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Summer Outdoor table


One of my favourite times to host a dinner party is when our backyard flowers are at their peak.


I'll start by picking my flowers early in the day.
I always put a small lap blanket over the chairs of the ladies for the cool evenings.
If there are going to be four of us I'll use two table runners to reach across.
I'll then use placemats or charger plates and put my china out, napkins and silverware and leave the crystal until just before guests arrive.


We have a heater in the middle of our table and at first I didn't know where to put the flower arrangement.


I make four small arrangements and put them in small jars, placing them around the heater stand.  Roses, climbing hydrangeas and what ever else happens to be blooming fills the air with natural beauty and fragrance.
All summer long the arrangements take on different hues and textures, depending on what is blooming.


I never worry about taking my fine china outside.  I chose this china pattern years before I got married and in our  36 years of marriage,  it has been used to make my guests feel like they are worth fine china.

If you haven't used your china in a long while...
call your friends over and tell them...
they are worth it! 




11 comments:

  1. What a wonderful idea to use the fine china outdoors!! Your table looks stunning! Love the lap quilt - such a thoughtful thing to do. Your guests must feel so very welcome.

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  2. What a lovely idea and Rosella has said it all... .Can I see your lap quilt in full? I'd love to see it. I could send you my email address. I love to read all your blogs and do so every day.

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    1. The lap quilt is something I made in 2007 when our grands came along. I made two of them out of a large quilt that I had purchased. I never thought then that they would come in so handy for grown ups.

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    2. does it have a name of the pattern.. are they petals appliqué ... nice you have Hamel's close by too... just lovely

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  3. What is the name of that china pattern?
    ~Colleen

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    Replies
    1. Colleen, the china pattern is Royal Albert / Sweet Violets.

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  4. I've been a lucky recipient of being invited to this table with the lap quilt on my chair.
    Lovella, you make your guests feel cared for. Isn't that what we all want to feel and
    do likewise!

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  5. What type of beautiful dark pink roses do you have - Paul Neyron by any chance?

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    Replies
    1. They are all David Austin Roses. The true pink are Mary Rose and the slightly peach ones are Abraham Darby.

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  6. Beautiful. Everything about this is just beautiful. :)

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  7. Have to agree with Penny ... how blessed would your friends feel seeing the love you have placed before them!

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