Spring, Easter, Mothers Day Tablescape in Blue & Pink

While this was the table that I set for an Easter dinner, it could easily be adapted to any other special occasion.  Being very fond of birds, I have several sets of dishes with bird themes.  They bring me great joy to use and I hope bring delight to my guests. 

My husband has a been entertained by a family of humming birds that have now returned for the past few years.  They made their nest in the birch tree outside his office window.  He enjoys watching the momma bird feed her babies.  

One year, we had a sweet little sparrow that kept trying to fly into our octagonal window in the family room.  The poor bird kept hitting the window with its beak.  For days, he never gave up trying!  John nicknamed him Einstein.   I think I scared him off last year when I got my camera out and took pictures of his attempts.  We haven't seen him since. :-( Einstein, you are welcome to come back, I have a bird bath in the backyard now!

I located pink flatware and used it for a casual feel.  Pink sherbets that resemble Morgantown Crinkle Glass held fruit.  The pink water goblets are a favorite find of mine purchased at an antique store in Michigan.  Gingham always gives a table a more casual feel, don't you think?  I love for my guests to feel as relaxed as possible.  Gingham seems to have that psychological effect. Do you agree?

 

Hopefully, you can see the nest and lantern elevated to eye level.  My "Double Delight" rose chose to bloom at just the right time!  Love that name! ;-)

Above you see an Easter favor placed at each place setting; a wrapped chocolate See's Candies egg, accompanied by a glass cross and a card with a poem about the significance of the cross.  I include my Lord at every meal.  Sometimes I'm more subtle than others. Salt must be sprinkled lightly.

On the wooden stand you can barely see the birdie salt and pepper bird house shakers purchased at Pottery Barn.

I located cherry blossom paper napkins that coordinated with my cherry blossom centerpiece.    Below are a few more table pictures.  I hope this brought your eyes some visual delight.  I just love setting beautiful tables.  What is your passion?

I love to read your comments, you can join in by clicking on the blue "comment" section below this blog post.  I hope you have a delightful spring.  I'm always interesting in hearing what events and activities you have planned. 

 

Purple & Green Easter & Spring Tablesscape

A few years ago I discovered this lovely set of dishes at an antique store in Old Towne Orange for a very reasonable price.  Because I host Teas now and then I knew they would be useful in a variety of ways.  This is the first time they will be featured for Easter dinner.  The amethyst glasses are vintage, the crystal is Lenox Charleston, the tablecloth is by Ralph Lauren.  I will be placing a potted purple pansy at each place setting for additional life and color.

Bird & Floral Center Piece

 

The pansies and purple napkins add a lot to the dimension of the table.  I'm looking forward to Resurrection Sunday with great anticipation as it will be the first time in a long time that almost all of my local family will be together. Happy Resurrection Sunday to you and yours.  Hope it is delightful!  

Gift Wrapping That Wows

This gift wrap is so beautiful for a birthday, wedding, shower gift, Mothers Day, hostess gift or any other occasion. These types of boxes can be purchased at HomeGoods or Tuesday Morning for about the same cost as wrapping paper and ribbon.  When embellished with a few silk flowers and a unique ribbon it totally elevates the look to extraordinary.  I would be delighted to open a box like this, wouldn't you?  

#MothersDay   #birthdaygiftwrap  #weddinggiftwrap #bridalshowergiftwrap

The Best Vegetarian Appetizer-OneThat Leaves a Lasting Impression

Belgium Endive Vegetarian Appetizer

I first enjoyed this very impressive, yet simple-to-make appetizer years ago at a party I hosted in my home.  We are talking at least 10 years ago!  I wanted to serve my friends an appetizer that was really memorable (in a good way!).  This is the one!

My friend, Melinda, brought it.  We met 16 years ago at Jury Duty!  A group of 5 of us have kept in touch over the years.  She was gracious enough to share it with me and was delighted that I remembered it after all these years.  That's the kind of impression this appetizer will make!  For your dining pleasure, here is this wonderful recipe.  

Melinda's Belgium Endive Vegetarian Appetizer

Chopped tomatoes, drain liquid before mixing

Chopped red onions

Chopped avocado

Crumbled Bleu cheese*

Belgium Endive leaves, trimmed and separated

Add equal portions of the above.  Mix in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. 

Mix together and place on top of individual Belgium Endive leaves.  Arrange and garnish however you like on a plate.

*Trader Joe’s has the best priced and most delicious Bleu Cheese

Please link back to this page if you share.  Thank you!  Debbie

Details Make It Delightful

Here you see pictures highlighting some of the details designed for our Valentines 2014 Tea.  In my opinion, it is the many carefully planned details that make an event above average.  These are all easy to do, they just take a measure of time.  I always enjoy taking the time because it gives me time to joyfully anticipate the upcoming joy that flurries about in the room.

In the picture above, you will notice tea bags place in crystal dishes.  We find it easier to boil large urns of water and let each guest select the tea of her choice.  Colored sugar crystals are added to plain sugar to make it noticed and more than ordinary.  Sweet & Low was included in a separated sugar bowl for those who don't partake in sugar. The mock clotted cream and cherry jam was placed in a duet Candlewick glass dish.  Diminutive spoons and forks were used to partake of the sugar and lemon slices.  The last detail on the table above was the tea warmers.  They have a camouflaged place for a a candle to keep the water warm at all times. 

Above you will see the crystallized sugar sticks embellished with a bow and a small artificial rose--an attempt at extraordinary.  Notice too, the napkins were folded to resemble roses and placed in the tea cups (which saves lots of table room), and a real rose leaf was added to leave no doubt that the napkin is to resemble a rose.

These sugar sticks were embellished for the pink tea table above.

In addition to the lace doilies placed under the tea dishes, you will find, brass name tag holders personalizing each guests name, and a purple ribbon adorned with flowers and a string of pearls to  "kick things up a notch".  Of course, the finest tea tables always look better with someone's medication bottle! :-)

The pink rose tea table was adorned with pink artificial roses,  tulle bows, satin ribbon and a string of pearls.  These dishes actually have a crocheted doily beneath them.  I always love to use them.

Because our theme for the study of Romans this year was taken from Romans 12:5: "In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others", we chose a theme of puzzle pieces to illustrate that scripture.  So, of course, we had to have puzzle piece ice cubes in the water. :-)

In addition to the puzzle piece ice cubes, heart shaped ice cubes joined in the fun to add the element of LOVE!

Careful detail is taken to make sure a wide variety of floral and bow embellished  tea sandwiches are offered along with a scrumptious deviled egg.

One more detail: We had a hat contest this year!  Prizes were given for  the most comical hat, the hat that best portrayed our Bible study theme for the year, and one for the best story told on a hat.  I have to admit my friends didn't seem too game for this at first (pardon the pun).  However, in the end, most participated and we had great fun modeling and telling our stories.

 Me and my besties who always assist me in the most positive ways to make the tea delightful.

 More hat contest contenders!

 Flowers are the best detail of all!

And last, but not least, do you notice the extra step taken to cut the scones into the shapes of hearts?  Janice does this for us each year.  We all look forward to her yummy scones! The pear salad was improvised from a Pinterest version.  Because my pears just weren't ripe, I baked them with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and orange juice and sliced them vertically.  We then filled the layers with a artisan variety of lettuce, pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, feta cheese and drizzled them with raspberry walnut dressing.  They were a real hit! 

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and would love to know of special details you use when you entertain.  Have a delightful day! 

Inexpensive Party Favors That Wow!

Beverage To-Go Cup with added bling, chocolate spoon and Little Debbie Cakes

Greetings to my loyal blog readers!  I haven't blogged much for the past six months. But I intend to make up for that now.  I never want to post something just to post something.  I want to share things with you that have helped me and may help you as well.  My desire is for you to anticipate that you are going to see something DELIGHTFUL when you open your subscribed email from me.  I endeavor to not waste your time.  To that end, here are the party favors that I made for our annual Valentines Tea for 30 held in my home each year for the leadership of the CBS Bible Study I attend.  It really is fun to do every year.  I'm sure it is because I have the capable assistance of five dear friends!

It is not quite finished yet, but close!

These darling and delicious little heart cakes come in five packages of two for $1.99!! 
I found mine at CVS.

Once the bows were tied, I added the finishing touch of a glittered  and mock-jeweled stick-on heart.

The chocolate spoons were made by melting a large bag of chocolate chips and dipping the spoons in them and positioning them on parchment lined cookie sheets.  I then refrigerated them until they hardened.  I then wrapped them in small plastic treat bags seen below.

I tied the chocolate spoons shut with a glistening silver bow that coordinated with the bling wrapped and glued on top and bottom of the red rubber holding material.  All the items were inserted into the large cellophane bag and tied with decorative ribbon. 

 

The beverage to-go cups were found at the Dollar Tree and come in a large variety of colors. I have seen them at Michael's and elsewhere for $6.99+.  You could embellish these cups for any party or holiday gathering.  Simply change the bows and treat and you will receive the same Oohs, Ahhs, and Wows that I received! 

Lined up to give to our guests as they leave.  I believe it was a delightful day!

Bird-Themed Kitchen Vignette

A little rearranging was in order in my kitchen.  I placed this vignette  on one counter in my kitchen.  I have a "grapes and birds" theme going on throughout the kitchen.  Additionally, I have a rooster and chicken theme that is emerging!  Technically they are birds! ;-)

Hap Brandon, my talented artist friend, painted the chickens above the flowers.  They coordinated perfectly in my black granite counter topped kitchen and the burgundies, golds, and greens throughout.  Click on her name above and you will see the immense talent she possess!

Some people do not like what they call "clutter" in their kitchen.  I love being greeted and surrounded by lovely things that look more like a "feathered nest".  What is your personal style? 

Easy-to-Make Vintage Recipe Box For a New Bride

Recently, for a Bridal Shower for a very dear friend's daughter, we oldies-but-goodies, auntie types, decided to gift the bride with some old-fashioned recipe cards.  (I say this because the young gals use the internet these days to find everything!) We vintage ladies still hold dear the beloved Recipe Box.  We were asked to bring two recipe cards. One was to be a treasured recipe we wanted to share, the other was to be our very own Recipe For a Happy Marriage. 

Above is the recipe card box that I created.  I stained the box first, then sealed it with Modge Podge, then measured, cut and Modge Podged a logo I created for the bride and groom to the top of the box.  Within the box I decoupaged a carefully measured and cut  old favorite of a Recipe For A Happy Marriage, in which the author is unknown. (Sorry the picture is so out of focus!) To finish the vintage look, I attached with glue some antique-look sequins all around the border of the logo atop the box. 

When all was said and done, we were all quite pleased with the results and we believe the bride enjoyed receiving such a heart-felt gift from her surrogate aunties.  We hope she will enjoy it for many years to come and remember her special day.

 

Guest Room Welcome Gifts

I had so much fun anticipating a visit from my two granddaughters and my older granddaughter's best friend.  Always trying to make them feel welcome and special, I constructed these gift baskets for about $10 each

A trip to the Dollar Store rewarded me with some fun and unique items I thought they would enjoy.  Each girl received a basket with a brightly colored bandana to make the basket appealing.  Within the bandana-laced basket I inserted coordinating water bottles, with a screw in container at the bottom for ice, M & M's, or whatever they wanted.  I found matching hair brushes, eye masks they could refrigerate and wear to sooth their tired eyes, (after attending a Taylor Swift concert, a much welcomed addition!).  I supplied them with a scrunchy, a toothbrush, and a coordinating bottle of body wash from Bath & Body Works.  And lastly, a custom water bottle label with their name applied in the matching color of their basket.  They were so bright and cheerful.

I knew I had achieved success when Morgan said, "Staying at Grandma's is better than staying at a hotel".  ;-)

I share this with you because I want you to know it doesn't cost a fortune to make someone feel loved and welcome.  

French Inspiration

It is my desire to share with you books that bring me hours (yes hours) of pleasure.  Along with Charles Faudree, my favorite author and illustrator of French Interiors is Betty Lou Phillips.  Her pictures are absolutely incredible.  Because we have traveled all over France, we, like her have fallen in love with everything French, especially interior design and outdoor spaces.

I can pick up any of her books for a visual treat and be transformed to the French countryside without the expense of a costly plane ticket.  Although, I must admit, it does make me want to purchase a ticket to France and be on the next plane to Paris.

Within the pages of her books, I am reminded of the details that make a room or outdoor area uniquely French.  I am in the process of incorporating old and new to update my guest bedroom to include crocheted laces, a monogrammed pillow, fluffy bedding that mingles well with my treasured Angel prints, tapestry, and French furniture.  I will reveal pictures when it is more complete.  I say more complete, because I don't know if a room is ever complete when you dwell in a home for long time.  it's fun to update and edit.    

Below are books by Betty Lou Phillips I have many of them, and the one's I don't have, I have made a goal to purchase. My personal favorite, at this point in time, is Unmistak