Making over the living room, one piece at a time.

Mr Tightwad Frugal is not a happy man these days. One piece by one piece his beloved sectional is leaving. First let me explain that this was never intended to go into the living room. Ever. It came home from the cabin and was put to use after our house fire a decade ago. This year, I've reached the limit of my patience. First the recliner went out the front door. Of course Mr. Tightwad Frugal was not home at the time. And when he came in was astounded to be greeted by his beloved lying topsy turvy in the front courtyard. (To digress, we left for dinner and the our yard crew came. We noticed the fresh cut grass. When I saw Jesse a few weeks later I asked him what he thought. And being kind and not wanting to admit he had noticed, he shyly said that he had looked for Mr. Tightwad Frugal's clothes.)

Then, on our anniversary he came home to find the corner piece of the sectional had been heaved out the patio door. He just looked at me quite pitiful and said "I have no place to sit". I said "Then go shopping." Of course Mr. Tightwad Frugal did not. In the mean time, we've had a party and still he hasn't been motivated. So this week I took matters in my own hands. I went shopping. Sunday I even took Mr. Tightwad Frugal with me. As I was looking for a chair, he was wandering. When I finally found him, he was enveloped in a recliner the size of a sofa that had to be plugged in!! No joke, it was electric. Nope, not going to happen.

 We went to one store, then stopped at another and I narrowed his choice to two chairs. Both recliners, neither looks the part.

Do you like this one? Do you like that one? Yes they both recline. Try it out. Is it comfortable? Why did I take him along. So we settled on these two chairs. Buying neither one and thanks to my cell phone, I was able to come home with digital photos.

So I came home and crudely photoshopped the one chair into the picture of the room. Granted it's not quite to size and not the same angle.. It does however give you an idea of what the chair will look like. We both loved this chair in the store. But it's a bit too formal for our lifestyle. (If you don't have photoshop, print your pictures out and then just cut out the chair and place it "into" the toom).

Chair two was much more to our liking. More casual and more in the direction for which we are striving - Santa Fe goes to Europe. So back to the store I went on Wednesday of this week. I wanted one more look at both chairs. This time I armed myself with pillows, throws and pictures. Chair two had one more piece of fabric around the sides and back that read a bit too yellow for my liking.

I called Mr. Tightwad Frugal and said I'd bought a chair. He asked which one.. well not one you've seen was the answer. I could hear his eyes rolling and the gears spinning. The chair will be delivered on Saturday. Will he like it? And yes, it is a recliner. (the pillows on the chair are some from some couches at the store, to help figure out if the taupe couch I desire will go nicely - it will)

Next a 100" couch - which seems to be elusive at the moment. But I'm making headway.

Cheese, wine and good friends and a baked brie recipe Tablescape

 

A Saturday evening

My husband's high school friends

Various cheeses

An assortment of wine

For Tablescape Thursday, I'm deviating from the normal table to share our buffet this past Saturday evening. I hope you enjoy the visit!

 Cocktail napkins - cool trick: take your stack of paper napkins, then with a glass held sideways, press down and turn the glass thus fanning out the napkins as you see above

Stacked "wine waiter" plates next to a bowl intended for fresh grapes, both green and red

Assorted serving pieces to place bread and cheese:

 

 

 Cheese server block with inlaid turquoise

The pieces of a "wine" fountain. Ordered from Steve Hawkins Metal in Dallas, Tx. Lubbock had a wine festival in 2009. Many moons ago. And we met Steve and saw his beautiful copper creations. This was our anniversary present to ourselves this past year. With or without colored water, the fountain is a veritable work of art. 

Our ever so expensive welcome sign: dollar store tray, edge painter-taped, center sprayed with a few coats of blackboard paint. 

Week 3 of tablescapes for 2011 and the TT bloopers continue - the apricot bread still has the covering on it.

Cast:

Wine waiter plates - purchased eons ago at Stein Mart

White pedestal bowl - purchased TJMaxx eons ago

Grapevine trays &; wine cork spreaders - World Market

Green marble spreaders - Unknown

Turquoise inlaid Serving block - Arizona wood crafts

Silver grape motif cheese board - International Silver

Tiered Serving station- Sam's Club

Wine Fountain - Steve Hawkins, Dallas Tx.

Burlap table covering - Hancock's Fabrics
Cheese leaves - Gourmet Pantry, Lubbock, Tx.

Linking up to Susan's (Between Naps on the Porch) Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to drop in on Thursday to see all the delightful tables set just for you.  Thanks so much for dropping in, I love your comments.

Baked Brie

Pepperidge Farm puff pastry

Brie wheel

Brown sugar

Chopped pecans

Brandy

1 egg

Roll out one sheet of the puff pastry to about 14" square.

Place a square of parchment paper in the center of baking sheet.

Place the rolled out dough on top of the parchment paper.

Place the brie wheel in the center of the square.

Add a mixture of equal parts brown sugar and chopped pecans (1 to 1.5 cups each) on top of the Brie wheel.

Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons brandy over the top of the sugar/pecan mixture.

Bring the puff pastry up to the center being careful not to stretch the dough too thin.

Twist the pastry and pat down. 

Brush with a whisked egg/water mixture.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Bake 25 minutes or until dough is golden.

Let rest for 45 minutes (this reassembles the brie).

Serve with pear slices, apple slices or apricot bread.

A mother's love...

A Mother's Love

There is no love, like a mother's love, no stronger bond on earth... like the precious bond that comes from God, to a mother, when she gives birth. A mother's love is forever strong, never changing for all time... and when her children need her most, a mother's love will shine. God bless these special mothers, God bless them every one... for all the tears and heartache, and for the special work they've done. When her days on earth are over, a mother's love lives on... through many generations, with God's blessings on each one. Be thankful for our mothers, for they love with a higher love... from the power God has given, and the strength from up above. ...Jill Lemming     Sweet cedar, juniper from Santa Fe, NM Topper from an estate sale somewhere a few favorite things my favorite picture of my boys some books and a vintage Mexican pottery platter alabaster little people from Florence, Italy

Breaking the fast Tablescape

 

I am so sorry. Really I am. I didn't mean it. It's all my fault. It started yesterday.

The missus came home and one vase was on it's side and the white tablecloth was wet. She muttered something about cats and liners. I think she meant that she was glad she had the liner under the table. I have no clue what she said about cats. It was all a bit strange. See those silver birds on the clustered vases? Did you know that they move? Yes, they do and I think maybe I get a bit carried away. I'm sorry. 

 So the missus stripped off the white table cloth and this one which happened to be lying on the table too. I think she was auditioning. Just how much water do you think those vases can hold? Well, trust me, about half a tablecloth's worth.

 

So they both dried over night. One on the ironing board and one on the guest bed. Can you believe she closed the door??? No need to banish me. It was just water!!!

So we got over yesterday. And then there was today. It's Saturday, she's not supposed to go anywhere and she knows it. But she did. She left early too. And then came back. Oh boy, I thought, she's home to entertain me. I have her all to myself. What was I thinking? Next thing I know, she's changing into jeans and grabs her purse and leaves. She left me again. This is just so wrong. You know what I mean?

So you know the old saying... while the missus is away the cats will play. She had gotten up really early this morning, filled out some paper work (which she promptly left here) and wrote a letter. Too busy to give me any attention. And she set this table, minus glasses. I don't know why she wouldn't put those out. I'm just saying....

So then she comes home and I thought she would be soo glad to see me. All she did was let out a howl and said more things about cats. I got my feelings hurt. Did you  know she speaks about 4 languages? Well she does.. and cat sounds almost the same in every one of them!

What's a little water? I think she was upset because the vase was lying down. Not the same one! I was careful not to touch that one. Yesterday was bad enough. No, I selected a different one, but I guess that was wrong too. 

So all was well for a while. But I guess I upset her. Her friend came over and they had such a nice chat. I sidled up to the missus and she was my best friend again. Nose kisses and back rubs, all was well in the world...

Aren't these yellow Kalanchoe cousins cute on the table. I thought they weren't potted correctly. I was just trying to help. The Spanish moss she used to cover up the dirt was intriguing. So feathery and wispy, just what I like!

I prefer real dirt, don't you?

Who could be mad at this cute face with those piercing blue eyes?

 

So, did you notice something??? I got blamed for no glasses. How is that my fault? Really? What do you think?
Sincerely,
Regan

Cast:

Tablecloth - I thought Williams Sonoma, but not sure.

Rattan chargers - World Market

Lg blue floral plates - Queen's TJMaxx

European dinner plate - Schumann Arzberg, Germany, belonged to the missus' grandmother

Salad plate - Schumann Arzberg, Germany, belonged to the missus' grandmother

Yellow bowls - TJMaxx recently

Blue Flatware - Tuesday Morning, Hampton's?

Yellow linen napkins - Tanger Factory Outlet in Kittery, MA - Villeroy & Boch

White pitcher - Wedgwood

Kalanchoe's - grocery store 

White daisies - left over from last weekend's lunch

Beautiful golden-hued goblets - in the crystal cabinet

The missus will be joining up with Susan for Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to skedaddle over there for some real "complete" table settings!

Thanks for dropping by, please put in a good word for me.. she loves to read those comments!

 She got over it, I think. Last I heard she was singing Yvonne's (Stone Gable) praises about some Caesar salad dressing!