Garden Friends Christmas Luncheon, 2017

 You know that Christmas has come once again to our house upon stepping through the front door.  You'll be immediately be greeted with the Simpich Nativity.  I never tire of carefully assembling these precious pieces year after year.

The shepherds and their flocks are humbled by the presence of this most special babe.

Every time I begin to become overwhelmed by all the activity and projects that make up our Christmas season, I think of Mary and Joseph...the unbelievable journey that they made to Egypt and back to Bethlehem...the dangers that they endured... this teenage pregnant young woman who exhibited amazing faith in her God through it all...while she was nine months pregnant and riding on the back of a donkey!  Suddenly my personal frustrations and problems are frivolous, and my seemingly unending tasks become no problem at all.  I am blessed to be able to make preparations as we wait for the most important birthday celebrated each year. 

     

The Wise Men, Three Kings of the Orient tenderly offer their gifts to the newborn king.

The entryway to the living room continues to sing of the season with Santa in an orange silk robe placed in front of a trio of wrought iron lanterns.  The garland on the door is festooned with sterling silver bells, collected one at a time for more than forty years.  It beckons guests to the Christmas tree beyond.

Santa and Mrs. Claus happily greet our guests each Christmas...

Flanking the doorway, they are posed alongside the pair of antique Rose Medallion fishbowls , each holding a small lighted tree.

   Our Nana's pairs of antique Chinese red Chinoiserie commodes and antique gold mirrors complete the vignette.  I needlepointed the rug resting next to Mrs. Claus.  It is one of my favorite projects. It took me four month to complete.  Let's go into the living room where most of our Christmas decor resides.  Lots of pictures to follow, so be warned.  I'll try to be brief with my remarks.     

Looking over the back of the sofa, our stockings hang from the fireplace mantle in readiness for Santa's visit.


I stitched the four stockings many years ago.  If I can access the necessary Alexa canvases, I'll stitch one for each of our new generation of family.  I designed the insert for the shepherds on the far left.


I'm so happy with the Christmas tree stocking holders.  They are actually sturdy enough to support each stocking after it is filled for Christmas morning.


I love putting out all the Christmas pillows each year.

This is the Simpich Santa Takes a Break.


The Pottery Barn "gather" pillow was purchased.  I stitched the rest of the pillows on the couch.


More of my needlepoint pillows...





and the Simpich Santa Checks His List, carefully watched by the Simpich Chris and Melinda.


Our tree is decorated with everything from Radko to the macaroni and glitter ornament made by my son when he was 3 years old.  We typically gift our children and grandchildren with presents that don't fit under the tree.  Until just a few days before Christmas Eve, our tree is surrounded by a variety of Anna Lee dolls  and empty decorative boxes.


I originally set a table in the dining room, but because busy schedules found us with six at the table, I set a new table at the games table in the living room...


...adjacent to the Simpich Carolers.





Each character is unique and wonderful.  I adore these marvelous figures!

Back to the table...Today I've used goldstone flatware and the Vietri glass charger plate.


The dinner plate is Royal Crown Derby Red Aves.   


The crystal plate with the enticing green circle near the verge belonged to our Nana.  I have never known the maker.  Anyone have any idea?




The linen napkin with the embroidered gold design is caught in a gold beaded napkin ring.


Waterford Simply Pink goblet is paired with Lalique Treves wine goblet.  The Lalique is part of my wedding crystal.  This month we celebrate our 49th anniversary!


Pink poinsettias were simply set into the Royal Crown Derby Red Aves octagonal centerpiece bowl... 


and flanked by a pair of the Red Aves Candlesticks and a quartet of my cranberry bells.  Although I don't know the maker, I know that the bells were made in Great Britain.


Such a dignified old candlestick

I served a simple menu of Poppy Seed Chicken, green spinach salad, hot bread, and coconut cake for dessert.

Viewed from the table...

The Snow Village has graced our home for more than 45 years.  

The Simpich Elves collection is another of my favorite Christmas decorations.  I set it up under the piano, so my grand babies can pick them up and play with them. 

They are so special.

It was a wonderful time filled with good food and blessed fellowship.  I have several more Christmas luncheon tablescapes to share with you.  We host a large cocktail party in two days, so I will be occupied for the next few days.  I'll try to post a second tablescape this week.  I pray that you are enjoying your Christmas season.  Remember, if you start to feel overwhelmed on your road to Christmas, just remember the road that sweet young Mary traveled.  Cherish your days as we wait with great expectation for the most important birthday of each year.  We are truly blessed.  Merry Christmas! 

This week I'm joining:

Inspire Me Tuesday with Marty @ A Stroll Through Life

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

The Scoop with Confessions of a Plate Addict

A Pleasure to Serve at Christmas

I adore Christmas.  I adore entertaining, and the Christmas season is definitely my favorite time to entertain during the year.  The Garden Friends party was on Wednesday, and it is now Saturday night.  Come on into our Christmas house.


The first thing that will greet you is the Simpich Nativity.  I've been assembling the creche and its denizens for many decades.  It's always the first of our Christmas decorations to make an appearance.


New to our home this year, this amazing Santa is a creation designed by my dear creative friend and talented artist Judy Kline from Helena, Montana.

                         
Isn't he beautiful!  Ensconced on the center foyer table, Santa graciously welcomed our guests throughout the holidays and this special evening.  Sweet Mister requested that we invite our church pastors, staff, and their spouses for a Christmas dinner, which the two of us would serve.  I agreed that it was a wonderful idea, so on this night I set two tables for 15.  We'll begin in the dining room.

 I love the wonderful ribbon choices that are available these days.  Something perfect for every season...and for the entire Christmas season!

 A couples evening, I wanted the table to be appropriate for the men and the women...I wanted it to speak of comfort and relaxation.  Christmas is such a busy busy time for each one who is called to serve in our churches.  I wanted our church ministry group to be able to just stop, take a breath, and enjoy each others company.  Plaid sent the message perfectly.

 Come into the living room with me...

 I set the games table for five guests...

 ...with a view of the tree and the fireplace.


 Meanwhile, back in the dining room...

 I warned you that you were going to see the Pottery Barn hurricanes numerous times this season.

 The hurricanes brought to mind the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check charger plates.  Tonight I paired the charger with the Spode Christmas Tree.  The flatware is the L'Argent Sophia gold.

 The Vietri green and the Lenox Holiday Gem red goblets held water and iced tea.

 There was plenty of laughter...good food...and good fellowship this evening, and our guests lingered after dessert to visit and relax.  Sweet Mister and I were truly blessed to serve our guests this special evening.

The Simpich Elves, who live under the piano during the holidays, kept watch over the entire evening.   I think that they were pleased with the way the dinner went, too.  They advised me that we needed to have our next table set for the following Monday.  Stay tuned!  I'll be back!

In case you missed my post earlier this week and would like to see it, click here.

This week I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch