Mid-Atlantic Martha: 2013

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Mid-Century tablescape

Welcome to my Mid-Atlantic Mid-Century tablescape.

Because my table was heavy laden with lots of dishes, I kept my centerpiece simple. This cute Indian corn candle came from Cracker Barrel. I've set it on a saucer and surrounded it with fall leaves and acorns.

As you can see, there are quite a few dishes on my table this week.

This Mid-Century tablescape all started with this set of teak flatware a friend of mine brought me when her family was clearing out her father's estate. She knew that I loved tablescaping so she very sweetly brought me this set of flatware. I've been holding on to them for quite awhile, because I knew I didn't have quite the right dishes to do them justice........

....until I found these at my local Goodwill a couple of weeks ago.

And I knew right away that these were the perfect Mid-Century dishes to go with the flatware because.....

My mother had this very same pattern when I was a child!

As soon as I saw them I had a flood of nostalgia. I don't remember having a particular fondness for this pattern, but they did bring me such a warm feeling of happiness from my childhood.

As I gathered them up to take to the register a woman of about my age said, "I was just looking at those, my mother had those dishes when I was growing up." We struck up a conversation of remembering them coming from a grocery store promotion back in our childhoods.

So how about you.....did you also remember these from someone in your family?

As you can see, this was a rather large collection. I have no idea where ours went. I suspect that they didn't make the cut for one of our family moves in my childhood.

And overview of the table. I really thought they were such a great find for the autumn harvest season.

Since there were several more saucers than cups, I enjoy using them for holding candles to "match" the dishes.

I figured this style of salt and pepper shakers are pretty classic. It seems to me they could certainly be something set on a Mid-Century table.

...and to think, it all started with a box of flatware from a friend.

The pattern is "Golden Wheat" and as you can see was made in the USA (something we just don't see very often these days.)

How about you? Are you someone who loves the Mid-Century revival? I know that my sister is really a big fan of everything Mid-Century.....who knows, maybe someday she'll get a surprise package in the mail one day. While I doubt I will ever add to this collection, it was quite a bargain to find 34 pieces for $8.25 at Goodwill. I will say, the dinner plates were smaller then (along with our waistlines) and I was able to put quite a bit of this collection on the table. This set included dinner plates, soup/cereal bowls, salad plates, small dessert bowls, bread and butter plates and two cups and saucers.

So until next time....See ya!

I'm joining Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/a-christmas-table-setting-inspired-by-nature-themed-dishware/" this week.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Tropical Tablescape

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I'm drawn back to what I love......tablescaping. Even though Fall is fast approaching and we are getting a hint of autumn in the air......I've decided to set a tropical inspired table today......won't you join me?

I found this elephant this weekend at a thrift/home consignment shop and I knew he would be just right for the tablesetting I had in mind.

Not only was he the perfect centerpiece.....he was just the right colors as well!

I brought out my tropical palm candle sticks.......and ended up smashing one of the globes when I got distracted and it tumbled over. But hopefully, I will find another globe soon to fit. In the meantime, I decided to use them anyway.

Tabletop overview.....

and in for a close up......

Here's a place set just for you!

Paper bamboo napkins in green water goblets.

A layering of the dishes --- on top we have a creamy dish that's a little ruffled......

and next a heavy green glass plate that has olives etched into the design......

....and our last dish is my "workhorse" creamy white dinner plate from a set I found at Goodwill about 5-6 years ago.

Aren't these darling placemats? I treated myself to a set for my birthday back in June.

And what could go more perfectly with bamboo napkins....than bamboo flatware?

Shades of greens cloth napkins......I know I have two napkins here.....two napkin "rule" at my house.....cloth for your lap to protect your clothing.....paper for your mouth to protect my cloth napkins!

And a final view of my tropical table....at this angle you get a view of my new carpet......

About a month ago we had a terrible storm that put a tree branch though my dining room window and little bits of glass went all over my carpet --- I worked and worked, but still kept finding bits of glass......well with dogs and grandchildren it just seemed too risky so I decided it was time to replace the carpet I already had.....that I never liked anyway....this is in wonderful shades of chocolate, tan and grey......and I hope to paint the room a soft warm grey next spring....I've been talking about doing that for years, but this seems to press me onward!

Thank you so much for all the many kind comments to me after my father passed away in July. That was my last post and I am slowly getting back to finding time to visit and post once again.

See ya!

I'm joining http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/2013/09/its-bluetiful-day-lets-dish.html at "Lets Dish"
Tonight I'm joining Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/a-booo-ti-ful-setting-for-tablescape-thursday/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29 -- what a fun table she has this week!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Remembering....A Daughter's Love

My beloved father passed away on Tuesday. And while he was 88 years old, it was quite unexpected. He and we were blessed that he was active and enjoyed life right up until the end. He was often gathered to our table for celebrations and holidays.

He was a most amazing man, and wonderful father and was loved by many. He and our mother shared 50 years of marriage, raised four children and he showed what true commitment and love he had for her when he lovingly cared for her through Alzheimer's until her death almost 11 years ago. He was one of eight children raised on a Virginia farm, a WWII veteran and a true southern gentleman. He never met a stranger and had a great love of his family, his church, his fellowman and his beloved team the Chicago Cubs.

I will miss him greatly, but I cannot be sorrowful that he did not suffer any sort of long lingering illness. Oh he had his health issues, but died suddenly at home rather than at the conclusion of a long decline. Who can possibly regret that? We were certainly blessed and for years I have spent Sunday afternoons with him discussing events and solving the world's problems. Early next week our family will gather together and tell stories and laugh and cry remembering him and all he has meant to us and we will toast him with a bottle of "Sweet Walter" wine that he bought several years ago especially for that occasion. While he often said that growing old was not for sissies....he did so with tremendous grace. Forever and always, I will love this man dearly. He was greatly loved in this life and I am certain welcomed with great celebration into the next!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Hooray for the Red, White and Blue!

It's no secret that I LOVE the 4th of July! I always have....so I invite you to join me.....

....at my star spangled table.

I found these cute little bowls at the dollarish spot at Target this year...

I found four different styles

Just perfect for.....

those red, white and blue holidays.

Michaels had these red and blue pinwheel straws this year. I took one to work and when I take it to the kitchen to fill my glass with water, while I'm walking it spins around and makes me smile......yes, I'm easily amused.