Valentine Luncheon 2013: part I.

The invitation. Quote from Thomas Jefferson: "Friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life."


My place at the dining room table. This china is called Brittany by Royal Crown Derby. I saw it before I was married on a table set for Valentine's at Gump's. I did not choose it for my wedding china, but it obviously made an impression because I remembered the name of the pattern some 13 years later when I began my annual Valentine luncheon. It had been discontinued but I have bought dinner plates from Replacements.com when they've gone on sale. This silver pattern was my grandmother's and is called Corsage by Stieff. I've added additional pieces from eBay and Replacements, but the pieces that belonged to my grandmother have her monogram on the back. I was named after her so at least the first initial matches mine! My crystal is Waterford Lismore and is the pattern I chose when Robert and I married in 1987


Close-up of dining room flowers. I'm not sure the picture fully conveys how exquisite these were. The dusty miller mixed with the roses, tulips and orchids was absolutely beautiful


Living room table


Close-up of living room flowers


Den table


Close-up of den flowers


Breakfast room table. You can barely see it, but this china and silver were ones I chose in 1987: Countryware by Coalport and Gorham Fairfax


Close-up of breakfast room flowers (I had the florist add some red to this arrangement since I would be using red placemats and glasses in here)


Party favors. My friend Anne-Murray in Birmingham did these for me. Aren't they adorable? Inside are some Valentine chocolates and a little handpainted heart magnet that she cleverly attached to a washer tied with pink ribbon


Kitchen counter


Mantle in the dining room


Corner cupboard


My mom sent me this pretty heart from Gump's that I hung on my den mantle


Hors d'oeuvres of Stilton Tart with Cranberry Chutney ready to be served


Becky with the other hors d'oeuvres, Fig and Blue Cheese Savouries. Friends who show up early at my house get put to work!


***New this year for my luncheon:

These heart-shaped placecard holders



and these organza table squares (two pink and one red)