A high school girlfriend luncheon was the occasion for this cute Easter tablescape at the home of one of our classmates. I love her cute Annalee rabbits and how she used her english dogwood or some call it sweet mock orange. Her centerpiece was simple to do but perfect.
Googling Annalee dolls, I was intrigued by their history. Sharing with you from annalee.com : The tale begins with a young woman meticulously dyeing felt fabric and the freehand painting of doll faces during the Depression. The tale continues daily in a design room, a short stroll from Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith, NH.
Annalee Thorndike and husband, Chip, lived on a chicken farm in Meredith. After the chicken farm failed in the early 1950's, Annalee was forced to get serious about her childhood hobby of doll-making. The old chicken coop became a design room. Chip became a salesman. Annalee became a doll maker. The mischievous and whimsical faces for her dolls began a great business still active today. The interesting complete history of the company can be found at annalee.com.
I apologize my pics are a little blurred. It is hard to discretely make pictures at a function.
I love this container and have a similar one. It is easy to arrange and doesn't take too many flowers. Sweet mock orange or english dogwood is a very hardy shrub with long lasting, citrus-fragrant white blooms. It blooms in late spring to early summer. It can be invasive so it has to be kept in check. My goal this spring is to get one of the babies from my friend and plant in my garden.
There are varieties that only grow 3-4 feet high and others that may attain a height of up to 8 feet or more.
Food is always an important part of social functions.
A huge bowl of chicken salad and my favorite~ marinated carrots
Drop biscuits...Yum!
Where there are old friends there is always laughter and fun conversation.
We get together about three or four times a year at each other's houses.
Lime sherbet parfaits always are a hit. You know, I just donated my parfait glasses when I redid my kitchen. Why did I do that? Now, I wish I had kept them.
Everyone can not always attend but pictures are shared on FB. I have wonderful memories of these sweet ladies during our high school years and heartwarming thoughts of our present friendships. This luncheon was last spring in April. I think I'll start documenting our lunches from now on. I'll post nearer to Christmas our Christmas lunch so we'll all enjoy getting decorating ideas.
Living Thankfully, Bonnie
Linking to:
Metamorphosis Monday, Show and Share,The Scoop, Inspire Me Tuesday, The Enchanting Rose, Wow Us Wednesdays, Tablescape Thursday, Thoughts of Home,Feathered Nest Friday, Home Sweet Home ,
Foodie Friday,
Dishing It and Digging It.
I love mock orange!!! I grew up by an old Victorian farmhouse and the foundation plantings included this gorgeous mock orange bush that I loved to see bloom every year. Your bunnies are so cute and the parfaits look delicious! Thanks for leaving your sweet comment!
ReplyDeleteI love mock orange!!! I grew up by an old Victorian farmhouse and the foundation plantings included this gorgeous mock orange bush that I loved to see bloom every year. Your bunnies are so cute and the parfaits look delicious! Thanks for leaving your sweet comment!
ReplyDeleteI've never smelled mock orange but now I want to and it was interesting to learn about Annalee Dolls. I'd never heard of them but what an inspiring story. Love, love, love the girlfriend gathering! I need to find you on FB. Those parfaits were beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun luncheon. I like it when people make an effort to set a pretty table and this one is very pretty indeed with those adorable rabbits.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Oh I love mock orange, such sweet blooms and perfect with the Annalee Doll for the centerpiece. The food looks so delicious and those parfaits! It's always fun getting together with friends for a luncheon.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Sunday Bonnie……….
Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteI just love your southerness...is that a word? lol You always remind me of how it was growing up in a south Georgia town. My life isn't like this now but, oh, how I miss it.. It seems you and I could have grown up together. much in common...
I have an old hedge of mock orange. It blooms really well some years. I think it is in need of some restoration pruning.. I have to pay attention or the army worms will strip it bear in the spring almost overnight....BUT, I still love it..did you get one for your garden?
I love your blog...
Love, Mona
I love mock orange, I wish I had some to snip and enjoy the blooms and fragrance! I see Annalee dolls at HomeGoods from time to time and their expressions on their faces always make me smile :)
ReplyDeleteBonnie, how wonderful that you still get together with high school friends! Thanks for sharing the interesting story about Annalee dolls! The food looks scrumptious and I love marinated carrots, we will have to compare recipes! The mock orange is so fragrant, I need to plant one! Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteI loved learning the history of the Annalee dolls. The food looks so good! I am a bit late in visiting due to it being college finals week for me but I am so very happy you joined Thought of Home on Thursday and shared this delightful gem.
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie, such a lovely luncheon, especially with high school girlfriends. Interesting about Annalee dolls. i do see them at Tuesday Morning.
ReplyDeleteThe party and food look so wonderful. One never knows when we will need something we donate. Congrats on you being featured at Dishing It & Digging it. xo
Oh how fun, Bonnie. I meet with my College friends at least every other year and it is always a blast and I can imagine how mych fun you had. The table is beautiful and the food delicious...Christine
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice luncheon! The food looks delicious. I have a friend with a large Annalee collection: her name is Lee!:):) Thanks so much for your visit.
ReplyDeleteOh the luncheon looks wonderful and I just love everything about it. Making lots of memories. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDelete