True Love Never Grows Old...

I'm joining Susan at "BTNOP" for another fabulous "Tablescape Thursday"! I've just returned from a great surprise birthday weekend for my Mother. All of my brothers and sisters were there. We had a great time! I love spending time with those who are closest to me.

Hubby and I are finally "home alone". All of our chicks have flown the coop and we are alone, together. I've decided to set a romantic table for two, using a few of my favorites from around the house.

I'm starting with a crisp, white tablecloth. I don't know what it is, but a white tablecloth just starts a table off right. I found a bright red runner at Home Goods a few weeks ago. Now I know I said "around the house", but sometimes.... you just gotta!!

I have had these cute blocks for awhile. Stacked on a clear glass cake plate, they drop a Valentine hint.

I started collecting Fiesta right as the Dusty Rose color was discontinued. So, a dinner for two is easy when you only have two plates that match. I am still looking for that color, and have learned that you get enough for 4 when you hear a color is being "retired". The white dessert plates came from Pier 1. I really like the lacy edge. I think that I can use these plates in alot of different ways, so you will probably be seeing them often.


While I was at Home Goods, these candy bars with vintage labels were sitting on the shelf. My mother has quite a collection of vintage cards that she inherited from her great aunt. My sister and I loved to look through them as kids. they really evoke a romantic mood. The chocolate nevers hurts, either!

Thanks to everyone who has left such sweet comments on my posts. I appreciate the words of encouragement! I feel as if I've made a whole new circle of friends. Now go up and click on the button to get back to the party!

Love is in the Air...

Time for another "Tablescape Thursday"! I'm really excited to start with a new theme. Valentine's Day is usually not one of those times that I do alot of decorating. But last year, when I started following Susan and some of the other fabulous tables out here in blogland, The Tablescaper's romantic Valentine table inspired me. I've been looking for great things ever since! I love the color red and this week's table is really red!

I found some really cute placemats at Kohl's the other day. You really can't beat their sale prices and with a coupon, I almost felt guilty picking these up. White plates (Summer Garden from Better Homes and Gardens), goblets from Big Lots and my everyday silverware complete the place setting. The heart topiaries are from Hobby Lobby a few years ago.

The dessert plates came from Kohl's too. With the price I paid for the placemats, I could get the 4 plates, which turned out to be on sale for half off! I can just picture a yummy, gooey chocolate dessert right in the middle.

Now for the napkins. I found these at Home Goods. They were too cute to pass up. But how do you fold them? Do you put them under the silver and cover up the heart? Do you put them in the glass with the heart upside down? Any suggestions? I would love to hear from you on how you use napkins with a single design.

Once again, I'm thrilled to be here with such a great group of people. I can hardly wait to see what you're doing this week. Thanks again Susan for sponsoring this week's party. Click on the button on the right to get back to the fun!

Bundle Up...

Is it cold enough for you yet? I know that some of you folks in the South are not used to cold and snow, but I'm glad it's finally here in Southern Colorado. Our ski area is booming, with over 6,000 skiers on December 28, 2010!

When it gets this chilly, I love to turn on my fire(it's gas) and sit close by. It doesn't matter what's to eat-hot chocolate, chili, homemade soup-it all tastes better by the fire. I'm using my jumbo mugs from Gibson and small Fiesta plates in red and cobalt. One spoon and a simple napkin finish my meal. I know that this looks very plain, but when it's cold, I just don't want to drag alot of stuff out.

Susan- keep up the good work!! I love looking at all of the fabulous tables you set. Each and every one of you inspire me. Click on the "Tablescape Thursday" button to get back to the fun--and stay warm!!!

2010-we hardly knew ya...

Where has this year gone to? It has just whizzed by for me. We've had a pretty great year, with a new daughter-in-law as the topper. I think I've had the most fun joining you on "Tablescape Thursday". Meeting all of you has certainly been a highlight!
We usually don't celebrate New Year's Eve. I guess I'm getting to the age where it's not that exciting anymore. But I thought I would try to throw something together, just in case!

I got really lucky this Christmas. Santa brought me new linens-in black. He also put the silver chargers you see here. I think he has great taste. I am using my Noritake china and Fostoria crystal. I put my $2.00 clock (you'll have to look back to see how I got that!) on my clear plate dish, with silver foil shreds around the base. It will help us with the countdown!

I've set near each place setting noise makers and necklaces to help with the festivities. You can't have New Year's without noisemakers!


A silver bowl with poppers is ready to welcome in 2011!!

My thrift store silver tray is set with silver champagne glasses and a bottle of sparkling grape juice. That is about as exciting as it gets here. I'll put the "bubbly" on ice soon.


Susan-you're such a dear. This year has been a blast for me! Thank You, Thank You-for your wonderful ideas, helps and the beauty you inspire in each of us. May 2011 find you all healthy, happy and ready to tablescape!!!!

The Gift...

Merry Christmas everybody!!! I hope tonight finds you with those you love, wrapped in the joy of the season. As I grow older, I find that I get greater joy from the things that Christmas represents and not the presents that I receive. (Although I do hope that Kindle is under my tree!)

I found just about everything for this table at Wal-Mart. The green cloth is from Kohl's, one of those great $9.99 bargains, that ended up even cheaper with the 20% discount. I've had the gold chargers for awhile, and the burgundy dinner plates look amazing with them. The dessert plates are what got me. I love the simple word "Joy" on the plate. This is the season for Joy!!

I've used two different centerpieces. I purchased the cupcake holder and the votives along with the plates. I had this great idea that it might look great, but didn't think that 13 votives might be just a little bit of a fire hazard. But they really looked great!

I decided to change to a clear cake stand with a gold wrapped box, surrounded by ribbon confetti. My husband gave me the gold candles a few years ago and I think they look quite elegant. I found the little gold packages with the other tree ornaments.


Thank you Susan-you're a true gift to me and others who are inspired weekly by your gifts. As you open your gifts this Christmas, let us all remember the gift that started it all, the birth of our Savior.

On Christmas Day in the Morning...

What do you do for Christmas morning? Is your family a "get up and tear open the gifts" kind of family, or do you do things in a more orderly fashion? Well, my bunch is a "get up and tear" group! Although I'm glad that those early, early mornings are gone, I do miss the excitement of those days. With our kids all out of the nest, hubby and I now have a leisurely breakfast planned for the day. I'm setting my table with my "Christmas everyday" dishes. Pfaltzgraff "Snow Village" caught my eye a long time ago, and I've been using them for about 10 years now. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, I pull them out of the dish cupboard and use them until the New Year comes.

I've started my table with a casual plaid runner that I purchased a a craft fair long ago. Next comes a few of the snowmen that I have collected over the years. I am using the dinner plate, bowl and flatware in this pattern. I've collected several of the serving pieces along with the cream/sugar and the salt and pepper shakers. I pulled out my green Mexican goblets, too. I like the green with the intense reds.

I'm using a cranberry napkin with white "Style Sisters" napkin rings. they remind me of the snow that is supposed to be coming tonight.

Each of the pieces of the flatware have a different scene on the handle. My grandkids love to use this during December.
What do you serve for breakfast? This year we're having waffles from scratch, made in the hotel-style waffle maker. Strawberries, whipped cream, bacon and juice will fill our bunch up, for awhile.







Susan- once again you are tops in my book-or I should say-blog! I always look forward to seeing all of the beauty that you inspire. Everyone-have a Merry Christmas!

A Little Bit of Bling...

Oh, how I love this time of year! One of my favorite days is the first snow of the season. Unfortunately, we haven't had that day yet. Here we are, high in the Rocky Mountains, and today it was 50 degrees! So I decided to make my own Snow Day. I've gathered just about everything white, silvery or glittery that I had in the house. I started with a white table cloth, then pulled out the silver chargers.

Next came my formal china-Ranier by Noritake. That silver band around the plates really adds to the sparkle. I pulled out my formal crystal-Fostoria brand, but for the life of me I can't remember the pattern name. White napkins with bright snowflake napkin rings from Kohl's are next. I used my not-so formal flatware from Onieda, purchased from Kohl's this fall. I liked the sparkle with the plates.

I filled my hurricane with white, matte silver and bright silver beads from Pier 1. Then my silver candle sticks that are not real silver but shine in the candle light. White candles add a soft glow and reflect off of all the silver.

I wrapped a piece of silver bead garland around the hurricane and added some silver beads left over from Mardi Gras. I found the little candles that are embellished with snowflakes at Home Goods. They are just too cute.

Now I know that there will come a day in the not too distant future that I will be cussing and cursing the snow and wishing for Spring. But for today, I will look forward to our first snow.
Susan-thanks so much for hosting Tablescape Thursday. I look forward to seeing all the beautiful and creative things you all are doing. A big "thanks" to all who have left such sweet messages on my tables. Your thoughts are appreciated very much. Now, go back and look some more, there's bound to be something you'll like!!