Food & Entertaining

Transitional Tablescape Tuesday

September 16, 2014~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

“For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven…”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

It’s that time of year again. You can’t decide whether to wear summer or fall clothes. You aren’t sure if you should go ahead and put away the strappy sandals and dig out the winter boots. And you can’t make up your mind if you should decorate your dining table with summer’s bright colors or to bring in the pumpkins! So, this is the answer to the dilemma: our transitional table!

Using books as a theme has been an idea floating in my mind for a couple of years. Butch and I love to read. He will usually read a book per week on his iPad, and I will read two or three a month. I much prefer the smell and feel of an actual book and turning real pages as opposed to an e-book. We have an extensive collection of books written by Christian authors such as C. S. Lewis, Charles Swindoll, Philip Yancey, and Max Lucado. We mainly enjoy non-fiction, however, Francine Rivers is a favorite! I have amassed a large collection of coffee table books–mostly consisting of decorating, food, and travel. But our favorite book is God’s Holy Word, the Bible, as we so desperately need his instruction for our everyday living.

Cotton paisley tablecloth purchased at…(can you guess??)…TJ Maxx!

For smell, texture, and an earthy touch, I added coffee beans to the hurricane globes and the amber stemware often graces our tables during the Fall!

This leather box engraved with my initials is a precious momento from Florence, Italy and rests on a pair of antique leather books

You will be seeing the Spode “Woodland” dinner plates in the weeks to come– love their autumnal color!

These individual books of the Bible were found in an antique shop in Highlands, NC– they are leather bound and I regret that I did not buy all of them!

The faux leather placemats were added for texture. The Eiffel Tower place card holders were a gift from a friend–I do love Paris!

I gathered sage, loropetalum, and persimmons from my yard for the julep cups

The olive wood Bible is from Jerusalem and is a treasured find! I have collected magnifying glasses and scattered some on this tablescape. The napkin rings were a gift from a friend– I do love bling!

The architect’s model of an iron spiral staircase, used as the centerpiece, normally sits on a table in our hallway

As always, thank you for reading our blog!

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , Thoughts From Alice , Creatively Living , Rustic-Refined , Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict , Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Craftberry Bush , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , The Vintage Farmhouse , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup

“You observe days and months and seasons and years!”
Galatians 4:10

Tablescape Tuesday– Summer’s Happy Ending!

September 9, 2014~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

With the days of summer coming to an end, I wanted to “squeeze” in one last tablescape of the season! To me, the colors in this tablescape are just happy!

(Make sure you scroll all the way down for a sweet treat!)

I have always loved the crisp look of blue and white mixed with a sunny yellow. The dinner plates are “Willow” by Johnson Brothers. The tablecloth was my first linen purchase as a new bride forty-one years ago. Placemats add texture and were found at TJ Maxx.

Katy’s Nana grew these glorious zinnias in her garden

The stemware was ordered from Horchow and they remain a favorite

Several years back, my Sunday School class took an outing to the Botanical Gardens in Huntsville, AL where I found these sweet hand painted clay pots used as my napkin holders.

Fresh from the oven, Lemon Rosemary Shortbread with a tall glass of sweet tea. Butch and I love this recipe!

Thanks for visiting with us on our patio!

Lemon Rosemary Shortbread

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons fresh minced rosemary
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a medium bowl, beat butter and sugar at a medium-high speed with a mixer until creamy. Add lemon zest and rosemary, beating until combined. In a small bowl combine flour and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until combined. Shape mixture into 2 (10-inch) logs; wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap dough, and cut into 1/3 inch-thick slices. Bake for 11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool on pans for 2 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

“May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you”
Jude 1:2

Tablescape Tuesday: September Summer ‘scape

September 2, 2014~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

In these waning days of summer, I decided we should celebrate the beach. I love the laid back style of coastal living! The colors of the sand and sea often bring back many wonderful memories of vacations spent along the Gulf Coast. As a young married couple, Butch and I would often take weekend trips to Panama City Beach. I could not wait to smell the saltiness of the ocean air and sink my feet into the white sand! Now, I mostly enjoy the beach from a covered balcony or a brisk walk along the shore as the sun rises–with a steaming mug of french roast coffee in hand, of course! I could really get used to everyday living at the beach!

So, today you are invited to kick off your shoes and pull up a chair at our beach-inspired table, but please no wet swimsuits!!

Let’s talk about layering and texture for your tablescapes. The linen table cloth purchased from Horchow at 30% off is the first layer. Grounding the center of the table is a beautiful quilted runner I found in Sete, France. I often use placemats as a layer over the cloth.