Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Tablescape Thursday - Ladies Luncheon










































































































Since we've just become friends here in blogland - I thought I would invite you to lunch...so we can get to know each other just a bit better. And just because you're so special, I'm putting out the "good" china. I've set the table on the crocheted star a friend gave me for my birthday years ago. We have gold rimmed glass chargers I purchased from e-Bay. My china is Stanford Court by Noritake - My mother used to give me a piece every year for my birthday and Christmas - until I got settings for six. When it became discontinued a few years ago - I started trolling e-bay for pieces. I had gotten up to eight, when there was an auction for full place settings for six - for less than $200!!! Wowie Zowie! I think that goes for my best bargain auction ever! Then I found the cream soup bowls - (also on e-Bay) Carlton by Meito China. The crystal iced tea glasses and coasters were from Tuesday Morning. The salt cellers were my mothers-- they're very old. Pepper shakers from Tuesday Morning. I picked up the shell theme with my brass place card holders (I'm sure that you noticed that...because you're so observant!) The silverware was given to me by my mother-in-law years ago -- as a matter of fact, getting the silverware was what started me on the china, since I had not picked out wedding china...but you HAVE to have pretty china to go with such pretty silverware! It's also old -- came from her aunt - old and heavy -- I think it's called Imperial - and it's monogrammed with a "K" -- not our initial -- but pretty close -- we're "H". In my grandmother's cut glass vase I have some faux flowers - complete with a faux bee buzzing around! (something for a touch of whimsy). I thought in keeping with our shell theme - we would have a seafood luncheon. So let's start with some She Crab soup. Then we'll have garden greens with cold spiced shrimp and a light vinaigrette dressing. For our main course, we'll have my husband's best ever crab cakes (a no filler recipe that came from his mother) -- They are the BEST! Along with that we'll have some fresh steamed asparagus with baby new potatoes sprinkled with fresh parsley and butter. I'm so glad that we could linger and chat into the afternoon with our coffee and fresh berries with cream and shortbread cookies for dessert. My little silver sugar scuttle is in service if you would like just a bit of sweetness in your coffee. It's been wonderful to have you for lunch! The dishes are all done and back in the china cabinet. Please come visit again -- I loved having you! Be sure to visit Susan at Between Naps On The Porch to see all the lovely tablescapes this week!


See ya!

34 comments:

  1. Very pretty and thanks for the invitation. Gosh it's been a while since I've used my fine china. My pattern has also been discontinued, but fortunately I got all of it when we married. I did have to resort to eBay for crystal.

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  2. Hi Martha! What a beautifully set table! Your dishes are so pretty! I love the simple elegance of them! I love little sugar scuttles and have one very similar to yours, but I don't have the scoop! But what is really catching my eye - that gorgeous crocheted huge doily!! You did a wonderful job.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  3. This is gorgeous!!

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  4. Beautiful table Martha! I love your cream soups!!!!! I did notice the shell place card holders and how they continued your theme. :D Jewel

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  5. Matha, Well, I'm feeling totally pampered now! You thought of everything! I love your crystal, china and flatware...and the stories behind how you collected all the pieces are just great! :-) You know I'm totally in love with your sugar scuttle! That little bee is sooo cute...I love a touch of whimsy! :-) And you have me craving crab cakes, big time! Great tablescape! Susan

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  6. Love the tablecloth! It really provides a nice graphic element to the whole table. Thank you for hosting such a nice luncheon. Everything looked just beautiful!

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  8. Everything looks so pretty! I wish I had a cabinet like that!

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  9. Such pretty china! And I have a thing for cream soup bowls!
    Lovely table!

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  10. It's so special that you received so much of your china as gifts on birthdays, etc. You have made a very inviting place to entertain.

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  11. This is just beautiful. I love the gorgeous table cover and the dishes are lovely!

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  12. This is so beautiful! That tablecloth had me OOhing and Ahhing all over the place. I love the dishes, I glad you were able to get the pieces you needed. Deb

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  13. I love the shell place card holder. It is so cute

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  14. Oh, Martha, I love the star tablecloth. It is absolutely beautiful! Beautiful dishes!

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  15. Hello Martha, thank you for the invite, your table is perfect, the crochet tablecloth is beautiful and your crystal and china made me feel special and the food was divine, thank you, hugs, Kathy.

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  16. So lovely! I adore those dishes! WOnderful cabinet too! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  17. It's always nice to be able to use your pretty things. Pretty table.

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  18. Gorgeous table... love the china...and the delicate crocheted table cloth is amazing!

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  19. Lovely crisp white setting. I have on of the silver 'tilted' serving pieces (thrift store) what is it used for?
    Ta-Ta, Candy

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  20. Gorgeous table...just discovered your blog...will be back often!!

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  21. Thank you for the invite. That was one of the nicest lunches I've attended. I loved the star shaped tablecloth. I was very careful not to spill anything on it. I'll be back.

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  22. I love that! ANd I love hte dementions! Great!

    Leigh,
    Tales from Bloggeritaville
    www.lbratina.blogspot.com

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  23. The dishes are lovely and you sure found a bargain on them but the star crocheted table cloth really made this table perfect.

    Have a Thankful Thursday
    from the Raggedy Roberta Anne

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  24. So nostalgic and pretty...
    Scribbler

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  25. What a classy & beautiful Tablescape you have put together. I love the idea of the clear chargers so the table coverlet shows through. Really pretty! ;-) Bo

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  26. Gorgeous table! I do love the crocheted star.
    I have that same sugar scuttle. I see it on quite a few blogs, so it must have been a popular piece.

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  27. The table setting is beautiful. Great history to your setting and how lucky you are to have that wonderful crochet star. You are making me hungry Martha.

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  28. I'm so glad to know what a sugar scuttle is. Your crocheted cloth is so beautiful and perfect for your table today. This is my first time with tablescapes and I am enjoying seeing what everyone is showing us. Thanks

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  29. Beautiful and elegant, really lovely. Your sugar scuttle is a twin to one I have, but mine is pewter, not silver. Aren't they fun?

    Thanks for sharing! Cass

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  30. Just stunning. I love the crocheted tablecloth, and your china is just gorgeous. What a beautiful and inviting table and such a fabulous invitation. Thanks. Hugs, Marty

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  31. Your china is make a very elegant table. So glad you found more on Ebay! I love the place card holders!
    Scuttle is lovely as the tabecloth. I would love to have the crab cake recipe!

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  32. I have this set of dishes & they have been tucked away for years. Your table is so pretty....I just may have to dig mine out!

    Very nice...

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  33. Love everything but the view from overhead is stunning. Love the tablecloth!

    JudyBug

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