Everyday Living

Tablescape Tuesday: Heart, Soul & Chicken Casserole

October 6, 2015~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103:13

October 6, 1930 is a day that I am so grateful for…it’s the day my sweet Daddy was born…making today his 85th birthday! His three grandchildren started calling him Pawpaw when they were small, so we follow suit with that affectionate name! Our family celebrated Sunday night in a simple way – just like Pawpaw! We ate his favorites…chicken casserole, sweet potatoes, pecan pie, and the like! In Proverbs 17, King Solomon says “A joyful heart is good medicine…” and we proved this true on Sunday evening! We laughed until we cried as we told stories and watched Pawpaw enjoy himself! Joy radiates from his presence and his laugh is so contagious! There is much to be learned from his life, and I hope you will read the post I did for his birthday last year: A Living Legacy. His life is one to be celebrated and the whole evening was wonderful! In the same way that God gives us food to nourish our bodies, he gives the sweet gift of a family to love and nourish our souls.

But let’s get back to the party…

The paisley tablecloth that was on clearance became the inspiration for the setting!

I introduced a little autumn, but kept it simple!

Playing off the golds, blues, and greens of the cloth for napkins and pumpkins! The gold flatware is a new purchase!

The porcelain pumpkins on the table have been around for many years!

*
A pair of heavy iron candle stands graced the table with gold pillar candles for ambiance!

*
Salt and pepper gifted by my sister-in-law – she always finds unique gifts for my tablescapes!

A velvet pumpkin rests on a rusty metal stand as the centerpiece!

*
*
Just a shot taken from inside the chandelier!

*
Seth and Pawpaw!

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

The Details:
Tablecloth/Faux leather chargers – TJ Maxx
Dinner plates – Horchow.com American Atelier – “Baroque”
Stemware – Noritake – “Midnight Swirl”
Gold stainless flatware – Cambridge
Porcelain pumpkins – Department 56

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , Silver Pennies , Life on Lakeshore Drive , Thoughts From Alice , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia , The Dedicated House , 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 Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup, TheEnchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Hom e, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Rustic & Refined, Must Love Home, Grammie Time

Give Thanks In All Things

October 5, 2015~ Decorating

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭

A couple of weeks ago, we took a look inside Katy’s bedroom that we decorated (see here: Blessings In Bloom) and I told you we would be back for more, so let me welcome you back to her home! Today we will be in the living room, where the chalkboard says it all… “Give thanks in all things!” And I am so proud of Katy, that she is choosing to live life this way! It is a beautiful example for all of us to see, and I wanted to give her the opportunity to share a little with us today…

Eucharisteo. Ever heard of that word? It simply means “to give thanks”. This time of year, we see those words on everything from dish towels to church signs. But to make that a signature of our life is quite another. How on earth do we do that, especially when it doesn’t come naturally? As I struggle to thank God in all things, I need to be reminded that the good hands of my Heavenly Father are in control of both, therefore He is worthy to be praised through it all! He gives, he takes away, and remains faithful. As Pam takes you through my living room, you will notice that hardly anything was bought by me. It was all given to me by people who are so very special to me. I love things that tell a story, and I think my living room does just that…from the tedious needlepoint work made by loving hands to the old suitcases that have traveled the world! It all serves as a beautiful reminder to me each day that I have family and friends who love me and take care of me on this earth, but more than that, a good, good Heavenly Father who is the giver of all things. Now that is a reason to be thankful.

Katy’s living room is warm and cozy…inviting you to come in! We worked with what she had and I think the results are beautiful!

The sofa was passed down from Katy’s parents. Paisley window treatments from TJ Maxx work well with the existing sofa! I love mixing patterns in a room…paisley with the plaid sofa!

The stack of suitcases make for an interesting little corner, since two of them belonged to family members. The round case was used by Katy’s great aunt (who was somewhat of a wanderlust), and Katy rescued the one on the bottom from her Dad’s shop!

Her oldest brother was no longer using the rug, so it found its way into the living room!

This might be the cutest mug ever – purchased last week at Cracker Barrel’s gift shop!

In the late 70’s and early 80’s I was into cross-stitching. This throw had been packed away for years and long forgotten…but it has found a happy home! I remember that I worked weeks to complete it and I am honored that Katy loves it!

Autumnal touches on a table that she has had for a long time…so long that its origin is unknown!

The chaise lounge also belonged to her great aunt. The upholstery was worn, but nothing that a brightly colored throw couldn’t hide! The small gate leg table beside the chaise and the oak chest also belonged to Katy’s older brother! The rabbit giclee has made its rounds to several of my family members and friends’ homes and now resides in this cozy little room!

The perfect pillow for the sofa was, of course, a TJ Maxx find!

Allison (my sweet daughter-in-love) had been given this frame with a broken mirror that she replaced with a chalkboard and in turn gave to Katy! It is perfectly placed as you enter the front door! What a fun way to greet your guests with personal and seasonal messages!

These cute wooden pumpkins were a gift from our pastor’s wife!

The copper metallic lamp was found at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. The throw and down pillow are from TJ Maxx!

I love how everything came together for this room!

Katy and I on the day of her housewarming…my precious chosen daughter!

As a decorator, I have worked with clients that had large budgets or no budget at all, but I also had clients that had restricted budgets. I have always enjoyed the challenge of taking what a client has and making it work! I hope this post inspires you to use what you have and add a few bargain accessories to bring beauty into your home. Please stay tuned for more from Katy’s home!

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 50

October 4, 2015~ Simple + Southern Sunday

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:2‬ ‭“Come in, come in, the door is open
Spirit come and fill this place. Come in, come in,
our hearts are open. We’re inviting You to stay
Stay here with us”
Micah Massey & Aaron KeyesWe had the opportunity to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland recently and this picture doesn’t do it justice!
Autumn is beginning to show its beauty at Desoto Falls! Fall displays are popping up everywhere!
Our friends, Terry and Brenda, shared their photo of the picturesque Portland Head Lighthouse on their recent trip to Maine! Darling little Sarah…love that face! With a river running through our city, photo opportunities are limitless! We never turn down a pasta dish…bucatini with field peas at Frank Stitt’s Bottega Cafe!A volunteer vine popped up under our peach trees this spring obviously sprouting from last years discarded pumpkins. The vine was prolific, winding itself around one tree and producing over 30 little pumpkins. Who says an ornamental peach tree can’t produce mini pumpkins?

Only in the South can Krispy Creme open and people camp out for days and then line-up before dawn for a years’ worth of free doughnuts. This happened in our city last Wednesday! Such a cute photo idea!