5th Annual Tablescape Contest Honorable Mentions

The Tablescape Contest produced so many wonderfully inspiring stories and photos this year that I couldn't let an opportunity pass to share many more of them with you.

Adelle Belnap's Treehouse Teatime is imaginative and provides a touching story.  In her words:
"I spend every day with my children.  We rarely have time apart.  Yet there are days when I find myself watching them but not really seeing them.  I work around my little ones on the tasks I have on my "to do" list and forget that the most important people on my list are being overlooked.

"Over the past few months, my daughter has been asking to use the tea set her Great-Grandma painted for her as a gift when she was born.  My response was always, 'No, not today' or 'Maybe later'.

"After reading the theme for the Tablesetting Competition, something inside me clicked.  I realized that the most important guests that will ever sit at my table can barely see over it right now.  They might not appreciate the beauty of the platters or the symmetry of the centerpiece, but they will feel the love that spending special time together around the table brings.

"So, this time when my daughter asked about the tea set, I dropped everything else and said, "Yes."

One Night With the Queen: a midsummer night's tea by Lisa

When the Queen comes to town, naturally we want to have her over for tea!

Here in our backyard in Hawaii, we have a flowering cactus plant which blooms with a very large white blossom called a Night Queen.  So-called because it opens only in the middle of the night, and by morning, she's gone.

Late last night, we found the one such blossom had just opened, and it was time to celebrate the arrival of the Queen, with a tea party held in her honor.

Kristina Kellett's breakfast in bed reminds us that it's the little moments that count.  There's nothing sweeter than a quiet weekend breakfast in bed; whether it's shared over good conversation with a loved one, or relaxing and unwinding with a beloved book.

Kate Snapp loves a royal wedding.  She invited 7 of her girlfriends to come by for a Royal Wedding Breakfast.  They brought 4 of their little ones to the early morning event., who arrived in tiaras to a thoughtfully decorated "kids table."

Seeing their delightful faces is enough to bring a smile to mine.

Nazra Knutsen's story is another one that reminds us of the impact Spontaneous Gatherings can have on our lives.  In her words:

"My husband's immediate family lives on a small island named, Karmoy, in Norway. It is truly a beautiful place - with rolling hills of snow surrounded by the rolling waves of the ocean.  There are no coffee shops to sit and chat with friends at.  It is also pretty expensive to eat out.  So when we were there visiting, we had MANY spontaneous gatherings at home with friends & family.  It is normal to just "pop" on by for a cup of coffee without notice...and if you do give notice, it's not more than a few hours in advance!  It's very common for people to have cakes or pastries in their freezer or cookies on hand...with the expectation of people dropping by! One (of the many) times that we stopped by for a visit with my husband's grand-mother, she pulled out her finest china, lace tablecloths, the prettiest carafe, and her special silver dessert forks and enjoyed talking over coffee or tea & special dessert cakes. We always felt like the "guests of honor" - as each person we visited always made us feel so special & appreciated that we took the time to visit with them!  What a different mentality we have here in the US!  I'm always making plans a week or two in advance (at least!) and if we have people over to our house, I always give myself plenty of time to make sure my house looks totally put together and that I'm prepared to have guests (are my toilets clean & the floor vacuumed!?) I'd love to always be prepared for someone to drop by for a coffee & some cookies! I'm definitely going to have to work on this." 

Nazra is right!  We've somehow turned a spontaneous visit into an inconvenience in this country, and it's time for all of us to work on bringing back the joy and simplicity of connecting.

Speaking of that, I really liked the American feel of the Tablescape and story submitted by Dawn Grisham.  She mentioned how the oppressive summer heat caused her and her family (including their golden retriever) to wait until dusk to have an evening picnic.  She made a delicious pineapple pie from her late father-in-law's legendary recipe and had a memorable family evening with dinner and games at the park.

When I came across this entry from Vanessa Vanhille, I was moved by how impacted she has been in such a short time.  In her words:

"I first discovered Rosanna last month and have embraced her philosophy and creativity.  I have purchased and read her book, Coming Home, which has helped me establish and plan family traditions with love and wholesome food at its core.  My family now has three evenings a week that are our family "events."  We come together around a beautiful table, eat home-cooked wholesome food and dine (no rushing allowed).  It has been transformative for me.  So, understanding that I am an amateur and new to the Rosanna philosophy, here is my submission:

"I recently returned from a trip to Nice, in southern France.  My next door neighbor wanted to hear all about it.  I invited her to come over to to my front porch to share some hot chocolate.  The tray and its decor are souvenirs I brought home with me that typify that region of France.  I have sprayed some perfume (also a souvenir from the Riviera) on the skewers that are in the vase.  Even the candy has France ties.  I wanted everything about our spontaneous gathering to speak of my recent trip.

Another European-inspired idea came in from Ginger Mokher.  She shares, "An Italian-themed menu and tablescape is one of the easiest to pull together when hosting a sponteanous meal.  Rosanna's Pasta Italiana Collection features recipes for different Italian meals, and was my inspiration to acquire a repertoire of Italian recipes that are easy to prepare in advance with larger quantities.  I usually prepare enough so that at the end of the evening, my guests have not only the fresh memory of rich, relational connections, but also a full take-home container of this soulful meal."

I was thrilled to see more men entering the contest this year as well.  Bryan Harber prepared a beautiful tablescape for entertaining with elegant dishware and the Kings Road Collection.

Again, thank you to everyone who entered this year's Tablescape Contest.  As you can see, choosing the winners announced earlier this week was a very difficult task.

As a result of this contest I hope you've found inspiration in the stories and photos shared, and that you can find your own ways to continue to make family traditions and connect with others through spontaneous gatherings.

SPECIAL INFO FOR FEATURED ENTRIES

Those entries that have been featured on this blog entry will be notified by email by a member our customer service team with details on how to claim a small token of our appreciation.  If you have any questions in the meantime, please email info@rosannainc.com.

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5th Annual Tablescape Winners

When we decided on the theme of the "Spontaneous Gathering" for this year's Tablescape Contest, our hope was that it would inspire people to invite loved-ones by for an improptu dinner, snack, or visit.  We wanted to remind people that it wasn't too long ago that having someone drop in was a celebrated event, and that gatherings didn't need to be planned out weeks in advance.  At Rosanna, we have truly been moved by your stories and elevated by your decor ideas.  As always, it was very difficult to choose winners among the dozens and dozens of entries received.  We are thrilled to share with you our picks and their stories.

FIRST PRIZE

Our First Prize winner is Kendall Weldon, age 11.  There was something about many of the entries this year by young people.  They were so fresh!  Kendall's design design, theme, and story truly moves me to be inspired by the rising generation.

Kendall chose Rosanna's Red Dots and Jolly Holiday
pieces as part of her tablescape.

Kendall's Story

My name is Kendall Weldon and I am 11 years old and have been part of your table setting contest for 3 years. I get together with my mom, aunt, and grandma and your table setting contest has now become a family tradition. I have such a fun time coming up with a table setting and love hanging with my family too! My Spontaneous table setting comes from watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas and thinking it would be fun to have a "WHO" inspired party. I would invite my 3 best friends for tea, dessert, and lots of giggles!

Kendall's tablescape is adorable, and I especially love how the tablescape contest has become a family tradition.  This Oregon family--comprised of matriarch Tresa Nichols, daughters Brooke Weldon and Ashley Nichols Lee, and now granddaughter, Kendall Weldon--truly embody the "Spirit of Rosanna" by making this an annual family ritual.  Husbands and brothers prepare the yard beforehand for the pictures, carry the chosen dishes outside, and do the photography.  As Tresa states, "We laugh, we fuss, we run in and out bringing the dishes outside and have a blast!"  Truly connecting with each other as part of this family tradition earns them this entire family the "Spirit of Rosanna" award.  Other family entries can be seen below.  (Click on the photo to enlarge).

Rosanna's Artist's Loft & Victoriana Noir products are featured.

SECOND PRIZE   
I loved the originality of the Spontaneous Gathering of our Second Prize winner, Andrea Spencer.  The youthfulness and joie de vivre of these young adults sitting down to a table together, without electronic devices, to enjoy each other's company is uplifting.

Andrea's Story
When we heard about the contest we decided to throw an UN-expected UN-birthday party.  Everyone had only days to get their costumes together and then we jumped down the rabbit hole to our own Wonderland.  The tablescape was a fun collaboration; with everyone contributing their tea pots and candlesticks.  The party was a big hit with mini iced-cupcakes with the words "eat me" on them, and a recitation of "The Jabberwocky."


Andrea's party will certainly not be soon forgotten by her guests, or by us here at Rosanna!




THIRD PRIZE
Lisa Moore's entry reminds us to enjoy life and all that surrounds us.  Her spontaneous picnic brunch in the mountains had, in her words, "all the pleasures of the stunning surroundings, quality food, and good hearts.  Picnics are a top passion of mine.  It's a way to escape the rush of our circular lives and step away to appreciate the beauty that is always there, but often forgotten."  You're right Lisa!  Thank you for sharing this reminder, and beautiful tablescape with us!

Lisa showcases Rosanna's La Vie Boho & Parisian Glass Collections

FOURTH PRIZE
With the end of our contest coinciding with the unofficial end of summer, I felt a longing for wanting more time outside near the beach.  Pia Vanhanen's entry really connected with me.  She said, "I have created a natural coastal theme for our table, using rocks from our local beaches as napkin weights in case of light evening winds.  I have collected shells and use them also as personal butter/oil dishes for each guest.  Driftwood and Japanese fishing floats add to the relaxed coastal charm."  Pia's tablescape reminds us all that spontaneous gatherings, like this table, should develop organically.

Pia's tablescape includes Rosanna's original Boho collection.

TABLE OF THE WEEK DRAWING

This year we also featured a Table of the Week on our Facebook and Twitter pages.  We looked through the entries that came in each week and chose one to showcase.  Last week we placed each of those entries in a drawing for a Rosanna Gift Certificate, and Bryn Howell, won the drawing.  

Bryn threw a Bridal Shower recently for her best friend and mixed in some vintage pink depression glasses in with items from the Rococo Noir Collection.  It's evident that the "love" and thought Bryn put into her tablescape made for an enjoyable shower.



INSPIRED GATHERINGS THAT CREATE TRADITIONS
Among the entries, there are quite a few honorable mentions that we know would inspire our readers---possibly in their design, their story, or their beauty.  We will be sharing those in a future blog post later this week.  Congratulations to all our winners, and a special thank you to everyone who entered our contest this year.  I hope that you will continue the tradition of having "Spontaneous Gatherings" with friends and neighbors and continue to truly connect with those around you.

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PRIZE INFO FOR WINNING ENTRIES
Those entries that have been chosen will be notified by email by a member of our customer service team within the next week with details on how to claim their Rosanna Gift Certificate prize.  Please be patient, our website at www.rosannainc.com will be relaunched during this timeframe with an all new look, new shopping experience, and new products as part of our Fall/Winter Collection.  We want to make sure that your Gift Certificate is compatible with our new website.  If you have any questions in the meantime, please email info@rosannainc.com. 

Preparing An Independence Day To Remember

The USA has a birthday that’s just around the corner, and it’s time to think about how we’re going to celebrate.

Here are some tips to help create a delightful and delicious 4^th of July gathering.

Decorate with Vintage Americana

I like my 4^th of July decorations to make a statement. Over the years, I’ve acquired a collection of vintage flags and Americana, which I mix and match with newer decorations and dinnerware. I find that incorporating vintage and antique decorations into the mix adds some soul to the aesthetic of the event.

There are numerous inventive ways you can decorate with your flags—place smaller flags in a vase as a centerpiece on your table, or use an extra large flag as a tablecloth.

You can collect vintage flags and decorations at flea markets or your local vintage store. You can also find some gems online at sites like Etsy and even eBay.

Tablesetting

Always have a set of 12 white dinner plates and 12 white napkins.  This is one of my little secrets.   Doing this allows you to mix and match salad plates to create hundreds of possible tablescapes, depending on the occasion.  For Independence Day, choose a patriotic-looking or an Americana salad plate.  If you don’t have one, find red or blue---after all, you’ve already got the white in your dinner plates!

Coordinate Your Costumes

To create a more festive feel for the event, encourage your guests to wear red white and blue clothing. The sillier, more flamboyant, and outrageous the clothing, the better.

Make One Special Drink

Make sure to have all the usuals—juice, beer, wine, water, and soda—on hand. In addition, make one special, summer-themed punch. This one drink can bring a surprising amount of cohesion to your meal and the event as a whole. Drinks that feature a refreshing summer fruit like peach, watermelon, or strawberry are always well received on hot days.

American Food with a Twist

Because the 4^th of July is all about celebrating America, and America is famous for its cultural and ethnic diversity, take a truly American approach to the holiday by incorporating your family’s food heritage into traditional American dishes. Make hamburgers with the spices traditionally used in your ethnic background. The same thing goes for pies, ice cream toppings, and fruit salads. Prepare a traditional side dish unique to your family’s heritage.   Better yet, ask your guests to showcase their heritage through a side dish they prepare.

Honor US History

When my children were little, one of the things they loved most about the 4^th of July was putting on an annual play. In the play, we reenacted important moments in US history. We performed Paul Revere’s famous ride, a scene in which George Washington asks Betsy Ross to sew the American flag, and the Martin Luther King Jr I Have A Dream Speech. We interwove these important events with the story of our own family in America, starting with our ancestors’ arrival to Ellis Island. We always ended the show with a rousing rendition of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Putting on a play can start with a fun brainstorming activity in which you ask children to think of important events in America. Later you can turn these into the plot for the play. Pick up a few white wigs and tricorn hats at your local costume store to add to what you have at home, and costumes won’t be too hard to devise.

Good, Old-Fashioned Games

Organizing a few games throughout the day, like croquet, bocce ball, Frisbee, softball, or charades, brings guests together and creates a spirit of conviviality.  On those sweltering Independence Days, have a water balloon toss with the kids.

           

Fireworks

Every state has different laws when it comes to setting off fireworks, but no 4^th of July celebration is complete without a few flashes in the night. At the very least, make sure to have some sparklers.

Family Tradition

Whatever you decide to do, make sure to create family tradition.  Teach your children about their own heritage and how it plays a part of the American Dream.  As I mention in my book, Coming Home: A Seasonal Guide to Creating Family Traditions, celebrating any festive occasion is always richer when personal meaning is attached.

Note:  Photos by John Granen, for “Coming Home,” published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang

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Fifth Annual Tablescape Contest

Years ago, people would invite a neighbor or friend over on the spur of the moment for a cup of coffee, dessert, or for a weekend grill. Our day-to-day lives have become so busy in recent years that dinner parties are planned 3 months out. Part of my belief in creating traditions is to foster relationships and connections through daily rituals and traditions. Much of the joy in my life has come from informal get-togethers. This year’s Tablescape Contest Theme is “The Spontaneous Gathering.” It’s time for you to set your table for the spur of the moment get-together. Use your creativity, mixed with Rosanna collections, and remember spontaneous gatherings don’t necessarily take place at the dining room table. Share with us the story behind your tablescape design. Winners will be chosen by Rosanna herself. So join in for your chance to win a $500 Rosanna gift certificate, and be featured on Rosanna’s Table Talk blog. New This Year Starting on July 11th, we will choose a Table Of The Week to showcase on our Facebook, Twitter, and social media sites. At the end of the contest, all the Tables Of The Week will be entered into a drawing to win an additional prize.    Get Setting Now Our Fifth Annual Table Setting contest will start on July 1, 2011 and end on August 31, 2011. Winners will be announced shortly after. For a little inspiration, take a look at the photographs from our last few contests: 2010 2009 2008 2007

OFFICIAL RULES 1. Anyone with a passion for Rosanna-ware and tablescape design is welcome to compete, regardless of age.  2. Set the table for at least two. No actual food or Rosanna products is required. 3. Contest begins on July 1st, 2011 and ends August 31st, 2011 at 11:59pm PST. 4. Submit up to 2 photos of your tablescape and the story behind the design. Digital submissions must come as jpegs, around 4x5 inches, no less than 72 dpi and no more than 180 dpi. 5. When entering, make sure to include your name, your city, and an email or phone number where we can reach you. We respect your privacy and will not give out any of your information. 6. Photos in hard copy will not be returned. 7. Rosanna Imports, Inc. reserves the right to use and/or publish photos of your table setting submission however we see fit. Photos may be published on social media sites. Publishing does not necessarily constitute a winning entry. By submitting your photo, you agree to these terms. 8. Please email all enteries to info@rosannainc.com. Mailed entries should be sent to: Rosanna Inc Attn: Tablescape Contest 6755 East Marginal Way S. Seattle, WA 98108

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Fourth Annual Table Setting Contest

In honor of my new book, Coming Home: A Seasonal Guide to Creating Family Traditions, it's time for you to set your table using your family heirlooms, mixed and matched with Rosanna collections, as well as, sharing their history and what they mean to you. Join in for your chance to win a $500 Rosanna gift certificate!

Our Fourth Annual Table Setting contest will start on July 1, 2010 and end on August 31, 2010. Winners will be announced shortly after.

For a little inspiration, take a look at the photographs from our last few contests:

2009

2008

2007


Here are the rules and a few guidelines:

Rules
1. Anyone with a passion for Rosanna-ware is welcome to compete, regardless of age.
2. Contest begins on July 1st, 2010 and ends August 31st, 2010 at 11:59pm PST.
3. We encourage you to use family heirlooms and provide a story about what this piece means to you & your family/friends. For inspiration pick up a copy of Coming Home: A Seasonal Guide to Creating Family Traditions.
4. Digital submissions must come as jpegs, around 4x5 inches, no less than 72 dpi and no more than 180 dpi.
5. When entering your photo, make sure to include your name, your city, and an email or phone number where we can reach you. We respect your privacy and will not give out any of your information.
6. Photos in hard copy will not be returned.
7. Rosanna Imports, Inc. reserves the right to use and/or publish photos of your table setting submission, however we see fit. By sending in your photo, you agree to these terms.

Guidelines
-Set your table for at least two
-Include a statement with a little bit about yourself and your inspiration for your design
-No actual food or Rosanna products required.

Please send all entries to Info@rosannainc.com or via snail mail to 440 S. Holgate St., Seattle, WA 98134 USA Attn: Table Setting Contest.

I'm very excited to see this years' group of submissions. Good luck!

www.rosannainc.com