Red,White & Blue...

Recently, my granddaughter asked me "What is my favorite day?" I instantly replied, "Thursday! I get to play with my dishes and visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and Tablescape Thursday". I've been looking forward to sharing my new finds with you. I was browsing the Homer Laughlin website a few months back and came across these cute checked plates. They are from the "American Bistro" collection. I immediately had visions of chrome diners, juicy hamburgers, and thick milkshakes! So I ordered a few of the plates. They come in several colors with a banded or checked border. I'm still looking for a few things to set a 50's table, but I've put together a summery somewhat 4th of July table.



I've started with a crisp, white tablecloth. I found a piece of fabric with red stripes and blue stars for a runner. My Cobalt and Scarlett Fiesta are layered with the opposite American Bistro salad plate. I finally dug out my wedding crystal. It's Fostoria, but I can't remember the pattern. I've always liked it, but I only have 4 goblets. White napkins tied with patriotic ribbons finish the place setting.



I found some cardboard metalic stars at Michael's and made a banner to hang on my mantel. I used the left-over ones as coasters for the goblets. The little votives came from Dollar Tree in boxes of three, all different colors.



I found the tophat at Hobby Lobby many years ago and have used as a centerpiece alot. It always looks great with whatever you put in it. My stainless is Onieda "Independance". I think the pistol-grip handles on the knives look colonial.


Many mnay thanks to Susan for hosting this party and to all of you who post each week. I've admired each of your posts and learned so much from all of you. Each of you inspire me with the beauty you create. Thanks so much!


OOPS! After publishing my post, I see that one of my pictures is sideways! As my computer skills are pretty near zero, please accept my apologies for the sore neck you will get when looking at my post.

Good Morning!!!

Good Morning from the high mountain valleys of Colorado! I feel so blessed to say that I live in the Rocky Mountains, especially at this time of the year. Mornings are so peaceful, we never hear the sounds of the city here. Just the birds singing and a few occasional dogs. One of the things we are blessed in abundance with is wind. So early morning is the perfect time to sit on the deck and enjoy breakfast while the sun comes up!



I've been shopping (again) and found some cute little plates at Home Goods. I thought that the purple cloth I used at Easter would be perfect. I don't think you can see the pattern very well from my pictures, but it is from Johnson Bros. "Summer Chintz". I was excited to learn that this pattern is still available, so guess what I'm getting for my birthday! I used my white plates from Wal-Mart "Summer Rose" pattern and a deeper lilace color napkin that I got from Home Goods.



I've had the crystal for several years. My in-laws knew the owners of the local jewelry store that also carried china, crystal and silver. When they retired and sold their business, my in-laws bought almost everything that they had in the store. I recieved these goblets from that purchase. They are Franciscan "Caberet". Some of them still have the label on them. I have two sizes in my cabinet. Some of you commented on my stemware when I posted at "The Tablescaper" Where do you keep it all? post.



I've had the fruit cups(?) for many years. My boys loved pudding in them, but for today I think that berries would be perfect. The osteopermums are going in pots today. I think they are bright and cheery and perfect for a breakfast table.




Thanks so much again Susan, for hosting this event. I look forward to seeing everybody's creative and beautiful tables. I appreciate all of your comments and being able to share with you. Have a wonderful day!

Where I Keep It All...

I knew the day that I found "The Tablescaper" that I had found a place to call home. For many years, I hid my love for beautiful dishes because of three wild boys. When they became teenagers, I used some of my stash to teach them manners and how to behave in public (which worked, BTW), but now that they've all flown the coop-I can play with my dishes! I've never really thought about where I keep everything, most of it is stashed wherever I can find room. My wedding china, Noritake "Ranier" is stored in the china cabinet given to me by my mother-in-law. She insisted that I register for china and crystal when I got married and now I am so glad she did.




I keep serving pieces and various other things in the bottom of the cabinet. I think I need to clean this out.



along with the cabinet came the buffet. It is filled with candles, napkins, flatware, some centerpiece items and probably some things that I've been looking for but forgot were there. Too messy to show!




My everyday Fiesta is in my kitchen. When we remodeled about 7 years ago, I wanted glass doors on some of my cabinets so I could see what I had and to keep me a little bit more organized.




We put our old kitchen cabinets in the garage. Some are full of dishes, but some are full of junk. I think I need to remedy that situation so I can store more dishes.



I just purchased this little dresser/nightstand at Home Goods. Right now, it holds napkin overflow. It needs a little bit more organization.



And so, there you have it. I didn't show all the boxes of stemware and sets of dishes stored for another day. I tried to count all of the sets of dishes that I have and only came up with 10-so I am way behind all of you. Thank you for your inspiration each week!

Memorial Day

Sometimes at the end of a long, busy holiday weekend, I just want to sit back and relax. The house is finally quiet and those of us left can sit back and remember those who have gone on before us and those who have sacrificed so much for us. This week, I've chosen a patriotic tablecloth, simple white plates, and blue goblets. Red napkins with Style Sisters napkin rings keep the theme going. Candle light is always nice and I've taken a red, white and blue pillar and put them on a white plate.

Susan-you're the greatest! Tablescape Thursday is my favorite day of the week. Just click on the button to get back to "Between Naps On The Porch". Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Summer's Officially Here!!!

Memorial Day Weekend signals the official start of Summer for those of us that live high in the Rocky Mountains. It's finally warm enough to begin to enjoy the beautiful mountains that surround us. This year, in spite of the cool weather and YES-SNOW!!, my family plans to get together sometime over the weekend. We are a pretty casual bunch, so I've set my table for whatever may happen. Between my kids and in-laws, we can never plan on a set time.
I've used a red tablecloth from Christmas, and blue checked placemats as a runner. I think I purchased those from Wal-Mart, but only got three! I'm using my Cobalt and Scarlett Fiesta with plates from a set of Better Homes and Gardens dishes that I got on clearance from Wal-Mart. The centerpiece is a stick basket that I've had for years, with Marguerite Daisies that will be going in my flower beds this weekend. I'm using my everyday stainless and glasses. My napkins are in jean pockets and are bandanas.
Thanks so much Susan from Between Naps on the Porch for hosting this party. I have so enjoyed each and every one of your posts and comments. Seeing all of your beauties and special treasures is a joy!

Mother's Day

When I was a little girl, I loved to go to my Grandma's house. It was always full of treasures. My favorite place in her house were her kitchen cabinets. She had the best dishes! She always used china for dinner, but lunch was served on these wonderful FireKing "Charm" dishes. When she died, I asked my mother if I could have all of the blue dishes in her cupboard, and this set came to live with me. Over the years, I've picked up several pieces-the berry bowls and a platter. This Sunday, I'll be sitting down to a wonderful luncheon prepared by my husband and sons, and remember my Grandmother.



My place setting is sparse-I only have a few of these beauties. My linens came from Overstock.com and Wal-Mart. I can't remember where I purchased the runner. My napkin rings-from The Style Sisters. Stainless from Kohl's and glassware from Dollar Tree! You folks in the warm part of the world are so lucky. I only have brown and dead in my yard. So, I put some lemons in one of the bowls. Simple and colorful.



I especially love these little square cups. As a little girl, I felt really grown-up when she let me use them.



Thank You Grandma- and Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

A Special Thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. You can get back to her blog by clicking on the button for Tablescape Thursday.

How's This?

Last week I posted a picture of a pretty sad little table. I could not find the piece that would finish the look I wanted. So, after many wonderful ideas from you, I hope that it looks better this week. I started digging around in my china cabinet and found the platter to put in the center of the table. It really seemed to bring everything together. I found another book to make a stack of 3. I found some wrapped styrofoam balls and put them in the beehive cloche. You can really only see the red one in the picture, but it seems to fill out the space. A taller candlestick from the mantle helped give some height, although I do think I could use a colored candle for color.
In the second picture, I changed the finial for a plant to give this space a bit of color(other than browns). I found the Gerbera at the big-box store and wanted to plant it outside, but we had snow this weekend. It might be a little too intense, but I like it. Thanks for all of your help and suggestions, that's why I love looking at and reading your blogs. I've learned so much! Thanks to Marty at Tabletop Tuesdays for all of your help!