Destination Santa Fe Tablescape

Cuisine Kathleen had a wonderful idea.. a destination tablescape. So you know, I was playing along. And the thinking cap went on... where to go? I had taken you to Germany (HERE) at Christmas time. We visited Mexico HERE.  And we had French moules HERE. Now that I think about it, we could have visited Kiev, St. Moritz, Santa Barbara, Lisbon, Nice or the Black Forest. But.. I took you to the place I hope to retire - soon!! One can dream, right?

Can you see the turquoise, the silver and the adobe? So where are we? Santa Fe, NM. I love that place.

Santa Fe is in my blood and under my skin like no other city. The City Different. Casual yet refined. Elegant and rustic. Mountains and desert. Old, with history. Art-sy. I may have left my heart in San Fransisco, been sleepless in Seattle, made it in New York, fell in love in Paris in the springtime, and baked under the Tuscan sun. But. Santa Fe speaks to my soul, nourishes my being and I'm riding with  Jon Bon Jovi  back to Santa Fe.

In Santa Fe, you could be dining on starch white linens or on well-worn rustic tables.

Glasses for your favorite agave libation always at hand.

Hand made works abound.

Where turquoise is king,

textures reign supreme,

and silver reflects the beauty of the skies and is an adornment le sans-faute or should I say algo impecable.

Because our dinner plates are glass, the beauty of the placemat can be seen while dining.

 Loving the new glass plates also used HERE with the silver and adobe colored napkins. I could have easily reused the white salad plates and the turquoise napkins on this tablescape, too. But, I wanted the rustic quality the adobe and rust bring to the table.

Large etched glass hurricanes encase the candles. These would be perfect for the patio as our gentle (ha ha) breezes can't blow out the candles. I also use them on the buffet when serving food as they keep sleeves, hands, and hair away from the live flame.

Santa Fe has an arid climate. So what better to highlight that tidbit than some succulents. I have hidden them from water. Resisting the urge to nourish them because I can have them looking like the leaning tower of Pisa in a couple of weeks!

Bunches of succulents in two bowls. Guess what those turquoise containers are?

Can you believe I put the succulents in my silver Revere bowls? Yep, Lined them with coffee filters first!

Have you figured out the turq glass containers yet?

I hope you'll stay. I am thinking Posole and green chile enchiladas. Are you game?

Things are simple in Santa Fe. Less is More. Effective pieces, selectively chosen.

I guess each heavenly spot has days with overcast skies...

I caught a few rays for about 30 seconds.. Just for you!

Cast:
Placemats - Pier One
Dinner Plates - TJMaxx, Artistic Accents
Bowls - Pier One
Flatware - Wallace Silversmiths
Napkins - old
Napkin rings - designed and made by moi, tut HERE
Margarita glasses - World Market
Hurricanes - Pottery Barn
Silver candle holders and Revere bowls - old

One more tip: I dropped turquoise stones into the napkin rings in the center of the metal flower. I didn't use glue so that I can remove them as needed.

Linking up to:
Cuisine Kathleen's -Let's Dish  and the remainder destination tablescapes!
Yvonne/ Stone Gable's Tutorials, tips and tidbits where you can learn sooo much!
Susan/Between Naps on the Porch - Tablescape Thursday, the original - what can I say?
I hope you'll join me there.
And if you have stayed with me this long.. then here's the answer to the turquoise glass containers: they are old timey glass insulators that used be found on your electric poles. .

Silver Vase Bromeliad - simply stunning

This lovely, supposedly easy to care for specimen is the majestic Silver Vase Bromeliad.  Right now ours is flowering. Is this not just stunning?

The plant was given to us in June in remembrance for my dear mother-in-law. A few weeks later, I noticed a bloom beginning to sprout. Did you know these are kin to pineapples?

As the bloom emerges, you can watch the petal unfold. Have you heard that you need to water in the "vase" part of the plant? That's the part from which the flower is popping up. Hence the name, "vase". If you do, just don't leave water sitting in there. Also, don't pour in cold tap water. Plan to leave the water sitting out to come to room temperature.  I water one cup of water a month, a tiny bit in the "vase" and the rest in the soil.

The flower should last for several months in temperatures from 45-100 degrees. Did you know mature plants only bloom once in their lifetime? Then what do you do with the plant? One site says it's disposable, bloom them discard. Frown.

This one came planted in this wonderful glass container. Bromeliads really like humidity. But their roots don't like being in water. The rocks, bit of soil keep the plant moist but not water-logged. Keeping the top covered with moss will ensure the moisture stays in the container. Once every 10 days I mist the plant, just very sparingly!

 Hope you liked your visit. I'll let you know how this plant fares around here. Pray that I don't do something stupid to lead to it's early demise!

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....