Cheers!!

These past few months have been filled with some personal challenges.  My heart arrhythmias had progressed to the point that something had to be done.  So almost three weeks ago I underwent a cardiac procedure whose intent was to alleviate these irregular heartbeats and break the cycle of rushing to the ER at inopportune times and essentially disrupting the quality of my life.  The recovery has not been easy, but I am progressing, and hoping that a new lease on life is right around the corner.  So! A special niece and nephew of mine sent a "Get Well" arrangement that signaled "Cheers for a New Beginning!"  As soon as it arrived, I knew a tablescape was about to be born.  I redirected my energy from keeping track of medications, controlled activity and diet and lost myself in the creativity and fun of creating a tablescape of celebration.  It's fairly simple (can't exert myself too much), but I love the colors and the whimsical nature of the floral arrangement and wanted to share it with you.

Here's the whole table:

Here's how it was created:

I started with these placements that I found at HomeGoods.  I love the three-dimensional beads on them that reflect a fun occasion.  I originally got them, thinking they'd be a part of a summer table, but they seem appropriate now.

I added plates that were on sale at Target this past summer.  I was thrilled to see that the colors in them matched the flowers so well.  Note the peach, yellow, red and green pattern on the dishes and the floral arrangement! It was meant to be!

The napkins and flatware were bought on the same day and were designed to coordinate with the plates.  I think the happy colors are important to reflect the theme of the table. I added green goblets from Pier One and martini glasses that were gifted many years ago, and reflect the centerpiece!

A newly purchased table runner from HomeGoods (again, it was on sale, and I was saving it for spring/summer) was the starting point for the centerpiece. The floral arrangement was the main event, but I also added my yellow lanterns with orange candles to coordinate with the bright colors. How fun is that giant martini glass?!

I added some additional candle holders for color and light.  These holders were found on an anniversary trip to Ventura, CA and were at a craft fair.  They are hand blown glass and their lovely patterns reflect candlelight beautifully.

I know this tablescape is different from those we tablescapers are creating for the holidays, but I wanted to take advantage of this thoughtful gift of good wishes.  Enjoy!!




I'll be linking up to Susan's Tablescape Thursday at www.betweennapsontheporch.net and     Kathleen's  Let's Dish at www.cuisinekathleen.com

I love to hear your comments.  Your encouragement is always greatly appreciated.  Enjoy the Holiday Season, everyone!!!!           Rosie

News Flash: Johnson Bros. Come for Thanksgiving

I'll be linking up to www.cuisineKathleen.com and www.betweennapsontheporch.net
                                 for Let's Dish and Tablescape Thursday


About 20 years ago, my husband and I were walking through a local department store around Thanksgiving time.  I suddenly stopped dead in my tracks near an elaborate display of sparkling dishes which were precariously stacked with dinner plates, square salad plates, serving bowls, accent pieces,  cups, mugs and saucers. "Oh, my gosh!" I gasped. "Those were my Mom's holiday dishes!"  My Mom loved Early American furniture and the colors and country patterns of Johnson Bros.' Friendly Village fit in perfectly with her hutch that graced our small dining room.  I didn't know that my adult years would be filled with a love of plates, flatware, glassware and accent pieces that would reflect a theme in the world of tablescaping, and that I'd actually KNOW a pattern name and the company that produced it! I started collecting various dishes in the Friendly Village pattern, and on this Thanksgiving, as well as the other Thanksgivings that have ensued since that holiday shopping trip so many years ago, the Johnson Bros. will be "joining us"on, not at, our Thanksgiving table, surrounded by my husband and me, four daughters, four sons-in-laws, seven grandchildren (and one on the way!) and my cousin. I can't help but think my Mom will also be there, smiling down at a tablescape so reminiscent of the ones we enjoyed at the Thanksgivings of my childhood!

HERE'S A VIEW OF THE TABLESCAPE:

HERE'S HOW IT WAS CREATED:

I started with a tablecloth I found at Home Goods.  It's a switch from the gold damask tablecloth I have used for years.  I just wanted a change.  The basketweave charger from Michael's is making its last appearance for a long time (I am really surprised how many of my posts have included these chargers!)

My dish stack begins with a dinner plate. These Friendly Village plates have scenes of covered bridges (probably my favorite scene), farm yards, and other countryside pictures.

Next comes the salad plate. I have always loved these square-shaped plates. This pattern had square plates long before they became "fashionable" and were considered a contemporary look.

The top layer of the stack is a bowl that is usually designated for cereal.  However, I chose this instead of the regular soup bowl because I didn't want my guests to fill up on Butternut Squash Soup before the main event of Thanksgiving Dinner!

I've surrounded the plates with napkins from Bed, Bath and Beyond, cornucopia napkin rings from a former department store which has since closed, Mikasa Olympus wine glasses and Johnson Bros. Friendly Village goblets.  The flatware is Mikasa, Regent Bead. The placecard holders came from the Mikasa Outlet store: there are gourds, turkeys, and Pilgrims. I'd better get busy making a seating chart!

I kept the centerpiece simple because usually the food is the star of the show! I had some surgery recently, and my daughter brought over some flowers. The selection of blooms (their color and different textures) made it a no-brainer for a Thanksgiving tablescape!  I placed them in a Lenox vase I've had for years, and added some crystal candlesticks which were wedding gifts to complete the picture.  I used an extra wreath I had as a bed of leaves in which to nestle the flowers.

The table would not be complete without my Grandmother's cut glass serving dish which has been on every holiday dinner table for many years.

                                            I also added my Johnson Bros. soup tureen.

Here are some extra views of this table which wouldn't be the same without Johnson Bros. showing up!!  Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!

Simple Supper to "Selebrate" Birds of ParadiSe

My husband came in the other day with two clippings from our garden: lovely Birds of Paradise.  As soon as I saw them I thought, "I think I have dishes that would complement those flowers perfectly! So, a tablescape was born:

How it was created:

I wanted the highlight of the table to be the flowers, so I opted for a simple setting for two people.  I started with placemats I found at Pier One.

I started my dish stack with a lemongrass-colored Fiesta plate.

Then I added this plate from World Market.  Made in Portugal, I felt its colors and pattern matched the Birds of Paradise well.  In fact, I ended the stack here so the plates wouldn't be covered up.

To complete the individual setting, I added the matching napkins and a butterfly napkin ring from Pier One.  I thought the colors on the napkin ring worked well, and thought the idea of complementing flowers from a garden with butterflies added to the theme of the tablescape.  My "Treble Clef" flatware from the World Market reminds me of the stamen of a flower, and I felt my amber glasses from the Murano glass factory in Venice, Italy coordinated well with the colors on the table.

I kept my centerpiece simple so that the Birds of Paradise could be the "star of the show".  They're held in a Lenox Woodland vase and rest on a placemat from Bed Bath and Beyond.  I searched my salt and pepper collection for a little pop of color, and found these green shell shakers from Portugal, given to me by a dear cousin from her collection.  The lanterns were a favor from a recent birthday party.  They are marked ZGallerie on the bottom.  I like the extra texture, bright color and similar pattern they bring to the table.


Here are some additional views of the table:

After completing this setting, I wondered if all of us tablescapers do the same thing:  something attracts our eye: a flower, or a decoration, a piece of china or a certain fabric, and suddenly we know a table setting is about to be born!  And with a mixing and matching of the treasures we have collected, suddenly (or sometimes after arranging and re-arranging for longer than we first intended!) we can step back and say, "I've created a scene I want to share!"  I've said it before and will probably say it again,
"This is a wonderful hobby!"


I'll be linking up to two gracious hostesses:
Susan at www.betweennapsontheporch.net and Kathleen at www.cuisinekathleen.com



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