Cherries seem to be more than usually prolific this summer, with the result that I’ve been more than usually piggy about them.

They’re an excellent snack for the beach, which is what I call “virtuous cherry consumption”. They also worked well as an inducement for “almost three” year old Riley to leave the beach for a nap while she was with us in the Cape. She’s a bit too young to trust to spit out the pit.

So my solution is an old-fashioned one. I’d lift her onto the drainboard beside the kitchen sink in all her sandy glory, where she’d sit chanting “You pop out the pit and cut them in half,” (swallow, repeat chant), hoovering back cherries while the juice cascaded down her front. I’d then hose her down in the outdoor shower before tucking her up in PJs for an hour or two’s respite. Magic.

Not quite so virtuous are all the baked goods in which cherries star so deliciously, like cherry cobbler. With ice cream.

Son Adam’s favourite dessert is Black Forest cake and I created a deconstructed version for his birthday a while ago. Sinfully delicious, it’s essentially Black Forest Trifle with cubed Devil’s food cake, whipped cream and a homemade cherry compote. Recipe to follow as soon as I get a minute. Update: here is the recipe for Deconstructed Black Forest Cake. 

I fell for these Cherry Tea Towels from April Cornell, deeply discounted last spring, and which work beautifully as casual napkins.

And just like that, we have a cherry table happening.

The red metalasse bedspread performed a gracious second shift as a tablecloth.

Galvanized chargers helped tone down the exuberance, and were given some support from the tin house candles from Pier 1 a few years ago.

Southern Living’s Savannah dinner plates in navy from Dillards support scalloped edge Aerin salad plates in red from Williams Sonoma (sadly, no longer available). 

The Emile Henry Mini ruffled-edge pie dishes were from Williams Sonoma a few years ago. They’re a generous serving for one person, and provide plenty to share.

They’re great for cobblers, crisps and small pies, both savoury and sweet. We use them a lot.

Vintage Old Williamsburg Deep Blue Ultra Iced Tea Glasses by Imperial Glass provide just the right chunky note for this casual country-style table.

The pewter “spoon handle” style napkin rings pick up on the rustic metal elements of the table.

Don’t you love the detail on the tea towels?  April Cornell does have some beautiful linens.

Which reminds me – in mid-November Victoria Magazine is hosting Christmas in Asheville, a conference featuring a tour of the Biltmore Estate all dolled up for Christmas. Keynote speakers include Editor-in-Chief of Victoria, Phyllis Hoffman DePiano, artist and entrepreneur April Cornell, interior designer Kathryn Greeley, and author Jan Karon. I loved the Mitford books by Jan Karon, and recently enjoyed The Collected Tabletop by Kathryn Greeley. It looks like a fun event.

I will leave you dreaming about cherries, if cobbler happens to be to your liking.

And to enjoy a sunny afternoon on the porch.

Have a good weekend, everyone. Not long now until Labour Day, so let’s soak up the sunshine and warmth while we can.

I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.