Sunday, February 10, 2013

Valentines Day Dinner

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This entire month, at The Gazebo House
 we celebrate LOVE!

We will celebrate our 26 wedding anniversary,
 this coming Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013.

"Being deeply loved by someone

 gives you strength, 

while loving someone deeply gives you

courage."

Lao Tzu


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Because the holiday falls on a school day,
 I've set the dining room table for 
our family to celebrate together
 on Sunday at our home.


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I've used my Churchill pink willow dishes, 
along with some splashes of 
vintage RED to kick it up a notch.


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I see lots of RED in the pattern, don't you?

When my baby sister moved to Maui to live, 
she blessed me with our Mother's Depression era
etched ruby footed stemware.


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Aren't they GORGEOUS?!  
 
I was thrilled to receive them & 
will cherish & take  gentle care of them.
 The glass is very thin & fragile.

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I searched for information on their history & manufacturer but was able to find only
 one other listing for similar stemware.  
 


The description follows:

 Quote "They all have ornate cut / etched pattern. The bowls of the stems have a panel optic pattern. I've seen ones like these as being made by the Tiffin Glass Company, the Standard Glass Company as well as the Maryland Glass Etching Works company and as being made during the Depression Era (1920s - 1930s)."

I bought the 8 stems that he had for sale,
 but unfortunately they have not yet arrived
 in time for this tablescape.  
I'm sure you'll see them soon  
for a different holiday... 
RED works beautifully for so many occasions.


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The silverware, "Danish Princess" 
by Holmes & Edwards, 
was introduced in 1938. 


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 I am lucky to now have service for 12 
in this delicate pattern, 
along with several of the serving pieces that go with it.

 
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The flowers are a gift from my daughter. 
She knows how much I LOVE POLKA-DOTS! 
  She thought the vase looked a bit like mercury glass &
 I think it also resembles the hobnail pattern from the Depression era 
I have some of that to show you on 
Tuesday at Marty's Winter Cloche Party.
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Originally, I made a white Battenburg lace heart 
with my embroidery machine,  
as an accent for it, but then later switched 
it for a PINK one I made instead. 
 I like it better with all the shades of 
PINK, RED & PURPLE 
in the arrangement.
 
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 I made several others to scatter around the table for decoration.  They are made completely in the hoop, on wash-away stabilizer which it then rinsed away to leave these intricate threads.  The design has to be specifically digitized as a "free standing lace" otherwise, it will just fall apart when the stabilizer is washed out.
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Taking a page from my sweet friend, Yvonne, 
 I added layer upon layer of various white plates 
with interesting edges for some contrast 
between the pink willow. 
All I can say is thank goodness 
I've got an automatic dishwasher!

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Weeks ago I printed out my menu,
in French & then traced around it
with my Waterford crystal heart candy dish.

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I then cut it out & attached it to a lace heart shaped doily.
Next time I will cut away the center of the lace doily & adhere the printed menu to the back instead. 
 I think that would look better.
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Here is a close-up of the menu. 

 Hey, Debbie (Confessions of a Plate Addict), check my spelling, will you please?  
 
She was a French teacher in her past life, ya' know.
 
She recently got some great news...Country Sampler  magazine will be featuring her house, all decorated for Christmas in an issue this fall! Stop by & tell her "Congratulations!"




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 Teacups and vintage "Quban Royal" plates await
  dessert on the side table. 

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These plates are trimmed in 22K gold so
they will NOT be going in the dishwasher!

I don't mind a bit.  I enjoy taking good care
of my pretty things by hand washing them. 

The faux slice of cake under the cloche is 
really a darling pink fabric pin cushion 
from my sewing friend, Carol. 
She sends me the sweetest gifts.

Thank you, Honey!  I it!


Thank YOU for stopping by "The Gazebo House" today & be sure to come back for 
Marty's Winter Cloche party on Tuesday.  
I hope you have lots of LOVE in your life this week & always.


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for her annual  
Valentines Day Party on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013
 
as well as Cuisine Kathleen 
on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013
 for her "Let's Dish" meme
and
Susan's Between Naps on the Porch
Tablescape Thursday 



 Come join the fun! 


 

25 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous table, Rett. I can just imagine the anticipation of your family - especially your Miss C. I, too, can see the red in the dish pattern, brought out so beautifully by the red lace heart and the base of each glass. Happy Anniversary to you and your Dear Husband. You've come through another year, not without challenges, I know - but her you are - love triumphs!

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  2. Wow, what a stunning table. Your dishes are beautiful but the stemware takes it over the top! Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby. xo

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  3. It's beautiful, Rett, and yes, I see lots of red in the dishes!

    The glasses are gorgeous!

    I took Spanish, so I can't read a word of your menu, nor correct it, lol, but I am sure it will be delicious!

    Happy Anniversary to you and your dear husband! Good health and good times!

    Thanks in advance for linking to Let's Dish!

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  4. Hi! This tablescape is just so beautiful! You are inspiring me to do something special for our table this week. Have I told you before that WE HAVE THE SAME SILVER?! I inherited mine from my dear stepmother who had inherited it from her parents. I have a VERY large service because my Mickey used to like to entertain like you do and she scoured antique shops until she had acquired service for 24. I love using it because everytime we entertain I like to feel that Mickey and my dad are there with me. I deeply loved them both.

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  5. Romantic and elegant Valentine's table setting! I love your Churchill transfer ware dishes, they are my fav! The flatware is stunning, so elegant for this table, along with all the reds you added. Happy Valentine's and Anniversary to you both, may you have a thousand more!! We'll be 38 years of happily married life this Feb. 25th. too. Thank you for sharing.
    FABBY

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  6. You always have a fantastice eye for design. This table works from beginning to end! I'm still in awe of your lace valentines...gorgeous! I'm thrilled that you found some additional stemware to enhance the gorgeous goblets that belonged to your mom. Yea sisters! Enjoy your special celebration...this particular year has to be very very sweet for both of you. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  7. The table is beautiful Rett! Your mother's glasses are gorgeous and I'm sure you all enjoyed a wonderful dinner! Happy Valentine's Week:@)

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  8. Love, love, love the stemware! And those lovely French menus are such a delightful touch to a beautiful table.

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  9. Rett, it makes me smile to see your sharing your beautiful table settings again. This is one is filled with wonderful details in the stack of plates and the special heirloom stemware. Great news that you found more to add to it. The French menu sounds delicious. I like your idea of adding it to the doily. Your family will be thrilled to dine at this table of love. Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentine's Day. ~ Sarah

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  10. My husband would flip if I even thought of making that menu. I'm planning fish sandwiches from Wendy's for Valentine's Day. They only make them during Lent, you know. lol Enjoy your dinner and lovely family and honey.......Happy Anniversary!

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  11. Wishing you a very happy anniversary, Rett! Beautiful table...love all the layers. Your stemware is gorgeous, as are your dessert plates.

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  12. Rett, I wish you and DH a wonderful anniversary! Valentine's Day is such a romantic day for a marriage! Love your tablescape. The ruby stemware is gorgeous! Love the pink willow too - I didn't know there was such a thing. Your menus are adorable too. Lovely hearts you created. Everything is just perfect!

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  13. Your mother's stemware is just gorgeous and I love the red foot - my favorite color :) Gorgeous table!

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  14. It's all so gorgeous and so eloquently arranged. You certainly have a talent for dressing up a table! Happy Anniversary to you both!

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  15. Ooh what a pretty table, Rett! I love the layers and oh my the stemware is a treasure. Happy Anniversayr and ❤ Day to you and your sweetie. Debbie and her hubby were married on ❤ Day, too. I love your lace hearts. Is the pattern from Embroidery Library? The menu on the doily is the perfect touch and in French, too!! xo

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  16. WOW! You are fortunate to have awonderful daughter who loves her Mother! The flowers and vase are lovely. Your Churchill pink willow is a favorite of mine and sets a pretty Valentine's table! The lace hearts are so sweet and I like how you made them. Do they have a shamrock pattern for St. Pat's? I love all your touches like the French menu! Hope you had a fun celebration for I know Sunday dinner was special.

    Pam

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Pam, there is a shamrock free standing lace design. I made one last year & I think I'll make some more for this year, too. Thanks for reminding me about them!
      You can follow this link to see it:

      /2012/03/top-o-mornin-to-you.html

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  17. Oh, Happy Anniversary!! J'adore the fabulous stemware! I have never seen anything like it - wow. Also, I am so impressed with the hearts that you made. My old sewing machine stopped working and I have been playing with the idea of getting a new one that does everything. I am quite fearful that I will never learn how to use it, however. You are a true inspiration. Love the pink/red plates and the polka dot ribbon on the flowers. How thoughtful of your daughter!

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  18. Happy anniversary to you and your hubby, Rett! Your tablescape is gorgeous...love the red and white! Fabulous French menu...cute idea to print it on a doily! Thanks for the shout out!...hugs...Debbie

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  19. Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby! We share the same anniversary :o) Your mother's stemware with the red foot is gorgeous! I have never seen it, but will be keeping my eyes open. xxoo Happy Month of Hearts!

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  20. Rett, this is beautiful. That stemware is stunning, and how wonderful that it has family ties. I'm so happy that you linked this beautiful post to my party. Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Anniversary! laurie

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  21. Happy Anniversary Rett! Such a romantic day for a wedding! Your table is beautiful and so are those hearts! I'll have a piece of gateau au chocolate on one of those gorgeous dishes! Linda

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  22. Rett:

    Looks like a perfect celebration.

    Love the glasses, almost dipped in rubies.

    Happy anniversary.

    - The Tablescaper

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  23. Happiest of anniversaries to you and yours.What a fabulous table and gorgeous, gorgeous stemware. The menu, c'est formidable.. maintenant, j'ai faim! Happy Valentine's, xo marlis

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  24. Happy Valentine's Day and Anniversary! Your menu looks delicious! Your ruby footed stems are so delicate and feminine and how wonderful you found more~ I bet if you emailed Replacements a photo they could identify the pattern.

    Wishing you have a wonderful day with your Sweetheart! ♥

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~