Garden Party Tablescape

 I went to a garden party to reminisce with my old friends

A chance to share old memories and play our songs again

When I got to the garden party, they all knew my name

 No one recognized me, I didn't look the same

But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well.

You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

Ricky Nelson - 1972

 How about a garden party in the middle of summer? 

An empty place card just for you.

 Some pretty flowers to adorn the table

 Some busy bees on honeycomb napkin rings

 White Orchid silver by Oneida

 Butter pats under the iced tea spoon will save your precious linens every time

 A vintage look candle holder helps set the mood

 Another candle under an etched cloche sitting in a sterling dish

(cloche to be removed before lighting)

 Really love my Mikasa French Countryside goblets

Oh I really cheated on the table covering..

I couldn't find a suitable tablecloth. So I purged the resource center (aka the stash).

I found this lovely piece of Moda fabric that is just perfect as a table covering for outside

since this table is less wide than our dining table. A few serged ends and a quick turn under

and I will have a lovely tablecloth for years to come!

 Love Love Love this little plate used as a salad plate.  Pattern is Marilyn by Queen Anne. I won this at 

the fun auction over at My Place to Yours. I think I'll be collecting this pattern for quite some time. I think it's the blue band with the snowdrops that sucks me in.. oh and my sister's name is Marilyn.

 See the pretty orchids on the flatware? I succumbed to a really great deal on this last week.

My father in law had the an orchid green house and supplied many people all around the nation. He's passed on, so I guess sentimentality got the better of me.

Cast:

Table covering - Moda fabrics

Napkins - too old to remember where from (the napkins, the napkins!) 

Napkin rings - OKL (One King's Lane)

Dinner plates - Bordallo Pinheiro

Salad plates - various Sammeltassen* from Germany and one Queen Anne's Marilyn pattern

Butter pats - German; Johann Seltmann Vohenstrauss

Flatware - Oneida White Orchid Community Plate

Glassware - Mikasa French Countryside

Grapevine vase - TJMaxx

Candles and holders - antiques or very old

Placecards - Tuesday Morning

Thank you so much for dropping in and spending some time with me. I am blessed by your company. Hope you enjoyed yourself!

I will be linking up to Tablescape Thursday at Susan's (Between Naps on the Porch) and also to Seasonal Sunday's at the Tablescapers. Cya there!

*Sammeltassen translates to "Collector's cups". But they usually encompass a dessert plate, cup and saucer. Usually they were given to young ladies for special occasions (confirmation, birthdays, Christmas). Some of the plates used were my grandmother's and some my  mother's. I'm so blessed to be the steward of these pieces.

Dinner for two Tablescape

Welcome to our dinner for two. Yes, just for you. I pulled out the Sunday best, nothing is too good for you! Pull up a chair and have a seat, dinner will be ready in just a sec!

Just ignore inspector Regan. He thinks he has to have his nose in everything these days! Could be he's anticipating the shrimp cocktail.

All the plates are united by a gold rim, even the underplate for the sherbet glass that will hold our shrimp.

You have good eyes, the salad plates are indeed a different pattern.

But don't they make a pretty stack? Each one a different maker, each one a different age.

This piece is by Seltmann Weiden - Germany - there is no date associated with this mark, but I am guessing this piece came about after WWII and before 1960. It belonged to my maternal grandmother.

This is another Seltmann piece, this time Seltmann Erbensdorf - which was opened in 1940. This factory was destroyed during WWII. Also from my maternal grandmother.

This sweet plate that I'm using as the underplate for the crystal sherbet is by Bavaria Tirschenreuth. Another piece of my maternal grandmother's. This dates the piece some where from 1930-1981.

And then I also have these pieces from my maternal grandmother. They are marked Johann Seltmann Vohenstrauss, factory in existence from 1901-1975. My grandmother had these when I was a little girl, I can so remember them.

 The original use of these dishes could possibly be for serving cookies since the serving place is the size of a salad plate and the little plates are the size of American butter pats. Today, it's holding the drips from the decanter.

 

Napkins from an estate sale. Eight napkins and placemats in pristine condition!

These little gems are marked Handgemalt - handpainted and belonged to my maternal great-grandmother. I should really have polished the silver tops!

This leaf dish is from my husband's paternal grandmother, marked Stouffer China - Czechosolvakia. That country doesn't even exist anymore!

European sized dinner plates, which means they are smaller than American plates. These are Rosenthal - Selb made in Germany. 

Three different candlesticks, two are gifts and the third with the gold band was purchased at TJ Maxx this past year.

The wine and sherbets are the same pattern, Libbey Rock Sharpe

A rosemary plant surrounded by giftwrap and placed in a crystal bowl serves as the floral centerpiece. The fragrance will compliment the pork tenderloin!

Gold flatware from International rounds out the setting. 

Wool embroidery on wool background hand stitched by my mother. She rarely used this because my dad placed a car battery on it and stained it. She washed it and the wool felted, which "just ruined" it, so says Mom. But I love it and use just as it is. 

Inspected by Inspector Regan, who gave his nod of approval. No climbing on the table this week! You think he's learned his lesson? Seriously, he has his nose in everything I do, ironing, washing dishes, cooking, hand sewing, machine sewing and computer work. 

I'm joining Susan's party at Between Naps on the Porch. Be sure to drop in Wednesday evening to see the Tablescape Thursday tables set just for you! I'm also joining Masterpiece Monday.. click HERE for a direct link.. some cool stuff to be seen!

Thanks for dropping in and leaving your kind comments! They are blessings in my day.