Garden Friends Christmas, 2012

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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Tomorrow morning the Garden Friends Bible Study group will gather around my tables to celebrate the most important birthday of each and every year.  I'm so excited for them to walk through the door and sit at my tables.  I've had a wonderful time preparing special tablescapes that I pray will honor them.  I hope that each one of them will return to her home and feel that she was the guest of honor.  (Photo intensive post...enter at your own risk.)

I found a bright sunny morning when I came down the hall to give Dickens his breakfast this morning.  I grabbed my Nikon to capture some light filled shots of my tablescapes for the Garden Friends' Christmas luncheon.  I've set two tables for 17 guests.

I've enjoyed using lots of shimmery apple green in my Christmas decorating this year.  A determined sunbeam seemed to say, "Here, let me make everything even more bright and shiny for you."

 Even Nana's antique silver chandelier is dressed for the occasion.  The canopy of shiny green is simply picks laid across the interior arms of the fixture.  The ornaments added a nice pop of Christmas red.  Tip:  The ornaments and the picks don't have any significant weight.  I try to "keep it light" when adorning the chandelier.  The fixture itself is so heavy that I try to avoid adding excessive weight to it.  Safety first!

 The glittery apple green reticulated ribbon is probably my favorite element in this centerpiece.  I used three pieces and "rolled them" into loose loops.  The ribbons are anchored by the red "quilted" cachepots, found at a local florist.  They were quite inexpensive, and I really like the diamond pattern.  Tip:  I bought ten of these.  I'll be hosting another large luncheon for my sorority sisters in October, 2014.  I thought that these would make great centerpieces for that occasion and many others.  Currently they are scattered in different places throughout our "Christmas house."  A pair of mirrored place mats creates a nice reflection.  I tucked four of the Lalique Love Birds into the design...just because I like them.

 The clear glass hurricanes were bought at Michael's a number of years ago.  They are still in stock, and they are very inexpensive!  The cream colored pillar candles are simply wrapped with a peppermint striped ribbon...left over from last year.

The glitz and shine continue on the buffet.  You should see me...I'm covered with glitter!  It may not all come off until Easter!

 Who knew how often I would use the Apple Green Bormolio Glass Charger, bought on clearance at Gordman's.  Thanks, yet again to Alycia of TABLESCAPES AT TABLE TWENTY-ONE.  Alycia provided what may be the 'tip of the year.' I use these chargers often.

My guests will dine off of the Royal Worcester "Regency" dinner plate, an eBay find.

Making an encore appearance, the King's Crown Tiffin Thumbprint Ruby Flash Plate will once again accommodate our dessert... 

...which will be served in the individual lidded dessert compotes.  The apple green linen hemstitched napkins are rolled into a beaded napkin ring in red and green.  I like the way that they pop against the Williams-Sonoma White Linen Hemstitched Tablecloth.  Do you see the square crystal salt cellar just above the teaspoon?  These belonged to my friend's mother-in-law.  My friend brought them to me as a gift.  I told her that I would hold them and use them until she decided that she wanted to use them after all...or one of her sons wanted to use them.  I am honored that she entrusted them to me.  My mother-in-love's Reed & Barton Francis I silver flatware is such a blessing for the times that I entertain larger groups. She was an amazing hostess, and I was blessed to learn so much from her.

Today, the Waterford Simply Lime seemed an obvious choice for my color story.  The Tiffin Optical Gold Goblet was acquired through eBay.

Makes me smile.  Let's go into the living room, and I'll share some pics of this table's "little sister"...The games table is also ready and waiting for our guests to arrive...

Come on in!  

The centerpiece for the games table is the only significant difference in the two tablescapes.  This is an old Cooper Brass Hurricane that I have had forever!  This was on of the first decorative pieces that I purchased when we bought our first home...many, many years ago.

The candle is actually glass, with an indention that holds a tea candle.  The greenery is, again, simply shimmery green picks that I have loosely fashioned into a wreath around the base of the hurricane.  Easy peasy!

Done!  I wiah that you could join me...

...We'll dine "tree side."

I captured some candlelight shots of both tables last night...  

When I think of candlelight shots, I always think of Bill at Affordable Accoutrements.  I miss him...Come back, Bill!

I am so blessed to call these precious sisters in Christ my friends.  They are one of the most special gifts in my life.  I'll be back next week to share my tablescape for my beloved family.  I pray that you will know a peace-filled Christmas surrounded by family and friends.  We have all witnessed the breaking of so many hearts in the past week...in the passing year.  I pray that we'll embrace each of the people that God has placed in our lives...some of them are easy to love...some of them take a little more effort.  I pray that we'll seek God's reconciliation in fractured and painful relationships.  The time to build or rebuild relationships can be so fleeting.  I don't want to waste a moment.  I know that in my life, I have never regretted choosing to take the high road...no matter how contentious the relationship.  I've often regretted taking the low road.  Think about it.  What if sweet Jesus had decided that we weren't worth the pain that He endured for us?  I can't even wrap my mind around the despair that would invade my heart.  I pray that we'll focus on the multitude of gifts and blessings that God has unwrapped for us in the person of His Son, Sweet Jesus, Lover of my ragged soul.  Merry Christmas, my dear blogging friends.

Wednesday is the 40th edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  I'm 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 TUTORIALS, 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 "BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH."   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 December, I think about the day that I married Sweet Mister...this week, we celebrated our 44th anniversary.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts (even in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy), 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!            

  

A cup of Christmas Tea - Variation I

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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It's beginning to look a little more like Christmas around here.  After our trip to Christmas at the Biltmore Estate, I was a bit behind the ball.  A group of some of my dearest friends were coming for lunch yesterday, so I needed to choose to get serious about decorating for the holiday season.  I had a great time creating my tablescape for our luncheon and bringing a touch of Christmas to our home.

Come on in...

 Silver bells are ringing...

The Simpich Santa has made his list...

...And Santa Takes a Break... 

 ...To make sure that he's ready to fill all those stockings in every home!

Our halls are all decked and waiting to celebrate with friends. 

The dining room is festooned with Christmas reds and shimmering greens, but we won't be dining here today...

Our small group of four will be enjoying lunch at the games table in the living room.

 Won't you please, join me for A Cup of Christmas Tea?

      Have you had the pleasure of meeting Patricia @ PANDORA'S BOX ?  Patti is a talented New York artist who loves to paint checks!  I was blessed to meet her through Sarah @ HYACINTHS FOR THE SOUL, who also enjoys using black and white checks in her designs.  One week I spotted a delightful painted silver teapot on Sarah's sideboard, and I asked where she found it.  Ta dah!  That's how I found Patti.

 Patti searches for vintage silver tea pots from estate sales, antique stores, and auctions and then she does a beautiful job of painting them a la Mackenzie-Childs "Courtly Check".  She has a knack for locating great pieces for incredibly reasonable prices.  I knew immediately that I not only wanted a tea set for myself...I knew that I had found the perfect Christmas gift for my closest friends...And the idea for my luncheon was born!  In addition to the teapots, filled with red Sweetheart roses from Sam's and fresh holly and berries cut from the bushes in front of KC's bungalow, each of my guests received a copy of the touching book, A Cup of Christmas Tea.  Tip:  I love the idea of using gifts for my guests as my centerpiece.  I particularly love it if the gift itself can hold fresh flowers for the occasion.  Today the gifts were true multi-taskers...the gift tags also did double duty as place cards for the table.  Boy, did I have fun!

  The Mackenzie-Childs Courtly Check charger plate was an obvious choice as the foundation for each place setting.  We've used our Retroneau "Holly" flatware for more than 30 years.  Tip:  When it's time to wash "decorative" flatware, make sure that you don't leave it soaking in water.  Pieces like this often have "applied" decorations, and they take a little extra attention.  With proper care, they will last for many years.  Also avoid soaking knives.  Because they are made of two separate pieces, the adhesive can become undermined over time if they are left to soak in water or suds.

  Our dinner plate was Castleton Laurel.  This was my mother-in-love's wedding china...such classic beauty.  I'm blessed to care for it until it's time to share it with the next generation of our family.  The creamy color of the matelasse cloth was the perfect complement.

 I like for my guests to see the entire stack of plates when they are seated at the table.  The top two plates were removed for plating after everyone was seated.  The King's Crown Tiffin Thumbprint Ruby Flash Accent Plates were estate sale finds.  They held...

                                                     

 ...the individual domed dessert pedestal, a generous birthday gift from my friend Marsha.  She found them at Tuesday Morning, and I've seen them in stock several times.  It is so festive filled with the Cookie Princess cupcake topped with a decorated holly leaf cookie.  The Lace edged linen napkin belonged to our dear Nana.  I used a Christmas candle ring/ornament as my napkin ring.  The darling covered butter dish that you spy up in the corner was another of Patti's works of art.

 Repeating the traditional colors, I chose to use the Waterford Simply Pink goblet and the AJKA Arabella Green goblet.  I bought both of these patterns through eBay a number of years ago ago.  They were very reasonable at that time, but their prices have escalated over the years.  With patience, you can still occasionally find a good deal on them.

 I think that I'm ready.  We'll dine "tree side" with a lunch featuring Chicken Tetrazzini, Spinach Salad, and fresh hot garlic bread.  I caught some candlelight shots to share with you...

 

I'm hosting another group of precious friends on Friday.  I'm going to create A Cup of Christmas Tea Variation II for them.  I'll share it with you next week...

Oh my, I do love Christmas...the most important birthday party of the year.  I am always blessed to share this most significant  of celebrations with dear friends.  I love the idea that we give gifts to commemorate the priceless, unmerited gift that God gave us in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. I pray that your holiday season is filled with peace and blessings.

Wednesday is the 39th edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  I'm 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 TUTORIALS, 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 December, I think about the day that I married Sweet Mister...in just a few weeks, we'll celebrate our 44th anniversary.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts (even in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy), 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!            

                                                                 

                                                                

                                                        

Snow Bird, A Reprise

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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We just arrived home from a wonderful trip.  My birthday was in November, and Sweet Mister surprised me with a trip to The Biltmore Estate Christmas.  We stayed at the lovely Inn on the Biltmore Estate.  It was delightful.  My only sad moment came when I realized that visitors are not allowed to take pictures in the mansion.  Sigh.  I'm a bit late to the party this week, so I thought that I would share a reprise of a table that I designed in December of 2010.  I called it "Snow Bird."  I'll be back with more of this year's Christmas next week.  In the meantime, I hope that you'll enjoy this again...or for the first time.

Several weeks ago while whiling away some time exploring the marvelous blogs that participate in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch, I came across Cuisine Kathleen's post and learned that she is hosting a White Christmas/Winter White Event.  I don't usually design Christmas tables in white, but this time my interest was piqued.  Today I hosted a Christmas luncheon for my precious Garden Friends Bible Study, and I chose to create two white on white tables for our party of 15.  Tonight I'll link to Cuisine Kathleen's White Christmas/Winter White Event as well as Susan at Between Naps on the Porch's Tablescape Thursday.  This tablescape has ended up as one of my all time favorite designs.  I had so much fun creating it, and I hope that you enjoy it, too.

 Come on in!  My Yorkshire Terrorist, "Little Charlie Dickens" told me that you were at the door.  Some of our friends have decided to rename "Dickens."  They call him, "Doorbell."  Most of the Christmas decorations are in place, and it's going to be a great day for a party!

You might remember that a month or two ago, we decided to have our dining room repainted.  I'm really happy with the changes that we've made. Tip:  If you happen to be interested, the color is Benjamin Moore, "Woodstock Tan," HC-20.  The only thing that I'm still waiting on is the custom cafe curtains and rod.  In the meantime, I've placed some ready-made sheers on the windows.  Our dining room is on the front of the house, and I thought that it was important to maintain some level of privacy.  The drapes were actually in the living room, and I decided to move them to the dining room  Years ago I took the Fortuny drapes out of our sweet Nana's home when it was sold.  I deconstructed some of the them and had them remade into this window treatment for my house.  I still have a large box full of her old 1920, Fortuny panels.  I plan to use more of the fabric and have new window treatments created for the living room.  I bought the Persian rug on eBay for $350.00 and free shipping...such a deal!

Kathleen really inspired me with her White Christmas meme idea.  I had so much fun creating this tablescape.  Things just seemed to fall in place.  Let me share some of the details with you...

When I thought about a white Christmas table, my mind flew to the Mottahedeh "Musee de Arts Decoratifs Bird Tureen." I immediately knew that I could create a table for Kathleen's party, and it would be called, "Snow Bird."  This is one of my favorite tureens.  I smile each time that I walk by the dining room and see it resting on the table.

The Mottahedeh tureen was an eBay purchase.  The day that I won the high bid on the auction, my dear friend Marsha gave me a pair of these darling bird jardinieres for my birthday. She found them at Nell Hill's in Kansas City.  Aren't they just wonderful together!

White Poinsettias were purchased at a local nursery and just plopped into the pair of jardinieres.  The faux greenery is from Michael's. and I topped the Mercury Glass candlesticks with white beaded candle rings, found at a local gift shop.  As a finishing touch for the centerpiece, I tucked in my Lalique, "Love Birds" in several places.  

I continued the same motif on the buffet.  Nana's Towle, "Lafayette," Silver Service is flanked by a pair of Nana's silver champagne buckets filled with more white poinsettias and surrounded by greenery.  The two German porcelain angels belonged to my mama.  I am blessed to be their caretaker for a season until they are handed to the next generation.  TheBarker-Ellis Candelabras also came from Nana.

I chose to work without a tablecloth today.  I thought that the mahogany of the dining table created a valuable contrast against the white of the china and the centerpiece.  Instead, I anchored each place setting with a Godinger, Silver Baroque Charger.

 Topping the silver charger is my Wedgewood, "Countryware"  dinner plate.  Ready for our first course, Lentil Soup, is Nana's antique French crystal footed compote and underplate.

  The antique French crystal tumbler and wine goblet also were Nana's, as was the vintage cutwork linen napkin.  The Reed & Barton, "Grande Renaissance" is my wedding silver flatware.

I chose this particular napkin because I thought that the cutwork design was extremely compatible with the detail in the tureen.  Tip:  Remember to look for "Vintage Soak" for laundering antique linens.  It's an amazing product!  I buy mine locally from www.antiquehouse.okc.com.

  I created the second table at the game table in the living room.  Tip:  Thanks to a "Flip Top Table Top," I am able to turn our 48" game table into a 60" round dining table.  They are available through "By Invitation Only" 405-748-4949.  To recreate the same contrast that I achieved in the dining room between the white of the china and the brown mahogany of the dining table, I used a chocolate brown moire tablecloth that I made.

For this tablescape, I used a Rosenthal, "Sanssouci" tureen flanked by a trio of white poinsettia that I planted in white milk glass beakers.  You'll notice the same greenery and theLalique, "Love Birds"  that are also present in the dining room tablescape.

I adore this napkin, an estate sale find. Because of the placement of the intricate design and monogram, it is impossible to fold it in the proper manner...a bit unusual, but no less beautiful.  The silver flatware was my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton, "Francis I."  I am so grateful to have her silver.  It allows me great leeway when entertaining larger groups. The goblets are a recent estate sale purchase.  I bought a set of 8 of each to use alongside Nana's beautiful antique French crystal.  The people conducting the sale told me that they are Tiffin.  A dealer who was at the sale said that he thought that one of them was "Heisey."  I don't have a clue one way or the other.  I just know that I really like them, and they were a great deal!

Although some of them got away too quickly, we managed to get a group pic of most of the Garden Friends who were able to come for our luncheon today.  This is one of the most incredible groups of prayer warriors that you could ever hope to meet.  I am so blessed to call them my sisters in Christ...my dearest friends.  That's your's truly in the middle with the red turtleneck.  Since I'm always behind the camera lens, you won't see me in photos very often.  If you ever come our way, we'd love to have you join us for one of our Bible study lessons and of course...lunch!  After today, I'm definitely filled with the Christmas spirit.  MERRY CHRISTMAS, dear blog friends.  I'm having so much fun getting to know you.

Wednesday is the 38th edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  I'm 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 TUTORIALS, 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 December, I think about the day that I married Sweet Mister...in just a few weeks, we'll celebrate our 44th anniversary.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts (even in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy), 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!