Back for Bundt!

Hello, Dear Friends........twelve weeks past open heart surgery and a much harder recovery than I anticipated, I have re-entered the blogging world again. I can't tell you how excited I was to start digging through my tablescaping storage closet, and retrieve the things I would need for my first tablescape in many months. It was so wonderful to feel in control of my life once again and have the stamina to do what makes me so happy!  Thanks to Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen I had a starting point to aim for.  November 15th is National Bundt Day and Kathleen issued a challenge to complete a table that showcased the Bundt cake!  I participated last year and it was so much fun that I jumped to the challenge (well, I wouldn't say "jumped"; I sort of got up on my feet and walked!).  Here is the final result:

Here's How It Was Created:

I decided to create a fall table since I had not done one yet this year. So, I started with a fall tablecloth I had used for previous Thanksgiving tables.

I then added a woven grass placemat. I just wanted some texture on the table, and to tie in the burlap "runner" I wanted to use.

I wanted to create a dish stack, eventhough I'd really only be serving Bundt Cake with liquid refreshments. I  was just looking for a more formal look for the table since it's been the first one I've completed in so long! So I placed a brown charger with a woven design as my first layer.

I then added some new plates I bought in the clearance aisle in HomeGoods. They are made in Portugal and are called Value Ceramic SV . I loved their cream color and brown edging:  perfect for this time of year.

I added the matching napkin to the tablecloth as a buffer between plates on the dish stack. I just wanted some separation between the layers.

For my top layer, I used the cake plates from my Johnson Bros. Friendly Village set.  This is my go-to dinnerware for Thanksgiving and the fall.  I love the village patterns on the plates (especially the covered bridges!)

My place setting is completed with flatware from late mother-in-law, Johnson Bros. mugs, and amber-colored drinking glasses.

The centerpiece is , of course, the celebrated Bundt cake!  Since the table celebrates fall, I made a Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake (yummy!)  I overturned a ceramic bread basket (from the Italian Pottery shop in Santa Barbara)  to use as a cake stand.  Glass turkey taper holders and tapers (from Williams-Sonoma) complete the centerpiece. I should mention that this cake will be doing "double duty".  It's for the Challenge, but I'll also be sharing it with my special niece and nephew who are visiting from Pennsylvania to check in on me and celebrate their 10th Wedding Anniversary! Congratulations, Patty and Chris!!

Accent pieces on the table include the Johnson Bros.' sugar and creamer set, and an amber-colored glass pitcher with the face on an owl!

It felt so good to complete this table and blog post.  First, I had to find the right recipe and do some baking!  Then I started the whole process of planning a tablescape: scrounging around amid my supplies deciding what plates, etc. to use;  setting the table after ironing the linens; re-arranging things until the "picture" looks right; photographing the final result; then, writing my post and adding the photos before publishing.  It's been so long since I had the energy or mental capacity (cardiac drugs are DIFFICULT to live with!). But, with the help of my family (especially my Honey who saw to my every need; even styling my hair when I couldn't lift my arms above my head!) and loyal friends and blogging family whose prayers and moral support made such a difficult time bearable. Recovery became possible.  Many thanks to all of you. It feels wonderful to be back!

I'll be linking up to  Kathleen at www.cuisinekathleen.com for her Bundt Pan Challenge,
Susan at www.betweennapsontheporch.net for Tablescape Thursday and Christine at her Link It! party at www.rustic-refined.com Please take some time to visit these terrific blogs and enjoy what other bloggers are sharing.  Many thanks to these busy ladies for hosting these parties!

Your comments really do make my day! Thank you, in advance...