Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Tablescape Thursday: Mother's Day Tray



Some of you who are new to my blog may not realize that Little Red House is my childhood home.  I come by my love of dishes from my mother, who collected stray dishes like some people collect stray dogs.

So, with my mother in mind, I've set a Mother's Day tray using some of her treasured pieces.




This antique cup, made in Germany,  is part of a set that includes the other members of the family as well. 




I used a beautiful lace-edged pillow case from the thrift store, ($1.50) to line the tray.  The linen napkin is part of a set of six that I found in an antique shop last year.  Don't you love a crisply ironed napkin?




I layered dishes for a rich effect.  The "charger" is from my mother's Noritake dinner set.  The beautiful hand-painted dish on top is Limoges.  It is one of a pair that we found in a trunk in the attic when we cleaned it out many years ago.




Here is a close-up of the beautiful painted flowers.




The real flowers on the tray are peonies and star of Bethlehem.  Shop-Rite has this great deal -- three bunches for $10.  So I treated myself.  :)




I wanted to show you a close-up of the small creamer I used as a vase.  It has such lovely pink flowers on it.




The napkin ring is really a candle ring, from Michael's, I think.




Happy Mother's Day, dear bloggers!




Many thanks to Susan, who is our sweet hostess for Tablescape Thursday.  Please take a few moments to visit her blog, Between Naps on the Porch, to see lots of beautiful tablescapes.

54 comments:

  1. Your tray is such a delight! It is wonderful that your mother has left you with the love of dishes and pretty things. Those flowers are incredible, I wish we could get peonies out her in California. Your photography was so soft and you could feel the love!

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  2. Oh my! What a beautiful post for Mother's Day. The peonies are just fantastic. Let's all remember our Mothers whether they are here or in a special seat in Heaven. Evert day,I stirve to be worthy of the honor of motherhood. Thank you for sharing.

    Charla

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  3. Happy Mother's Day Mary....your tray is beautiful...I love the old Mother cup...your photo's beautiful as usual....

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  4. Oh so pretty. The peonies are amazing...
    Your photos are beautiful...

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  5. Beautiful! I can't wait for my peonies to bloom! I love your Mother cup! All of your pictures are so beautiful!
    Hugs,
    Angela

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  6. Such gorgeous antiques and dishes..I love your photographs too - I can see you know what you are doing....Thanks for inspiring me !
    Hugs ~ Kammy

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  7. Oh my! This is quite lovely! I do love your Mother cup! Love your photos.

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  8. Oh Mary your tray is stunning!!!! My post today is also a tray but not even half as pretty as yours. Lovely photograpy!
    Happy Tablescape Thursday,
    Tam

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  9. Mary, Your post pulled at my heart strings. Thank you. Beautiful post and so appropriate. Blogs such as yours make me a better person.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  10. So pretty -- my mother left me with a love of china,too.

    Scribbler

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  11. gorgeous!!! I wish my grocery carried peonies.

    love all the dishes

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  12. Love your tablescape. The meaning behind each piece is priceless. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Oh, Dear Mary! I love this! Your heart is felt in every one of your posts and this one is no exception! Love all of your treasures and your mother would be so proud to know you're showing them to us! Happy Mother's Day to you!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  14. My German mother loves peonies, and Nachmittagskaffee (afternoon coffee). Your inspiring sight always helps me feel closer to her. Thank you, and Happy Mother's Day.

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  15. That is really pretty. I love the idea of using creamers for small flower vases. And using the lace-edged pillowcase. The peonies are just beautiful - love them.

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  16. Mary, I always have a mellow, peaceful feeling after viewing your post and this one is no different. Everything is beautiful, especially love the german cup.

    Happy mother's day

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  17. Gosh Woman! I love the photos! I mean I like the subject too...don't get me wrong...the peonys, nice. But the photos....pure talent.

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  18. Your photos are simply amazing as well is your lovely tray display...What talent!

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  19. Those flowers are gorgeous! What a beautiful setting. :)

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  20. What a lovely tribute for your mother by using her treasures for the tablescape.

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  21. Thank you, and Happy Mother's Day to you, dear Mary.

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  22. Great idea to use a candle ring as a napkin ring, the effect is really nice. Happy Mother's Day to you too.
    Gracie at http://mylittleplace.blog.com

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  23. Oh Mary--this is glorious. I am reminded of my own mother. And I am going to Shop Rite today for those peonies!

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  24. What a beautiful tray! It is so wonderful that you inherited such beautiful things and a shared love of them from your mother:>) Happy mothers day to you Mary!

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  25. beautiful! Happy Tablescape Thursday and Happy Mother's Day~ Susan

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  26. Beautiful! I love the peonies!

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  27. Just stunning!!! Absolutely magazine worthy. If I ruled the world, I would recruit you in a minute as a professional photo stylist! Happy Mother's Day!
    ~J~

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  28. Beautiful, as always. I recently spent a day thrift shopping with my daughter. She and I both share the love of dishes too. Happy Mother's Day to you. ~Kathy

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  29. Your lovely tray, those beautiful dishes, the Mother cup, the peonies (my favorite) - all of it makes an exquisite tablescape. Happy Mother's Day!

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  30. Oh what lovely dishes. Each piece is so wonderful on it's own and you have put them together so beautifully. I love the use of the creamer as a vase. It is so wonderful to have family treasures, I so appreciate every single one I have. Thanks for sharing and Happy Mothers Day. Hugs, Marty

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  31. Beautiful, stunning even. Does your daughter lean toward your tastes in the way that you lean toward your mother's? I only ask in hopes that she may set just such a tray for you this Mother's Day.

    I was intrigued in the quality of the porcelain cup made in Germany. I could see the similarity in the raised pattern and the porcelain itself to a little cup I purchased last weekend.

    Enjoy those peonies!

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  32. What a great tribute to your mom! Lovely pieces she's collected and you touches made it that much more special!

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  33. Blessed, indeed, is the mother to whom breakfast is served in such a fashion!

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  34. Thanks, all! Vee, she loves animals, appreciates flowers, and shows not one whit of love for antiques or dishes... I think they may be taking me out for brunch this Mother's Day. ;)

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  36. What a beautiful setting in honor of your mother.
    I think this would make a beautiful note card. I love peonies. Have a lovely Mother's Day!

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  37. So pretty and inviting.. I just wanna put my face into those peonies!
    ~Really Rainey~

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  38. Lovely tribute to mom and it is cool that you live in your childhood home.
    Also got a kick out of your...I'd rather be list on the side bar.

    If your going to dream, dream big!
    Happy MOM day to you,
    Candy

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  39. How cleverly you lined that tray! No, I didn't know you grew up in this house. That makes it very special, I'm sure. To have such memories. I never knew my mother, or lived in her house. But I so enjoy the stories from people like you.
    Brenda
    http://cozylittlehouse.blogspot.com
    http://viewfromthepines.com

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  40. so beautiful! What a gorgeous tribute to your mother!

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  41. Lovely.....A lovely Mother's Day tray and tribute to your mother. ....not to mention fabulous photos as well.

    Have a beautiful day.

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  42. Peonies... my absolute favorite since my grandmother had them lining her driveway when I was a child... great memory.

    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  43. Just devine, Mary...so so pretty.

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  44. Spectacular! I love everything on your tray. Including the croissant. The photos are breathtaking.

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  45. Happy Mothers Day to you too, Mary. Your little table setting is precious! I loved all of it. I always love the little settings with so much detail. The flowers are spectacular!! Takes on a dreamy quality! I love it!
    ~love and smiles~
    Mona

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  46. Wow, how beautiful-any Mother would be thrilled to have this tray served to her on Mother's Day. Such sweet and delicate pink flowers on the creamer...and of course I love your selection of real flowers! Just gorgeous! Miss Bloomers/Sonia

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  47. This is just such a lovely Mother's Day tray. How clever to use a pillow case to line the tray. Those dainty dishes are so pretty and perfect for Mother's Day. The flowers in the tea pot look so pretty. (I also live in my childhood home). laurie

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  48. As always, Mary, your tablescape, photography and creative talents are marvelous to look at. An inspiration and a joy!

    Happy Mother's Day "Mary" in NJ

    Blessings,
    Mary in Oregon

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  49. What a lovely way to remember your mother. Very, very pretty!

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  50. Happy Mother's Day dear Mary. Such a perfect way to keep your Mother in your thoughts and honor her! Using her treasures must be such a joy and comfort.
    Your tablescapes are always beautiful and your ohotos are...well...in a word, gorgeous!

    Love,
    Sue

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  51. I wish you the best day, Mary. I love this post.

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  52. Happy Mother's Day
    This is a beautiful post with beautiful dishes and pictures. I love how you have set up the tray with the lacy napkin...its so romantic.
    Lovely.
    Thank you for sharing
    Judi

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  53. Beautiful photographs!!! They should be made into still life paintings!!! Lovely dishes and flowers as well - you do an amazing job!!!

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