Looking back at 2012

Candle Wraps

I thought it'd be fun to look back at 2012 before I delve headfirst into 2013. My year seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye. I really wish it hadn't done that. I would have liked to have enjoyed the moments more. But onward we go.. the top viewed post of 2012 - the candle wraps. The titles under the pictures are links if you want to travel back in time and see the entire post. Thanks so much!

Tablescapes, a bit of travel and a fabulous store

Next on the list was a post about a fabulous store in Weatherford, Texas with many beautiful tablesettings and fine accessories.

New Year's Buffet

And then there was the new year's buffet table. We host the family each new year's day, just as my beloved mother-in-law used to do. The menu has not changed at all. It's what I had 39 years ago and so it still is today. Ham, green chile grits, black-eyed peas, oyster noodle bake, condiments, rolls, crazy slaw and various desserts. This family is all about tradition.

Sammeltassen, the buffet and closet

I shared my grandmother's collector's cups, actually trios, with you and our new buffet. I was so excited to finally have that piece in our home. I promptly fell off the china wagon, so to speak, and found a set to keep the buffet from being so empty. What was I thinking? It's now full. drats!

Advent 2012 - Pinecone Tablescape

Next in the line up is this outdoor tablescape I shared with you in December. Yes, set outside. We did have a few balmy days in there. I used the same elements of this table set inside for a holiday dinner party. So happy with the pinecone dishes I found at Tuesday Morning!

Schumann Ladies Luncheon

This, too was one of my favorite tables this year, as it was yours. I love the lace tablecloth and the dishes. I started collecting this set with a lot of help from my dear friend Cherry Kay at Entertaining Women.

Dining at the Derby

Early in May, we dined at the Derby! That was fun. I loved trying to recreate the look of the Stakes room at Churchill Downs. Early in our married life, we had a few racehorses so the memorabilia from them and our trip to Kentucky was plentiful!

Rustic Schumann

In August, I couldn't resist playing with my new collection, the Schumann Dresden dishes. I am wishing I already had 12 of the dinner plates because they would be helping us welcome the New Year if I did!

A tribute to Mothers

In honor of mothers everywhere, I set a rose laden table. There were pieces on the table for all the women that had touched my life and formed into who I am today. God bless them each and every one.

Party Planning Tips

In October, I shared our annual Tapas Party with all y'all. It's one of our most favorite events we host, as everyone brings a dish and we just provide the location. This year the addition of "bus" trays kept everyone from traipsing through the house with dishes. Brilliant, I say!

Wishing it was Summer

In March, I really had spring fever and replayed a very old table setting. Colorful flowers and sewing machine "enhanced" napkins make this table joyful and festive!

A Gaelic Tablescape in honor of St. Patrick

To round out the year's top 12... This Gaelic tablescape came in at #12. We do so enjoy a good St. Patrick's celebration in our house. Lot of food and good friends make this a fun time, and seriously not everything is green!

Thank you for stopping by and being faithful readers. It's been a grand year and the time is here to put it behind us and move forward. To make new dreams, to see new options, to take a different course. I wish each of you more blessings than sorrows, more joy than pain. And above all to be happy in the moment.

Joining Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish 
and Susan for Tablescape Thursday!

Candle Wraps

 

 Notice the candles on the right of the picture? They are all "wrapped".

Decorated. I mean who can have un-adorned candles?

Seriously.

When we were coming home from Dallas on our last trip there, 

we stopped at the Design Center and Western Heritage. They sit sideby side in Weatherford, Texas.

You can enter their world HERE.

 

 I knew I wanted 3 candle warps and I wanted them to sit on the buffet.

So after our trip home, I stopped at a local shopping heaven, Coyote Candle Company.

Furniture, candles, decor items. Just NO website. Hello... NO website? In this day and age. really?

 Also stopped by Tandy leather and picked up some pieces out of their scrap bin.

The leather wrap keeps the wrap from sliding down your candle.

This one has a rusted rose, a horseshoe and a turquoise nugget.

Oh yeah, a strand of turquoise that hangs down, threaded on wire.

 I had All the pieces for this cutie.. 

Thank you Michael for shaving off some of the thickness of the cross.

I use Tim Holtz distress inks to color the top of the cross.

Glued the cross on, done.

The large piece has both the ornamental wood and the once silver colored metal flower

further distressed with soldering black, paints and Tim Holtz distress inks.

Another turquoise nugget rests in the center.

 Details:

the leather wrap is 2.5" tall and 1.5" shorter in length than the circumference of the candle

I used leather weld glue and locktite

do not glue the entirety of the decoration down.. only the center as the wrap has to be able to curve

punch one hole in each side of the back/ cut ends of the wrap

thread a gorgeous ribbon through and tie in a pretty bow

Enjoy!

Thanks for dropping by today. So glad to see you here.

I'd love it if you'd comment so I can find your blog, know you were here and reciprocate!

Hugs...

Linking up to Season Sunday at the Tablescapers! See you there.

Sammeltassen, the buffet and the closet

I am sure you wondering how all this fits together. Just have a sit and I'll take you through it all.

Since I was "under the weather" this past weekend and Monday, and I still wanted to play along 

on Tablescape Thursday, there had to be dishes involved!

 But Saturday early on things were still good. The delivery person called to let me know to expect

him and our new to us buffet right after lunch. He forgot about the time change. He was trucking in from 

Santa Fe!

So I thought I'd rearrange the "Sammeltassen" or collector's trio.

They used to live in their own little world. Quite peacefully might I add,

all lined up like little soldiers in a row. 

But that was boring. And since I'm decluttering, I needed to make it look less spread out!
I've previously used them in tablescapes HERE, or HERE.

I certainly wish I had thought to take a before picture. But I also was planning a pretty cool table,

cool cause it's been a wee bit chilly.

Well except for Monday, when the mercury hit around a balmy 70 degrees. 

And we had a lovely dust storm. Ugh.

I brought the cute chocolate pot with it's sweet bud on the lid out from the bedroom shelves

so that it could come play with the dishes. 

I also pulled out some of my vintage cookbooks, German and others, my mother's, my mother-in-law's.

And my grandmother's candy dish.

A sweet bell from dear Jill. It's from Ohio, Zaneville I believe.

I wish I could remember if this was a gift to my mother or a gift to my grandmother. 

Sammeltassen (Dessert Trios) are a basic in Germany. Usually given as gifts for birthdays, Confirmation, and any other gifting event, people collect many of these and most likely no two every match.

This trio was my grandmother's favorite. She would always put it at her place. 

Underneath is the handkerchief my mother carried when she wed my father in Bern, Switzerland.

I love these dainty cups. I really should use them more often. Shame on me.

This started my obsession passion with dishes. Blame it on my Oma!

Either that, or it's in the genes.

A cute silver epergne rests in the corner. These little cups are Mokkatassen. or cups for Mocha or espresso.

This was my mother's favorite cup! I didn't know that until she took the time to share a lifetime of tidbits with me before she died. I still miss her. 

My grandmother's handkerchief, a spoon from Corey Amaro (Toungue in Cheek), and a darling original 

photo of my husband's Auntie - Fern. 

More vintage cookbooks, my husband's grandfather's knife.

 This is a piece of Hutschenreuter. Love, love transferware.

So that was early Saturday. And then decided to clean out the closet in our guest room. 

It had become the sanctuary for things that never again would see the light of day. 

Let's just be glad there are no photos. 

I found that i will never need to buy another piece of scrapbook paper or fabric. 

Ever. Never. As long as I live. 

I also unearthed some other fun things.Do you ever forget you have things?

The cleaning purging was put on hold. The guys arrived with the buffet. 

They say it's a Victorian piece. So early 19's?  I don't think so. 

It's solid wood, weighs a ton, and makes me happy.

And I found it in Santa Fe!

Remember, I'm decluttering. Simple pieces, and fewer pieces. That is the goal.

And then I found my husband's grandmother's bobbin lace runner.

In the closet. Luckily it hadn't reached the point of no return. 

My husband, the new interior decorator said I should put it on the buffet. 

I like the buffet sans the runner. simple, less dressy. It is a beautiful piece of bobbin lace, but...

Your thoughts?

Sorry about not having a table this week, but I hope you enjoyed the sweet sojourn into the Sammeltassen. 

Hope to see you again. Your visits make my day!

I'll be joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.. see you there!