Flaming Festival, Part 2

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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I'm in the midst of preparing to host a large baby shower this coming Sunday. Tonight I thought that we'd return to the THETA FLAMING FESTIVAL, 2012. I want to share the table that my friend Barb and I designed for this enjoyable event. This will be a comparatively short and sweet post.

Barb loves a pink and green color combination, so we said, "Let's go for it!" We had fun poking through my china cabinets.

We perched my AJKA Arabella presentation bowl atop Barb's silver mirrored plateau. My Lalique Love Birds rested underneath the bowl. A pair of white reticulated hurricanes and a pair of Juliska style candlesticks completed the centerpiece. I made the tablecloth.

The glass charger added a valuable pop of hot pink to our color story, and it was an effective frame for my Royal Doulton Lowestoft Dinner Plate. The lovely silver flatware belonged to Barb's sweet mom. We added my MacKenzie Childs' Individual Salts for a touch of feminine whimsy.

We completed the stack with my Bernardaud Limoges Artois Accent Plate. This beautiful delicate pattern is actually kind of difficult to use in a tablescape. It takes a great deal of care to prevent it from "disappearing" on the table. The placecard holders are Coalport. The gorgeous linen napkin is another treasure from Barb's mom.

I always enjoy using my wedding crystal. This goblet is Lalique Treves.

Today I paired it with the Waterford Simply Pink. I get a lot of mileage out of this collection of colorful crystal...every bit of it found on eBay. Tip: After you have purchased something fragile via eBay, don't hesitate to communicate with the seller concerning safe packing procedures. If you know a good way to ship something this delicate, share it with the seller. They will appreciate your concern and suggestions.

We added the crystal decanters that I found several years ago at Tuesday Morning. They effectively reflected the candlelight and added a nice finishing touch of sparkle to our table. It was a great day to renew old acquaintances. I look forward to next year's festival.

Wednesday is the 43rd 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 forTUTORIALS, 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 "BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH." 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 January, I think of how nice it is to have all the Christmas decorations stored away until next year. I love our Christmas house, but I always appreciate the pared down version each January. 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 memeSEASONAL SUNDAYS. Hope to see you there!

This week I'm inking to Jamiann at The Blackberry Vine for Tuesday's To Do and List Makers. Come along to find some inspiration and 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! 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!