My Clock Story...

Thank You Marty for hosting another "Tabletop Tuesday". I've been out of the loop, so to speak, for the last few weeks. Youngest son got married, school started, and projects that needed to be finished have gotten in the way. I've still been checking out the beautiful posts you all put together each week on the various blogs that I follow. You still inspire me, and I hope to be back in the swing of things soon.
So, here's my clock story...


This shelf has been over my bed for a few years, waiting for something to call it home. I was in our local ALCO, if you have one in your area, they are kind of neat. Ours has a big home decor department. Every time I went in, I would see this clock on the shelf, look at the price tag which said "20.00" and think- "Next time, I will have extra cash."

I went in one day and knew that I had an extra twenty in my pocket, and decided to splurge. I took the clock up to the check-out and had the gal ring it up. She said, "Wow, what a deal, it's only $1.99!" Needless to say, I hurried up and paid the lady. The clock came home to my bedroom shelf. I found a few other things to put with it, a dollar store plate with our initial made by my Cricut, a dried flower arrangement that a friend gave to me, a picture, a candlestick and three little topiaries.

I think it turned out pretty good, don't you?

Thanks again Marty-you always have such beautiful things. Keep on inspiring!!!!

Bee's A Buzzin'.....

It's been hot here in the Rocky Mountains lately. I've been feeling lazy, not wanting to get out in the sun. My garden is blooming and the bees are buzzing. We have a great little shop here in my town that sells honey-nothing but honey they gather from their bees and bee-related items. I love to stop in and see what's new and buy a bottle of fresh honey. I saw these plates a few months ago in a catalog that I get regularly. I knew that I had a cute table setting to share with all of you at "Between Naps on the Porch".


I really like the beehive in the center of these dessert or salad plates. I almost hate to put anything on them and cover up the hive!


I found vintage yellow Fiesta at a nother local shop and layered them under the blue.


A white charger from Wal-Mart with a "Summer Rose" pattern breaks up the blue of the placemat from Dollar Tree. I've found some great things at that store and my wallet is happy too.


I purchased the spatter ware from Country Living magazine many years ago. This is the largest of the canister set. I also have a water pitcher that matches. The sunflowers are always cheery and really say "last days of summer are here."


I found the votives at Yankee Candle a few months ago. Can you see the bees?


Susan-as usual, you are a wonderful hostess. I love coming to your porch every Thursday for Tablescape Thursday. Click on the button to get back to the party!

What Rhymes With Orange?

Last Saturday I visited an antique store that I had never been in before. I've driven past a few times and thought that I really should stop, but never did. So I started wandering around and the sales lady said, "Go upstairs, there is alot more up there." As I wandered around looking at all of the things that I would really love, but can't afford, my eye caught a glimpse of orange. Not just any orange, but this great color.


Sitting in a basket with other linens were these fabulous napkins. I hurried to see if Candy from "The Little Round Table" was nearby. I love looking at her wonderful collection of vintage tablecloths. They said "Vera" in the corner. I knew they needed to be mine. I looked at the tag-$4.00!!! They were mine.


I came home and went to work. I had to use a white table cloth, only because I don't have an orange one. Piece by piece I layered my Shamrock, Cobalt, Periwinkle and Tangerine Fiesta.


I gathered everything orange that I could find-candles and Gerbera Daisies from the deck. Out came the Cobalt pitcher and salt and pepper.


I think I even got a picture in the "Blue Hour"!


Thanks again Susan! I love coming to Between Naps on the Porch every Thursday. Just go back to the button on the side of the page to get back to some pretty terrific ideas!

It's Official-I now own a Rooster...

Ok-I give. You have convinced me that I need a rooster in my house. After seeing so many wonderful table settings with all of your pets, I caved in and got not one-but two. I just couldn't leave the tall skinny guy all alone in the store. Now roosters are not my favorite animal. We have several neighbors that have chickens here and those roosters love to let us all know that they are in charge-especially at 5:00 am. (Sorry about this picture-don't break your neck trying to see.)



I've set my table with my favorite red tablecloth. I use this thing alot! I found the checked table runner at the Quilted Bear in SLC while visiting my mother. My American Bistro plates look great with this. I really love the checked border in red and black.



Here's the man that made me give in. I knew when I saw him that he would fit in perfectly with this country breakfast setting. There is the best little store for these kind of things in my town. It's called "Elk Ridge Gifts and Framing". Marsha always has the cutest things and knows just what I like.



The napkins aren't really napkins, but oversized washcloths. I really liked the texture and pattern. Being on sale for $1.00 helped too. I'm using glassware that I recieved when I got married. I'm down to 6 of these glasses from a set of 24. I really can't believe they've lasted this long.


My centerpiece is from the "Style Sisters". Some ribbon, rafia and fresh eggs finish my table. Now we're ready for pancakes, country ham and eggs-or maybe bisquits and gravy!



Thanks so much again Susan from BNOTP for hosting this much looked forward day(at least at my house!) Click the Tablescape Thursday button on the right to go back and see some wonderful ideas for entertaining or just making things nice for yourself. Thank you for all of your wonderful comments each week-I appreciate them all!

Child's Play...

Summer mornings in the Rocky Mountains are some of my favorite times. They're usually cool, calm and quiet. When I first started collecting Fiesta, I noticed that there was a child's tea set listed on the Homer Laughlin website. I've always been drawn to miniatures, so I ordered it. How thrilled I was to open the box.

Inside, was a 2-cup teapot, creamer, sugar, 2 cups, saucers and plates. Today I thought that this set would be perfect to showcase on Tablescape Thursday. They come in Sunflower, Plum, Shamrock and Tangerine. The little cups are so cute. I can just imagine a lovely tea party with this set and my grand daughters.



I bought the tiny silverware at IKEA. They came with their own set of dishes, which I'll probably show you all someday.

Congratulations Susan on your 100th post. I love coming here every Thursday and seeing what each and everyone of you have created for us. I appreciate all of your comments on my posts too. You are all so wonderfully kind!

What Inspires You?

One of the other things I like to do is quilt. Recently a friend of mine gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. When she found out that she was expecting, she asked if I would make her a baby quilt. She didn't want pastels, dogs, sports, cars or any other baby boy themes. She wanted Chocolate and Turquoise. After hunting around, I found exactly what she wanted and began to sew. As I was sewing, I thought, "Hmm..I have dishes in these colors. That would make a great table setting!" I finished the quilt and got right to work.



I found another piece of Chocolate and Turquoise fabric. Four placemats from Dollar Tree were next. Chocolate and Turquoise Fiesta, layered with white salad plates from Wal-Mart came next. I came across the napkins at Dillards in Santa Fe, NM and with napkin rings from the Style Sisters, I'm done!



I purchased the little bottles from TaiPan Trading in SLC, UT with the Gerbera Daisies in them. I think that this color palatte can be a little too intense for some. The white seems to break up all that color.



I think that my battery is running low because only a few of my pictures came out. Guess it's time to find the battery charger.

Thanks Susan from "Between Naps on the Porch" for letting me use my imagination again. I love seeing what each and every one of you put together to share with us each week. You are all truly inspiring!

17 Years In The Making...

Once again, many thanks to Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch" for giving all of us an excuse to get our dishes out and show them off! As I have related to you before, my MIL was and still is great friends with a couple that owned a local jewelry/ china/crystal/silver business. They carried several brands of china and stoneware. When they went out of business, my in-laws purchased just about everything in stock. So, they proceeded to give many of the dishes as gifts. When they were invited to my brother's wedding, they sent a collection of Independance China cups and saucers of various patterns. My sister-in-law was not quite as enthusiastic as I was, so I traded her for a food processer or something. I have been looking for these dishes since then. When I recieved an e-mail from Replacements saying they had enough to almost complete my set, I was thrilled! So here are my "new" dishes!



The pattern is Limerick. They are octagon shaped with a lime green gingham pattern. So 70's! I started my table with the lavender cloth that I have used several times. I found some bright green chargers at TaiPan Trading (what an experience!). I have layered the plates with a purple napkin. I am not using the salad plates because there were only three available.



I think these plates are so cute!



I went to my local antique store to browse the other day and found the purple bowls and compote. I think they really look good with the green. The votives are from TaiPan Trading also.





It has been a pretty gloomy day here in the Rocky Mountains. Yesterday-all day blue skies and sunny, today-overcast and rainy. My garden is still not in full bloom, maybe next week for fresh flowers! Thanks again Susan-you're terrific!