Sunday, August 30, 2009

A Blogger Must See


Just wanted to add my name to the list of bloggers who have been to see "Julie and Julia" and LOVED IT! My daughter and I met my sister-in-law to see this last Sunday and we all enjoyed the movie very much. It's cute, sweet, touching and truly a blogger must see. If you haven't been yet - treat yourself to this one -- you'll be glad you did!

See ya!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Foodie Friday - Simple Summer Supper



Foodie Friday is a wonderful place to visit each week to find new recipes and perhaps rediscover a dish that you hadn't even thought about making for a long time. It sure helps with the age old problem of "what can I cook for dinner tonight" - when you feel like you're just plain tired of making the same old thing week after week.



I never get tired of eating fresh vegetables all Summer. Every Saturday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I make a trip to the local produce stand and this is one of my favorite Summer suppers. A Hanover tomato stuffed with homemade chicken salad, cucumber and onion salad, fresh corn on the cob and Greek stuffed grape leaves (those didn't come from the veggie stand). Nothing fancy - but just plain good! Hope you're enjoying the fresh produce from your local produce stands or perhaps even your own back yard during these waning days of Summer. Soon Fall will arrive and we'll all be savoring the warmth of homemade soups and stews.

Be sure to check out what everybody's cooking up over at the potluck "Foodie Friday" hosted by "Designs By Gollum" -- you're sure to find something good to add to your recipe box.

See ya!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Let there be white....& black




I can't believe that I missed a tablescaping party a few weeks ago! I was so impressed when I started seeing all the white tablescapes on "Let There Be White" over at "Cuisine Kathleen" -- so when she decided to do a "Let there be white II" party, I decided not to miss this one! This is going to be a double post to Cuisine Kathleen and Tablescape Thursday -- and since it's two posts --- I've done two tablescapes. (that only seemed fair)

I don't think I've ever shown you my "5th leg" on my table -- I love those old legs.


Here we are approaching the white on white tablescape.


My green stems were still looking fresh from last week's sunflower tablescape so I mixed them in with the white hydrangeas bouquet from Kroger. I love their flowers and they're pretty reasonable since I can't seem to grow any at my house - sigh!


My two fat white love birds on a silver tray at the foot of the vase.


Beautiful full blossoms. Three stems for $7.99.


Here's a place setting of white on white. I thought the overall look was quite elegant - but it's somewhat of a challenge to photograph - especially with my lack of skills. That was one of the reasons I decided not to also use a white tablecloth - I needed some contrast. I was glad that this was so light, because the day was so dreary when I took these pictures - I just wasn't getting enough sunlight.


Of course you would have to serve white wine with a white tablescape.


The coffee butler stands in service.


My grandmother's antique white pitcher with water.


I will surely serve "White House Rolls" from my silver bread tray. I love the white liner given to me by some special friends from Church this past Christmas.


Husband's grandmother's heirloom glasses.


Doing the place setting "strip tease" -- White on white Gibson/Gollum dishes.


I found six of these beautiful antique napkins on one of my "treasure hunts" this past Spring.


Dinner plate.


And we're down to our "petticoat" placemat - these were a find I just posted from Friday.


The silverware was a gift from my mother-in-law years ago -- it came from her family -- she was so generous to me and truly treated me like a daughter. I really miss her - but always remember her quite fondly when I get to set my table with such lovely silver. I'm so glad that I had the honor of serving her quite a few Thanksgiving dinners, using this silverware.


I can hardly believe that I have a complete set for twelve placesettings!

Can't forget my little "butter pats" and knives.


An overview of the white on white tablescape.


Back to the flowers -- so when we look again -- we're at a whole new tablescape! (Just like the movies huh?)


Kathleen said for this week's part II - we should add another color -- so here we are approaching a black and white tablescape.


A corner view.


I changed the silver tray for a silver picture frame with black and white paper.

I added a bird's nest ...


and brought out my little black sparrows.


I think this is a better look at the birds.


Close up of a placesetting. My white dinner plates with black toile salad plates, target flatware, clearance corkbacked placemats from Marshalls, my wedding pewter goblets and white coffee cups. Do you take your coffee black? (Sorry I couldn't resist.) What an eclectic collection!


A closer look at the plates -- I had the hardest time choosing between these plates and another set of black and white transferware. I've seen them in some other tablescapes -- really pretty with a haywagon on them -- I knew I couldn't get both - so I finally chose these.


Love those Marshall's prices!


One picture has to turn sideways every time!


We're down to a white plate on the black placemat.


I thought the "stitch" look on this placemat was the perfect complement to ---


the hem of this Irish linen tablecloth.


An overview of the black and white tablescape.


I took the napkins out of the goblets and added white napkin rings and placed them on the plates.


Close up of the napkins from Tuesday Morning.


Then I moved them to the side. For some reason I just kept fiddling with this tablescape.


Another close look at the napkin -- the pattern is really pretty, but I'm not sure I'm loving the silky feel.



One last look at black & white. These two tablescapes have very different effects -- which one is more your "style"? I think white on white, would remind me of a wedding or bridesmaid's luncheon, perhaps a special anniversary or baptism celebration. The black and white might be a special dinner for friends before going to the theater -- or a concert.

Be sure to check out Cuisine Kathleen for the "Let There Be White II" tablescape. I can't wait!

And, since this is a double post, be sure to check out what's being "dished up" over at "Between Naps On The Porch" for Tablescape Thursday!

See ya!

Last Friday of Summer 2009

I work for a local school system year round. In the Summer months we work four days and have Fridays off. This Friday was the last one off for the Summer of 2009 so several of us were planning to note this with activities that we especially enjoy. My boss went camping, our secretary went riding on her Harley with her husband on a trip to wherever the road leads and I decided to treat myself to a visit to one of the larger antique shops I really enjoy browsing, "Through The Garden Gate". I spent about 2 hours there and could have browsed more, but they were ready to close at 5 in the afternoon and it was time to settle up. Since it's a little further away than my usual loop - I only allow myself this treat once a quarter - because of that, I usually try to "make it count". It seems that I had a multiple decorating personality shopping experience.

One of the things I've been wanting lately, is a nice bed tray. This one was on sale today and is a really substantial one. It needs a little "love" to spruce it up. It's truly looking a bit more shabby than chic. I wiped it off for this picture, but I think it's really going to need repainting. Right now it's an ivory white, but it appears that at one time it may have been a very pale blue. I'm thinking I'll spray paint it but can't quite decide on color. What do you "see"? Give me some really good ideas, and if I decide on yours - I'll give you the credit.


I think I'll enjoy this when the weather turns cold and I can take a cup of tea and perhaps a plate of cookies up to bed to read before turning in. Maybe I'll take the paper and a cup of coffee up on a cold Saturday morning and crawl back into bed (after the boys get their morning walk). See how the tray can be removed? Looks like a nice thing to have on a lazy winters day - don't you think? We're having very special guests next month - I'll treat them to breakfast in bed!


I've also wanted a nice vintage picnic basket - perfect for a nice sunny warm day -- we're planning a winery tour sometime this fall and you can bring your own picnic lunch - won't this be perfect? Think my husband will be willing to carry it? Maybe, if it contains his favorite picnic foods!


My whimsical personality was attracted to this tricycle salt and pepper shaker. I'm sure it will work it's way into a tablescape.


My country personality found the rooster juice pitcher...


and a red gingham apron.


My romantic personality spotted the pink rose tablecloth.


Pink and green are my favorite tablescaping colors. You knew that didn't you?


My victorian personality found this monogramed towel.


I think it will look perfect hanging on my oak washstand in the dining room.

These white on white embroidered placemats were also apealing to my old-fashioned personality. They'll be in this week's tablescape.


Another set of placemats with a different look were these woven mats with needlepoint inserts. I'm not too sure what personality was attracted to these - what do you think?


A close up of the inserts.


My preppy personality spotted this Lilly bandana.


And this oblong scarf.



I knew Miss Janice would want them to go to a good home.

Looks like all my personalities found a few treasures -- hope you've had a treasure filled weekend too on these waning days of Summer.

See ya.