Sunday, May 20, 2012

May Garden Party

I hope the neighbors enjoy the sounds of our birds (100+ lovebirds, finches, quail and chickens) because they are singing, clucking, and celebrating the glorious Southern California sunshine.  So, with Rob gone fishin', it seemed the right time for a garden party on the back deck with my home girls.  Quick Caesar chicken salad, watermelon, and berries, with a Lemondade cocktail, we are good to party.

Flowers from the garden in vase suggested by Susan on Naps on the Porch.  Three jars nestled in wire holder.  Love it.  Very on the farmesque.


Love organic watermelon and berries from Whole Foods. My favorite black berries - so delicious, very low in Saturated Fat, and a good source of Vitamin E, Magnesium, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Manganese.  Great for skin!  Yeah! Love them.

 

After menu planning, choosing the dishes....hmmmm.  Wanted something contemporary to go with my striped tablecloth, but also with a garden vibe.  Decided on Homer Laughlin Eggshell Georgian with dogwood pattern and gold trim, found on eBay years ago. Love the berry bowls.


Anchoring the dogwood plates on a charger of gold, brings out the yellow in the flowers, and gold trim around the edges.  Placing the charger on a rattan charger gives it weight, and a more rustic look. Simple wood napkin rings, cotton napkins, wood handled knives.
  



Lorina Sparkling Lemonade, add to vintage cocktail shaker with lots of ice, and splash of Vodka, shake and serve in big gold martini glasses. Delightful.


Love these glasses from Z Gallerie, purchased for a New Year's Party.  The bright reflective metallic glassware is intricately etched and the gold exterior is cleverly paired with a Silver interior, supported on a clear glass stem. I also have four in red for festive Christmas parties.


So that's the party on the deck in the trees above my garden and the bird aviaries.  Sweet song, company, and food. Lovely day.

 



Resources:
Gold Chargers:  Malibu garage sale, Saturday
Rattan Chargers: Santa Barbara thrift shop, 2 years ago
Plates, berry bowls, serving platters:  Homer Laughlin Egglshell Georgian, K5N5, eBay, 2 years ago
Stemware: Z Gallerie, Puccini Glassware, 1 years ago
Flatware: World Market, Green Madeline Flatware Collection, 2 years ago
Knives:  Home Goods, Barenthal stainless, 1-2 years ago
Napkin rings: Dollar Store, 2 for $1, 3 years ago
Napkins: Home Goods, 2 years ago
Centerpiece Wire Basket: Home Decorators Collection, this season
Watermark on photos:  Trial version of Virtual Watermark (lost everything on a hard drive crash, so will need to repurchase it - not happy)

Linking up with  Tablescape Thursday

11 comments:

  1. Your party on the deck looks so gorgeous CJ! Your flowers looks so beautiful and the menu looks delicious! Wishing you a lovely week! Angie xo

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  2. Oh this is so beautiful - what a wonderful setting@
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  3. This looks lovely, I do love those dogwood dishes!
    Pretty flowers, lovely setting! Hope you will come link this up at Let's Dish too!

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  4. Oh, I love that setting! Your table is so pretty. I love the design on your dishes, so full of spring and such a fresh feel to them. I bought one of those flower things too. It is so hot here that my garden is balking so I haven't been able to use it yet. The fruit looks so good! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  5. I love your pretty dishes and that stemware is just gorgeous!! Thank You for sharing and have a wonderful night!

    Aledia @ Plum Perfect

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  6. I love that table, very inviting! Everything is so gorgeous about this outdoor setting. The table cloth is beautiful, lovely dishes too!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  7. What a delightful table. Love the stripes with the magnolia dishes. So pretty. your centerpiece turned out just fabulous. so lovely. have a blessed weekend, xo marlis

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  8. I love your Dogwood dishes - they are just lovely - as is your whole table. The flowers in the wire baskets is so pretty and the food looks so fresh and delicious! Thanks for stopping by my blog and visiting :)

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  9. Your Dogwood dishes and table are just gorgeous, fresh and inviting..perfect for Memorial Day weekend. The flowers and wine basket are so lovely too. Thank you for your wonderful visit at my post. Enjoy your weekend.
    FABBY

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  10. Absolutely wonderful...such a gorgeous setting. I'll bet they didn't leave until supper time. I like your pairing of the gold charger with the rattan charger...ingenious design choice. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  11. Such beautiful table settings. Your dishes are so pretty.

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Thanks for your encouraging messages! No anonymous messages. Thanks!~CJ