Tablescape Thursday - Birthday and Easter

This Thursday's tablescape party almost slipped by me! I had a change of schedule at work and almost forgot what day it was! My Dad's birthday is the first of April and this year it was Holy week, full of extra Church services, so we decided to have a family celebration for Easter and Birthday combined on Saturday.


Sometimes I "stage" my tablescape, but this week was a true setting. You're invited to the party.


There's always a place set for you!


I couldn't find exactly what I wanted for this Birthday tablescape, I was looking for something sort of "manly". I did pick up this brass old timey car at GW a few weeks ago. I set it on a cake stand along with some daiseys (The daisy and/or sweet peas are the flower for April) -- I also added a few Easter eggs as well.


Here's a closer look of the brass car -- I thought about spray painting it black -- but then I sort of thought the tarnished look sort of looked like a rusty old car -- and I just left it that way.


A photo of the afternoon shadows.


I layered this linen cloth over a longer white one for a little more tailored look.


I've used these vintage sherberts that were from my husband's family for jelly beans and Easter candies.


The sheep tea lights stand guard on either side of the centerpiece.


I found them on two different thrifting excersions. I like that even though they're the same pattern. One is looking forward and the other to the side.

I've placed a creamy colored damask napkin on each place setting with a white napkin ring.


This is my "wedding" china that I didn't pick out until we'd been married for 10 years. My mother gave me quite a few pieces for birthdays and Christmas -- then I finished up my settings for 12 on e-bay. The chargers I also purchased on e-bay and got 12. My mother-in-law gave both my sister-in-law and me the silver that came from her aunt's estate. We each got enough for 12 place settings. Her aunt must have done quite a lot of entertaining to have silver for 24! But she had a huge old victorian home -- the perfect setting for a large gathering.


a view of the layering of dishes at each place.


These iced tea stems were purchased about six years ago from Tuesday Morning as well as the crystal coasters.


Another view of the Birthday centerpiece.


And my "rusty" old car.


An overview of the tablescape.


Overview of the centerpiece.


Last week's Easter tablescape made a shift over to the kitchen table. I've had the Easter egg tablecloth for years.


Perhaps you'd like to sit at this table.


This was a place setting for the twins.


Peter Cottontail, just hopped on over to the kitchen table.....


....and his Beatrix Potter friends came right along.




The girls had a surprise in their cups.


Here's a peek at the "buffet" -- we had quite a spread -- deviled eggs and artichoke hearts (looks like somebody's already snuck a couple of eggs!)


Fruit salad, fresh asparagus and new red potatoes with parsley.



rolls and my sister made a salad that "out grew" the bowl so the only thing she could find large enough was a soup pot (it was wonderful - so I'm glad she brought it all!)


We had turkey breast and country ham as well as city (sweet) ham.


Marinated tomatoes. I didn't get a picture of the wonderful desserts my SIL brought. My Dad loves chocolate and requested a chocolate pie and a Boston cream pie -- when you're 85 you get to pick two Birthday desserts!


The girls were pleased with the menu!


Can you tell yet which one is Kendall and which one is Keelyn?



...Me either! I always have to look at their ears to tell and these pictures aren't showing! Whichever one I said was one in this post, my daughter would be sure to say was the other.


Dear husband.


My brother Bill and his wife Brenda.


My Dad -- we were so glad to be able to celebrate another Birthday with him this year -- he had open heart surgery in February and we came mighty close to not celebrating this birthday with him. This was sort of bitter sweet, because last year we celebrated his and my FIL's (April 10th) together. We miss you Pop!


Darling daughter Katy and Her husband Brett. I'm missing the pictures of my sister Mary Kay -- and my nephew Alex was feeling sort of camera shy.


The next day was a glorious Easter morning -- Here are my girls at our flower cross at Church.


Daughter and family.


Here's Keelyn on Easter afternoon.



And Kendall - (this time I remembered what colors they had on). Hope that you had a wonderful Easter with family and friends gathered around the table as well -- those are the best tablescapes of all!

To see many more tablescapes this week be sure to visit our hostess Susan of "Between Naps on the Porch" -- you'll find lot's of Spring inspiration and a place set just for you!

See ya!