Butterflies and Berries

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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Last July, I celebrated my second year of blogging, and I was blessed to find a lovely set of Mottahedeh Sacred Butterfly dinner plates to give to one of my followers. The winner of my give away was our precious Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul. This week Sarah and I are collaborating with a "Tables for Two". We are both using our Mottahedeh Sacred Butterfly plates to create a tablescape. In the process, I've so enjoyed getting to know Sarah better, and I consider her one of my dear blogging friends.

Fall has announced its presence at our house...

I'll be waiting for you in the foyer...

...and we'll be lunching in the dining room. Today I've set the table for 8.

I'm still enjoying the mini-pomegranates and the mixed berry topiary balls that you saw two weeks ago in Autumn Jewels . I've selected new containers, the Lenox Classic Urns and a pair of Wedgwood Edme tureens. The Barley Twist candlesticks remain consistent.

Adding a touch of softness, the Williams-Sonoma light blue hemstitched linen table cloth anchored my design.

I liked the antique ivory handled flatware mixed with the L'Argent Sophia flatware, still available through Horchow. I bought the taupe linen napkins at an estate sale. Yet again, the Waverly beaded napkin rings from CUISINE KATHLEEN are just right for today's tablescape.

The hammered bronze charger added a touch of metallic texture to the table.

A Wedgwood Queens Plain dinner plate created a small creamy white frame for...

The star of the collaboration between Sarah of Hyacinths for the Soul and me, the Mottahedeh Sacred Butterfly dinner plate. This pattern is proving to be extremely versatile. It's becoming a "plate for all seasons."

Pulling in another touch of blue, I added the matching rice bowl and under plate, purchased from the same estate sale at which I found the Sacred Butterfly plates. I think that Mrs. Tucker, the former owner, must have mixed them, too. It made me smile to think that I could keep her pretty elements together for another generation. Tip: If you've been hesitant to mix diverse patterns, be brave! You'll be surprised when even the most unrelated patterns come together in a fashion that will be pleasing to your eye. Give it a try! You can always decide to remove it from the design and try something else, but...it might surprise you.

Finishing the elements for each place setting, the Vietri Optical Smoke goblet and the Tiffin Elise wine provided just the right amount of reflective sparkle.

The buffet is festooned for Fall. The wired hurricanes were a gift from my dear friend Marsha. She left them on my front porch one day.

The night before my luncheon, I caught a few candle light shots...

I'm finally ready to embrace Autumn...

I set an extra place setting for you....can you make it for lunch as we celebrate the beauty of Fall?

I've thoroughly enjoyed setting "Tables for Two" with sweet Sarah of Hyacinths for the Soul. I'm going to head on over to her blog to see what she's done with the Mottahedeh Sacred Butterfly. Why don't you come along!

I've long admired the blog Splenderosa, so this week I am delighted to participate in Marsha's monthly meme, BY INVITATION ONLY. The assignment was to share another blog with which readers might not be familiar. I am pleased to highlight Sarah at HYACINTHS FOR THE SOUL. Sarah and I are collaborating with "Tables for Two". We each created a tablescape using the same china for our blogs this week. You'll enjoy visiting Sarah!

Sarah and I are joining Marty (A Stroll Through Life) for TABLE TOP TUESDAY. Won't you come along?

Wednesday is the 34th edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH". I'm excited to be a charter member. Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

Lots of great ideas to be gathered when you visit Yvonne at Stone Gable for TUTORIALS, TIPS, & TIDBITS. Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!

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 October, I think about the crisp Autumn days and leaves that crunch under foot. How about you? With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts (even in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy), I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS. Hope to see you there!

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 "The Tag Hollow Sessions"" 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!