It's the time of year that I go rummaging around my cupboards for bits of china that feature game birds to use on my table. It's still a while yet before the Canadian Geese and Sandhill Cranes arrive in the fields, but a few early stragglers have already gathered together in the dining room.
I have plenty of white china patterns to unify everything. For some reason these majolica pear plates turn up more in my tablescapes of fall and winter.
Over the summer I found a new to me vintage cross-stitched tablecloth. It was only four or five dollars at the flea market, and I thought instantly of camping and fall picnics when I first saw it. In fact I did take it along with me on our last campout. It has been so well loved that it is worn to shreds in a couple of corners. But that just adds to the romance! I always layer my tablecloths anyway.
It seems that I'm always foraging about like an old pea hen for bits and pieces of fall themed china when I'm out and about in the field. A sturdy old ironstone teacup caught my fancy some time ago. It blends well with a few stray saucers that have turned up as well.
Both my grey and pumpkin colored linen napkins work well with this theme. I splurged and bought four of each last season. For a large group they can be mixed together with this cloth. The woodland ducks seem to like them a lot.
I was in the mood for a flirty little petticoat peeking out underneath. It feels like a nice country touch, but also softens the colors and tone. I might use my white ruffled linen napkins with this combination at some point too.
The underskirt is an adventurous twin size bed skirt. I'd love to get my hands on some ruffly linen version to layer on sometime too.
A small biscuit jar with songbirds fits right in. It would make a darling vessel for daisies or mums.
But all we have at the moment are a few onions and weeds. . . .
Turkey hens adorn the outside of these teacups, while a flying tom turkey shows off within. I pair them with English saucers with a geometric pattern.
A demitasse cup is just for show. I don't know how I would ever resist any other Furnivals Quail pattern pieces that might cross my path. (I have purposely not gone looking for those. Besides, I prefer the hunt and peck method.)
The cottonwood leaves have just begun turning to gold along the river. Like the corners of my cloth, the old season is in tatters at its edges. But the table is all ready for cozy weather to arrive.
I have a sudden urge to whip up a savory soup. Maybe pumpkin. Some flakey rolls would be perfect too. Shall I set a place for you? So glad you stopped by!
Jacqueline
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