Party of 14? Right this way!

It’s time for another Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! You know what to do … dash on over and see what our gracious hostess has prepared for us today. Be sure to visit all the other participants. The tables are set, and they’re waiting to entertain us!
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Last week I showed you “China Carnage.” I had purchased a large set of vintage china, “Essex Maroon” by Lenox. Eleven of the twelve cups & saucers became saucer-less due to a difficult trip through the mail (and the absence of bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and double boxing). I did eventually manage to replace the broken saucers. You can read about it HERE.

I believe I mentioned that I would set an “Essex” table for you ... and now I have. I couldn’t decide whether to make it a table for two in the breakfast nook, or for six in the solarium ... or perhaps in the dining room ….

It was an extremely difficult decision to make. So ... I've prepared all three for your visit! I kept it simple (but shiny!). I showed such restraint that you won’t find a single swan, or cherub, or Christmas ornament, or Bible, or family photograph, or feathery wreath!

Without planning it consciously, the china, crystal, and flatware all turned out to be from the same period, 1938-1942. The Art Deco period was winding down, and the romanticism of the 1940’s was beginning. It’s a look I enjoy … less ornamentation than during the Victorian Era, but more elegant than the 1950’s Danish Modern/Space Age look that followed.

I’ll list the “ingredients” at the end. I thought I’d share a poem with you to accompany the photographs. As the afternoon fades … and evening begins, here is:

"Crossroads" by Joyce Sulphen

The second half of my life will be black to the white rind of the old and fading moon.

The second half of my life will be water
over the cracked floor of these desert years.



I will land on my feet this time,



knowing at least two languages
and who my friends are.



I will dress for the occasion,
and my hair shall be
whatever color I please.



Everyone will go on celebrating the old birthday,
counting the years as usual,



but I will count myself new from this inception,



this imprint of my own desire.



The second half of my life will be swift,



past leaning fenceposts, a gravel shoulder,



asphalt tickets,



the beckon of open road.



The second half of my life will be wide-eyed,



fingers shifting through fine sands



arms loose at my sides, wandering feet.



There will be new dreams every night,



and the drapes will never be closed.



I will toss my string of keys into a deep well



and old letters into the grate.



The second half of my life will be ice



breaking up on the river,



rain soaking the fields,



a hand held out,



a fire,



and smoke going



upward,



always up.



China: "Essex Maroon" by Lenox, 1938 - 1978
Crystal: "Holly" by Fostoria, 1942 - 1980
Silverplated flatware: "Embassy" by Meriden (International Silver), 1939

The cut flowers came from this garden and from a vacationing neighbor's. I consider it pro-active deadheading (liveheading?) to help insure new blooms for her homecoming. Did that sound convincing? Seriously, she always says to "help yourself to whatever's blooming!"

The vase in the solarium is "Cape Cod" by Imperial (1932-1984). I lined it (and the heavy crystal compote in the dining room) with large hosta leaves to hide stems of the flowers. I used clusters of shrub roses and of marigolds as "flower frogs" to hold the stems in place as I added single blooms to these casual arrangements. That "dinner plate" dahlia is showy, isn't it?

The three small silverplated vases on the "table for two" are by Pottery Barn ... via Goodwill. The made-in-India silverplated candle holders in the solarium were clearance Christmas items from Hobby Lobby. Place mats and napkins are from estate and yard sales. I mixed in a different Lenox pattern for the serving pieces. The covered casserole, sugar/creamer, and gravy boat are "Monroe" (1983 - 2003). The silverplated bread tray in the dining room is "Versailles" by Gorham, $1.99 at Goodwill!

Next week? I'm leaning toward a tea tray ... for ONE! How does that sound?

For nannykim at Spindle cottage, the poem intact:

Crossroads
by Joyce Sutphen

The second half of my life will be black
to the white rind of the old and fading moon.
The second half of my life will be water
over the cracked floor of these desert years.
I will land on my feet this time,
knowing at least two languages and who
my friends are. I will dress for the
occasion, and my hair shall be
whatever color I please.
Everyone will go on celebrating the old
birthday, counting the years as usual,
but I will count myself new from this
inception, this imprint of my own desire.

The second half of my life will be swift,
past leaning fenceposts, a gravel shoulder,
asphalt tickets, the beckon of open road.
The second half of my life will be wide-eyed,
fingers shifting through fine sands,
arms loose at my sides, wandering feet.
There will be new dreams every night,
and the drapes will never be closed.
I will toss my string of keys into a deep
well and old letters into the grate.

The second half of my life will be ice
breaking up on the river, rain
soaking the fields, a hand
held out, a fire,
and smoke going
upward, always up.