Have you ever had an old friend come to town and want to meet up with you and friends she hasn't seen in a year or two or ten? You're happy to make all the arrangements. Lunch at a great restaurant is a good option. It seems so much easier, but, there's the noise of the other diners, the interruptions of the servers, and who knows what else. Why not go all old-style and host a small gathering or luncheon at your home? So much more is in your control and the peace and comfort of your home tops everything the restaurant has to offer. You don't have to worry about staying … [Read more...]
Search Results for: tablescape
Happy Fourth of July! I LOVE everything about celebrating the 4th, but especially I love all things red, white, and blue. It's been a while since I've been able to set a patriotic table, but this year is finally my year... thanks to an unexpected clearance at Walmart way back in January. Right smack in the middle of the main aisle was a display of deeply discounted housewares items. Since I always prefer shopping anything house related over clothing, I was immediately drawn to the display. Down on the bottom shelf, I noticed a stack of red plates. Cute red plates with a … [Read more...]
Easter was over. Another week came and went. And I still was in love with my pretty Easter centerpiece. It had been the star of my spring tablescape. And though I love eggs for spring, it was time to put away the eggs. As I stood there looking at my table and wondering how I might change it up for a Mother's Day tablescape... I had a lightbulb moment! I didn't need to start all over from scratch! I just needed to tweak that sweet but simple Easter tablescape and centerpiece! That's the thing... instead of putting everything away and having an empty table or having to think up a … [Read more...]
One of my favorite things to do is to open my home to guests and serve them a delicious meal at a thoughtfully decorated table. It's an expression of my love and the creativity comes straight from my heart. Because I know everyone doesn't share my confidence, I can't wait to show you how to... Create an Elegant Easter Tablescape on a Small Budget. You really can be frugal and fabulous! Everything I share is easy to do... I'm not one for time-consuming and complicated projects. If you peruse Pinterest you'll see some stunning tables with gorgeous centerpieces that take up every … [Read more...]
Yesterday, it hit me... Easter is less than two weeks away!!! Why is it that the holidays always seem like they are a long way off and then, BAM! suddenly the day is upon us? Today I'm sharing last year's Easter tablescape idea. I love how fresh and natural it is. If you are hosting Easter dinner this year, hopefully it will inspire your creative juices. Just in case you missed all the extraordinary goodness from this past week... JoyDay! | What Happens When You Get Off the Beaten Path? When Did You Last Make Time for a Good Friend? 5 Quick and Easy Ideas to … [Read more...]
I have a special message for Mother Nature... No more snow! Holy Cow! It isn't even Thanksgiving yet!! Since she no doubt is covering her ears... I'm covering my eyes... and pretending there is still green grass and falling leaves... and all things wonderfully fall. Who's with me? Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Here are some Thanksgiving tablescapes from the archives that would be extraordinary for your holiday dinners. I hope you find a tip or two that you can use this year. Cozy & Warm Homespun Table Setting Mixing Gold & Silver for Thanksgiving Table … [Read more...]
It's been nearly a year since I've had the pleasure of hosting overnight guests. My friend and her daughter were driving between Chicago and New York State when they took a detour to visit us. We aren't sure, but it seems like it's been close to two years since we've been able to get together. When you do life with someone on a nearly daily basis...through the thick and thin, but mostly thin....it's a joy to finally be able to spend time together. We've burned many minutes chatting on the phone, but that isn't quite the same, is it? I love serving a nice … [Read more...]
I love wildflowers! One of my favorite things to do is to walk the roadside and pick bouquets for decorating the table(s) for the Fourth of July. Earlier this week it rained quite heavily for a few days, so the wildflowers were pretty beat up. But, Wednesday, I went for a very long walk and discovered just what I wanted. Happy Day! The next morning I went for another walk scissors in hand. To my dismay, the massive scissors of the local road crew had come through and leveled my wildflower garden. You should have seen my face. I think it fell to my knees. Why, at … [Read more...]
We all have favorite moments, favorite things, and favorite people. This book page tablescape is my favorite tablescape, and I've create a few. I created it last year with what was around my house....books, mason jars, and crabapple blossoms. It came about because of some lovely limitations and forced me to be super creative. I'd love to hear about your most creative moment and how it came to be. And now...on to our party! Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday Stephanie Chan from The Silly … [Read more...]
I can't believe how fast the days on the calendar tick off. We're just a little more than a week away from Memorial Day. Last year I created a truly homespun and patriotic table. It's one I really enjoyed a lot, too. I hope that you'll be able to take away some Memorial Day tablescape ideas that you can use for your celebration this year. Click here to see lots of photos and inspiration. What do you usually do for Memorial Day weekend? Do you have a party planned? Speaking of party....I am sooo excited that you have joined us again this week. I … [Read more...]
We had a beautiful weekend here in our neck of the woods. Everything is in bloom and Spring is showing off in high style. Today...I thought I would share with you one of my favorite tablescapes.... Black and White Polka Dot Spring Tablescape This was such a quick and easy tablescape to put together. Stop here and find out how it all came together. I had no idea that it was so popular on Pinterest....it was pinned more than a thousand times. :) Wow! There's something about the classic look of black and white, but if I would do this again, my next color choice would be coral. … [Read more...]
This birch branch winter woodland tablescape just might be my most favorite table setting ever. What is it about natural elements that make my heart sing? This winter we've been having fun decorating with birch branches. You may have seen some of it here and here and here. We had a few longer birch branches that hadn't been used over Christmas, so I thought creating a birch branch winter woodland tablescape would be fun. Actually, creating a centerpiece of the branches for the table would set the stage and theme. Birch branches are perfect for winter … [Read more...]
Are you getting excited for Thanksgiving? Usually, we gather with friends and family we rarely see and enjoy those foods we only eat at Thanksgiving. If I'm hosting the meal, I put almost as much effort into creating a beautiful Thanksgiving Tablescape as I do the meal. I have to admit, for me, it isn't all about the food. Though I have shared a few recipes that would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving menu. My Far East Celery is crunchy and light and makes a perfect accompaniment to turkey and stuffing. Or a true fall dish that you can enjoy as a salad or … [Read more...]
As the days get shorter, we hang on to every breath of summer's sweet breezes. There's the "one last time" at the beach day. Or, if you live in the mountains, the desert, or in America's heartland, all of that may be just a dream. But, it doesn't stop us from creating our own little breath of fresh air and wind and waves....even on our supper table. Our own casual coastal tablescape....ah! Today, I used my everyday, Longaberger Classic Blue dinner plates and Woven Traditions Cereal Bowls. No...we won't be having cereal for supper. These generously sized bowls are perfect … [Read more...]
Usually, this time of year I am up to my eyeballs creating fantastic spaces for kids. I would hardly have time to notice the beauty of creation around me. But, this year....I am having so much fun picking blossoms, creating fun tablescapes, and enjoying springtime. I love how the pink detail on the plates comes alive with the pink crabapple blossoms. Just for fun, I put together a centerpiece for the table using book pages and my vintage Ball Mason jars. The jars usually take residence on the shelves in my laundry room. They are so happy in their … [Read more...]
“Eating, and hospitality in general, is a communion, and any meal worth attending by yourself is improved by the multiples of those with whom it is shared.” Jesse Browner Have you noticed when you gather for a meal with friends, the food always tastes better? Eaten alone, food is nutritious...it feeds the body, not the soul. But, eaten in community, it is a communion, where body and soul are fed. That's the point of hospitality. It's a shared table. It might mean taking what you have prepared and offering it to someone in need. Or it might entail opening your home. It's the sharing … [Read more...]
It's hard to believe. Memorial Day celebrations begin in just a few days. It's the official weekend to kick off everything summer. One thing is for sure, many families and friends will be gathering to enjoy delicious food. With that in mind, today I wanted to share with you a few... Patriotic Tablescape Ideas It's easy for me to set a patriotic table because I have dinnerware in red, ivory, and blue. Red and white is great for Christmas and Valentine's Day. Blue and white is terrific for the snowy days of January and Hanukkah and Thanksgiving. And then, I … [Read more...]
