Smokey Bear Tablescape

Although the concept of Smokey Bear was born August 9, 1947, the iconic fire surviving bear cub who turned into one of the most recognized symbols in the world wasn't born until Spring of 1950. Most people know that a cub was rescued from a smoldering forest in New Mexico in May of that year and was nursed back to health by a very kind local family (Ray, Ruth, and Judy Bell..) until he was eventually sent to Washington D.C. to live out his days at the National Zoo (he passed away November 10, 1976.) His remains were returned to New Mexico and buried in the Smokey Bear Historical State Park.

Pat and I thought it would be appropriate to set a table in honor of this most important symbol. Fires are burning in several area throughout the state (not just the most televised one in Southern California) and we all need a reminder to be more careful when we travel through the Redwoods (or other woods if you don't live on the North Coast.)

This is a close up of Smokey from the Rudolph Wendelin's 1994 drawing "Trees are wonderful friends."

The color theme of the table was taken from the fire fighting outfits the men (and now women) wore. Called Nomexs (made by Dupont), these life saving fire retardant outfits had green pants and yellow shirts.

The centerpiece was given to Pat's husband in recognition of his more than 45 years of service to the California Division of Forestry (now called CalFire.) It is an exact replica of the Iaqua Lookout located between Bridgeville and Kneeland here in Humboldt County. Most lookouts are now obsolete and no longer manned.

Close up of the Iaqua Lookout

The place setting

First layer of the place setting is a double napkin (one orange and the other "flame") held by a simple black napkin ring

This is actually a bright yellow Sunflower Fiestaware Luncheon plate. Two days ago, we had a record breaking heat wave and lots of sunshine - temperature got to 71 degrees - and of course, now when I want to take pictures, it is overcast. My apologies, but boy, it is much more comfortable.

The yellow Fiestaware tops this avocado coup dinner plate from the Dollar Store

What could be more appropriate than a wooded charger? Pat thought it was the perfect medium for a fire prevention tablescape plate

Pat chose these chunky Noritake "Iron Brown" ceramic flatware because the handles reminded her of trees

Close up of the five piece place setting

The avocado green glassware is called "Starfire Ivy" from Anchor Hocking Glass Company

Simple ironstone mugs are perfect

Pat made these "flame" napkins just for this table

Each one of the guest get a collector Smokey Bear trading card as a favor (and reminder)

This closeup of the Iaqua Lookout shows the fire finder. Down below is the sleeping quarters for the lookout that was manned (or wo-manned) 24 hours a day. These lookouts were located in very, very remote parts of the county.

These small, highly detailed Smokey figurines are from Pat's personal collection. They are made by Lefton China Company from original artwork of the famous Smokey artist, Rudolph Wendelin.

One last look at the table from the other end of the table

Where is came from:
Brown Placemats - a gift from Pat
Wooden Chargers - Cancer's Discovery Shop in Eureka
Green Coupe Dinner Plates - Dollar Store
Yellow Luncheon Plates - Sunflower Fiestaware by Homer Laughlin from Macy's
Yellow Bread and Butter Plates - Sunflower Fiestaware from Replacements
Green Mugs - from our local grocery store
Green Glassware - "Starfire Ivy" by Anchor Hocking Glass Company from Ross
Brown Flatware - "Iron Brown" by Noritake from my personal collection (purchased over 40 years ago)

Pat bought Ralph a Smokey hat so he can join in the celebration

We had many Rudolph Wendelin drawings around the room.

Stuffed Smokey Bear is one of several given to Pat's husband when he retired.

This is just to embarrass Pat. She was recognized for her outstanding volunteer work on fire prevention by the state in 1998.

Lady on a Shell Tablescape

After much debate, Pat and I decided that we would not do a Cinco De Mayo tablescape this year. We wanted to do something different instead. "Frilly" tables are not our norm (as you probably already guessed from the various or odd tablescapes that we have done....(i.e. the Painter's table, the Spotted Cow table, the Elvis' tables, Ralph the Rain Gear Frog table, Betty Boop and the Spa table, Gladys' [one of my Dachshunds] Birthday Table,  and the list goes on.)

Pat started with one of our Mother's Armani figurines and designed the table around it. It definitely turned into a very frilly, feminine tabletop.

Over view of the table

No tablecloth this week. It made the table too white. Pat wanted the ice blue color to show up so she put the place setting directly on the wood.

The place setting

First layer is the soup bowl

Next comes the salad plate

The dinner plate is 10 1/2" wide

The ice blue Charger is from Pier 1

Stainless flatware is "Image" by Spode

The five piece place setting

Pat thought the pearl napkin ring fit the sea/water/wind theme of the table perfectly

The ice blue napkin was wrapped in a white chiffon overlay to give it a softer appearance

This great set of dishes even has the bread and butter plate in a shell design

Pat used these glasses because she thought that the lines looked like wind was sweeping past them.

You can see the line detail

Armani figurine is called "Windsong" and stands 17" tall

Unique Blue/green candle holders match the color on the figurine. They are the "Swirl" pattern in Ultra Marine color from Jeannette Glass Company (1937-1938)

Can you believe it? Pat found ice blue/green votives to match

The centerpiece started with an inexpensive curtain sheer that Pat trimmed off

One last look from the other end of the table

Where is came from:
Ice Blue Chargers - Pier 1 last year
White Dishware - "Shell" by Otagiri from a local antique store many years ago
Flatware - "Image" by Spode (one of our favorite stainless patterns) from Tuesday Morning
Ice Blue Napkin - from Tuesday Morning several years ago
Chiffon Overlay - purchased by Pat in Woodland, CA
Pearl Napkin Ring - Pier 1
Glassware - Pier 1
Frosted Votive Holders - Tuesday Morning
Ice Blue Votives - Ross
White Tapers - Michael's
Candle Holders - Ultra Marine "Swirl" by Jeannette Glass Company from eBay
Armani Figurine - "Windsong" (904C) from our Mother's collection

We will be joining Cuisine Kathleen's "Let's Dish" Wednesday night: http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/