A Garden Party with the Birds and the Bees

Welcome to the 450th Tablescape Thursday!

I was in the mood for a springtime table this week. It all started when I shared this bee flatware that’s currently on sale in my last post. I hadn’t used it in a table setting in a while and I missed it!

 

We’re off to a garden party for this week’s Tablescape Thursday!

 

I kept the centerpiece simple–just a vase of beautiful blooms picked up at Trader Joe’s.

 

This is the week of using tableware I haven’t used in a while–Bee Skep Soup Tureens add a bit of whimsy to this garden party table setting. The pink floral napkin rings are from Pier 1 (I think) many years ago.

 

I think the last time I used the Bee Skep tureens was in this post: Spring Table.

 

A birds-eye view…the flowers really are the star of this show, aren’t they? 🙂

 

There’s the bee flatware that’s responsible for this whimsical spring table. By the way, this bee flatware is currently on sale right now for much less than I paid for it several years ago. You’ll find it available here: Bee Flatware.

 

Totally forgot to take a photo of the salad plate. I’m using my Herend Rothschild Bird salad plates since this spring table is all about flowers and the birds and the bees.

 

Here’s a photo of one of the plates from a previous table setting. Each plate has a different scene depicting birds in a tree playing with a necklace. This pattern was created for the Rothschild family of Europe in 1850 and it is considered by many to be the epitome of hand painting on porcelain.

The story behind the pattern dates back to a 19th century tale about a Baroness Rothschild, who had lost her pearl necklace in the garden of her Vienna residence. Several days later it was found by her gardener, who saw birds playing with it in a tree. Such a cute story! If you look closely, you’ll see the little necklace up in the tree with the birds. I’ll try to add a better photo of this dishware to the post tomorrow once it’s daylight out.

 

Update: Here are two photos I took this morning. Each salad plate depicts a different scene.

 

Herend created 12 different scenes for this pattern, so it’s possible to buy 12 place settings and each one have a different scene/pattern showing different birds. I LOVE this china but since it’s all hand-made and hand-painted, it’s quite expensive. I only have 8 salad plates and I cherish those. You’ll find this beautiful china available here: Herend Rothschild Bird.

 

I love the way the napkins spill down onto the table…they make me think of a beautiful ball gown.

 

Birdie wine glasses are from Old Time Pottery many years ago. I love using them during the spring and summer months.

 

The Bee Skep soup tureens were another find in Old Time Pottery many years ago.They only had 5, but I lucked out and was able to find a 6th one online.

 

I should have included a soup spoon at each place setting. I promise if there had been soup in these bowls, I definitely would have! 🙂

 

Happy Springtime, dear Friends! So glad you are here on this beautiful spring day!

 

Looking forward to all the tables linked for this week’s Tablescape Thursday!

Tablescape Thursday

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Comments

  1. Your Rothschild china is fabulous, and I love the accompanying story! I’m coveting your Beehive soup tureens. Such a beautiful spring table. I’m joining in today since I have my Cinco de Mayo tablescape up on my blog.

    Thanks so much!

  2. Love this table setting … but tell us … what foods would you serve? Just curious of your selections … hot or cold? Inquiring minds want to know! Have a good day and I thoroughly enjoy your posts!

  3. Love those bee skep soup tureens and the pretty Rothschild salad plates. That’s a sweet story that goes along with those plates too! The wine glasses adorned with the birds are so pretty! The napkins are so pretty along with the pink napkin ring (morning glory?). Perfect spring tablescape!

  4. The bee skep tureens are perfect for a cold summer soup. What have you served in them? I would never have guessed that there would be a story behind the plate designs–so special.

    • Wouldn’t it be fun to serve a honey-based soup in them! lol I just googled and found a Cream of Carrot and Honey Soup recipe. I may have to try that!

  5. I’m in love with your table Susan! I don’t remember seeing your adorable Bee Skep Soup Tureens before and I’ve always been a fan of those Rothschild Bird salad plates!

  6. Absolutely love this table setting. I have fallen in love with your bee soup tureens, actually love anything with bees! One of my favorite flatware is the bee encrusted pattern and yes, that set is now priced for less than we both paid for it a few years ago! Enjoy the rest of your week!

    • THanks, Gina! I’m guessing that’s it has become such a popular seller for them, they must be able to buy it for a better price. Definitely a great deal now!

  7. Such a fun spring table Susan, and those bee skep tureens are the bees knees!! Thanks for the tabletop fun!

  8. Oh Susan, what a beautiful tablescape, so many things I haven’t seen from you before! I especially love the beehive soup tureens and the Herend bird plates. The latter are definitely on my tablescaping “bucket list”. I bought the Napoleon Bee flatware in gold trim last year, it was also on sale at Horchow last year–of course, you turned me on to that. I do have large cabbage charger plates and white sculpted trim plates, but the rest of the dishes I would have to hunt for. The napkin rings and glassware are so perfect and so sweet! Thanks again for another great Tablescape Thursday.

  9. Well, thank you for such a lovely spring energizer! It was just the “pick me up” I needed–as I am here in Georgia with you, Susan, or a rainy day. But hey, that feeds the flowers. It has reminded me I started spring cleaning, and old age intervened. But, now I am reminded with your tablescape that spring waits on no woman–so, I’m off to clean out a closet. Thanks, Susan!

  10. Your table is fabulous! Those beehive soup tureens are so unique, your napkins compliment them perfectly. I went to your link for the bee flatware – I am so tempted, I have been crushing on yours for so long.

  11. Susan, I love your tablescape! The bee skep tureens are precious! I so miss our Old Time Pottery stores. They both closed a few years ago. I bought many decor items there and even several lamps from them. I love all your tablescape posts, but especially love the ones you put together in your home. You are a great inspiration to me and have taught me a lot. I have always loved to set pretty tables. Keep up the good work; I look forward to Thursdays!

  12. Susan, you have an amazing talent for decorating tabletops and homes. I look forward to your post everyday. I can’t always duplicate your pictures and ideas exactly but you give me wonderful ideas to use what I have and enhance my home with your ideas. Thank you for sharing with us your talent.

  13. Charlotte says

    Oh my heart skipped a beat when I saw those Bee Skep Soup Tureens – those are so cute! I used to go to Old Time Pottery when I lived in Houston, but we don’t have one here in New Orleans. They have such great stuff, I used to spend hours there. This table just says Springtime Party, so fun!

  14. Susan Schexnayder says

    The table looks happy and ready to greet guests. I like the soup tureens – but storage would be a problem. The story of the pearls and birds was very interesting. Thank you for sharing. Susan

  15. What a beautiful and fresh Spring tablescape. I love those Bee Skep Tureens. Every item you have used for this scape is perfectly matched and so fun with a ton of whimsy. I love it! Thanks for hosting Tablescape Thursday as well.

  16. I adore those soup tureens!!! Peanut soup for lunch today! franki

  17. Darlene Gardner says

    Susan, I just love this table! I don’t recall seeing your bee skep dishes before. They are so pretty and perfect with the salad plates, glassware and centerpiece. You are such an inspiration to me. Again, love this so much!

  18. Off to Trader Joe’s. Annual Derby party Saturday. Ladies in hats of course. Buy the hat where church hats are sold for best selection.

  19. Oh, my, what a Spring Thursday! This is such an explosion of detail. What fun, Susan. I’m enjoying this almost as much as my favorite of favorites: Alice in Wonderland. Have a great day!

  20. What a delightful tabelscape. The flowers are gorgeous and I love the napkins. Your bee skep tureens are darling and the glasses and flatware are the perfect touch.
    Such a sweet story about the pearl necklace, too!

  21. Oh my gosh, Susan – it’s beautiful! Not to discredit your flowers, but those bee skep tureens and flatware are the stars IMO! Just a wonderful spring table, thanks for hosting.

  22. So pretty and whimsical, absolutely perfect for spring!

  23. barbara says

    This is so you!!!! fun, fabulous, fantastic!!!!!

  24. I have been coveting your beehive soup tureens ever since I first saw them some years back. The cheerful flowers must have been picked to go with the lovely dinner napkins. Everything looks charming!

  25. Those soup tureens are beautiful, I don’t remember them so glad you used them! The Rothchild salad plates are gorgeous! I am so glad I bit the bullet years ago and got the Napoleon bee flatware. I love it too!!! Thanks again for hosting.

  26. Barbara says

    I love the whole setting but particularly the beautiful glasses. Can’t get many of the items here in Australia but I look for similar. I recently set my table in what I thought was a pretty layout with pink tones for our close friends. The first thing my friend did was move the flowers because she said she couldn’t see me. Spoilt the whole display but she is a friend so I couldn’t say anything. I might not try so hard next time. I really appreciate it when someone goes to a lot of trouble for me.

    • Barbara, I’m sorry that happened. The very last thing I would ever do is rearrange a setting when I’ve been invited to a dinner or a party.:( I’m surprised that she did that. I don’t know if this is helpful, but what I normally do is I create whatever beautiful table/centerpiecee I wish to create. Then my guests arrive and they are always thrilled with the table and happy that I’ve worked so hard to create something magical for them. Then, when we sit down to dinner, if it’s a tall centerpiece, I will move it to the sideboard or somewhere near by where it can still be enjoyed. So, I want to encourage you to create to your hearts desire. Create whatever beautiful centerpiece you wish. If it happens to be a tall one, just move it to a sideboard of somewhere nearby when everyone sits down for dinner. XXX

  27. The table is beautiful, but, those napkins. I thought that you had doubled the napkins, but, it looks as though they are lined in green.

    • Thanks, Barbara! They are lined with a green print fabric, but I did double them, too. 🙂 I wish I had six of the napkins, I would have set a table for six. I tried to use some other napkins so I could set a table for six, but none of the other napkins I tried looked right, so settled for 4 place settings.

  28. Susan, you have such beautiful things and I’ve never known someone who had so much tableware. So much of your dishware, glassware and flatware can be mixed and matched, which is a compliment to your good taste and artistic eye. While I seldom entertain anymore (both children have large homes that are more accommodating to family and friends), I still appreciate seeing what a pretty table would look like if I did. Keep inspiring me ….

  29. Cynthia Raines says

    Over-the-top! Love the bee skep soup tureens and of course the bee flatware – the sale is SO tempting (Be still my heart!) Cute bird/ necklace story. Susan, will you share the lemon meringue recipe? I LOVE lemon meringue pie, but the site listed a key lime pie. Would love to try your recipe. Thanks sister! 🙂

    • Thanks! Oh, I forgot that was the Key Lime recipe. I do have a Lemon Meringue recipe that I’ve made several times over the years and it’s a really easy one to make. I’ll look for the recipe, I think I know where I have it stashed.

    • Cynthia, this is the one I have used in the past. I found it in a magazine many years ago. The coupon for the crust that was beside the recipe expired March 31st, 1982. lol So that’s how long ago I found it.
      Here’s the recipe:

      Creamy Lemon Meringue Pie
      Ingredients:
      1 (6-oz) Keebler Butter Flavored Ready-Crust Pie Crust
      3 eggs, separated
      1 (14-oz) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
      1/2 cup lemon juice
      1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
      1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
      1/3 cup sugar

      I’m not sure why, but I struck through 3 eggs and wrote 2 eggs, and I struck through 1/3 cup sugar and wrote 1/4 cup. I haven’t made this in quite a while, so I have no idea why I did that. You may want to follow the directions exactly the first time and then make adjustments if needed the next time.

      Directions say:
      Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
      In medium size bowl, beat egg yolks.
      Stir in sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and rind.
      Turn into pie crust.
      In small mixer bowl, beat egg whites (at room temperature) with cream of tartar until foamy.
      Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff, but not dry.
      Spread meringue on top of filling, sealing carefully to edge of crust.
      Place filled pie on cookie sheet in oven and bake 12-15 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.
      Cool, then chill.
      Makes 1 pie.

      My experience with meringue is it can go from not-brown-at-all to burnt in a heart beat, so keep an eye on it, especially as it gets close to the end time.

      I’ll email this to you, too. I may just have to make this sometime soon. 🙂

  30. bobbi duncan says

    Beautiful table setting, Susan–just perfect for this time of year! Your menu sounds yummy, too. So glad spring has come as everything is so lush and colorful again. Took a nice long walk at Winterthur today–what a breathtaking place! I am so very fortunate to live in an area of six gardens very near to our home where my walks are enhanced with such beauty. I often think Heaven must really be something extraordinary if it can top all of this. Hugs!

  31. Barbara Dercks says

    Dear Susan,
    Could you please tell me the finish that you have on your hardwood floors? Thank you so much!!!!!

    • Sure, it’s what the company I use calls a “satin” finish. The stain color is a custom color they always mix to match my other hardwood floors previously installed.

    • Oh, did you mean on the porch? That a semi-gloss finish on the screened porch where I have this table setting.

  32. jillian says

    Thanks for posting the older posts, so fun to peruse. I was just thinking yesterday I should do a tabletop with our leaded glass terrarium and wondering what else to do. I love what you did there! My greenhouse is about the same size. Using the terra cotta is brilliant, and can be used later for plants. Will have to alter the dessert a bit as I am allergic to wheat and dairy, but can figure out an alternative. Very cute.

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