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.

Foodie Friday - Dale's Pecan Delights

I know I'm late - but it is still Friday! I've not been doing much cooking to share since I got back from Atlanta -- but this was a treat that came my way and was too good not to share.

These are wonderful pecan bars that a co-worker of my husband makes. Last weekend my husband was the DJ for her daughter's wedding and she made up a whole batch of these just for us. They're wonderful. Here's her recipe.

Crust -

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup cold margarine cut into pieces
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 and spray 15x10x1 inch pan with cooking spray. Mix ingredients with mixer until the resemble fine crumbs. Press firmly into pan and bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Top with filling and finish baking.

Filling --

4 eggs
1 1/2 cups karo syrup
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons Margarine melted
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

Beat eggs, corn syrup, sugar, margarine and vanilla until well blended. Stir in pecans. Pour over hot crust and spread evenly. Bake 25 minutes or until filling is firm around edges and slightly firm in center. Cool completely.

I'm off to finish off the last of these. Dale sent us three layers of bars and we've even shared a few. Thanks Dale!



uummmmmmmmm! For more wonderful recipes - be sure to check out "Designs by Gollum" hosted by Michael West - you're sure to find plenty of tasty treats and delights.\

See ya!

Tablescape Thursday - Sunflower Supper

Ok - I admit it -- I'm a Tablescape Thursday addict! I love the tablescapes at Susan's (Between Naps On the Porch) and the opportunity to visit each of you and your delightful dish creations. I can spend hours just looking and dreaming. Lately, I think I've become somewhat "predictable" with my own tablescapes - lots of pinks and roses, pastels and white tablecloths. I do love them, but it's time to try something different.


Here we are approaching the tablescape where the sunflower is the center of attention. Did you gasp to see no tablecloth there? I do love my tablecloths, but I also adore the pretty grain of wood in this old oak table.


A first look at the sunflower tablescape. I always have thought that sunflowers were one of those flowers that seems to have a "face". And a happy one at that. They just seem to be a cheerful sort of flower to me. Can you see faces in flowers?


My inspiration for this table started with these two matching runners. I found them at a furniture and housegoods consignment shop this past March in Atlanta - called "Finders Keepers". I believe that I got the two of them for $10. I've crossed them over each other on the table.


I loved the late afternoon shadows on the dishes.


A tall vase of flowers. The sunflowers were from Kroger's - a "managers special" for $3.50 (they still look good after 3 days) - also some $1 green mum stems and the last of the Black Eyed Susans from my yard.



Some little sparrows playing around the base of my flower vase - think they're looking for sunflower seeds.


A close up of a place setting. Sea grass mats, clear dinner plates, sunflower salad plates, bamboo flatware, Libby water glasses, dark green cloth napkins.


These salad plates were purchased at Marshall's for $2.99 each. My house is dangerously close to a Marshall's (I could walk).


You can see that the plates are not perfectly round - they have an interesting shape to each plate. I enjoy the imperfection of them.


A really close view of the handpainting and the look of layering.


Overview shot.



As it gets darker the candles are placed on the table and lit.


A look by complete candle light.



Sunflowers by candle glow.

For more tablescapes - be sure to check out all the fun at Susan's - you'll find plenty of dishes to inspire you.

See ya!