Snow Bird

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. As the holiday season progresses 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.

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.  The Barker-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 the Lalique, "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.

Thank you to Kathleen @ Kathleen's Cuisine for hosting "White Christmas/Winter White Event.  Please, click the link to visit other talented bloggers and explore their entries.

http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/2010/12/may-your-days-be-merry-and-bright.html

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.  Click on the button below to hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

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 "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  KC is currently the featured artist of the week at http://jivepk.jivewired.com/kcclifford.  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!  .

Reason for the Season!

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. As the holiday season progresses 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.

Eleven months of the year, our entry hall looks like this...or a variation of this....

But come December, the console table in our foyer experiences a marvelous metamorphosis...

Each Christmas season, I can hardly wait to retrieve our Simpich Nativity Collection from its spot in the Christmas closet in one of the guest rooms.  They've waited all year to take center stage, and now is their time to shine.  To learn a bit more about The Simpich Dolls, check HERE.  

The Simpich Nativity was another generous gift from Sweet Mister many years ago.  I always create this vignette in the foyer.  It's the first the first thing to greet our guests when they come through the front door.

Some years, I lay a base of dried baby's breath over multiple twinkle lights.  This year I tweaked my design a bit by using a large piece of copper mesh fabric over the lights.  In the manger area, I also layered a 'spun gold' material that reminded me of straw.  I really like the glowing effect that it creates.

Mary lovingly cradles this most special baby, and Joseph stands protectively by their side.  The fabrics used for the dolls clothing are wonderful...their clothing was handmade by the artisans in the Simpich Store.

I love that the old shepherd is bringing a lamb as his gift to The Lamb of God.  The young shepherd was not a part of the original grouping.  He was added a few years later, and I was thrilled when Sweet Mister added him to my collection.  

The fabrics used for the Three Wise Men are beautiful...befitting Three Kings of the Orient who traveled afar.  I love the gentle look on the face of the oldest king.

The camel was also a later addition to the collection.  He is made of Olive Wood, and the Simpich family had him imported from Israel.  He's beautifully carved.

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15.  For our house, Jesus is the reason for the season.  I love that my children were taught that the reason that we give gifts at Christmas is to symbolize the greatest gift of all...the gift that God gave us when he sent His Son.  I would love to think that some day you might walk through our door at Christmas time, and I would have the blessing of sharing our treasured Nativity with you.  As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we pause to give thanks to God for all we received, all He provided for us to give, and for the moments we were in His will and felt closest to Him.  Merry Christmas!

I am linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her weekly meme, Metamorphosis Monday. On Sunday evening click the button below to link to all the wonderful bloggers who are participating in Susan's party this week. Thank you, Susan, for providing this marvelous forum.

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 "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  KC is currently the featured artist of the week at http://jivepk.jivewired.com/kcclifford.  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!  You can also watch her perform in various YouTube videos.   

And So It Begins...

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. As the holiday season progresses 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.

This year it seems that each time I have a spot of time to work on my "Christmas House,"  I have either been interrupted or distracted.  I'm still not finished, but I do have a number of things in place.  One of the first things that I readied is the breakfast room and kitchen.

Each year I pull out the Spode Christmas Tree, and I place it in one of our cabinets to be used as one of our every day dish patterns.  I also set the breakfast table, and the tablescape stays in place throughout the holiday season.  It becomes one of our Christmas vignettes...and the table is always set for dinner!

We've enjoyed our Spode, "Christmas Tree" for many years.  It's another one of the patterns that my mother-in-love gave me as gifts over a period of several Christmases, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  Sweet Mister and the kids added some wonderful serving pieces to our collection.  For this design, I have layered it on top of a Mackenzie-Childs, "Courtly Check" charger.  The charger is anchored by an additional red lacquered charger.  The flatware is Argent, "Sophia," in the off-white.  The goblet is Fenton, "Empress."  The white basket napkin ring was my mama's.  They always bring a smile to my heart each year when I carefully unwrap them.  I've had the green damask napkins for many years.

The focal point of the centerpiece is the Simpich, "A Christmas Carol" Collection.  Although it is no longer in business, The Simpich Store was in Old Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Their dolls were each handmade, and it was always a treat to visit their store.  Shoppers were always welcome to explore their workrooms and watch the artisans create the dolls.  Sweet Mister generously gave me a number of the Simpich collections over the years.  I enjoy using them each Christmas.  I'll share them with you over the next few weeks in Susan's Between Naps on the Porch meme, "Metamorphosis Monday."  If you fall in love with the Simpich dolls like I did, you'll still be able to find them on eBay.

I anchored the centerpiece with a festive red and green plaid runner.  I like the contrast with the European Pine of the breakfast table.  Flanking the Simpich Dolls are a pair of Spode, "Christmas Tree" hurricanes. Oh my gosh, every once in a while I actually get organized.  In this instance, I bought three dozen cream colored tapers to be used throughout the holiday season.  I carefully put them away for safe keeping.  Well, I've obviously put them someplace REALLY safe because when I went to find them today for the tablescape, they've disappeared!  Yikes, I'm quite sure that as soon as I go buy more tomorrow, I'll trip over them upon returning home.  Placed between the Simpich "A Christmas Carol" Collection are three of my recent estate sale finds.  An Indiana Glass Ruby Flash cake pedestal holds a vintage Mason's "Pink Vista" scalloped bowl filled with Granny Smith apples.  Nestled in behind Mrs. Cratchit is a vintage Ruby Glass pitcher.  I liked its tall skinny shape, and the color is wonderful.  

Beyond the table at one end of the breakfast room sits our baker's rack, one of our first furniture purchases many years ago.

During the Christmas holidays, I enjoy filling our baker's rack with an assortment of Christmas pitchers and some of my Spode "Christmas Tree" serving pieces.  I also like to use some of my tureens.  In addition to the Spode,  I've used my Fitz & Floyd "Swan," and the Rosenthal, "Sanssouci," tureens.  You'll also notice a selection of Haviland, "Ranson" pieces.  The Simpich, "Pilgrims" Collection comes out at Thanksgiving.  I can't bear to put them away until after Christmas.  I always think of what it must have been like for the Pilgrims over their first Christmas in the New World.

Anchoring the other end of the breakfast room is our Welsh Dresser.  Sweet Mister bought it for me while we were vacationing in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  It's one of my favorite pieces of furniture.

I used to rotate different transferware patterns in and out of the dresser.  Then one day I created a display using the Copeland Spode, "Tower Pink,".....

I liked it so much that I lost interest in rotating patterns.  It's been living here for several years now.  The Spode shares the hutch with my maternal grandmother's sterling tea service.  The design has always reminded me just a bit of a pagoda.  It was a gift from my Aunt Ida, who brought it home from Occupied Japan after World War II.  Ida was a WAC Major stationed as an intelligence officer in Tokyo.   During Christmas, I add the Lenox, "Original Thirteen Colonies Wreaths" Collection.  Each plate features a different wreath that represents items indigenous to one of the original colonies.  I'll probably use them in a tablescape design for our Christmas dinner, and I'll share them with you in a few weeks.  I'm blessed to have an additional collection of these plates that once belonged to my mother-in-love.  There are actually 13 plates in each set; I tend to leave Georgia in the cabinet because it's very pink.  It's one of my favorite wreaths, but it kind of sticks out within my Christmas vignette.  I always use it on the table at my precious daughter's place....she loves it!  You'll see it before the holiday passes.   

It's now Thursday afternoon, and it's a gorgeous, bright December afternoon.  I couldn't resist capturing some more shots of my breakfast room tablescape with the glorious sun streaming through the window.  The ruby glass appears to be on fire, and I adore the natural lighting.  I hope that you enjoy them.

The Cratchits and I are excited to wish you a Merry Christmas.  We'd love to have you join us at our table for good food and great fellowship.

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.  Click on the button below to hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

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 "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  KC is currently the featured artist of the week at http://jivepk.jivewired.com/kcclifford.  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!  You can also watch her perform in various YouTube videos. 

Welcome Home!

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. As the holiday season progresses 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.

My sorority sister was home from the East Coast for the first time in many years.  I received a call to join a group of sisters for lunch at a restaurant.  It didn't take long to convince everyone that it would be more fun to come to my house instead of dining at a restaurant.  Twelve of us gathered for lunch on a late November day.

For this party, I chose Schumann "Empress Dresden Flower" as the focal point of my tablescape. The Carl Schumann factory operated in Arzburg, Germany (Bavaria) from 1881-1996.  Schumann china was famous for its striking resemblance, in both quality and style, to the revered Dresden dinnerware.  Employing the same "Rococo revival" decorating techniques as these more prominent manufactures, Schumann china is known for its colorful fruit and flower patterns, set upon a translucent, eggshell white porcelain.

Although I would normally think of the "Empress" as a perfect choice for a Spring tablescape, I thought that I could adapt it for a Fall setting with the right choice of design elements.  Another feature that I wanted to highlight was our Sorority color combination, "Cardinal and Straw."  You know it as red and yellow.  I started by selecting the rich mahogany of my dining table as the foundation of my design...no tablecloth today.  A large ruby acrylic charger anchored a Godinger, "Silver Baroque" Charger underneath the Empress dinner plate.  My individual covered dessert pedestal waited for the dessert, a cupcake.

      My dear friend Cindy, http://www.moreentertainingwomen.blogspot.com, gave me the wonderful small Empress reticulated ramekins.  Today I placed a tealight inside as a special touch at each placesetting.  Just to the right of the dessert pedestal, you can catch a glimpse of the matching open salt.  I've been slowly collecting tiny silver salt spoons.  I like to have some form of salt dispenser at hand for each guest.  The monogrammed napkin belonged to my mother-in-love.  The soft yellow border is organdy, and the field of the napkin is a substantial weight linen.  I don't know the maker.  Another time, I'm certain that I'll share the amazing matching tablecloth.  There are actually two cloths in this pattern.  Sweet Mister's brother has the one for a smaller table.  I believe that this was part of my mother-in-love's trousseau from the early 1940's.  We are blessed to have it to share with friends and family who come to our table.  Today I used my wedding silver, Reed & Barton, "Grande Renaissance."  I thought that the filagree design complimented the ornate design of the china.

  The Waterford "Simply Pink," is an interesting goblet.  It adapts to many different shades of pink and red, and I enjoy using it frequently.  Today I paired it with our precious Nana's antique French crystal wine goblet.  I've never found anyone who can identify the maker and pattern.  If anyone recognizes it, I'd love to have more information about this lovely old crystal.

For the centerpiece, I used a Rosenthal, "Sanssouci" tureen seated on a Haviland, "Ranson" chop plate.  I elevated it on an oriental wooden stand.  Tip:  I've collected a number of tureens...for a purpose.  I often use them for centerpieces; I like that I can set a nice table with a minimum of flowers...very budget friendly.  The tureen is flanked by my Val St. Lambert crystal candlesticks and a pair of Indiana Glass, "Ruby Flash" footed compotes featuring my floral arrangements.  Once again I found the flowers at Sam's.  The tureen was a great estate sale "get," and I bought the chop plate and the compotes on eBay.  

To emphasize the "Cardinal and Straw,"  I used clear glass cylindrical vases, tied with wide red Picot ribbon and holding long stemmed yellow roses, to flank Nana's Towle, "Lafayette," silver tea service.  The large gold mirror and the silver and crystal chandelier were also Nana's.  The chandelier originally hung in Nana's home when it was built in 1920.  We've been grateful to be its caretakers for many years.

      Everything was all set for our wonderful luncheon.  Each guest brought a covered dish, and the food was delicious!  We sat at the table and visited until after 6:00 PM!  I think that's a pretty good indication that our gathering was a complete success.  We could have shared the left overs for dinner.  I look forward to the next opportunity to open my home for these precious women who are such an integral component of my personal history.  Someday, I'd love to have you share food, fellowship, and fun at my table, too!

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.  Click on the button below to hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

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 "Orchid."