My Own White Picket Fence...

 I've been looking at alot of things to put in my garden and flower beds lately. We have such a short summer season that I tend to focus on outdoor activities and ignore other things. It seems that alot of folks out in the blog-o-sphere are using pallets for tons of different things. So, here's what I did with mine!

I dug around in the stacks of pallets at our business until I found two that would fit my project. These ones had the slats already looking like a picket fence.

I took them apart and rearranged the slats to look "pickety". I thought that taking off one side of the pallet left more open area. I found some old white paint in the garage and went to work. My grandkids helped me and we had a great time. Most of the paint went on the pallet. As you can see, I didn't make them all look even and one of them was broken, but that didn't matter.

And ta-da! It's finished! I placed the two pallets behind the flowers in the flower bed that was looking pretty sad. I used giant tie straps to attach the pallets to the fence behind it. I dug out my gazing ball stand and got a shiny, new bright red ball and planted some annuals to give it color.

Doesn't it look great? And the best part is, I spent $15.00 for the new gazing ball and that was it!!

I'm linking up to Funky Junk Interiors for this week's "Saturday Nite Special".  Thanks for letting us share our fun and creative ideas with each other. Now get back to the party and have fun looking at everyone's unique and creative ideas!

Stars And Stripes

I really love this time of year.You can set one table and make it last for an entire month! From Memorial Day, to Flag Day to the Fourth of July, you can bascially use the same table. I'm starting today with a basic red tablecloth. I've used this one for so many different things. It's really a great color.

 I found the table runner at Kohl's last year on clearance. I grabbed my basic white dinners plates, layered them with Scarlett Fiesta salad plates and finished with dessert plates from Independance Ironstone, Pillow Ticking pattern. I've had the Independance for some time, but I'm still looking for dinner plates. I found the blue goblets at my local organic grocery store and have used them for so many different occasions. I love the blue color.

 When I got married, I chose Independance stainless from Oneida. The pistol grip knives and 3-tined fork helps the patriotic theme continue.

 The pitcher is from Hobby Lobby, several years ago. I tried putting the flags in the pitcher for the centerpiece, but it wasn't quite right. So I grabbed the hurricane from the buffet and stuck the little flags in. For Flag Day, this will be great! Maybe for the Fourth of July I will use some sparkle.

Susan-thanks again for another great party. I love to come and look at everyone's pretties each week. You are all so talented and creative, you inspire me! Now let's get back to the party-just click the button on the right to see more!

Island Bliss..

In 2009, hubby and I won a trip to the Dominican Republic. We had a 10 day stay in Punta Cana, at the Moon Palace Resort. It was wonderful! We loved every minute of it. The ocean was a beautiful blue, white sandy beaches, fragrant flowers, and beautiful moonlit nights. Since tomorrow will be Cinco de Mayo, I thought I'd bring back some memories of our trip.

 I'm starting my table with a piece of burlap! It really reminded of the beaches and gives the table some texture. It can be fuzzy, so be careful. All of the women in our group were presented with a bright pareo, to remember the trip. I used mine as a table runner. It seems like I have used an awful lot of orange lately. I just can't seem to get enough of the bright colors. Maybe because it is still so brown and ugly here!

 I've layered Peacock, Lemongrass, Turquoise, and Shamrock Fiesta with some vintage Yellow Fiesta plates. All of these colors remind me of the things I saw in Punta Cana. I found these bright blue napkins in the drawer. They look pretty good!!

I pulled the Lemongrass carafe off of the shelf and slid some colorful Gerbera Daisies in for a simple centerpiece. Of course, no South of the Border dinner is complete without the Margaritas!

My computer has been acting up lately and I have not been able to link to Susan's wonderful party. Let's hope that this week will be better after a complete spyware, malware and virus check-up. Thanks for all of your wonderful comments each week. I appreciate your kind words and look forward to seeing what you have created! Now get on back to the Party!!!

Spring- Will You Ever Get Here??

Happy Spring Everybody!! I hope that you are enjoying your beautiful spring days. I have yet to see one!April in the Rocky Mountains is always very tricky, you never know what will happen next. We've had a mixture of almost nice and almost nasty weather. We really need some moisture soon, or we'll all blow away!

My Easter was pretty quiet. My grandkids other grandparents somhow think they should see our shared sweeties once in awhile, so they spent the day with them. They are really lucky to have two sets of grandparents so close to them.

I decided to set a table that can be used for any spring meal, not just Easter. I found this great cloth at Kohl's on sale of course! I think it will really be versatile for alot of spring or even summer occasions. I also knew that I could mix and match just about all of my Fiesta with it.

 It took me quite awhile to decide what colors to use. I tried just about every combination of colors that I had. I finally decided to use the Tangerine dinner plates, with the Lemongrass luncheon plates. Then I stacked my white, lacy plates from Pier 1 on top.

 I found some great ribbon at TaiPan Trading way back in January. I think it really finishes off the place setting.

 My bunny with the orange ribbon around his neck lets this table be used for Easter. I can take him and the salt and peppers off to have just a bright spring table. Daffodils from the grocery store always say spring and I snatched them up fast! I miss being able to have tulips and daffodils in my garden, but the deer seem to think I have set a great buffet for them and nibble them down to nothing.

I'm linking to "Tablescape Thursday" with Susan at  Between Naps on the Porch. I really enjoy seeing all of the wonderful tables you all set each week. You are all so creative and continue to inspire me. Now - let's get back to the party, click the button on the right to have more fun!

I Got New Dishes!!...

A new thrift store opened in our little town recently. I usually don't do thrift stores, I don't have the time or creative juices that many of you showcase every week. But, I decided to give it a try. Of course, I saw this set of dishes right off and snagged them up! I have learned that lesson-see it, buy it or lose it!

 According to the back of the dish, this is a Homer Laughlin pattern. It's called "Theme-eggshell", I think. I've looked all over the internet to find anything about this pattern. The closest I came to was on Replacements' website. They show this dish without the floral pattern.

( Sorry this picture is blurry) I tried to enter both the number on the back of the plate and the name, but no luck.

 Anyway-these plates reminded me of my Grandmother's everyday dishes. I especially loved the square salad plates.

 The entire set consisted of six salad plates, six rimmed soup bowls, six fruit bowls, six cup and saucers, and a gravy boat. The cost-$35.00 for everything. Replacements showed the cup and saucer for $13.99 each. I think that I did pretty well!

I know my table isn't set very well yet, but I'm working on that. It took me awhile to find a cloth that would show the plates off. I know that I need to find a set of silverware that is less modern than the ones I have now. Stemware too!

So-if any of you know about this pattern, I would really appreciate the information. I would also like to find some dinner plates to complete the set. Susan-I love coming to see you every week. I have a great time at your party! Thanks for hosting all of us plate fanatics! Now let's get back to the party!!!

April in Paris...

Is there anything more romantic than April in Paris? I've always wanted to find out! Recently I made a trip to Denver. I found a tablescaper's dream! Sur La Table, a darling shop in Cherry Creek mall, found me and I could not resist. These darling dessert plates were in the window and I knew they must come home with me.

 I'm starting with a white table cloth-again. It reminded me of the sidewalk cafes in Paris. I layered my black chargers from Hobby Lobby with Dusty Rose Fiesta and my cute Eiffel Tower plates.

 I pulled out the polka dot napkins from again, Hobby Lobby and used the fleur-de-lis napkin rings from Sur La Table. I wanted everybody to see the design on the plates, so I did change the placement of the napkin to the water goblet. I like the napkin on the plate or at the side for a more formal look. Having the napkin in the glass seems casual and I guess that napkin placement really depends on the mood you want to set!

 Here's an upclose look at the plates. Paris-Je l'aime!

I have been absent for a few weeks due to vacations, work and the death of a close friend. But I have not forgotten you, you have all set such lovely tables over the past few weeks, Susan, you're incredible! I love coming to your party. Thank You so much for letting me come each week. Now, let's get back to the party, click the "Tablescape Thursday" button to get back to the fun!!!

Erin Go Braugh....

A favorite movie of mine is "The Quiet Man" with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. My favorite part of the movie is when Maureen won't go to her new husband's house without her dowry. She wants her dishes, linens and furniture, the things a young bride needs to begin a new home. I especially love it when John Wayne drags her across the countryside, kicking and screaming with the entire town watching and cheering him on. I like to think that I maybe some of the things I've gathered over the years could be considered  a "dowry". Making a home for family and friends that is comfortable and welcoming has always been a goal. Being a part of "Tablescape Thursday" has helped me to find new ways to do just that. Now, if I could cook as well as you all do, I'd be set!

Today I'm setting the table for a traditional Irish dinner. I've layered a festive 4 Leaf Clover cloth over my white tablecloth from last week. (Why mess with what works, right?) I started watching all of your tablescapes about this time last year and learned from Candy at "The Little Round Table" that green, orange and white are the colors in the Irish flag.

I'm using my Tangerine Fiesta as sort of a charger/ dinner plate, with a Shamrock salad plate under the bowl. These bowls are Better Homes and Gardens "Summer Garden". They are fairly deep and would hold a hearty Irish stew.

I liked the look of the green Mexican glassware. Everyday stainless  and a white napkin finish the place setting.

Next to each place is a shamrock dish that I found at our local drugstore, of all places. I've put a little "gold" from the leprechaun's pot for each person.

Our cute leprechaun guards the gold. I always thought they were mean and greedy, but this one's ready to share his bounty with all who dine at this table. His pot is a terra cotta planter, painted green and white. A piece of styrofoam helps to fill the pot and make it look fuller. The pot is sitting on a clear cake stand with extra gold spilling out and around.

Susan-thanks again for a lovely party. I so enjoy coming and looking at everybody's lovelies. Thank you to all of you who leave comments and have chosen to follow me. I'm flattered beyond belief !  Now, let's get back to the party, click the button on the side to see what everyone else is up to! I won't see you for a week or so, I'm cruising to Mexico for a week and hope to find some special treasures to share!