Everyday Living

Tablescape Tuesday: Merry & Bright

~ Christmas, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday

“For nothing will be impossible with God”
Luke 1:37

I think we can all agree that Christmas is the time everyone steps it up a notch with decorating. What other time of the year do we take an entire weekend, some even longer, to decorate for a holiday?  I love to see photos of trees, mantels, porches, and everything in between all decked out in the traditional red and green. It’s also the time of year that we open our homes to family and friends to enjoy good food and fellowship, making it my favorite time of the year to tablescape!  I love using fresh cut greenery, fruit, and of course, lots of bling and color! Over the years, I have collected so much Christmas decor that I have an endless supply of things to choose from…and I like to mix things up a bit!  This Christmas season, I added salad plates from Pottery Barn that I can use during the winter months, not just for the holidays!  They make for a good transition while bringing holiday cheer!

 
The salad plates provided the inspiration for the table!

 
The long centerpiece is made with fresh-cut cedar, apples, and candles!


 There are four different birds represented on the plates!

 
I paired a solid red napkin with an apple green chevron print napkin and cinched the two with a napkin ring!

 
A pair of square vases filled with cranberries hold a floating candle…so simple, but elegant!

 
The rattan chargers add texture and give the setting a rustic feel!

 
Candlelight provides the perfect ambiance anytime, but especially at Christmas!

 
The foundation for the centerpiece is a festive table runner!

 
The colorful stemware is always used during the Christmas season!


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This was one of those tablescapes that came together in fifteen minutes…love it when that happens!

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The five flocked slim trees are a new addition to the dining room!  They were so easy to assemble and put in place – perfect with just the lights and no ornaments!


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“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in a setting of silver”
Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬

The Details:
White Dinner Plates – Home Goods
Bird Salad Plates – Pottery Barn
Stemware – Pier 1 (several years ago)
Gold Flatware – Cambridge
Rattan Chargers – Hobby Lobby (several years ago)
Table Runner/Napkins – TJ Maxx
Napkin Rings – Fairhope, AL (this past summer)

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Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, 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 Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined

Tablescape Tuesday: I’ll Have A Blue (and White) Christmas

~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭

December gives us many reasons to celebrate and parties to attend.  But in our family, we celebrate more than Christmas in December…it is our son’s birthday!  On Friday Seth will turn 30, and by now, you all know how much I love to celebrate birthdays!  He is a low-key guy and would never want a big party, so we will keep it simple and have his favorites…home-made manicotti, mixed green salad, focaccia bread, and his cake of choice – red velvet!  Let’s take a peek at the table already set for our dinner!


I love using the blue/white Christmas tree china and mix it with a few pops of red!

 
Seth made me a pair of antler candle stands last year and I thought they would be perfect for the tablescape!

 
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 Cute Fitz and Floyd nutcracker salt and pepper set!


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The snowmen salt and pepper set was given to me years ago by Seth, love it!

 
I used magnolia leaves cut from our tree to soften the burlap table runner!  I always prefer using natural elements!

 
Katy gave me the deer place card holders last year that are actually ornaments…a very special gift!

 
Tartan plaid has been the rage the last couple of seasons!


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The napkin rings are ornaments, also!  Much cheaper than purchasing the real ones!


“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in a setting of silver”
Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬


 Thank you for making us a part of your everyday living!

The Details:
Dinner and Salad Plate – Queen’s China “Season’s Greetings -Tuesday Morning (several years ago)
Charger – American Atelier “Baroque – Horchow.com
Stemware – Noritake “Sweet Swirl/Midnight Blue
Flatware – Stainless by Reed and Barton “Heritage”
Tartan napkins/Felt Reindeer Cones – TJ Maxx (last year)
Mini Tree – TJ Maxx (recently)

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Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, 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 Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined

Tablescape Tuesday: The Carolers

~ Christmas, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday

 “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭95:1‬ ‭

Is there anything more joyful than singing…especially at Christmas time?  The timeless Christmas carols that flood the radio this time of year have a way of taking me back to Christmases in years gone by.  If you’ve ever gone caroling this time of year, you know the joy and smiles on surprised faces as they open their doors to the sounds of the season!

Since the gift of music is so important to us, it was only natural that I would be drawn to Byers’ Choice Carolers!  My collection began when my Mother started with three carolers and has since become such a treasure to me!

I am excited to share a few of them with you all today, and what better way than on a tablescape?!  After all…as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we do have a reason to sing!


  The table is set with my oldest Christmas china!

 
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I have always loved this pattern…Christmas tree with a teddy bear and presents underneath! 

   
The carolers are entirely made by hand…each one uniquely created
by talented artisans in the US!


The caroler has a sack of fruit and a basket of eggs! 
 
The little girl caroler has fur muffs!
They are dressed for cold and snowy weather!
  
The velvet table runner adds pattern and texture!


What joy to see the Salvation Army bell ringers everywhere I shop!  The pair of carolers with their sign and bucket is the perfect centerpiece!


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The ornament place card holders have graced
Christmas tablescapes for many years!


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The letter carrier and teacher carolers hold special meaning, both gifted by my friend, Kathy and her beautiful granddaughter, Nalin!  My Daddy is a retired letter carrier and Kathy is a retired teacher!

 
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 Their singing faces always make me smile!  


A pair of rustic lanterns complete the caroling centerpiece!  


“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in a setting of silver”
Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬

The Details:
China – Nikko “Happy Holidays”
Cranberry stemware – Department store (years ago)
Gold flatware – Cambridge
Table runner/lanterns/napkins – TJ Maxx
Byers’ Choice Carolers

side Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, 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 Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined