Beauty of Age

My Mom turned 90 in April.  We are planning a large family gathering on Memorial Weekend to celebrate since that's when all the out of towner's could get the most time.   In the meantime, I thought I would post this blog in her honor for Mother's Day.  If she finds out about it she will be furious that I let other people see her photos on "that computer thing", so please shhhhhh, don't tell her.

Mom and all but one of her five grandchildren about 13 years ago.  The youngest in this photo is in college now.

Mom with her four girls.

 Mom and her girls and granddaughter (my daughter) last summer.

 Mom with my youngest sister and her only great grandchild last summer.

 My Mother is known for her leopard prints.

 Mom and the fourth daughter, my sister Cheri

 Mom and the second daughter, my sister Lynn

 Mother with her Christmas glasses.

The family at Christmas 2010.  We were so glad Mother could be with us.

 Happy Mother's Day Mom!  We can't wait for your 90th birthday celebration.  Come join the fun at Tablescape Sundays

Two Days at the Beach

My dear friend of 42 years invited me to come spend part of her vacation week in Destin, FL with her.  (disclaimer:  this is not us!)

I really wanted to spend time with her, but I live eight hours away and I worried if driving eight hours for 2 full days at the beach and then driving back eight hours was really worth it.

After several days of debate, I decided to make a run for it.  I loaded up my new car for it's first trip to the beach, cranked up the 50s on the satellite radio, and took off early Wed AM.

It was cold and windy when I arrived early Wednesday evening and even colder Thursday morning.  I was really beginning to wonder if I had made the best decision.  By Thursday evening, I couldn't stand it anymore and I decided to walk on the beach.  

Don't you love to watch the Sandpipers running back and forth.  I think the one on the left had an itch.

Somebody left their mark on the beach today! 

 Without realizing it, I had timed this walk just right.  

 Every step toward the sunset was more beautiful than the last.

Isn't God's creation beautiful?
I walked about 30 minutes away from our condo and then turned around to go back and I was shocked at the difference in the sky. I felt like I was in two different places. 

A few day earlier, I had  followed this LINK on Susan's Between Naps on the Porch blog to learn more about the Blue Hour and I was able to download the app that told me the best time to catch the blue hour based on my location.  It was almost time so I decided to keep walking and try to catch a Blue Hour photo.   I ended up walking till almost dark only realizing when I turned around, that I wasn't sure I would recognize our condo from the beach! 

I didn't do a very good job with my photos, but I learned something....  I really need a tripod if I am going to try this again and I need to find a landmark before I take off for a walk!

Don't worry, I made it back safe and sound to the condo and then to Tennessee!  So glad I made the decision to go.  It was great to spend time with my friend and the beach, ah, the beach..... need I say more?  Come join me at Seasonal Sundays

Too Much?

You know those times when you see something in the store and you know if you don't buy it, you will think about for the rest of your life?  Well I had one of those moments last year at Home Goods.  I walked in, spotted these dishes, loaded up my cart and brought these babies home! No second thoughts, no remorse or buyers guilt.  

I just knew they would make the perfect spring table.

 I couldn't find polka dot napkins, so I bought material and made them with a little help from a friend; well actually a lot of help.  All I did was cut them out :).  I love they way they turned out and how they look with the plates.
The cloches were purchases at the Antique and Garden Show a few years ago and I have used them for several different tables. 

I found the strawberry flower pots at Michaels last year.

My daughter bought me the ceramic strawberry pots at the Bath and Body store she manages.  I would go broke if I worked there.  

It has been rainy since I put this table together.  I waited 3 days to finally catch a photo with the sun shining in. 

The pressed glass cake plate was found in an Antique store in Napa California.

Shannon crystal candlesticks were on sale for a little over $8 each at Ross.  One was found in Atlanta and the other in Nashville.  They are really heavy.  

After I got it all on the table, I started to worry that maybe I went over board with the theme.  What do you think?

A peony I rescued between storms.  I cut all the buds and I am saving them in the refrigerator for a special party coming up at the end of the month.  This is the first time I have tried to save peony buds. I will let you know how it works out. 

Hope you have a Berry Happy Week!  Linking to Susan's Metamorphosis Monday, Feathered Nest Fridays, and Seasonal Sundays

Everything Has a Place!

I realized I have been indulging my passion for china a little too much lately when I had china piled up on the drop leaf and no place to put it.  

We have walk-in guest room closet that had a lot of wasted space so I asked Mr McGuyver to build some shelving to house my newest set of china.   I had already re-purposed the linen closet at the end of the hall with extra shelving for my growing collection and  I realized that I needed to re-organize both closets.
In my excitement to play with all my dishes, I failed to take a before picture, but I did take one of the identical opposite side.  

The closet is actually much larger than it looks in these photos.  
After the addition of shelving and 2 days of rearranging:

 One shelf for candlesticks

 Another shelf for larger table items

And the best part is the two shelves for platters.  All of these platters were piled on one shelf in the hall closet making getting the one I needed very difficult and time consuming.  I am hoping this will make it easier. 

The boxes contain all my glassware.  Not my final idea for storage, but for it now it works great because I can carry a a whole box to the table when decorating.
I have this large shelving unit against the wall in center of the guest closet and I rearranged it to hold all my vases, cloches, salt and peppers and cups and saucers.

After moving all the platters and candlesticks from the hall closet, I had space to arrange my dishes, store my newest collection and best of all..... room for more! 

I was able to move some of the china from the three china cabinets in the dining room into this closet.  

The top shelf allows space for me to store the really tall candlesticks.   We are experimenting with lighting for this closet.  The plan is to replace the door with a glass door.  
You might be able to tell from the photos, that I kinda like things a little organized.  I am so happy with my extra space.  Thank you sweet Chris for building all these shelves for me.  
I am happy to be linking to Susan's Metamorphosis Monday.