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!

Fiesta Time...

Hola! Welcome to Cinco de Mayo in beautiful Southwest Colorado! Come in and get ready for a traditional Mexican fiesta. I've set the table with Fiesta ware in Peacock, Tangerine, Lemongrass and Heather. One of the first things that drew me to Fiesta was the versatility. I love mixing and matching! Our menu for today: Chicken Enchiladas, Tacos, Rice, Beans, homemade tortillas and chips and fresh salsa! I might be able to persuade my son to make his famous(at least in our family) Tomatillo Chicken Enchiladas, instead of my regular ones. A bowl of delicious Chili Verde sounds good too! And for dessert? Fried Ice Cream- a local favorite.



I just love these glasses! My local organic grocery store owner makes frequent trips to Mexico and brings back the most gorgeous hand-blown stemware. And the margarita glasses-$1.00 from Dollar Tree! We enjoy "horchata" (rice water) in ours, instead of real margaritas!



I found the cute napkin rings in the little girls hair accessories aisle of a local discount store. I didn't know when I would use them, but they really look great with my brightly colored Fiesta.



This cute little jug(?) came from a box of stuff that Hubby got from his grandmother. It has been in the back of the china cabinet for so long, I almost forgot about it.



Hubby loves to make fresh salsa from our own jalapeno plants and tomatoes. He says it tastes so much better than store-bought.


A big "MUCHAS GRACIAS" to Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch" for hosting this terrific party!

I need Help...

I've been looking at this table top for quite awhile. I can't seem to decide what to do with it. I know it needs something, but what? So, I'm asking the experts-those of you who post to Marty's Tabletop Tuesday. Let me know what you think, and I will re-post next week with your suggestions.

Tablescapes 2009-Part 2

As always, I'm so grateful for Susan from "Between Naps on the Porch" for graciously hosting this fabulous meme! I have learned so much from all of you and your wonderful, beautiful table settings. I really haven't had time to get any of my "new-old" dishes out of storage this week, so I thought that I would share another table from my P.E.O. fundraiser last summer.
My friend Cheryl put together this darling "Summer Picnic". She started with an antique ironing board, used her grandmother's aprons for linens, and then set the board for a picnic buffet. I am always amazed at Cheryl's creativity and events like this allow her to really show off!
I really hope that my life slows down a bit, so I can continue to play with my dishes. I'm thinking...Cinco de Mayo?
Since I'm a complete dunce on the linking thing-click on susan's button to get back to her page.