Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A Perfect Setting for Brunch

Did you notice my new blog header?  I'd like to give a big shout of thanks to The Tablescaper and Vicki at Curly Willow for making it happen!  Vicki designed this lovely header and I won it through The Tablescaper.  Please visit their beautiful blogs and let them know what you think!!

When I was married in the 80's, I received a place settings for four of Johann Haviland's Blue Garland, plus many accessory pieces.  Later I found out this was "grocery store" china, so I packed it away, even though I thought the design was very pretty and delicate.  Last year, as I was beginning to blog, I was roaming around in a thrift store and came across a set of the Blue Garland.  There were 60 some pieces, and it was priced at $32.  I couldn't pass it up.  Recently I found another set at an antique mall and bought more, so now I have a collection, with placesettings for 18.  Now I know this is plentiful, I have seen it on numerous occasions while visiting Susan's "Tabletop Thursday", but I think it's a pretty pattern, better quality than you will find in most stores these days, and if I have a big dinner party, I can really dress it up or down.

I finally had a real occasion to set a pretty table--my mil was in town with her husband and sister, so I invited them to brunch.  It was also my son's 18th birthday, but in his usual style, he did not want a big fuss.  I decided to use my Blue Garland.  I even had my buffet ready in advance and I was all prepared to spend the extra few minutes snapping photos.  Of course, that was when my camera decided the batteries needed to be changed.  Not a big deal, except I knew my guests were coming any second.  I was able to get two food shots before it died.  Oh well!!  I re-created the table later after the dishes were washed, added candles, and added clean napkins. 
I added the candles and took a few shots later in the day.

I used a blue tablecloth, with battenburg placemats and runner.

Since this was a brunch, I did not use chargers.

A close-up shot of the Blue Garland china.

I used Mikasa's Park Lane crystal for the water and mimosas.

I used white tulips as the centerpiece, on a platter, and added pearls.


Silverplate is Repousse.



Sugar & creamer.




One of the two food shots I got before the camera died--this is 'Breakfast Before' casserole.  Yummy, but not exactly lowfat...

Monkey bread, delish!  Other menu items included vanilla yogurt with berries and granola, fresh fruit, bacon, mimosas and coffee! 

Funny thing, after my hubby's family arrived, his aunt was complimenting the table, and I told her a bit about the china.  She has been in the grocery store industry for years and has this china!  She said it was boxed up, she had given it to her daughter, who passed away recently, and as soon as she got it back, she wanted me to have it!  How nice!  I need to get busy building shelves for my china closet lol!  Have a great week-end, and thanks for visiting with me as I strive for A Perfect Setting!!

30 comments:

  1. G'morn, my friend ~ This brunch is beautifully presented & elegantly inviting & warm. Love the details of the pearls ... AND, yes, your new header is perfect!

    Happy St. Paddy's Day ~
    Have a beautiful day ~
    TTFN ~ Marydon

    CSN GIVEAWAY ENDS 3/17
    http://blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com/2011/03/swing-high-swing-love-csn-giveaway.html

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  2. Beautiful! You are building a set of treasures for sure. Congrats on the header it's wonderful!

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  3. Beautiful table and delicious food!

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  4. This one is just beautiful and springy all the way around. I love that china. I think I saw it recently at our antique mall. I remember trying not to covet it.

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  5. I love your china and your table is beautiful!

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  6. That is beautiful china. Lucky that you have so many pieces now. Perfect for any occasion. Love the placemats on the table and the tulips are perfect for the table.

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  7. A very pretty table and I also bought that china back in the 80's from the grocery store! Somewhere along the line, I sold it at a garage sale -- but I still see it occasionally and still think it is pretty!

    I love anything blue and white and your table (and breakfast) is wonderful!

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  8. I love your Blue Garland. Such a classic pattern. The white tulips and pearls that you used for your centerpiece shout out "total elegance"! Lovely tablescape. ~Susie

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  9. Your table is really pretty, I love the way you turned the placemats:@)

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  10. Your table is just beautiful and very inviting!

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  11. I just love the blues and that's so sweet that your hubby's aunt is going to know someone who treasures those dishes will have them. Beautiful post.

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  12. How pretty -- I've purchased some of that pattern too in the past year or so -- it is quite lovely. You've given me some great ideas.

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  13. I'm not familiar with that china but I think that it is really lovely. And I love the pearls that you draped around the flowers. Very elegant!

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  14. This is so beautiful!!!! And brunch sounds delicious! How great that you have been able to find so many pieces...especially having service pieces (love the sugar/creamer).

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  15. Absolutely beautiful!

    The casserole looks delicious!

    Katherine

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  16. Beautiful setting for brunch. And the white tulips are the perfect addition. Your brunch looks delicious!!

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  17. It was no accident that you revisited your Blue Garland from your wedding...and found the additional pieces years later. It was all to allow your husband's aunt this precious moment to share the dishes that she had given her daughter. What a great story! Thank you for sharing your beautiful design and wonderful story. Cherry Kay

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  18. It's stunning table! I love your story...they say that there's always a reason behind everything that comes across our lives, no matter how small, and sometimes unimportant...it's what happened to you with the dishes. Thank you for sharing such a nice story. Many Blessings to you and yours.
    FABBY

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  19. What an incredibly beautiful tablesetting. I love the dishes. I am a new follower. Looking forward to more tablescapes.

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  20. I love your beautiful dishes and would never have thought they came from a grocery store! I've never seen such pretties at any store I shopped at. Congrats on your beautiful header as well! I'm a new follower,,,, someday perhaps I'll start my own blog, but I've just started collecting dishes and such.

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  21. What a great story!!! I particularly love the end when your husband's Aunt offered to send you her collection of the china. How thoughtful! It IS beautiful. The flowers are so delicate, and it just seems like perfect all 'round china in that its delicate features are nice for the ladies while the blue grounds it enough for the men. Your table is so pretty, and the tulips look fabulous! All the food is so appetizing!!! I've not eaten yet today, and that casserole looks divine!!! Have a wonderful day!!!

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  22. I never grow tired of looking at lovely tablescapes. I'm your newest follower.

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  23. Your brunch look so good and the table setting is so perfect. I love the china pattern. I love Johann Haviland's china, the designs are so graceful. I love the Battenburg linens too....Christine

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  24. The blue in the china is the perfect blue. It even reminds me of antique teal transferware. It's a beautiful, graceful southern table!

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  25. An absolutely beautiful setting. I intend to go read all your posts starting at the beginning, hopefully I'll be all caught up before your next entry! :)

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  26. What a beautiful Spring table! Isn't it nice that your table had fond memories for one of your guests, and now you're being rewarded for your kindness. Have a lovely weekend!

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  27. Your table is lovely and so is the story of all your dishes.

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  28. Delightful with the pearls bei g just the right addition to a just right table. Your new header looks great.... Lucky you for the win.

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  29. Greetings from California :-)

    I believe God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things and I will live until my work is finished. Visiting nice blogs like yours is high on my list. Right now I am so far behind I don't think I will ever die!

    When you have the time come by a visit :-)

    Take care and above all else, guard your heart for it affects everything else you do.

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  30. I'm really enjoying my second cuppa tea & browsing your beautiful tables! This pale blue & white for your son's birthday & your MIL is just perfect! I love the lacy placemats over the tablecloth...really shows off their intricate patterns.
    Your china is also lovely & I do hope you get the extra place settings from your MIL. What a nice gesture on her part!

    fondly,
    Rett

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