Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tablescape Thursday - From Fun to Frightening!

It's time to set the table for Tablescape Thursday and I've been watching some of you set some pretty amazing Halloween tables! Now I'm generally more for "fun" Halloween decorations---but this week I've gathered all my "spooky" items for those of you who dare.....




.... to come over for a bite!



We've been waiting for you!




Welcome!


Actually, lets turn on the lights and see what's haunting this table tonight.



I've set a place for you.






Do you ever get the feeling you're being watched?





A bit of elegance adds to the scary effect...don't you agree?





Don't take your eyes off your plate....or something may grab your dinner....



.... or crawl across your supper!




Our guests promise a lively dinner conversation!







Be sure to check out all the best haunted tables this week (if you dare!) on Wednesday evening at "Between Naps on the Porch" - hosted by the most wonderful Susan!

Happy Halloween however you love to celebrate - fun or frightening....it's all fabulous!

See ya!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Tablescape Thursday - from "staged" to "reality"

I love Tablescape Thursday and all the settings that come to the table. I also love "cooking up" a new table fairly often.



Some of you may remember my Halloween Table set for my party with the grands last week. Well, this one was for you! The one I "really" set for my two year old grands and their parents and us -- was juuuuuuusssssttt a little bit different.



Now I did still use some of the elements from my "staged" tablescape...but the kitchen table is a bit more kid friendly and roomy for six.



Welcome to my real Halloween table from our friendly Halloween supper.



I switched from the spooky blackbirds to some silly goofy faced bats.



My scarecrow was a little camera shy last week....



....but he was posing mighty well on Saturday!



The adults used the same plates from last week, but I brought out my orange and black Halloween plaid napkins and my black and white corkbacked placemats.



The glasses for the adults was the same....





...but the girls had these cute little lidded pumpkin cups.


The girls had these orange chargers and the little plastic pumpkin plates I found last year.



This sheer square overlay adds some brightness to the table -- Got this last year at a little "off the beach" shop at Virginia Beach called the "Ragged Robin"...we're going back this weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing what they have this year.



The dining table held the cupcakes for dessert....




....chocolate with cream cheese icing! Yum!




There were also some Halloween "treats" for the girls.....



...their pumpkins were filled with an Old Navy Halloween t-shirt, a halloween book and topped with these cute little witches hats I found Saturday in the dollar bin at Target. They also took home their masks....one picked the little black cat and the other picked the jack-o-lantern. Can't remember who got which. Looks like the little devil and witch masks are going to be travelling on down to Georgia with the "treat package" for my two grandgirls there.




....after the Kendall and Keelyn ate a good supper....




...and drank their "pumpkin" milk.....



...it was time for two little witches....




...to have some "bewitching" cupcakes! There's nothing like these two little girls holding up their pumpkins and saying "Twicker tweets Nana!" ....and you know Nana sent them home with some!

This tablescape may not have been as well staged....but it sure was fun! Be sure to check out all the tabletop fun this week hosted by Susan of "Between Naps On The Porch"....It's a year round treat every Thursday!

Wishing all of you sweet treats and adorable goblins. I've posted a couple of books about "Southern Mamas" as a friendly give-a-way in my last post... If you're interested, just add your comment through Wednesday the 20th and I'll put your name in the hat ....it couldn't be easier!

See ya!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

A Give-A-Way for me...and one for you too!

I just love it when a box arrives in the mail...don't you? Shall we peek inside?



What do you suppose is under this fall tissue paper?



A note addressed to me!



Look at the card with the table set on it! It was a fall give-a-way from Donna of "Sugar, Spice and Southern Life" and I won! I hope you'll visit her, she's a true delight! She knew I would love this.



Would you just look a all the goodies inside.



...two beautiful white doilies...



...the most adorable autumn leaf spatula I ever saw! And some silk leaves to decorate....



...a yummy Yankee Candle aromatherapy spa votive -- stress relief (I could certainly use that!) Cinnamon and Frankencense....aaaaaah!




....A sunflower I can hang to remind me of all my many blessings.....



....the most darling little stuffed pumpkin that Donna stitched and stuffed her very own very talented self!....




...a pretty little package of fall napkins....


....and a pumpkin patch tea towel. I love --love--love it all! Fall is my favorite season and these all have put a smile on my face....Thank you Donna -- you're the best!




And now I have a little give-a-way too! A couple of fun books I hope one of you will enjoy. I enjoyed reading them both.


First we have Some Day You'll Thank Me For This -- The Official Southern Ladies' Guide to Being a "Perfect" Mother The back says "Signs that you are the daughter of a Southern mother:
You are obsessed with who got Aunt Boo Boo's silver tea service.
You never leave home without making your bed.
You play the "Who do you know?" game.
You know about deviled egg plates, pledge pins, and the importance of middle names.
You continue to stand up for older ladies long after it dawns on you that you are an older lady yourself.
You speak to everybody, even tacky people.
You know what tomato aspic is.
You play mah-jongg, but you prefer bridge---it's nicer.
You believe some undeserving Yankee family is still using the silver that their ancestors stole from yours.

It's cute and has some good southern recipes too.




The second book is Suck Your Stomach In & Put Some Color On! What Southern Mamas Tell Their Daughters That the Rest of Y'all Should Know Too The back says "Don't cry over spilled milk. Feed the cow and milk her again." The way they dress. The way they talk. They way the cook. The way they flirt. What is it that Southern women have that the rest of us don't? Southern Mamas, of course!" Another fun little read -- also with recipes.

If you would like to win this little give-away -- just make a comment between now and Wednesday the 20th -- I'll announce the winner Wednesday night. I made it just easy as pie. Good luck!

See ya!