Theta Flaming Festival, 2014, Part II

"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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Haven't entertained this week, so I'm sharing  some more of the loveliness that was the Theta Flaming Festival, 2014.  Enjoy!

 Welcome to the Flaming Festival!  Come on in...

 I thought that this was a really clever idea, using a cluster of tall pub tables.

 A quartet of tablescapes presented by my favorite local jewelry/gift store.

 Each and everyone a luscious setting.

 Did  you notice the beautiful napkins?

 An easy, yet impressive centerpiece.

Perfect for Christmas or any winter day.

 This pair of dolls was magnificent.  Stunning!

 Love the tablecloth.

 The Simpich Carolers made a charming centerpiece.  I didn't quite get the use of the Hostess Snowballs on the crystal compote.

 I loved this centerpiece, but my photos didn't portray it adequately.

 It's made out of antlers!  Can you see them peeking out from the ornaments?

 The tree was used for years at the owner's vacation home on a ski mountain.  Be sure to notice the beautiful tablecloth.

 An assortment of individual soup tureens held floral arrangements at each place setting.

 A lobster boil...I've never been to a lobster boil.  Do you all really use newspapers on the table?

 A precious birthday party tablescape...

 Love the teacup stacks...

 ...for an Alice Through the Looking Glass tablescape.

 The tablecloth treatment was outstanding....and the dolls were beautiful.

 The Govenor's table...she's a Theta, too.

 I liked the runner on the round table.

So much inspiration...I always come away with ideas to save for another day.  Next week I'll share the second table that I set for the Flaming Festival.  Have a great week!

This week I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Oh, the Places I've Been with The Tablescaper

Theta Flaming Festival, 2014, Part 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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Missed all of you last week.  We lost a long-time, close friend, and the week was spent caring for his son and the funeral.  We hosted an evening for around 40 friends and extended family.  It was time well spent.  I didn't even try to take pics.  This week has continued to be a bit hectic, so I thought that this would be a good time to share some of my photos from the Theta Flaming Festival that took place in November.  Tonight I'm posting one of two tables that I did for the festival.

The morning of the Theta Flaming Festival found my table kissed by the sun...always a treat.

 A Coalport Blue Willow presentation bowl,  a fortunate find on eBay, held a bevy of fresh flowers...orchids, hydrangeas, and ranunculus...certainly some of my favorite blossoms.

 Cobalt depression glass candlesticks and a pair of Coalport blue and white decanters flanked the centerpiece.  Each place setting featured a stitchery that read, "A woman without her sisters is like a bird without wings."...pretty perfect for a sorority philanthropic event.

I found the brown flatware during a Horchow ClickTock sale...always a great deal.  The goblets are AJKA Arabella cobalt and Glastonbury Lotus Goldenrod.

 The foundation of the stack was composed of a duet of charger plates...the Steelite (by Royal Doulton) cobalt charger beneath the Maryland China Company Minuet charger plate.  The stars of the table were the Booth's Real Old Willow dinner plate and crescent salad plate.  The Booth's is a relative new member of my collection.  Have you ever been to the Randolph Hurst Castle?  This is the only pattern that Hurst used in his ranch house (really...that's what he called it!)  The silicon china had belonged to his beloved mother.  You'll remember the beaded napkin rings from Cuisine Kathleen.  They work in so many different situations.  Thanks again, Kathleen!

A simple champagne charmeuse tablecloth provided a nice backdrop for the setting.  I look forward to recreating this design at home one day.  I'll post more in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

This week I'll be joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch.

Oh, the Places I've Been with The Tablescaper

Bells are Still Ringing

"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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If you've been reading my blog for a while, you might remember that I celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts with two small groups of friends.  In 2012, I called my party A Cup of Christmas Tea.  A few weeks ago I shared the first luncheon for 2013, with you.  The two luncheons are similar because I give the same gifts to everyone.  This year I gave each friend a cranberry bell for Christmas.  I wanted to share the second party with you because I made a few changes...typical artist...I get bored if I have to repeat my designs too often...like twice.

 Bells Part Two:  I decided to add a bit more color.

 The centerpiece remained the same...but the stack changed slightly.

 The red Bormioli glass charger rang clear against the gold and cream toile tablecloth, an eBay find.

 New to the festivities was the Royal Sutherland gold encrusted dinner plate, one of our treasures from sweet Nana.

 
I continued to go to the Kings Crown ruby flash thumbprint accent plate.  It's pretty hard to beat during the Christmas season.

 ...and a new bell for each guest's place setting.

 The Waterford Simply Red remained, and I added the AJKA Arabella in green.

 A red hemstitched napkin was snuggled into the ceramic basket napkin ring, which belonged to my mama.

 The ruby flash pitcher was a $4.00 estate sale find.

 I repeated my menu of Quiche Lorraine, Simple Salad, Mixed Berries, and hot bread for brunch.  Three parties in one week; I was looking for ways to simplify the process each time.  Using the same menu helped.

Did you have a favorite between the two Bells are Ringing tablescape designs?  The monochromatic table or this one in clear colors?  Happy New Year!  I look forward to your tablescapes for 2014!  Let a new round of blogging begin!

This week I'm joining:

Let's Dish with Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Garden Friends Christmas Luncheon, 2013

"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. During this beautiful season when we celebrate harvest and Thanksgiving, 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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Merry Christmas!  I know that we've all had a full day with family and friends.  I'll share our Christmas Eve dinner next week.  This morning we were invited to share Beatrice Emaline's first Santa Claus tree at KC and David's new home.  It was such a precious time.

A week ago, I was blessed to gather some of the Garden Friends around my table to celebrate the most important birthday of the year.  Christmas...such a blessed season...we had a marvelous time filled with food, fun, and fellowship.  A good number of us were out of town for the holiday or entertaining family home for the week.  I set a table for six at our 'temporary' dining table.  

 Come on in.  Christmas is waiting for you...

 Traditional colors...

 ...made the season bright for our Christmas luncheon.

 The red Bormioli charger continues to demand a spot on my holiday tables.  The flatware is Retroneu Holly.  I've had it for years.  Tip:  Occasionally it shows up on eBay!

 The Copeland Spode Pink Tower is one of our everyday patterns.  It set a comfortable, casually traditional tone; plus, it goes in the dishwasher.  Perfect for a busy schedule.

 The Kings Crown ruby flash accent plate has also been a regular performer during the holidays.

 The napkins were a gift from my sister, and the tablecloth was a fortunate eBay find.

  Continuing with traditional Christmas colors, I paired the Vietri optical red goblet with the AJKA Arabella wine.  I get so much mileage out of these two patterns.  The crystal salt cellars were a gift from my friend Debbi.  They had belonged to her mother-in-love, Norma.

 A few easy "at hand" elements for the centerpiece...

 The Copeland Spode Camilla tureen, an eBay acquistion, is flanked by a pair of red transferware vases filled with Alstroemaria and a pair of Paden City ruby glass lidded compotes.  One of the  compotes belonged to our precious Nana.  I found its partner on eBay.

 Ready to roll!

 The buffet features a number of elements that I've used for different luncheons throughout the season.

 I'm serving Quiche Lorraine, Simple Salad, mixed berries, hot bread, and chocolate cake balls and cookies for dessert.

  May the details of your Christmas come together for you just the way that you've visualized them!  Merry Christmas, my dear blogging friends and readers.  You've made my year shimmer and sparkle!

This week I'll be joining the following parties:

Let's Dish with Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch