Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Tennis Team Luncheon

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On Thursday of last week, my entire tennis team gathered together after tennis to celebrate the holidays at my home. I have played tennis weekly with some of these gals for over 22 years! They are very dear friends & many of their husbands are also friends with my husband through their golf league.

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We have 13 members on the team & everyone brought something to share on the buffet.
Both the kitchen & dining room tables were set with my Eternal Holiday plates on candy apple red chargers.
I used the Eternal Presentation plates with the bows on them for the salads & the Eternal Christmas bread plates that have little holly berries on them. I like to mix & match my different Lenox pieces & thankfully, they all work together nicely.

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I had a local florist make this centerpiece for the sunroom using my own sleigh container. You can barely see the ivory & gold sleigh beneath all the flowers. It goes beautifully with the Santa although I didn't buy them at the same time or place. Just a lucky match!

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I had some of the same cream roses (I've forgotten the name) tucked into water vials & scattered them inside the French horn arrangement on the dining room table to tie the look together.


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Depression glass butter dish. Darn! This could have qualified for Marty's Christmas Cloche Party!!!

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The dining room place settings looked very similar except for different bread plates.

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I was able to capture a few photos of the buffet bar prior to their arrival but once people started coming in, I forgot all about my camera. I was too busy taking coats & boots & hats & gloves! Remember, we had over 2 feet of snow just days before this party! I was so worried they wouldn't be able to get here!

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Aren't these yummy looking RED & GREEN deviled eggs?

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We had sweet treats galore!

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These cookies are arranged on my vintage Fostoria American square cake stand with center brandy cup and sawtooth edge. It was made by the Fostoria Glass Company in Moundsville, West Virginia between 1937-1982.

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I saw these same plates HERE on Mary's beautiful blog Sailing Simply & knew they would be PERFECT
for this plate rack. I've had it sitting in the garage, freshly painted with oil rubbed bronze back in the summer, while I searched for the just the right plates to display on it.
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Aren't they GORGEOUS? The detail on them is wonderful. They are from Home Interiors & I found them on EBay just last week. I was so glad they arrived in time for the party. My husband hung the rack for me just the day before the party.
I can see lots of possibilities for decorating this rack for every holiday. Already, I'm searching for something for Valentines & St. Patrick's Day!


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Remembering the "Reason for the Season", we shared a beautiful prayer & a delightful afternoon of fellowship & fun.
I was so happy to have everyone available for the party. One gal had just gotten out of the hospital after gall bladder surgery but she was determined not to miss out.

The following morning, my husband had chest pain & passed out after taking nitroglycerin under his tongue. I had to call 911 & have him rushed to the hospital. Following behind the ambulance is one of the most frightening experiences! As a nurse, I want to be right there, seeing & helping with whatever is being done. They advise you not to try to keep up with them, as they are running red lights & going way over the speed limit. It is heartbreaking to see the ambulance disappear off in the distance & feel like you'll never see your loved one again. Just an awful feeling!

Thankfully, he did not have any damage to his heart but they kept him over the weekend for observation while they had him on anti-coagulating IV meds. He's home now & back to his old fun-loving self but what a scare! Very stressful~~I'm just glad it didn't happen the day before!!!

We're enjoying a quiet pre-Christmas week & appreciating each others company more every day. I hope all of us can slow our pace & be filled with the wonder of the season as we celebrate the birth of Our Savior.
Like I said in last December's post, when he had his FIRST heart attack a little over a year ago,
"Every day may not be good but there is something good in every day."
Thank you, ladies for hosting these fun memes each week!

30 comments:

  1. What a scare you had with your husband! I'm glad that he's home and looking forward to a happy Christmas.
    Your house and table look gorgeous - what a lovely party you must have had!

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  2. Oh Rett, what an answered prayer that he is ok. I am so sorry that he had a problem. I will remember him in prayer. I do so believe in the power of prayer.

    Your table and all of your decorations are just fabulous. The food looks so good and all of the desserts are so yummy looking. Wow. What a thrill to have all of your friends together for such a special time and blessing.

    I hope you and all your family have a very Blessed Christmas. Hugs, Marty

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  3. Oh girl praise God that your hubs is ok...I have done that with my late Husband and it's not a fun trip...
    All your food and table is just beautiful my Dear friend...and YUM!! Ribbon candy was my favorite as a young girl many a moon ago ha ha!!
    May you have a Blessed CHRISTmas my friend see you after the holiday...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  4. Rett, I am so glad to hear that Ern is well. What a scare, my Lord!

    Your table is exquisite. How neat to be still playing with this group after all those years. That is so wonderful.

    Merry Christmas to you and Ern. See you in the New Year and take care...Bunny

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  5. Oh Rett, I cried when you said the ambulance disappeared into the distance and how worried you must have been. I so happy everything turned out well. Have a quite Christmas and new year. I am sending you a hugh hug. Feel better? I will keep you in my prayers tonight. God bless my friend.

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  6. What a terrible scare...I would not have been calm at all. I'm glad everything turned out alright.

    Your home looked just lovely for the party and it sounds like a good time was had by all. Happy Holidays, my friend!

    XO,
    Jane

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  7. So glad your hubby is ok! Your table is beautiful and I'll bet everyone had a great time at the party! Have fun finding seasonal plates for your new plate rack!
    Merry Christmas Rett:@)

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  8. Rett, I'm so thankful that your husband is OK. I know that feeling too well of following an ambulance. Bless your heart I hope the two of you have a wonderful holiday season together.

    Your table looks beautiful, heck I'm thinking about taking up tennis just so I can be invited to the tennis luncheon. Your table settings look so inviting and I love the sleigh and santa too. I'm sure everyone was just thrill to be there. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  9. Praise God your husband is going to be okay. I can imagine how scared you must have been. When my son was in the car accident right b4 Thanksgiving they let me ride in the ambulance. Thank God because I would have been a horrible driver following! So happy for you, your husband is home and recovering for Christmas.

    You set such a beautiful table for your party. I love your Lenox holiday dishes. What a thrill to see your JOY plates. Don't you just love them? I cannot wait to see what other dishes you come up with for other holidays that's a fantastic idea. I usually just change them back to my original bird plates. I really love my bird plates though! I hope you and your family have a Very Merry Christmas! God Bless!

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  10. Hugs...big giant hugs to both of you!!

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  11. Now I follow too.. what a lovely party you had for the ladies. I am so happy to hear your husband is okay. Been there myself and know how scary this is. Lots of prayers for his healing. Your table is beautiful.. I love how well lenox mixes together.. Merry Christmas!

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  12. Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comments dearie! Sounds like you have had health scares in your world too! No fun!
    I love your blog. You are so inspiring. Your parties look amazing! A girl's gotta count herself lucky to be in your circle!!!
    Have a wonderful Christmas season!

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  13. Oh my goodness, Rett, what a scare you had. I'm so happy to read that your husband is home and feeling better. Your home is beautiful and so festive.

    Happiest holiday best wishes to you and your family.

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  14. Rett, such a gorgeous table setting. Love your dishes and that centerpiece you had made is scrumptious. I didn't know you play tennis. Not me. You go girl! I should be to get in shape. Thanks so much for sharing this at my party and have a wonderful Christmas!

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  15. Oh Rett I'm so glad your husband is OK! As a nurse myself I know exactly how extra worried you must have felt as all the terrible possibilities went through your mind. I've rushed my husband to the ER twice over the years because of chest pain, but luckily for us it turned out to be serve GERD pain and not heart problems. One can never guess with chest pain, however, so 911 is the way to go!

    Your tennis get together looked so elegant and festive! I'm so glad you all had such a good time together..despite the two feet of snow! We haven't had any snow as yet but we may have a dusting on Christmas if the weatherman is right.

    Wishing you a Merry Christmas amd a happy and healthy 2011 full of wonderful blessing!

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  16. Rett, so glad your DH is okay. I understand as I am a retired RN also. Your table setting is beautiful and festive and I post blogs all the time and then think I could of joined another party I forgot about. Happy Christmas♥

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  17. Rett, so glad your DH is okay. I understand as I am a retired RN also. Your table setting is beautiful and festive and I post blogs all the time and then think I could of joined another party I forgot about. Happy Christmas♥

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  18. HI RETT,
    OH Honey, so glad your hubby is Ok, glad you are ok too, driving after the ambulance, that must be terrifying!!
    I am so glad you have him home for Christmas.
    I love those JOY plates too, can i order them from somewhere???
    I played tennis in high school and then on a church doubles league for years, I play when I can when I find someone who plays!!!
    My hubby and I go out sometimes to play, but singles kill me and he always wins!!!Darn him!!!
    So we have tennis in common!!!!
    YEAH for that!!!!
    Another great coincidence!!!
    Have a Very Merry Christmas
    hugs 2 U,
    jamie

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  19. Your table decorations are beautiful. I love that square Fostoria cake stand. I have never seen one of those before. Glad to hear your husband is feeling better. Thank you for stopping by my blog!

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  20. Oh I am glad you hubby;s ok, Rett. That was scary! Your table is gorgeous and the food looks so attractively arranged. I am sure everybody had a great time Great company and great food with great presentation.....who could ask for more? Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family!..Christine

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  21. Best wishes to you and your husband, Rett. I am glad he is home now. Like Marty, I too believe in the power of prayer and you I said a prayer for you two tonight.

    Your table is lovely and your "feast" - oh my! You do know how to cook wonderful things. The cookies on the Fostoria cake stand are so colorful and pretty.
    Hugs, Beth

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  22. I am so glad to hear that your husband is doing well. It was very thoughtful of him to wait till you had your lovely party to scare the -- out of you :-) In all seriousness though, that must have been so frightening. You will treasure this Christmas even more I am sure.
    Your party was lovely, every detail just so, and your dishes are so pretty. The flowers turned out beautifully and it looks like you had lots of goodies to eat.
    Have a very Merry Christmas, and peace and good health to you both in 2011.
    Sue

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  23. First let me lift up some praise and thanksgiving that there was no damage to your husband's heart and that he is home right now.

    I love your table and all the pretty little extras that go along with it. My mom has that same beautiful fostoria cake plate. I LOVE it.

    I hope your quiet Christmas is one of great blessing.

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  24. Oh Rhett, what a scare and I can't imagine the strees and anxiety you must have experience driving behind that ambulance. So glad he is home with you.

    It looks like you had a lovely luncheon, despite all of the snow. Love the depression glass for the butter and the Fostoria cake stand. Two outstanding peices. How lucky for your friends to have share in such a lovely celebration.

    Have a peaceful Christmas.

    - The Tablescaper

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  25. I am so glad Mr Gazebo is ok, and yes, what a scare. My dad died this time of year when he was 50, and was buried on Cmas Eve. I was a teen, but I remember every detail like it was yesterday!
    Can't remember where I put my keys though!
    Your table looks so pretty! You know I love the Eternal Cmas. I have to do a scape with them this week or dh will tell me to sell them, We go to son's for Cmas, so they rarely get used.
    I love how you mixed the patterns, and your centerpiece is so pretty. And yes, you could make that yourself! It is so easy!
    Now you and dh enjoy this beautiful holiday, many blessings to you dear friend!

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  26. Rett,
    Looks like a fun party for you and your tennis pals...that ribbon candy looks so yummy! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  27. I'm so glad everything turned out well with your husband. What a beautiful table you have made. I loved all your pieces especially the JOY plates. Have a Merry Christmas.

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  28. Rett, I am very happy that your husband is doing well now. It can be such a scare to have to deal with a loved one's illness or injury. Your luncheon party looks like it was a wonderful party for your friends. Everything looks lovely, from the deviled eggs to the plates on the wall. I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful Christmas together. Here's hoping that you'll be able to get together in the new year with me and some other Buckeye Bloggers. :-)
    hugs, Sue

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  29. Rett, I've been thinking of you and your husband. I know it has been stressful. Happy to know that he is doing well.
    Your table looks lovely. It's such fun to have a group of friends that share years of memories. The food looks like you all had a yummy time!
    Merry Christmas to you and yours! ~ Sarah

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  30. It's always great to have you being a part of Seasonal Sundays. As these days turn from the Christmas Season to the Season of Winter, I hope you'll continue to share with us.

    - The Tablescaper

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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~