Brunch on the Patio

This is a repost of an earlier post last spring/summer. We've had a very hectic week around here. I had both my father and my dear mother in law in the emergency room, at the same time, unbeknownst to one another, last Saturday evening. MIL had surgery on her broken hip and had a few rough days, but is better now, but still in the hospital. Dad went home and is doing fine.. I'm looking forward to looking at all the pretty tables at Susan's Between Tablescape Thursday at Naps on the Porch maybe this next weekend. See you there!


Last Sunday, while the air conditioner was still out and it was actually still pleasant outside, I set the table. By the time Sleepy awoke, this is what he saw.
Quilted and embroidered place mats over a blue linen table cloth (Williams Sonoma). Our everyday kitchen dishes, stainless and eggs boiled to perfection. Here's a link to an older post using the entire embroidered set.
I lugged this rooster home from the Cracker Barrel in Oklahoma City. You know the one, right there by OESD, very close to where I-40 and I-44 intersect. I've brought stranger and more aromatic things home too, like Krispy Kreme donuts for my American Airlines staff! I saw him, I loved him, I bought him, I brought him home, check the computer, carry-on the rooster. He is actually a pitcher but has never been used as such ;-).
Real butter served wrapped up in Vietri cabbage leaves.
Brought home these French hand-blown goblets from a wonderful store in Santa Fe. Too bad it's not there anymore. Sleepy is glad they are not, we still have a nest egg!
Sterling salt and peppers found at an estate sale some time ago.
Oneida stainless. Good. Heavy. Sturdy. Perfect for everyday.
Boiled eggs. Whites done. Yolks runny. Remind me of my grandmother, who could cook them perfectly every single time. She used a timer. Tiny spoons with which to scoop out the deliciousness. How many minutes with the steeping method - 7 1/2!
Noritake Summer Estate. Sadly out of production but still available from Replacements.com. If you have never been to one of their sales.. it should be on your bucket list. It's that good.
Don't you love the colors? I just love how the green and blue look, especially when coupled with the brighter colors of the rooster.

I was inspired to search for tall clay pots when I saw some in a window at a cute little local place. They looked so "French". I finally found some that were tall, not square like the originals, but these fit perfectly on my kitchen window. In the winter time, the red blooms on the geraniums sure beat the winter-time blues away.
Kikeriki.. Cocorico. Cock-a-doodle-doo. Did you know that animals have different sounds in foreign languages?
Purchased the quilted place mats some time ago. Used the Bernina binder attachment #84 with binder foot #94 to finish the edges anew once I removed the binding that was in place. I love the addition of the Moda bound edge. I believe this was part of the Provence collection.
As a crowning finish, I embroidered two roosters on each place mat. This one can be found here.
Here's the link to this fine feathered fowl.

Hope you enjoyed our Sunday morning together. Come back soon and we'll do it again. Oh Sleepy was so impressed, he hurried into the kitchen and made some bacon, biscuits and fresh coffee!


And I'm sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch! Go check out the rest of the wonderful set ups for more ideas.

White Orchid - are you sentimental?

photo credit: http://orchidspictures.net/White-Orchids.html

I went out with my husband on February 10, 1974. On February 14th, 1974 I received white orchids (smart fellow) and he asked me to marry him. (I didn't say yes for another 10 months!)

White orchid flatware: introduced 1953. I was born in 1953 (did I just tell my age?). 

My father-in-law was the largest inland orchid dealer in the United States. Hence the free orchids on valentine's in 1974, yes I still married Mr. Tightwad. He's now watching over us from heaven.

not a photo of my set, but one I found on the web

And then there was a listing for an estate sale. I went and they did have the Oneida Community Plate White Orchid flatware - a setting for 8 and iced tea spoons and serving pieces. It was still full price and they weren't budging. Even their full price was less than the prices I've seen on my favorite shopping mall and research facility - the world wide web.

So Saturday morning, I had to go back.. it was half price day. I know unheard of on a Saturday. I got there at 7:30am, insane huh? They opened at 8. It was still there. What's a girl to do with the all those background influences tugging at her insides? What do you think I did? huh? huh? huh?

I bought it.. all of it, the whole wooden box full. It's in such wonderful condition. And it's really pretty.. 

And it has orchids on it. and It looks marvelous with floral dishes. And I wish my father in law were still around to see this.. He would love it. He would be smiling. 

Garden Party Tablescape

Do you make sentimental purchases? 

What was your last one?

Do you love it or regret it?

I am linking up with Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, and to the Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday. cya there!

Garden Party Tablescape

 I went to a garden party to reminisce with my old friends

A chance to share old memories and play our songs again

When I got to the garden party, they all knew my name

 No one recognized me, I didn't look the same

But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well.

You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

Ricky Nelson - 1972

 How about a garden party in the middle of summer? 

An empty place card just for you.

 Some pretty flowers to adorn the table

 Some busy bees on honeycomb napkin rings

 White Orchid silver by Oneida

 Butter pats under the iced tea spoon will save your precious linens every time

 A vintage look candle holder helps set the mood

 Another candle under an etched cloche sitting in a sterling dish

(cloche to be removed before lighting)

 Really love my Mikasa French Countryside goblets

Oh I really cheated on the table covering..

I couldn't find a suitable tablecloth. So I purged the resource center (aka the stash).

I found this lovely piece of Moda fabric that is just perfect as a table covering for outside

since this table is less wide than our dining table. A few serged ends and a quick turn under

and I will have a lovely tablecloth for years to come!

 Love Love Love this little plate used as a salad plate.  Pattern is Marilyn by Queen Anne. I won this at 

the fun auction over at My Place to Yours. I think I'll be collecting this pattern for quite some time. I think it's the blue band with the snowdrops that sucks me in.. oh and my sister's name is Marilyn.

 See the pretty orchids on the flatware? I succumbed to a really great deal on this last week.

My father in law had the an orchid green house and supplied many people all around the nation. He's passed on, so I guess sentimentality got the better of me.

Cast:

Table covering - Moda fabrics

Napkins - too old to remember where from (the napkins, the napkins!) 

Napkin rings - OKL (One King's Lane)

Dinner plates - Bordallo Pinheiro

Salad plates - various Sammeltassen* from Germany and one Queen Anne's Marilyn pattern

Butter pats - German; Johann Seltmann Vohenstrauss

Flatware - Oneida White Orchid Community Plate

Glassware - Mikasa French Countryside

Grapevine vase - TJMaxx

Candles and holders - antiques or very old

Placecards - Tuesday Morning

Thank you so much for dropping in and spending some time with me. I am blessed by your company. Hope you enjoyed yourself!

I will be linking up to Tablescape Thursday at Susan's (Between Naps on the Porch) and also to Seasonal Sunday's at the Tablescapers. Cya there!

*Sammeltassen translates to "Collector's cups". But they usually encompass a dessert plate, cup and saucer. Usually they were given to young ladies for special occasions (confirmation, birthdays, Christmas). Some of the plates used were my grandmother's and some my  mother's. I'm so blessed to be the steward of these pieces.