Good-bye July!

I've always loved the 4th of July....it's my next to favorite holiday (right after Thanksgiving). It seems such a shame to take down the red, white and blue on the 5th of July......



.....so I just leave it up all month.



I've been told that I was born a week before my "due date" and my birthday is June 27th......exactly one week before....




....the birthday of the U.S.A!



.....yes, indeed......




.....I could have been.....



....a "Yankee Doodle Gal!"



.....well, it's all packed up in the tub to go in the storage shed.....




.....until next year when we do it all again! Good-bye July.....


See ya!

Beachy Tablescape

It's tablescape time again. We've been so hot here as have many of you. So, let's go to the beach to cool off.




Welcome to my surf, sand and shell table.


Come and join us.



Instead of napkin rings....we'll use napkin starfish.



A sheer aqua tablecloth layered over a white one.



A very simple centerpiece of starfish, shells, sand, tea lights and candle.



A closer peek.



White battenburg napkins on white Gibson dishes.



I found these etched iced tea glasses at Goodwill a few weeks ago. The coasters are just like ones my grandmother had and used with her iced tea spoons. These are a perfect resting place for the spoons after you've used them. My placemat/trays were ordered from Nell Hill last summer.



A closer look at the glasses -- there were only five...I guess that's why someone was getting rid of them. Ok by me!



I love this shell pitcher in the summer time.




Overviews of the table and centerpiece.




Hope you're finding great ways to stay cool this summer....perhaps some cool ocean breezes are blowing your way. I hope you'll find time to visit Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch" this week for many tablescapes of summertime inspiration.

Good night from the beach! (I wish)

See ya!

On the River

We've had fun enjoying Mr. Mid-Atlantic's new (to us) boat this summer. A couple of weeks ago we took our daughter and her family out for a Saturday afternoon of fun. He keeps it at a "boatel" about an hour from here. He calls up and they put it in the water for us. Usually it's already in when we get there, but we got there before that this time so this shows them placing it in the water.




Captain Mid-Atlantic fuels her up and.....



.....we're off! Mom has one twin.




And dad has the other.



Kendall has her chance at steering.



An osprey nest along the way.



Keelyn takes her turn.




Hope you're finding a way to stay cool in all this heat. We're actually invited to an outdoor wedding today....I might melt! (I'm sure to be wishing for river breezes). So how are you keeping cool?

See ya!

Tablescape Thursday - Strawberry Fair

A couple of weeks ago, when I set the table for the 4th of July, I used some Johnson Brothers transferware named Strawberry Fair. These dishes came from my in laws. They used it at their summer river cottage. I've always loved it, and evidently some of you did too. In fact, I had a special request from a fellow blogger, Deanna at "Home Haven Ministry" who asked me to "pretty please" do a Strawberry Fair tablescape.....now who could possibly resist a special request tablescape? Not me! So....Deanna....this one's for you! If you have not met Deanna yet, please stop by to say hello.




Welcome to my strawberry table.



Obviously the star of this table is the strawberry.



I love vintage tablecloths and this strawberry print is the perfect compliment to Strawberry Fair dishes.



This white pitcher belonged to my grandmother. She used to fill it with flowers for her foyer.



A place for you.




As you can see -- I do have quite a few pieces. Not all are on this table -- not shown are a couple of platters and a vegetable bowl, I also have some soup bowls, but I'm down to only five now :( This is the luncheon plate and dinner plate.



We just thought square plates were a new design. Not so!




Even the backs are pretty.



I've used these red napkins with white edging that came from my dad in many tablescapes. These were always his favorite ones.




The flatware came from Target a few years back ....I wish they would bring these back in some more colors.




Bread plates under berry bowls filled with....strawberries.




A closer peek at this pretty pattern. It's one you really don't see all that often.





Tea cups are covered in strawberries inside and out.



I love the soft colors mixed with the bright berries.



Overview shots of flowers....



....and dishes.



Thanks for joining my strawberry table this week and be sure to check out all the other pretty dishes and settings posted for your pleasure at Susan's "Between Naps on the Porch". Thanks Deanna....for your special request. It was fun to set the table with you in mind.


I haven't been able to do much visiting lately.....we're at VBS every night this week, but I'll try to catch up with all of you soon.

See ya!