Beach Party

I was going through some of my blog posts yesterday.
I noticed that I had several posts written from when we lived at the lake that I had never published.
So the next few days is a blog dump of old posts.
Enjoy.



We are not going to the beach for this fun dinner party.  

We are going to the dining room.  

:-)   

So, let's set the table!  

I am skipping a table cloth today.  

We'll start with some place mats, cream chargers and some cute plates that match the place mats. 

I added silverware and my favorite wine glasses. 

Remember these napkins? 

They're homemade.  

I used them here. 

Anyway, instead of a napkin ring, I tied them very simply with raffia.  

This tablescape is going to be about texture and the raffia is going to add to that.  

And it's the color of sand.  

I love it.   

I filled a fish bowl with a bunch of seashells that we have collected over the years.  

These are mostly from North Carolina and Florida.  

I love the dark blue/grey scallops shells.

This is a hunk of driftwood that floated up on our shore one summer day.  

What a treasure! 

I LOVE driftwood.  

I love the color and the character of it. 

What is a dinner party without a little candle light? 

A little sand, a candle and a few tiny seashells are so beautiful in sparkling clean glass.

I put them on the table in pairs.

Two by the large piece of driftwood and two by a smaller piece of driftwood.

I randomly added a few larger seashells.

I also added the more rustic pieces of sea shell for a more natural and organic feel.   

Finally a sprinkle of tiny little seashells finish the whole thing off. 

The tiny seashells bring the whole table together.

The messy scatter of shells is so beautiful.

The scatter of the shells sort of reminds me of sand.

Menu:

White Wine
Shrimp Cocktail with Lemon Aioli

Butter Lettuce Salade with Avocado and Orange Dressing

Scallops and Ginger Lime Sauce over Rice
   White Cupcakes with Butter Cream frosting and Sugar Pearls

Bon Apetite!

Pink Tablescape

Today we are setting the table for a tea party.
A tea party is the perfect pre-teen gathering according to my daughter, the expert.
She has invited three of her friends over and I am setting their table.
This would also be a great table for a Mother's Day brunch.
I am starting with this pink table cloth.
{I apologize for the terrible picture below.}

I am praying that my daughter's terribly sophisticated pre-teen friends will treat my treasured milk glass with extreme care.

I am the third generation to have these beautiful luncheon sets.

I really love them.

My mother made these cute little napkins just for the occasion.

They are smaller than a traditional 19 X 19 napkin.

I am also borrowing a few pieces of my mother's beautiful silver.

I thought the salad fork and the teaspoon was the cutest and daintiest.

I wanted to do something a little different with the silverware.

I found some sheer pink ribbon and grabbed a few leftover carnations.

I crossed the silver and tied it together.

 A sweet little bow is perfect.

A single carnation flower finished off the place setting.

A milk glass plate goes in the middle for the centerpiece.

The centerpiece is pretty simple.

I soaked Oasis in water and then added carnations and baby's breath.

I cut the stems down to a few inches to make them workable.

I am linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch and Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen.

Easter Table Scape 2012

This is the first holiday that we will celebrate without all the kids at home.
So, I am setting a table for 4 instead of our usual 6.
I am going to need a little time to get used to this idea.
My husband keeps reminding me that this is a good thing.
I have to focus on counting our blessings instead of the headcount at the table.
I have to focus on our blessings.

Anyway, on to the tablescape.
I am starting with this adorable table cloth.  

My Mom made it from a piece of fabric.

Next on is the place mats.   

The place settings take up a lot of space on the table.

Next we add the dinner plate and the salade plate.

I am using my Noritake Tahoe china that we received as wedding presents when we got married.  

I love the tone on tone delicate floral pattern. 

Pale pink glasses and a water pitcher go on next.

I am serving lamb, so I am adding some steak knives to the table.  

I put the napkins on the plate to save space.  

On top of that is my quickie little place markers. 

I made little nests out of raffia and shot glasses.  

I added a sweet little green or cream egg to the glass.  

I will add a little tag later and tuck it into the raffia nest.

I love these sweet little favors.

Here is the table complete with the centerpiece. 

I love how it turned out.  

I'll show you how I made the centerpiece next. 

I started with a container that would fit the space.  

I am using the oval serving dish that matches the china.  

I also grabbed some more raffia, a silk hydrangea, dried eucalyptus and a few more farm fresh eggs.  

I love buying eggs straight from a farmer...and they come in amazing Easter colors.
I found a local farmer on Craig's List.

I love these colors.
They are so natural and beautiful.

I started with a little raffia in the bottom of the bowl. 

Next I grabbed some raffia and wrapped it around my fingers until it made a cute little nest shape. 

I added three nests because you always want to work in odd numbers.  

I can be very obedient.

Then I filled the little nests and added a couple more eggs for extra color.

I thought the flower added a springy touch.

Is springy a word? 

I cut some of the eucalyptus berries to add to the arrangement.  

I love the color of the berries next to the beautiful eggs. 

Ta-da! 

It's perfect for our little table. 

I hope you have a Joyous Easter Celebration.   

I am linking this to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch, Easter Link Party at Dear Lillie and Thrifty Tablescape at The Thrifty Groove.