Thursday, July 11, 2013

Dining Al Fresco

My blog friend, Gracie, has been traveling and visiting friends and family in California for several weeks.  She brought her sister Carolyn back with her to Oregon for a two week visit - and wanted me to meet her.  So, I invited them to the farm for lunch on the deck.  I laid a fresh tablecloth, brewed some iced tea, sliced some lemon and set the table under the gazebo with my Jadeite dishes and vintage mother-of-pearl handled silverware. 
Have you ever seen this kind of silverware?  I just love it, the handles are made from shells and are iridescent.  I think I need to shine them up!
My sister Denise gave me two boxes of the Ball jars for my birthday that have been re-issued as a limited edition - they are so fun to use as glasses!  If you want some, you should grab them now. 
Dayle picked a few flowers for the table - I wish you could smell this Double Delight rose! 
We had such a healthy and delicious lunch with Gracie's salad and our smoky grilled salmon!  She had avocado, sliced peppers and cherry tomatoes from her vines - and brought Bing cherries for dessert!  YUM! 
Life is a bowl of cherries!  These were fresh, big, sweet and juicy! 
My dear friend Gracie -- we chatted away catching up and enjoying the day.  Do you see my vintage Corningware covered pan with original carrier - I used it as an ice bucket. 
Meet Carolyn!  It was fun to get to know Gracie's sister. 
We were all laughing in this photo.. :-) 
After lunch we came in the house for a while and I showed them the pink dress I knitted for my Miss Maggie Maria bunny, and showed them the octopus ink painting of a barn I did for my mother years ago when she lived on a farm in Scio, OR - this was a lovely barn I would see on my way to visit her there.  
Today I am heading off soon for lunch with my sister Denise, friend Shirley at Ye Old Pub in Troutdale, then we'll be to volunteer at Multnomah Falls for the afternoon!  Thank you for visiting.. have a wonderful day!!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

18 comments:

  1. Fun, fun, fun!! I'm so sorry to have missed your luncheon. There is a definite family resemblance between Gracie and Carolyn. What fun you had together and your lunch looks simply delicious. I'm SO jealous!!!!!

    Have a lovely weekend my friend.

    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  2. What a nice time you all had. It must have been fun to meet Gracie's sister. Your lunch looks delicious and you set the table so beautifully. I saw those blue jars at Target, I think. They're very pretty.

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  3. Oh Teresa where to start- so many beautiful things and what a beautiful photo of you,Gracie and her sister. I just love the colour of the cherries against your jadeite. The rose is divine. Love the painting you are so clever. Love and hugs Anne x

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  4. Looks like such a fun time. I loved your table setting with the mother of pearl cutlery. They really suited the colours of the china and lowers. How nice to eat under he gazebo as well! You all look so happy. Joan

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  5. This looks like such a good time. LOVE those Mason Jars, but haven't seen them in my area. I snagged a few 1/2 pint jars just the other day.

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  6. You are all so adorable, I could give each and everyone of you a big squeeze. So glad you had fun.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  7. Wonderful time you all had and the food looked delish ☺

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  8. I agree, the 3 of you look quite fetching, all smiles and having a wonderful time. It is great that you are giving the new gazebo a workout and enjoying this summer out there. Your table looks inviting. Another blogger friend had received those canning jars from her daughter, I haven't seen them around here though.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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  9. We did have such a lovely time with you and Dayle, Teresa! Carolyn said today she was so glad she had the chance to meet you two and loves her memories of getting to know you and enjoy your beautiful farm. But in the midst of enjoying Buddy and admiring Lucy we FORGOT to visit the chickens!!! What? How could that be? However, we remembered to consult Katie when we got home about how to treat broody hens. Katie says that on their farm in Nebraska they put the affected hens in a separate pen with food and water but no place to nest. She says it takes them about two weeks to start laying again. I am trying to imagine how you could pen your affected hens within their big pen to block them from their nests. I think you could, but will be interested to hear if you give it a try. Hope you had a good day at the Falls. The weather is perfect, isn't it? xx, Gracie

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  10. What a lovely lunch in such a beautiful setting Teresa. You are such a charming host. Enjoy the sunshine.....I'm off to Buckingham Palace today...yes seriously...to attend the Coronation Festival in the gardens...Jane x

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  11. What a beautiful tablescape and lovely friends too! Good to see Gracie back home!
    I recently had seen the new Ball canning jars and love them too.
    Oh Scio...one of my favorite places in Linn County...love your painting of the barn there!
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  12. Hi Teresa,Those cherries look plump and very delicious!!!Yum-Yum-Yum!!!Nice to see bloggers meeting in person!!!Have a wonderful weekend!!!
    Love
    AMarie

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  13. Well I can definitely tell those two are sisters and you all look so nice with that beautiful summer greenery behind you! The table is set beautifully and it looks as though a good time was had by all!

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  14. Teresa, you make the most wonderful Hostess, preparing such a beautiful table and meal for Gracie and her sister. So happy that you are getting such good use out of your new gazebo! What a perfect day...the group pictures says it all!
    Big Hugs!!! ♥Shari

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  15. I want to come xxxx

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  16. Your setting for lunch looks so good. I remember my Mum had cutlery with the bone handles - they seemed to be very popular back then.

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  17. I'm having trouble with leaving comments again....... I was going to add that its so nice for you to be able to spend time with your bloggy friend. Nice pics. xoxox

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  18. The table looked lovely...such pretty cutlery and flowers.....and how nice to see you with Gracie and her sister! It was also a pleasure to see your lovely painting.....what a talented lady you are!
    Helen x

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