Coalport Lady Diana for Takeout

"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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Several weeks ago....pre-pumpkin onslaught...I set one of my 20 minute tables for friends and take-out.  You know the drill: The games table in the living room is my favorite spot for small, intimate gatherings with friends.

Pink, white, and green...a color scheme for all seasons, right?

 Some of you will remember that my friend Cindy gifted us with the Royal Albert tea set when she hosted Birthday Loveliness for three of our friends.  She also gave me the Mackenzie-Childs Flower Market rattan tray.

 I thought that it would make a charming, easy centerpiece.

I added an underlay of old lace to enhance the tray.

 The green wood charger, an estate sale get...

 framed the Coalport Lady Diana dinner plate.  Tidbit:  I rarely buy a china pattern if I am not certain that I have the option to collect enough to set at least a table of 12.  Occasionally though, I run across a pattern that captures my attention, and I break my own rule.  I found a set of 6 of the Lady Diana, and I don't know if I'll ever see another one.  I don't care; it was just so danged pretty that I couldn't resist.

 An estate sale napkin in ecru and lace cozied up to the L'Argent Sophia gold flatware.

My stemware was chosen to add another pop of green...

The Vietri Optic green goblet was a match made in heaven for the Tiffin optic swirl wine.

We're going to have a delicious salad that features fresh spinach, strawberries, mandarin oranges, candied pecans, red onions, crusted chicken breast, and a delicious Balsamic vinaigrette dressing.  For dessert, I served my mama's Brandy Ice.

 I could hardly wait for my friends to arrive.  Good food, fun, and fellowship always brightens my day. I'm still waiting for you to give me a call and tell me that you'll be passing my way.  I'll have the table ready when you arrive!

This week I'll be joining:
Let's Dish with Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Dining in the Snowy Woods, 10.16.13

"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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This week Cuisine Kathleen has challenged us to design an all white Fall tablescape.  I found myself still thinking about the woods in Fall, and since we were shooting for all white, I decided to add elements to represent snow and ice.  Think Vail and Aspen.

Even the pumpkin patch and the pine trees are covered with a dusting of snow.

We're in the dining room today, and I've set a table for eight.

To stay within the guidelines of Kathleen's challenge, I've used a white on white palette with the addition of one color, shades of brown.

I shopped my accessory closets for the centerpiece.  A bumper crop of Pottery Barn mercury glass pumpkins were paired with a selection of mercury glass candlesticks.  The serpentine grouping of snow covered pinecones is simply a pair of garlands from Michael's.

 Chosen to prevent the white dinnerware from fading into the white matelasse tablecloth, the hammered bronze charger plate was a great get at an estate sale...

 ......quickly becoming my go-to charger plate, the Maryland China Company Minuet charger plate seemed to be an obvious choice...

 ...to collaborate with the Wedgwood Countryware dinner plate...

 ...and the Royal Doulton RD199 luncheon plate.  Tip:  I am an advocate for luncheon plates.  They are so versatile!  Not only can they be put to work as a luncheon plate, they also work beautifully for salads and desserts...especially a big honkin' piece of delicious cake!

 Today the antique white shades of the antique carved flatware and the L'Argent Sophia flatware added a touch of needed contrast to my design.

Repeating the taupe shades of brown in the garland, I chose the Pottery Barn Flax hemstitched napkins.

Just for you, Kathleen, I left my colored "cased" crystal in the crystal closets today.  I paired the Mikasa French Countryside goblet with the Tiffin Chrysanthemum (My name for it...I have no idea what it's really called) wine goblet, an estate sale find.  I like the silver reflecting through the crystal stemware.

My guests might need to wear their coats to the table for dinner in the snowy woods...I kind of like the thought of that!  Bundle up, and come on over.  We'll linger after our meal for fellowship...even if we need to put on our mittens!

This week I'll be joining the following parties:

Lets Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Fall = Chicken Noodle Soup!

"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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Each year when Fall saunters onto the plains, my mind quickly turns to the pleasure of friends gathered around my table sharing a simple but satisfying meal of homemade chicken noodle soup with crusty hot bread.  Today I invited the Garden Friends to join me for lunch after we finished our Bible study...my idea of a perfect day.  Yesterday I prepared a table for 8 in the dining room, and early this morning I constructed my soup in the crock pot.

 Come on in and grab a seat.  

When I design my tables, there is usually one element that captures my attention and starts the ideas flowing.  Today inspiration came from the April Cornell Paisley tablecloth, an inexpensive eBay find.  I loved the addition of the pops of blue with the golds, browns, greens, and dusty corals found swirling through the paisley pattern.  I kept visualizing the floor of a forest in Autumn...a tapestry of fallen leaves proclaiming the splendor of Fall.

 I wanted a shot of strong blue at the base of my place setting.  I chose the Pottery Barn Outdoor Collection Cobalt Enamelware charger because...

 ...It was large enough to pair with the Maryland China Company Minuet charger...

 ....which I thought was the perfect frame for the Booth's Real Old Willow dinner plate.  Tidbit:  The Booth's Real Old Willow is an opaque Silicon China made in England between 1906 and 1981.  When the Booth factory went out of business, the pattern/mold was purchased by Royal Doulton.  Royal Doulton made The Majestic Collection, Real Old Willow as a translucent fine china pattern from 1982 until 1999.  The Royal Doulton version is still widely available on the secondary market.  The original Booth's can  also be found in several variations of the lattice pattern on the verge, but not in the same abundance.

  I placed the white charger behind the Real Old Willow because it made the design pop against the busy pattern in tablecloth.

  Look at the motif in bottom right of the picture.  Can you see the blue outline cozied up next to the white paisley with the brown accents?  Now look at the plate and the stack.  The designs played well together and became the source of my inspiration.  The brown handled flatware came from Howchow.

 I always enjoy using the AJKA Arabella cobalt wine goblet.  It's a perfect size, and its superb balance makes it a pleasure to hold.  Tidbit:  AJKA is the source for some of Waterford's most lovely cased crystal.  It is a quality crystal available at relative reasonable prices.  Today I have paired it with the Vietri Optic Smoke goblet.

I began building my centerpiece with a trio of blue and white import lidded jars from Nell Hill in Kansas City.  I elevated them each on oriental wooden stands.

Three pair of antique Barley Twist candlesticks continued my Fall forest story line....think tree trunks!  The burlap and twig pumpkins and the meandering fall leaves garlands, found on sale at Michael's, continued my vision of a forest floor in Autumn and added an interesting texture.

  Can you hear the leaves crunching under you feet, yet?  Pondside, I keep thinking about you on your beloved island, walking through your beautiful woods.  As you embark on your amazing adventure to China, I hope you'll tell us if the Chinese have an opportunity to walk on crunchy Fall leaves, too.

I captured some candlelight shots last night...

 and for those of you who have inquired about the dining room crystal cabinets...

 My wedding crystal, Lalique Treves, Rosenthal Iris, and Lalique Angel Flutes, and Waterford Simply Amethyst....

 Nana's Lalique Palm Frond tumblers (my name...I don't know the real name.), Nana's antique French crystal champagnes, tumblers, and wine goblets....

 Waterford Simply and Nana's French crystal chillers (for Shrimp Cocktails), and my Aunt Ida's antique Imari charger plate....

 and Waterford Simply goblets.

The soup was plated in the kitchen and served in our everyday Burleigh Blue Willow.  I think that it works well with the Booth's.  There are abundant Blue Willow patterns from which to choose.  Do you have a favorite?

It was a beautiful Autumn day...

Everyone had seconds of the soup, and we lingered and laughed into the afternoon.  If you're passing my way, let me know.  I'll put on a pot of soup just for you!

My post is currently featured on the AJKA website, Crystalacarte.  Check out all the lovely crystal at: http://www.crystalacarte.com/entertaining-women-is-our-guest-blog19.htm

This week I'll be joining:

Let's Dish with Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch

  

  

Birthday Loveliness, 9.20.13

"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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Just over a week ago, a group of us met at my dear friend Cindy's house to celebrate three birthday girls.  One of the honorees has a September birthday.  The other two have summer birthdays, but they are both away a good deal of each summer...one in Colorado and one in Maine.  Now that everyone is home for our beautiful Fall season, we had the opportunity to gather for a triple birthday celebration.  Cindy outdid herself creating the table and the menu.  I wanted to share some photos of the luncheon; it was a magnificent day...

Do you have certain friends who are "back door friends"...so close that you tend to come in through the back door instead of the front door?  Cindy and I are "back door friends".  Sooooo...when I came through the back door this day, I was greeted by this absolutely stunning tablescape.  You can imagine...I immediately grabbed my camera and started snapping pictures.  I thought that I'd just allow you to soak in the wonderfulness...

 A Royal Albert Tea pot was found at each place setting.  Tip:  Cindy often ties her gifts with ribbon that she has had printed with her initial....neat idea for a 'gift card'.

 One of the birthday girls gave Cindy the frosted floral tumblers last year as a birthday gift.  Love that.

 A trio of square glass containers held bouquets in brilliant colors, accented by wonderful apple green footed candles.  I may need to find those candles...they were phenomenal!

 The stack was well supported by the Caspari woven rattan charger.

 An antique embossed Colcough dinner plate added a beautiful layer of texture.

 Copeland Spode manufactured several varieties of their beautiful Bermuda Flowers Series luncheon plates.  The original offering was presented on this magnificent Embossed Daisy blank...another touch of wonderful texture.  I love the green stripe on the rim.

 In a point/counter-point move, Cindy added the MacKenzie-Childs Flower Market enamelware plate.  This design is available in an assortment of colors....so wonderful.  I love the addition of this sophisticated whimsy.

 Crowning the stack was the Royal Albert teapot.   Cindy gave each of us our own tea set as a party favor.  We were all thrilled..

As if the dynamic tablescape weren't enough, Cindy had prepared an incredible home cooked meal for  our pleasure...

 Baked apples filled with cinnamon, raisins, and pecans...

 ...Homemade rolls...oh my!...

 ...Individual homemade chicken pot pies...We all took home our leftovers and devoured the remainder...

 ...and a delicious Caprese Salad.

We were one bunch of happy hens!

Presents were opened over an amazing dessert of Chantilly Berry Cake and vanilla bean ice cream.

 Cindy never fails...

 ...to make each and every person at the table...

...feel like the guest of honor!  So much inspiration amidst a blessed day of amazing food, "laugh 'til your sides hurt' fun, and blessed fellowship with beloved friends.  Just another day at Cindy's kitchen table...I can't imagine a better place to spend an afternoon!

This week I'll be joining:
Centerpiece Wednesday with The Style Sisters
Let's Dish with Cuisine Kathleen
Tutorials, Tips, & Tidbits with Yvonne @ Stone Gable
Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch