Food & Entertaining

Tablescape Tuesday: ‘Tis The Season

November 24, 2015~ Christmas, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel”
Isaiah‬ ‭7‬:‭14

“It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year“, because we celebrate the birth of Jesus! During the hustle and bustle of the season, may we not lose sight of why we celebrate. Without the birth of Christ, there would be no Christmas! May we all invite him, King Jesus, into our everyday living.

Today, let’s take a step back into Christmas past and re-visit my favorite tablescape from last year!
Setting a table for Christmas is always fun! I just love all the many colors of the season!
I decided to go with tall crystal candlesticks for this setting. There are 3 different pairs on the table and I bought them several years ago at my favorites–TJ Maxx and Tuesday Morning.Katy gave me these gorgeous place card holders (actually, they are ornaments). She saw the idea here: French Country Cottage. I love that she painted the antlers gold!
My Mother made the Christmas tree napkin rings in the late 70’s. They remain one of my most cherished gifts. Every Christmas season when I unpack them, I am reminded of the love that went into all the beautiful things that she made and all the people with whom she shared her many talents and love!Several years ago, I was shopping with my friend Elaine and I spotted these glasses at Pier 1. I really liked them, but didn’t buy them. A couple of weeks later, Elaine brought me a beautifully wrapped package containing–and you guessed–these beautiful glasses!
The gold deer were also a Pier 1 find! The Christmas China is Fitz and Floyd Classic Choices in the Winter Holiday pattern. The salad/dessert plate is Rose Wreath! When I first saw this pattern in a magazine, I immediately fell in love! I ordered 12 place settings and I have enjoyed that it is not a common pattern!The tablecloth is Sferra – luxurious and expensive Italian made linens. But, I bought this at Tuesday Morning for a real bargain!My friend and fellow designer, Terri, made this faux frosted fruit centerpiece six years ago and it still looks great! I am looking forward to sharing Christmas tablescapes with you this year! Hopefully, it will inspire you to welcome your friends and family to your table!

“Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart”
-Charles Wesley

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 Spirit of Thanksgiving

November 17, 2015~ Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday, Thanksgiving

“And you will say in that day:
“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted”‭‭
Isaiah‬ ‭12:4

I love the warm and earthy colors of autumn and Thanksgiving…the pumpkin orange, fiery reds & golds, and earthy browns! It’s almost as if they open their arms and welcome you! But, every now and then, it’s nice to change things up a little.

A few weeks ago, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I set a table using non-traditional colors and one of my all time favorites…leopard! At first glance, it may not seem like Thanksgiving, but keep looking…it is there.

As we approach this Thanksgiving, I want to encourage you all to look for God’s blessings. Look for them in what may seem like the mundane of your everyday living…the birds singing, leaves changing, and the smiles on the faces you love. God is often seen in the simplest, most unexpected places.

There is a certain elegance to a table setting without the use of a cloth or placemats!

The table runner is a sparkly gold scarf!

Would you believe I got an 8 place setting of this china for $30?

*

As you know, I love a touch of leopard…
3 pumpkins grace the center of the table!

A pair of vintage candle sticks hold striped candles!

*
Gold, white, and leopard, not your typical Autumn tablescape!

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

The Details:
China- The Longest Yard Sale
Gold flatware – Cambridge
Iced tea stemware – Horchow.com
Water glasses – vintage Fostoria
Gold chargers – Hobby Lobby (several years ago)
Napkins rings/place card holders – gifts
Leopard pumpkins – Hobby Lobby (last year)
Striped candles/gold scarf – TJ Maxx

Tablescape Tuesday: Thanksgiving Traditions

November 10, 2015~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!”
Psalm 34:1

It’s getting close! Are you ready? Yes, of course, I am talking about Thanksgiving! Up until 2003, when Butch and I started hosting Thanksgiving dinner, it had always been at my parents’.
We had just finished a re-modeling project which included the kitchen, and were so excited to have our family that year!

But how could I ever re-create what my Mother had always done so perfectly?

I started collecting a few tablescape items and my Mother made the turkey and dressing while I prepared all the sides and desserts. It all came together wonderfully that year and is now something we always look forward to! What I learned that year and continue to remind myself of is that while all of the decorating is fun and the day is centered around food, we must focus on the Giver of all good and perfect gifts…and offer him the praise he alone is worthy of!

This year marks our 13th year to welcome our family to our table…pull up a seat, there is room for you!   Our Thanksgiving table is always set with
the “woodland” dinner plates by Spode! The center piece changes every year! I decided to use a pair of
pilgrims, which certainly seem appropriate! Autumnal colors fill the julep cups! The placemats are pheasant feathers and they add texture!
The place card holders were bought
that first year and have been used ever since! Plaid napkins with a leaf design are gathered
with a little bling!   A pair of silver candlesticks round out the center of the table! Amber hued stemware is a mainstay for Thanksgiving.
Antlers add more texture! Each plate has a different bird! The gold tablecloth was purchased the first year of hosting
and I love tradition so it comes back year after year!   “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in a setting of silver”
Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬ We serve the Thanksgiving meal at dinner,
so candlelight is appropriate! The details:
Dinner plates – Spode “woodland” pattern
Charger – American Atelier “baroque” pattern Horchow.com
Feather placemats – kevinscatalog.com
Flatware – Reed and Barton “heritage”
Stemware, napkins, and tablecloth – Department store no longer in business
Napkin rings – a gift
Place card holders – Cracker Barrel gift shop (2003-doubt they still have them)
Pilgrims – Tuesday Morning (several years ago)