A Snowy Eve

Even though it was raining, humid and in the 70's I ended up with a white Christmas on my table. 

I knew for months I wanted to use the lighted paper trees from IKEA, but wasn't sure about anything else. As usual, everything came together at the last minute.

Mr Creative cut all the evergreen he could find from our yard and I pulled everything green and white I had and my sisters and I start putting it together.  At first I didn't want to use the deer plates, but upon my sister's urging, we tried them and once I saw them on the table, they were perfect! 

Charger from Pier 1, white plates unmarked, salad plates are Pottery Barn and napkin rings from World Market. White striped tumblers from Old Time Pottery.

     The lights under the greenery, twinkled all night. 

Another wonderful Christmas in the books.  Hope your's was merry and bright! Joining Tablescape Thursday

The Falling Leaves

As I wrote the title for this post the melody of that song, that my Mother loved,  started running through my head.  

This year our Thanksgiving was very small.  We expected 6, but ended up with only 5.  I was happy to have a smaller group.  

I first saw this cloche at the Queen of Hearts in Buford, GA in early Oct, but I resisted buying it.  A return girl's shopping trip in Nov resulted in a purchase!  I really love the size.  

Oak leaves gathered from our tree and some hedge apples for simple centerpiece.

Pheasants from a consignment store in Basalt, Co. 

I loved these light when I found them, but didn't realize until I got them home that they have 8 different ways to display the lights.  Some are mind numbing, but most of them create a lovely focal point for the table.  I am now hot and heavy into Christmas, but wanted to post my fall table before it was too late. 

Red & White Dinner With Friends

It was time to gather all our friends and have a summer dinner.  I had visions of a Utah desert inspired table, but when I opened the drawer and saw the quilted place mats, I quickly changed gears.

Placemats - Home Goods

Rattan Chargers - Linens & More

Red Plates - Home Goods

Johnson Bros White plates

Gingham napkins- Pier One

White striped glasses - Old Time Pottery

Flatware- Onieda Sheraton

Crochet runner - Queen of Hearts

I just love the cheerfulness that red and white brings to a table!  

Daisy Mae wanted to make sure the olive oil on the table was up to her standards. 

Annabells from my garden.  They will keep for years before they fade.  Wooden trough from Round Top.  

Summer Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce & Grilled Chicken (recipe below)

Arugula Salad with Prosciutto and Fig Basalmic Dressing

Homemade Focaccia with Herb Infused Olive Oil

Lemon Ice Box Pie with Blueberries and Whipped Cream

Pasta Recipe

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/angel-hair-pasta-with-fresh-tomato-sauce-235263

This is one of the BEST summer recipes for ripe tomatoes ever!  I add fresh mozzarella or grilled Chicken strips, or both. It is very important to use only Angel Hair pasta.   

Capitol Reef

The sky, a perfect empty canvas, offers clouds nonetheless. They shift and drift and beg interpretation... such is the nature of art. ~Jeb Dickerson

Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth. ~Henry David Thoreau

When scattered clouds are resting on the bosoms of hills, it seems as if one might climb into the heavenly region, earth being so intermixed with sky, and gradually transformed into it. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

 

  

 Clouds on clouds, in volumes driven, Curtain round the vault of heaven. ~Thomas Love Peacock

 

 The hooded clouds, like friars, Tell their beads in drops of rain. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The sky, a perfect empty canvas, offers clouds nonetheless. They shift and drift and beg interpretation... such is the nature of art. ~Jeb Dickerson

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. ~Edward Abbey

Bird's Nest Soup

Last fall, I purchased these paper placemats at a vintage store in Atlanta.  I loved the muted colors and thought they would be great for spring.  

 

I used clear chargers and plates so I could enjoy the placemats.  

The runner was found at a flower shop in Collierville, TN shopping with my husband's aunt.  She is so much fun to shop with!  When I got the runner home, I found it was about 20" longer than my table so I called the shop and paid for a second one so I could use them down each side of the table instead of placemats.  My sweet Aunt picked it up and mailed it to me! 

 Bird's nest under glass with some twigs seemed to be the perfect simple centerpiece.

 Vintage tarnished candlesticks from Round Top and French Bleu Vintage.  

 I just didn't take very many pictures because I quickly tore the table apart for a family Memorial Day BBQ.  

I haven't been on blogger much lately.  I don't get as excited about setting a pretty table and show it to like minded friends as I used to.  I can see that I am not the only one that feels the same way.  We are in the process of planning a major kitchen and master bath remodel and all the pretty dishes will be packed away until they have a forever home in my new cabinets!