Schumann Ladies Luncheon Tablescape

Won't you join me.. I've set a table for you, my blog-friends. Wouldn't it be fun to sit and chat for just a while? I bet we could while away the hours!!!

I've pulled out my newest additions. Schumann Dresden. I've always coveted really wanted this so badly. And then when Cherry Kay gave me permission, giggling as I write this, or gave me the push I needed, I took the plunge. I do have 3 granddaughters that will need china, you know. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

I only have 4 dinner plates, I could just break down and order them from Replacements, LTD, but the thrill of the hunt is what makes this so much fun, so I decided to use my gold rimmed dinner plates. I pulled out the gold flatware and the very lacy white tablecloth. We are dining outside. Did you know that lace tablecloths let the breeze flow through the cloth without any lifting or swaying?

A lovely flower arrangement brought by friends is a very outstanding centerpiece.

Isn't it spectacular?  The Parrot tulips just take my breath away. The white stalks are some type of bell flower. Hydrangea in my favorite shade and the spikey grasses! Oh my.

 And the dainty little salmon colored roses.. well, be still my heart.

I really love this variegated ribbon. You can pick it up at the wholesale florist. Wrap it inside your vase and it hides the stems.. and you can reuse it! Oh and the best part, the water doesn't get murky.

Our back yard patio stays sheltered from the sun from early morning on. I love that, it's what sold me on this house.

Love to take my silver outside.. it's reflective quality just takes on it's surroundings.

My favorite green damask napkin with a dainty crochet edge are gathered with a napkin ring that echos the colors in the floral arrangement and the plates.

You know it.. Libbey Rock Sharpe! They are really my favorite glasses.

Isn't this tablecloth magnificent? Oh, my weakness is really textiles. I know y'all thought it was dishes, but my heart bleeds Bernina red, textiles and lace!

White ceramic placecards just ready to add your name... you are coming right?

Yeah, the bread and butter knives have roses on them... so fitting, don'tcha think?

Cast:
Tablecloth - estate sale
Dinner plates, salad plates, bread and butter plates - Schumann Dresden, ebay
Dinner plates gold rim - Rosenthal
Crystal - Libbey Rock Sharpe
Gold flatware - International
Bread and Butter spreaders - Old Company Plate
Lenox swan salt cellars - estate sale
Placecards -  can't remember
Napkins - can't remember
Napkin rings - Pier One
Butter dish - Gorham

Thank you for joining the luncheon party. I hope you had a great time! I'm linking up to Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish, Yvonne's Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits and to Susan's Tablescape Thursday.. c y'all there!

Dreams are made of this...

picture taken with phone

There are just moments in our days.

Today was one of them.

Son was in the kitchen voluntarily.

Helping, without being asked.

Husband was thankful son started the charcoal.

The steaks were perfect.

The harmony was perfect.

I was happy. 

To the core. 

Happy.

It was only 81 degrees outside.

We sat outside.

Life is good.

Praise God.

Baseball, hot dogs and apple pie - a classic table for the fourth

What are you doing to celebrate the fourth?

I doubt we'll be getting outside - at all. Really, there is no doubt involved. We won't be getting outside. Not here in Lubbock. I am not a fan of sweating "glowing".

I am however sure, that baseball will be involved. What? You say it's played outside? Sure, that is true.. but I do believe that the magic of television will allow me to watch those 9 men chase that ball around in the cool comfort - inside! My beloved Yankees play at 3:10 in Florida and Mr. CJ's Rangers play in my favorite city of Chicago at 7.

 And then there will probably be hot dogs involved. Keeping with the feel of baseball....

Of course served in something cute - that is a given.

For that something delectable to go with those dogs!

Sweet potato fries, one hot dog, your choice of whole wheat or white buns. No need for cutlery, but always a need for a bit of added spice - for some folks. Did you see that little bottle of Tabasco?

How do you like your dogs? Chicago style? New York style? simple? with chili? with cheese?

Have you ever tried sweet potato fries? OOh their yummy sweetness is just sooo good.

And here's my tip: Fill a shaker with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. It's the perfect topping for those fries. Hey, we aren't counting calories today are we?

Cast:
Tablecloth - made by myself
Baskets - Dollar Tree
Gingham liners - Bernina Express, Switzerland
Fry cones and liners - World Market
Expensive Crystal - Dollar Store
Pitcher - One Kings Lane
Pitcher Contents - Dollar Tree

 the apple pie... well it's coming up so stay tuned!!!

 I hope you stay cool, have fun and enjoy the day celebrating the birth of our nation. Happy Fourth of July. Depending on which parties are linking this week... I'll be there!
Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish
Susan's Tablescape Thursday
Yvonne's Tips and Tricks on Thursday, too.... 

A little bit of napkin embellishment

Now here is an idea that really adds some personality to a napkin. Adding a few stitches from your sewing machine. Most machines no longer come with just the utilitarian stitches, but have a bunch of decorative stitches add as part of the package.

After you've stitched them out, then what do you do with them. Too many stitches are never used.  I love, love my stitches! For this napkin I chose 3 stitches on the Bernina artista 730; lime green: #427 as is; orange: #411 SW 5.9, SL 1.71; yellow: #711 SW 5.1, SL 3.01. These were previously used HERE and HERE. Because of the triple thickness of fabric on the hem of these napkins, I was able to forgo using a stabilizer.

And my tip for the week.. Wind your bobbins with the same thread that is in the needle. That way you have the same look on each side of your napkin. I also use a less fussy thread, no rayons in bright colors.. I use a polyester embroidery thread because it will stand up to much use and many washings. Sample uses Isacord thread from EmbroideryOnline.com or your favorite Bernina dealer. Forgive me, I still bleed Bernina red.... ;-)

Enjoy.. Come pop over to Yvonne's at Stone Gable for links with more tips and tricks!

Una tabla de colores vivos tablescape

This was not what I had planned this week. Oh wait, I didn't have anything planned this week. I do have two tables that I haven't yet shared, but....

And then I came across these plates at TJMaxx on Friday. At lunch on Friday. And I snagged 8 of them. What was I thinking? I loved them. Why didn't I get more right then???? I love how the glass swirls inside the plate. And I loved the color.

This gorgeous plant arrived on Friday, too. Orange and teal.. wow what a great combination. But still not how the table came about. Friday evening I was "auditioning" the teal plates. Tried them with this and that. And then I pulled out the next best thing to a quilt.. a serape.

Saturday morning I sent asked my sweet, darling son to run over and snag pick up the remainder of the plates. He did. They are going to be fabulous for summer entertaining.

I also remembered that these glasses have a matching colored rim to the plates.

So for today, the table fits the menu and the hot temperatures! Una tabla de colores vivos. A brightly colored table. Using the napkin that I embellished last year with the napkin rings the grands call the birthday napkin rings, gave way to using a brightly colored flatware set picked up at Ross's last year. Adding the white charger and white salad plate kept the table from getting boisterous.

We will be dining late, otherwise the outside temperatures would cause much discomfort. It's just been too danged hot!!

The sun will be setting soon, and the table will be shaded. We'll turn on the outside lights.

 The sun is setting, its' time to turn on the lights.

 Oh yes. My dream of tiny white lights is long gone. At first, we had smaller colored bulbs strung over the patio. But this year, Mr. CJ found larger, more brightly colored bulbs and changed them out. Oh my oh my. This could be why he doesn't decorate inside.

We will be dining on Cilantro Rice (HERE) and Margarita Pork K-bobs (HERE), a fresh green salad and an adult beverage of your choice.

Cast:
Serape - Jackalope, Santa Fe
Chargers - Pier One
Dinner Plates - TJMaxx, Artistic Accents
Salad Plates - Wedgwood Windsor
Napkins - self embellished (tips and tricks to come Thursday at Stone Gable)
Napkin Rings - Pier One
Flatware - Ross and salad fork by Wallace Silversmiths
Margarita Glasses - World Market
Plant - from a friend sitting in a Wedgewood Windsor bowl

Gracias  por venir. Thank you for dropping in and spending your time with me. I'm truly honored. You can find me at Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish on Wednesday and Susan's Tablescape Thursday on Thursday.

Happiness is...

Happiness is ...
...seeing a smile on this young man's face.
...being able to pray for him, that he keeps his head up and sees his circumstances as a new beginning.
...knowing that Regan likes him, ;-)
...knowing that my mother-in-law got to meet Jesus a week ago this past Thursday.
...seeing life take a calm, steady pace.
...enjoying the moment.