Tablescape Tuesday: ‘Tis The Season

December 2, 2014~ Food & Entertaining, 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.

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 , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice , Creatively Living , Rustic-Refined , Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, 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

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December 1, 2014~ Decorating

Yesterday, we were honored to participate in From My Front Porch To Yours blog series “How I Found My Style Sundays”. The series runs each Sunday and highlights decorating styles from various bloggers. You can find the original post here: How I Found My Style Sundays – Everyday Living. We wanted to share it with you all today!

As new bloggers (only three and a half months!), we are honored to share on Pamela’s amazing series “How I Found My Style Sundays“! Pamela, thank you so much for this opportunity to meet new friends. My husband, Butch and I would like to invite you to come and visit with us at www.everydayliving.me.

Blessings, Pam

Decorating has always been a part of my life, beginning as a ten year old. When Butch and I married, I went in to full decorating mode. He was so patient, never knowing what he might find or how I may have re-decorated when he came home from work each day! The next thing I knew, friends and family were asking if I could help them decorate a room or solve a dilemma. In late 1996, God opened a door of opportunity that changed everything–I was officially “hired” to decorate an entire house! From that one job, a new career began! Now eighteen years later, I look back and am overwhelmed with God’s goodness in allowing me to follow a dream.

To quote Oscar de la Renta, “Style is more about being yourself”.

As an interior decorator, my clients’ personal styles have ranged from English Country to Southern Traditional to Country French to Eclectic, and many that didn’t know what they liked. I have enjoyed the challenge of helping clients to embrace being themselves and not just ‘give in’ to the latest decorating trends. My personal style has evolved over time and I would classify myself somewhere between Country French and English Country. My preference is warm colors that invite you to sit down and visit!

(You can click on the individual pictures to go to their original post)

Our kitchen has a definite Country French look with its warm Provençal colors. Note the French chest between our reading chairs and the oil painting of a 19th century Paris street scene! You can see more photos of our kitchen here: Our Refuge and Bon Voyage to Bon Appetit!

I love our granite topped island with the elegant chandeliers hanging above!

Our family room has the feel of an English Country house. Look closely and you will see the mix of patterns: floral, plaid, leopard, toile, and a mix of textures. The cedar walls and ceiling provide the rustic while the chandelier and furnishings provide the elegance. I have always loved books-they give a room the feel that someone really lives in the space!

Hospitality was a gift that my Mother possessed. I have done my best to follow her example! I love setting beautiful tables to welcome family and friends.

When I began blogging in August of this year, I was encouraged to share my tablescapes…and Tablescape Tuesday began!

An elegant vignette in our master bath with hand-painted walls and of course, a chandelier!

A peak into our jewel-box powder room!

My advice in creating a beautiful home is this: begin with love. You can acquire expensive and beautiful “stuff”, but without the spirit of love, it will be a cold and lonely house. It is perfectly ok not to follow all the latest decorating trends! Again, style is about being yourself. If I feel the need to incorporate the latest trend, I will purchase a pillow or small accessory for an inexpensive update! My home is a collection of a lifetime of travel, books, gifts, and spotting a perfect accessory for a specific place. Enjoy making your home a place of love and peace from all the noise that grabs our attention. When our son, Seth was little, he said many times, “home was his favorite place to be”!

“…and above all these put on love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony”
Colossians 3:14

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 6

November 30, 2014~ Simple + Southern Sunday

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons”
‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭4-5‬

During this most wonderful time of the year, there are so many things that bring a smile to our faces!

Butch was about to slip into a phone booth and change into his Santa attire to prepare for the trip north but was willing to pause for a quick photo.

A beautiful wedding chapel located at Noccalula Falls park in Gadsden, Alabama

Noccalula Falls, in our hometown, is truly a grand sight and the surrounding park has numerous activities and recreational opportunities. The area is a very popular place for tourists and locals. The wedding chapel featured above can be seen beyond the falls.

Equally beautiful at night especially when decked out for Christmas!

Mary Grace (big sister to Elsie and Virginia) proudly displaying her home-baked pumpkin muffins.

Unusual hand stitched artwork purchased from the artist herself at an outdoor market in Darby, Montana

Taking a break from all the Christmas decorating to enjoy a peppermint latte and pecan pie with salted caramel sauce!

It wouldn’t seem like Christmas without the dedicated Salvation Army bell ringers!

The Byers Carolers were a gift from our friend Kathy

My Mother’s iron skillet and her recipe for corn bread are the first ingredients for her dressing, which happens to be the best!!

Santa and Hudson hashing it all out…

You can see this pin and many more on my Christmas Pinterest board, Joyeux Noel

Advent

As we are approaching the Christmas season, there is much anticipation. There is decorating to be done, trees in need of trimming, and lots of homemade goodies being baked. But most importantly, we look to, and anticipate The One who is to come! We enter into this season known as Advent, which simply means “coming”. We know that the Lord Jesus has come, and we eagerly await his return! For the next 4 weeks, we want to invite you into our Advent devotions here on Simple Southern Sunday.

We also recommend this devotion from Desiring God to help prepare your hearts during this season: Good News of Great Joy

As we light the candles week by week, be reminded that Jesus is the True Light that comes into the world.

The first candle represents HOPE.

“For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising”
Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭2-3‬