Pat's Day

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 fairly certain that there's a whole lot o' green going on in blogworld this week. St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and Kathleen @ Cuisine Kathleen has challenged us with her 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl. I've had fun pulling out 'the green' for my tablescape, and I'm extra excited because I also get to celebrate a visit from my sister, Pat! Yes, that's right...I'm blessed to celebrate St. Pat and my sister Pat with a luncheon!

In addition to Pat, we'll be joined by KC and our darling Beatrice Emaline, plus two dear friends. I'm excited for them to have some time to get to know my sister better. If you've read my blog for any time at all, you're not surprised that we're dining at the games table in the living room. I've added the handy dandy flip-top tabletop to create a 60" table.

I made the 120" round tablecloth. Tip: I hate to hem round tablecloths! Instead, I cut strips of fabric and make a hefty cording. I think that it's much easier to attach cording to finish the edge of a round cloth than to hem it. Tip #2: I break the rules when making cording for tablecloths. The books teach to cut fabric on the bias, but I cut it on the grain of the fabric. This makes the cording stiffer, and it also is what causes the bottom of the cloth to hold its nice wavy shape. Just sayin'!

I've used two chargers. The base is an inexpensive black acrylic charger from Hobby Lobby, $1.99. The next layer is the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Charger....

The dinner plate is Coalport Cathay, an amazing eBay get. This design is also found on the Coalport pattern called Hong Kong in a color way of cobalt, coral, and gold...in case you're in the market for an Imari type pattern. Flanking the stack is the Reed & Barton Francis I flatware. The Williams-Sonoma Hemstitch Linen Napkin is caught in a Coalport Countryware Napkin Ring.

Our opening course will be a cup of Tomato Bisque. After our entrée of Chicken Tetrazzini, Salad, and Hot bread, the Green Charms Dessert Plate will be used for a dessert of individual peach pies.

Continuing with the greens and blacks, I used the AJKA Green Arabella goblet with the Black Amethyst unmarked goblet found on eBay. A number of you have asked me about the AJKA crystal. AJKA, pronounced a-jeece-ka, is manufactured in Hungary, often considered the source of the best in cased (colored) crystal.

Some of you have also asked about the pair of crystal presentation bowls on the refectory table. They are also AJKA, and I found them at the tail end of an estate sale for $30.00. I grabbed them so fast that it made my head spin! Patty @ Pandora's Box has been busy again. She painted the Courtly Check style pattern on the silver pitcher. She's one talented lady!

The centerpiece took only minutes to create. I chose the Mottahedeh Musee Decoratif Tureen to continue with the bird motif found on the plate. The small white birds are Dollar Tree treasures. The trio of Green Mercury Glass Jardinieres came from the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby. Today they are filled with White Mop Head Hydrangeas from el grocery store.

At the first of this week, the temps were in the 30's, and by Friday, we should reach the high 70's. I contemplated dining al fresco, but I may end up leaving the door open and lighting the fire in the fireplace...

No matter the weather, I know that we'll enjoy an afternoon of good food, great fun, and treasured fellowship. If you're passing my way, I'd love for you to come join us and meet my Pat, too! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm joining Jamiann @ The Blackberry Vine for TUESDAY TO DO AND LIST MAKERS. So many inspirational ideas here...you won't want to miss it!

Wednesday is Cuisine Kathleen's 5th Annual ST. PATRICK'S DAY BLOG CRAWL. I'm excited to be a participant. 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 . Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!

I'm joining The Style Sisters for CENTERPIECE WEDNESDAYS. Don't miss it!

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, "TABLESCAPE THURSDAYS." 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.

March, a month of so many transitions...I find myself still enjoying a Winter eve's fire in the fireplace while looking with sweet anticipation toward Spring. 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!

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!