Showering Blessings for Baby Beatrice

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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The past months have been filled with the blessings of anticipation and joy at our house. Our daughter and son-in-love are expecting their first baby mid-September. We can hardly wait for sweet Beatrice Emmaline to make her entrance! My cherished grandsons are excited to have a new cousin. Several weeks ago, some of my dearest friends hosted a beautiful baby shower for KC and Beatrice. I wanted to share some of the pictures that I took with you.

We knew immediately that it was going to be a special day when we walked through the front door and encountered this magnificent tablescape.

Absolutely one of the most beautiful floral centerpieces that I've ever seen. The container is an antique wicker baby doll bed that belongs to one of the hostesses. Don't you love the tall pair of twisted iron candlesticks with the sculpted roses. They make a gorgeous statement. One of the hostesses asked to use our precious Nana's pink and white organdy cloth. You see it here puddled under the centerpiece.

Lovely goodies awaited the guests.

I think that I gained five pounds by the end of the party. Sigh. I loved every bite.

A mix of marvelous Limoges Luncheon Plates lent a touch of refinement. The elegant antique Battenburg Lace tablecloth belonged to Barb's mother. Tip: Barb's table is custom made and actually too large for this cloth. Her decision to use it anyway was a brilliant design choice. I love the way that the scalloped edge kisses the edge of the table. Do you have cloths that just don't fit...make it work to your advantage. Be creative! Tip #2: Battenburg is a fine old lace, but it has been poorly translated in later years. If you have a choice between the new and the old, when it comes to Battenburg, wait for one of the beautiful old ones to come along.

See what I mean? Magnificent!

The bar was set for guests to serve themselves a cool drink...

...perfect for a hot summer day.

Gifts were gathered in the library. Entertaining Tip: Two of the hostesses actually took charge of opening the gifts and displaying them to be viewed by the guests. They also listed each gift...by whom it was given, and from which store it was purchased. This makes it much easier for the new mom to write her thank you notes and exchange possible duplications if necessary and allowed KC more time to really visit with her friends who were in attendance at the shower. Also, if you or one of yours is given a shower, I recommend that you toss three good size laundry baskets in the back of your car. When the time comes, the baskets make it so much easier to collect the gifts for the trip home.

Barb's beautiful home provided some wonderful spaces for everyone to enjoy good fellowship...

This is one of the best kitchens that I have ever known for working a party. The butler's pantry is through those glass double doors.

We've spent wonderful times gathered in this amazing family room.

The breakfast room...a good spot for some of our Bible studies. See those wine stems in the hutch. I painted those for Barb many years ago.

From the left: My beloved KC has always been blessed with a gaggle of "other mothers". Two of them, my dear dear friends Cindy and Ann were two of the magnanimous hostesses for our glorious day. KC went home with so many lovely things for our sweet Beatrice. The generosity of friends is always so overwhelming and humbling. I can't imagine my life without my sisters in Christ. I pray that you are also blessed with friends who will celebrate with you during the good times and come up underneath you to lift you in prayer during the hard times. My friends, these mighty prayer warriors, make life so very sweet.

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." 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 July this particular year, I think of my daughter as she awaits the arrival of her new baby girl, come September. 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!

Wednesday evening is the seventeenth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH". So excited to be a charter member. Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

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! KC has just released her 5th studio CD project, "The Tag Hollow Sessions". The sold out CD release concert was this past weekend. "The Tag Hollow Sessions" 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!