"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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We've had  a blessed abundance of rain this summer out here on the prairie.  Everything is green and lush.  The colors are bright and blooms are prolific all over town.  Our summer bounty was the inspiration for my table this week.

Lots of color....we could be sitting in the middle of the garden.

The colorful Zina Vasi tablecloth, an eBay find, set the color story for today's design.

 A footed Jadeite bowl held large sunflowers...

...and each place setting was punctuated with a small Jadeite footed tumbler holding a small sunflower.

 I thought that I would use either the Walmart rattan charger....
 or the Bormioli red glass charger...


 I ultimately decided to use them both.  The rattan charger on the bottom effectively made the red charger look much brighter on the dark tablecloth.

 Lunch will be served on the Fire King Jadeite Alice dinner plate.  Tip:  This plate is a good example of my philosophy of "take your time."  I've watched 12 of these sell on eBay for $500.00.  No way!  I bought mine at an estate sale for $3.00 each x 13 plates = $39.00.  I felt pretty darned cocky.

 The Jadeite Lotus plate will hold our dessert...

 ...and the Jadeite Lotus bowl will be used to serve gazpacho for a first course.



 Spicing up the table...the Vietri red optic goblet complimented the Fenton Empress amber goblet.

The Waverly beaded napkin ring, from Cuisine Kathleen, held a hemstitched napkin.  They paired nicely with the L'Argent Sophia Gold flatware.


 I liked the shapes, the textures and the colors against the florals in the tablecloth.

Vibrant...energetic...enthusiastic and fun are descriptions that come to mind.

I predict delightful fellowship and lots of laughter.  If you're passing my way, just ring the bell.  We'll add an additional place setting and pull up another chair!

This week I'll be joining the following parties:

Inspire Me Tuesday with Marty @ A Stroll Through Life
Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper