Everyday Living

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

Summer of ’70

~ Music

It was the summer before her 17th birthday–the age of hippies, mini skirts, bell bottoms, and so-called peace and love. An unimaginable war was being fought half a world away, while America was in political and social turmoil. But growing up in the deep south, she felt far removed from the world’s problems. Her days were filled with the sounds of music. She spent hours on end playing piano and singing hymns, show tunes, and whatever sheet music she found in the piano bench. Her Daddy’s stereo could be heard spinning her favorite records and the old dial radio was always tuned to the top 40’s station.

On that hot July afternoon, as she sat outside drinking a glass of sweet tea and the radio playing, he drove up in his baby blue Mustang. A nineteen year old college student with sun-bleached hair, dreamy brown eyes, and a certain mystery that she found intriguing. She only had distant ideas of him until now. But what she did know was they had something in common. Jumping out of his car wearing the latest bell-bottom jeans, button-down shirt, and the most perfect smile, she felt her face turn red over her appearance: hair pulled up in a pony-tail, scrubbed face without make-up, and purple stained hands from shelling peas!! After a few nervous words he said, “I brought you a little something”. Why would he be bringing her something? She had never received a gift from a guy. It was just a plain brown paper bag, but in his hands, he held what would be a life changing gift.

How did he know that she loved music?

How did he know that was her favorite song?

How could it possibly be his?

Little did this girl and this guy know that God would use such a small gift to bring about His perfect plan for a lifetime as He would join their hearts. This guy’s God-given musical talent and his ability to communicate the greatest love-story of all time have been used to bless countless lives. Their love for music is a gift spanning generations. This wonderful legacy of music continues strong in the life of their son.

Forty-four years have passed and her eyes still tear and heart flutters when he plays his guitar while singing his songs of God’s love and of their love. They still call that 1970’s song, his first gift of many to her, “their song”. Occasionally, it plays as they drive the country roads of their youth, but there is one place it is always playing: their hearts.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,endures all things.  Love never ends.”

– 1 Corinthians 13:7-8a

An Unordinary Sunday

~ Faith

The Coosa River runs near our home and is one of the biggest attractions in our hometown in northeast Alabama. Bountiful and beautiful, the river provides a wide variety of recreational activities and brings diversity to our Appalachian foothills ecosystem. Riverfest–a two day outdoor concert, numerous fishing tournaments, boat races, fireworks, and unique competitions for various charities are just some of the events that take place here.

It is very ordinary to witness people by the river, on the river, and in the river on any given hot summer afternoon. But I must say that last Sunday I witnessed something on the Coosa that in all my years, (and that’s quite a few now) I have never seen. I’ve heard people speak of it, and suppose at one time it was somewhat common, but what happened this past Sunday along the banks of the Coosa was indeed unordinary.

Eight people asked to be baptized by immersion in the river, and a crowd gathered to witness this event. Reminds me of what was going on so many years ago at the Jordan River. The scriptures record in Matthew 3 that many people were coming to the Jordan to be baptized by a man named John, and there was quite a crew hanging out, curious to see what was going on! Shortly thereafter, we see that Jesus himself is there and, at His request, is also immersed in the river by John. What occurred last Sunday on the Coosa will be an unforgettable experience for all who were present!

Eight souls identifying with Christ. Eight hearts obeying the command to be baptized as a public confession that they have trusted in Jesus. Eight lives trusting in His death, His burial, and His resurrection as the only true way of salvation. Buried with Christ in baptism, raised to walk in newness of life.

Now, we all know that a picture can paint a thousand words.  I noticed a particular portion of the crowd on Sunday: the children.  As they sat on the pier with feet dangling and interests peaked, these children were seeing a real life picture– a picture that painted more than a thousand words.  A picture better than any storybook that had ever been read to them, one with eternal significance. The other onlookers may not remember specific details, but I venture to say that for these children, this past Sunday afternoon will be one of their most vivid childhood memories — one that will echo into eternity.

“One generation shall commend your works to another,
    and shall declare your mighty acts…” 

-Psalm 145:4

Thank you to www.tiffanyrussell.com for the photos!