EARTH'S SUMMER BOUNTY

"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. As you consider your own philanthropic opportunities, I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.



Tonight is Cuisine Kathleen's Earth Day Challenge. I published another post EASTER, SECOND VERSE, yesterday, but I decided that I could do better for Kathleen. When I think of Summer, I'm always excited to put beautiful fresh vegetables on the table for my guests' pleasure. I can hardly wait each year for the amazing home grown tomatoes...and squash...and corn on the cob...and on and on. I love the smell of freshly turned earth in a vegetable garden, especially right after a rain. Those were the thoughts running pell mell through my mind when I created my contribution, "Earth's Summer Bounty."

Come on in...this one's for you...even if you're wearing your overalls, straight from working in your vegetable garden. We'll gather at the games table in the living room.

The inspiration for my Earth Day table was this large ceramic basket filled with an assortment of delightful ceramic vegetables. I found it for $10.00 at an estate sale in Dallas. I was there visiting my kids, and my daughter-in-love and I were able to slip away for a bit to indulge in one of our guilty pleasures...estate sales. Flanking the basket is a pair of Vietri "Cabbage Leaf" candlesticks, an eBay find.

The green and white striped tablecloth reminded me of rows of green sprouts poking their heads up through the earth. It was also an eBay find. The napkins were bought several years ago at an after-Christmas clearance sale from Pier One.

Like a nest of fresh leaves, the Bordallo Pinheiro, "Cabbage Leaf" charger plates cradled the place settings.

Yet another eBay purchase, I collected the Luneville, "Louis XV" plates over a period of time for sometimes less than $5.00 per plate. I checked them recently, and they appear to have increased in price. I chose them because they picked up some of the colors in the basket and they reminded me of baked squash! The Rattan handled flatware was a dirt cheap get from Big Lots several years ago.

More "garden goodness"...the Bordallo Pinheiro, "Leaf Plate" added interesting shape, texture, and colors to put the finishing touch on each place setting. The multi-colored edge again picked up more of the colors in the vegetables in the basket.

After a morning of tending to the garden, it's nice to sit down to a large glass of freshly brewed ice tea and a generous goblet of thirst quenching ice water. I've used the Mikasa, "French Country" and the Lenox, "Red Holiday Gem". I used the red stem because I love that a vegetable garden features a full spectrum of color. I used the clear goblet because although I wanted to feature a variety of color, I didn't want to fall over the cliff into a chasm of color chaos.

Ready to rock and roll....

Go ahead...choose where you'd like to sit. We deserve a relaxing time of good food and fellowship after a busy morning tending to our garden on this Good Earth.

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 THIURSDAY." Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays. You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of April, I think of rainy days that give way to glorious sun-filled skies and the blessed Easter holiday. How about you? With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS. Hope to see you there!

Tonight is the fifth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LETS DISH". So excited to be a charter member. Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun! Tonight we're all participating in Kathleen's Challenge "The Good Earth."

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. 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!