Everyday Living

Tablescape Tuesday: Breakfast Alfresco!

~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

Dining outside is one of life’s simple pleasures.  Enjoying great food and conversation under God’s blue canopy has become a much anticipated part of our everyday living!

1I enjoy mixing patterns.  The tablecloth acts as a floral with checked napkins and patterned china.23This china is Fruit Rapture by Mikasa.  The flutes were a great bargain from Tuesday Morning.  Tablecloth is an Indian cotton purchased at Williams Sonoma, on clearance, I might add!  Placemats were found at TJ Maxx and add just a little touch of whimsy!4The centerpiece is fresh fruit in a hand-painted banana bowl bought at Stone Market several years ago.  Normally, it sits on my kitchen island.5Raspberry-orange lemonade6

This is currently my breakfast of choice!

Pam’s Summer Muesli

1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup milk ( I use skim)
Mix the above ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate overnight.
The next morning, add 1/3 cup Greek yogurt and drizzle honey to your preferred taste.
Add fresh blueberries, peaches, and toasted pecans! (Or you may use your favorite fruit as a variation)

Buon Appetito!

“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
Psalm 118:24

Linking with Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Housepitality Designs, Chateau Chic, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, Shabby Art Boutique, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Home Stories A to Z, Handmade Tuesdays , Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace

Tablescape Tuesday: Sunday Tradition

~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

For as long as I can remember, my Mother cooked a delicious meal every Sunday for our family. My sister-in-law V.V. and I have attempted to continue our family tradition since she passed away. Although not always home cooked, our meals bring us together on Sundays.  This tradition is a significant part of our everyday living.

This past Sunday, I decided on a simple green and white tablescape for dinner. The only purchase made was Granny Smith apples.

Simple, indeed!

I have enjoyed using this 3 tier stand for many occasions!  It was my centerpiece on Sunday.

The Indian cotton tablecloth was a TJ Maxx purchase.

This is my vintage Noritake china that I have loved using for 40-plus years.  The pattern is Reverie.
The crystal is also by Noritake in the Reverie pattern.  I have broken some stems in the past and had a hard time replacing them.  I decided to never buy anything that I would be afraid to use.

Adore the little snail place card holders given to me by a lady in my Sunday School class!
I used four mint julep cups that I found years ago (at a bargain) for the herbs cut from my garden. Sage, oregano, and rosemary added a heavenly scent to the table. I recommend never using scented flowers or candles because they interfere with the smells of food.

I do like to describe myself as a “foodie”, but the best food is what my Mother called “Southern-country”.  Fresh pink-eyed peas, fried okra, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, smoked pork chop, and cornbread was on the menu.
Vanilla bean ice cream with caramel and chocolate sauce served with Seth’s favorite cookie, chocolate oatmeal!
After removing the tablecloth and dishes, I will enjoy this fresh tablescape all week!

“…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

The Debut of Tablescape Tuesday

~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

“Like apples of gold in a setting of silver…”

These words are taken from Proverbs 25:11. Even though the verse is referring to a fitly spoken word, the imagery is of a beautiful still life setting. My Mother was the very best example in preparing me to have friends and family sit at our table and enjoy fellowship. The most important thing to her was to make people welcome in her home, but more importantly, at her table. She always used a neatly pressed tablecloth and napkins and I cannot recall her ever using paper plates or cups! She taught me to always use the very best I have and not put it away to collect dust. Nothing against any who use paper items, but use your “good stuff” in your everyday living! Using your very best is such a great way to show your family, the most important people in your life, how special they truly are!

Many of you have encouraged me to share my table settings and entertaining ideas with you on our blog. I am excited to share with you one of the things I love doing the most! I am not promising a post on tablescaping every Tuesday, but will do my best.

This past Saturday night, we celebrated the birthday of our beautiful daughter-in-love, Allison. I always begin a birthday setting with the person being celebrated in mind. I usually decide on the china first, then the centerpiece. From there, I begin to have a vision of how I want the table to look. I decided on a simple plan with very little layering. The only thing I purchased was fresh pink roses from the grocery store. Everything else was in my supply of “stuff” that I have accumulated over the past 40+ years. Inexpensive items made up the majority of the setting. The china was purchased 4 or 5 years ago from Tuesday morning. The silver plate flatware was a gift from my Mother.  The table runner, cotton napkins, and crystal candlesticks came from TJ Maxx. In other words, nothing expensive.


Katy found the blue Mason jars at the longest yard sale this past Saturday.

The country French figurines were borrowed from the chest in my foyer and used for the setting. Always look around your home to see what you can use for your tablescape.

I treasure these beautiful crocheted napkin rings made years ago by a sweet and godly lady that was a blessing in my life, Mrs. Ruby Bradley.

Always remember, the most important part of your setting is the faces and laughter of those seated around your table…

 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 can follow my Pinterest board, “Apples of gold in a setting of silver” here.