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November 7, 2012

Edmund Fitzgerald Nautical Tribute

As we draw near the anniversary date of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in the icy waters of Lake Superior we always take time to remember those lost on that cold November night.
 November 10, 1975 

Everything in my nautical room has been designed around the Great LakesAfter we visited the Whitefish Point Shipwreck Museum in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan we became even more enthralled with the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

I decided this evening's table would be designed with a nautical flavor...
Welcome to my nautical room...It's small and cozy!

I've set the table on my Ships Wheel coffee table

 I even went out and cut some dried grass, a barely surviving hydrangea and a rose bud (that's hiding by the grass) from my yard.  These reflect the environment of our area these days.

 I've got a lantern lit and I borrowed a couple of props from my curio cabinet.  
We'll pretend the old bottle is filled with rum!  
You know the sailors loved their rum!

 This evening we will share some tea with our dinner. Later on we'll have some 
sweet port wine along some cheese and crackers while we watch tv.  
I even have a nice video about the Edmund Fitzgerald we'll watch.

This blue crab dish is new to me and while it's not in keeping with the 
Great Lakes theme I just had to use it!

 My thoughts rambled as to how a dinner might be served on a ship for the captain.
I imagined fine china- (perhaps this is more of an English tradition than one found at
Great Lakes Captain's table) but we can pretend!
  My square rattan chargers anchored this design picking up on the soft 
brown edge on the blue and white china.  The fleur-de-lis plates were chosen 
 once I realized the plates set nicely in the well of the ivory white dish. They will 
actually be used as a 2nd charger and will act as a frame for these smaller sized dinner plates.

 The straight edge of these plates mimicked the square chargers. I love this pattern and think blue & white are a classic for a nautical look

 These dishes were an Ebay purchase- I found them after searching for some "Bombay" items...I was actually looking for things from the old Bombay stores that closed in the US several years ago.

 These small nautical dishes (222 Fifth Avenue) will be used for the cheese and crackers later on.   We're having some sweet and sour chicken, rice, salad and egg rolls.
 
 My seagull watches us for leftovers! They are such scavengers
and yes we have Seagulls on the lakes here! 

I'll be using my white Union Jack teapot to steep the tea...We'll use the Small bowls for the rice.
  
These pictures of the Edmund Fitzgerald were issued in limited signed copies...this is called 
Passage in Moonlight
I had the brass bell added as an extra when I had them framed. Do you know the story about the brass bell they retrieved from the Edmund Fitzgerald? They replaced it with another brass bell that is engraved with the names of the 29 men that died that night. The original ships bell is on display at the museum.

This depicts a much more violent raging scene 
and it's called "Every Man knew"
 The artist David Conklin signed these along with
Gordon Lightfoot who wrote the famous son
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

 Thank-you for joining me!
I'll do another post on my nautical room soon!

 I'll be joining a couple of parties this week!


and

Between Naps on the Porch for



  

27 comments:

  1. I love your nautical room. Your tablescape is so pretty. Your dishes are gorgeous!

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  2. Hi Liz! Oooo, I love your pretty nautical room. You've thought everything out so well as all your pieces look fabulous. You've set your table so beautifully with your sea dishes and accessories. Love your seagull keeping watch in the window.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  3. Love your nautical room, Liz! I have some nautical decor in one of my rooms. Having visited the North Shore of Minnesota on Lake Superior I am very familiar with the wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald.

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  4. I didn't even know you had a nautical room. Love it! Your sofa looks so comfy. Love the tablescape, especially the nautical salad dishes.

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    1. Thanks Pam. Yes this is in the basement level. We don't use it enough! The sofa is super comfy.

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  5. Liz, what a great room! I love all of your nautical accents and your tablescape is perfect! This looks like the perfect room to relax in.

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  6. Hi Liz!

    Love your timely tribute to the Edmond Fitzgerald . Those framed pictures are just beautiful and so special with the signatures and the little brass bells. Your tablesetting is very pretty with the mix of dishes. I have always wanted to visit the Great Lakes!

    xoxo Bunny Jean

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  7. Hi Liz, 1) I have ALWAYS wanted to see the Great Lakes, at least one of them) 2) Your photos are gorgeous 3) I always found Gordon's song to be hauntingly beautiful 4) I love your nautical room, your prints and dishes are so beautiful 5) I love your new blog look 6) I don't quite know why I am commenting in bullet form! xo

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    1. LOL Barb I was wondering what you were up to!! It's okay I'm grateful for comments any way shape or form!!

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  8. I started reading your post through my email notification, so I didn't see that you had Gordon Lightfoot's song on here. I went ahead and turned it on through my playlist. I LOVE that song! I can remember singing it over and over when I was a teen. Weird song for a teenager to like, but I did! You did a great rendition table. I like how you told the story of the wreck, too. It's all so interesting. GREAT pairing of the chargers and plates!!!! They would have looked really great in the dining room of another failed ship...Titanic! The nautical plates are absolutely perfect to round out the look! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum, this is cool beans!!!!!

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  9. Well since I'm such a sucker for blue dishes you had me from the get go Liz, your table is beautiful and whimsical at the same time. As for Lake Superior and the Edmund Fitzgerald I always feel so sad for what those sailors went through that night but you're right...the lake is beautiful, really really cold but beautiful.

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  10. Liz, you did such a great and interesting table. I forget that you have that room..you should use it more!

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  11. You got a very cozy room.
    Beautiful tablescape with gorgeous blue colors. Love those dishes.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  12. What an interesting story to read about your tablescape inspiration! I really like that you brought in local elements to add to your nautical pieces. Love the lantern!

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  13. What a nice tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald. I've always loved the song and story. I was a senior in high School when the Edmund Fitgerald sank and have been intrigued with the story ever since. I also love Gordon Lightfoots' song!
    I love your table and your nautical room.
    Thanks for sharing your love of the Great Lakes and everything nautical.

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  14. You are so creative, Liz. I love your table, the plates and love the atmosphere...Christine

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  15. Hi Liz,
    What a wonderful tribute to the "Fitzgerald". I remember that day and night very well. My brother had a home on the shores of Lake Superior and it was a terrifying night for them. I can't imagine what it was like for the poor souls on the ship. Your nautical room is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
    Nancy

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  16. Love the table setting and your beautiful room!

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  17. Liz, I love your nautical themed table. What a beautiful pattern Blue Bombay is. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Liz, I've thoroughly enjoyed visiting your blog today. Love you tablescape and the history of the many items and artwork. Thanks for sharing such terrific info with us.
    Helen

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  19. Liz, What a lovely tribute to the men of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Your details are perfect. Love the lantern, and the blue and white china. Great job, Liz!

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  21. Sweet Mister loves that song. I love your blue and white dinnerware. Your room is amazing. Great job! Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  22. Thank you so much, Liz.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  23. Great tribute Liz. It's so sad when lives are lost....you have set up a perfectly themed table in your nautical room.
    It looks so cozy. The china is lovely and so different. Great find on EBay. Bombay was one of my favorites.
    So many lovely details you have captured here. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. This was a beautiful tribute to the sad story. Thanks,
    Katherine G

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Thank you for your comments! I don’t always get a chance to reply but I do read them!




ABOUT ME



Welcome to Home and Gardening With Liz. I have combined my previous blogs “Infuse With Liz” and “Sit With Me In My Garden” into this new blog. I love interior decorating and gardening. I enjoy redefining interior spaces by moving things around and reusing decorative items already found in the home. I also enjoy creating tablescapes and an occasional crafting project. I'm so pleased you've stopped by. I invite you to follow me and I do hope you will keep coming back! Liz
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