Fall tablescape with no orange and with purple...lots of purple.  I'm in the midst of busily preparing for my bi-annual luncheon for my college sorority sisters, so I've set a table that may or may not be put to use.  On a happy note for me, I'm pleased to announce that the winner of the tablecloth giveaway is Liz @ Infuse with Liz.  Liz, please, contact me with your address information, and I'll send the cloth on its way to you.  I'll be excited to see how you put it to use in one of your blog posts!

Tonight's post features quite a few pics...and minimal text...well, minimal for me.  

 Table for five at the games table in the living room...

 The gold tone flatware was a Dallas estate sale find.

 The reticulated bread plates were another estate sale find...12 for $10.00.

 The acrylic chargers from Hobby Lobby are quite inexpensive.  They are actually a dusty lavender...I couldn't quite capture the exact color...but it's definitely purple!  The Coalport Athlone Brown dinner plate repeated the color in the tablecloth that I made.

 The Wedgwood majolica grape leaf plate was a nice topper.

 Another shot of purple for our Kathleen...Waterford Simply Lilac and AJKA Arabella amethyst.

 Sweet Mister brought home our Autumn decorations just this weekend.  The burlap pumpkins just fit the bill!

 The antique amethyst bowl and stand belonged to our dear Nana...such a regal old piece.

 The Williams-Sonoma Flax hemstitched linen napkins are some of my favorites.  Today I used them to add a more casual yet sophisticated touch to my design.

 I even caught a few candlelight shots.  I'm out of practice.

 I always appreciate a good challenge.  Thanks, Kathleen!  This was an enjoyable project!  

This week I'm joining:

Let's Dish with Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop @ Katherine's Corner

Takeout for Lunch, 3.7.14

"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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Slowly, slowly, I'm finding moments to resume entertaining.  Today, I set a table for four in the living room, and a friend brought take out for lunch.  It's been too long.  I had a wonderful time creating one of my 30 minute tablescapes.  Inspiration for the day...

 ...the Williams-Sonoma toile tablecloth.  The mailman delivered it just this morning, and I thought, why not!

 I really like the wide solid red border on the cloth.

 When I use a square cloth on a round table, I try to assure that the points of the square fall between the chairs.  That way my guests don't have to hassle with them when seated.

 Keeping it simple....I decided to play with just the colors in the cloth.

 The details...Pottery Barn Flax hemstitched linen napkins and the L'Argent Sophia flatware in white, found at Tuesday Morning and Horchow.

 Come on in...

 Where would you like to sit?

 More details...

 The Bormioli red glass charger framed...

 ...the Wedgwood Queensware Plain dinner plate, from Replacements....

 ...topped by the Wedgwood majolica grape leaf plate...

 ...and an unknown maker's red glass compote, found at an estate sale.

 Everyone enjoyed a glass of wine today in the Waterford Simply Red (Glendora) goblet, acquired through eBay and Replacements.

 My centerpiece was simply the Hartley & Leeds Creamware Chestnut Bowl/tureen, found on eBay.  I surrounded it with simple red mercury glass votives and tiny ruby glass vases.

I'm so glad to have the time to set a table for dear friends again.  We dined on a delicious salad and visited into the afternoon...my idea of a perfect day!

This week I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Autumn Jewels

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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Fall is definitely in the air.  The winds are picking up out here on the prairie, and at any moment you might expect one of the 'flying nannies' from Mary Poppins to sweep by the door.  We've had enough rain that we're getting at least a modicum of changing color in the leaves that float to the ground and crunch under foot. The Garden Friends Bible study was coming this morning, so last night, I prepared a large pot of my chicken noodle soup for anyone who wanted to stay for lunch.  Sweet cornbread muffins and key lime pie completed our laid back lunch.

For today's luncheon, I've set a table for 8 in the dining room. I'm finally ready to begin playing with the jewel tones that saunter comfortably hand in hand with Autumn.

  The  lime green Bormoglio charger that I bought at Gordman's played nicely with...

The antique Luneville Louis XV faience in honey...

...and the Bordallo Pinheiro majolica leaf plate.  The leaf plate was later set to the side for a large cornbread muffin.  The chicken noodle soup was served from the kitchen in Haviland soup bowls.  I forgot to snap a picture of the soup bowl.  Flatware is the L'Argent Sophia "Gold," found at Tuesday Morning and through Horchow.  Horchow's still offers it through their website.  Tip:  Watch Horchows for a bit before deciding to make  a purchase.  They have some pretty good sales periodically.  Also, if you sign up for their email list, they'll occasionally send a notification for what they call their "Click Tock" Sale...usually at least 50% off and only available through the email link. 

Everything worked well on the Williams Sonoma yellow linen tablecloth, another get from eBay.  This is a four seasons cloth, good for use throughout the year.

Continuing with the jewel tone color story, I chose the Vietri Optical in Apple Green and the Lenox Red Holiday Gem...

...along with the Pier One cotton napkin and beaded napkin ring.  I've had the napkins for a number of years, but the versatile napkin rings may still be available in the stores.

The inspiration for my table was this selection of faux elements.  The pomegranate topiary is actually permanently affixed to a small wooden urn.  I regularly pop it into another container.  You've seen me  use my green hypericum berries topiary ball, so I was thrilled to find a variation of the same for the holiday seasons.  The ocher berries and the multi-colored berries are all miniature pomegranates.  Certainly a riot of Autumn colors...I had a ball playing with them.

The parade down the center of the table was completed by the addition of two pair of my Barley Twist Candlesticks.  The quintet of red tole jardinieres were an inexpensive purchase on the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby.  Tip:  My friends laughingly say that I always buy decorative items in pairs or multiples.  I agree; at any given time, I may only want one of something, but it inevitably comes in handy when I have extras on hand.  The use of repetitive elements is one of my favorite design strategies.

It's been a while, but I even caught some candlelight shots the night before my luncheon...

And I'm good to go...

 The soups hot and ready to eat...Let the food, fun, & fellowship begin!

Wednesday evening is the 32nd edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".   Excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

Lots of great ideas to be gathered when you visit Yvonne at Stone Gable for TUTORIAL, TIPS, & TIDBITS.  Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!
                                                                

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of October, I think about the crisp Autumn days and leaves that crunch under foot.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "The Tag Hollow Sessions""  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!