A Quick Hello...

Next week is finals, so I'm easing into the routine of blogging again. Hopefully, I can keep up with the holiday preps, birthday and all the projects we have going one as well as blog and do tablescapes. Well... we'll see! Wish me luck!

Missin' all of you... Hopefully, see you this week!

Another Fun Blog...

One of my lovely and fun followers, Lynn, has a blog dedicated to all of her cooking, recipes, tips and all-kitchen related adventures. Come check her out! You may find your recipe collection growing each day!

Lynn's Kitchen

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" loves impromptu ideas!) Create a menu using one of your favorite dishes from every category. Set the table with your fine china and fresh seasonal flowers. Start off the conversation with your family about the time that each dish became a favorite and create a whole new memory.

Honestly, Another Fun Award!

Before I get into the award, I'd like to publicly thank Cathy E of "The Stylish House" for creating my oh-so-wonderful button. I won it from her giveaway and I love, love how she emphasized that she wanted me to be happy with the end result. I so appreciate that about her. And she exceeded my expectation! Look at the sidebar and tell me if that's not one of the coolest buttons around! (I hope that my readers would show me a little bit more love and grab my button. I heart you all and love to visit your blogs, too!)

Cathy, I love this blog button and I find myself staring at it before I read my posts or comments, lol!

On to the award... Christine or Xinex gave out this award to six of us who wouldn't mind revealing 10 honest details about us.

Here are 10 honest things about me:

1. I love collecting dishes, though I am not a big fan of fine china. I am always so afraid to break one! I do enjoy seeing them on others' tables and revel in their ability to keep such treasures intact and loved throughout generations.

2. I am determined to complete my very own wedding china, but not the original one because it really wasn't my taste. Plus, it's too expensive now!

3. I can't afford to travel anywhere just yet, but I get to travel the world through my tabletop designs and food, that's why I love tablescaping. I love collecting easy recipes though I don't follow most of them more than once.

4. I entertain for my children, not for me. I love to teach them how to reach out to others and food and laughter are two proven formulas to bridge any gap.

5. I was born in the Philippines, and just like Christine, both my parents have Chinese and Spanish (Spain) blood.

6. I was born in 1971, in December and the first girl after 4 boys. I have one younger sister and one step sister.

7. All of my tablescapes and ideas center around the fact that I married a wonderful man who are completely nuts about me and our children.

8. I learn what my children learn so I can continue to teach them at home as supplements.

9. I tried college twice, but the timing was always wrong. I'm glad I tried it for the third time, I graduate this May...

10. I'm short, but tall in ideas and compassion for others. My dh tells me that my best feature is my ability to make anyone feel welcome in our home.

Now, that I've bored you enough, here are the next six people, we all should get to know!

1. Cielo of "The House in the Roses" - her prose always transcends to some beautiful garden, peaceful and heavily perfumed.

2. Cass of "That Old House" - I look forward to her comments, they are so informative and you can tell her genuine interest in what you wrote.

3. Monica of "Monica's English Version" - her photographs speak of lovely memories when it was a simpler time.

4. Shelia of "Note Songs" - I love how she calls everyone dear. I never met my mom's parents, but my mom said that they she felt their happiness for her when I was born, so when I read Shelia's posts, it's like I can imagine how my grandmother would have been to me.

5. Deb of "Ladybug from Texas"- she lives near me, in another city nearby so I can't wait to get to know her more.

6. Pat of "Back Porch Musings" - her blog is so sophisticated, I'd like to know what her style is about.

With this award, make sure to list 10 HONEST things about yourselves then choose the next six you'd like to receive this award and get to know them, too!

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain loves this as much as the actual tablescapes!) Invite your nearby neighbors for dinner, you know, the ones that you always exchange smiles and hellos with. Set the table in a warm manner with simplicity to make them feel welcome. Meaning, don't pull out the big guns if they are simple folks, they might feel you are showing off. Focus the meal on allowing them to have conversations with you so you can get to know them better. Pick the best flowers from your garden, put it in a vase you can afford to giveaway. Use it as your centerpiece and after dinner, present them with it as their gift for coming.

A Post for the Hosts Who Posts to Host!

Hosted by "Between Naps on the Porch!"

It's Thursday again? That means tablescaping! Yes!!! Susan, you're a genius to host something like this every week! I dedicate this post to all of the wonderful hosts who never tire to ensure our blogging fun!

I know I'm a little late, but I wanted to show you how my family and I celebrated our VERY FIRST St. Patrick's Day Dinner. Of course, it called for a great tablescape!

THEME:

"A Tiny Drop of Irish"

MY INSPIRATION:

All of YOU!

Yes, you read right! Every single blogger who participated in all the previous tablescapes inspired me to finally give in and dig deep for that Irish in me and celebrate it with a great dinner and matching tablescape.

One thing though, I didn't have any clover or dishes with clovers or golden coins, but...


I do have plates called, "Golden Wheat"! They provided the gold that Irish leprechauns are legendary for guarding. My "Rooster and Hen" Bordallo salad plates did a great job accenting the white and green table. How do you like my new Hampton "Lace" utensils? Do you remember me chanting "no chipping, no rusting" from our last "Metamorphosis Monday" with Susan who also happens to be our host today? To be safe, they were handwashed for the occasion.


Again, in the vein of simplistic beauty, I cut the white mums from my daughter's Prom dinner tablescape last Friday and created a "Second Time Around" moment for Diane, when I floated them on my Bordallo "Hen and Rooster" bowl. It's definitely "Three or More Tuesday" with my flatware and mums yesterday! I'm sure Tam would agree. Aren't the flowers beautiful?

As you can see this is an indoor table, so (the other) Susan would not have allowed this to be entered into her "Outdoor Wednesday" fun. My husband was first speechless at my creativity so I guess that qualifies for Dixie's "Wordless Wednesday", right?

Did I mention that I'm a tropical lady? Well, I am... If you want proof, here's a nearby palm I found hanging on my wall for Barb's "What's On Your Wall Wednesday" as well!



Finally here's the "Tablescape Thursday" to join Susan today. This one is with the camera flash on. I elevated my centerpiece by using my Chinese vase stand and did a "Thrifty Thursday" for Leigh by finding these low wooden candleholders for only $1.49 each! My wide runner was my 9-year old daughter's idea. It is her sage green throw fabric remnant, so it's FREE for me!!! She is falling in love with tablescaping and is more than eager to help!

Here it is again on natural light. The napkins were tucked into the drinking low glass and they simulate a white iris blossom. My husband and kids saw "bunny ears". Go figure...
Now tell me, did I pass? Is it Irish enough for my first time?

TABLETOP GOODIES:

Dinner plates- Canopy "Golden Wheat", Walmart; FREE- Gift from Neighbor
Salad plates- Bordallo Pinheiro "Hen and Rooster", Sur La Table; $2.49 each
Flatware- Hampton "Lace", Walmart; $40 service for 8 + Serving pieces + tray
Placemats- Green round weave, Ross; $5.99 /4
Glassware- Anchor Hocking "Fire and Ice", Walmart; $9 for 16
Runner- Sage Green Felt Fabric- FREE my daughter lent it to me
Candles- White Pillar, Walmart; $3.00 each

Wooden pillar holders- Low, carved, Ross; $1.49 each
Votives- Ivory, MINE
Votive holders- MINE
Tablecloth & 6 Napkins- Holiday Home "White", Kroger; $8.50 (CC)

MENU:
The following pictures will definitely pass for one of Michael Lee's (Gollum) "Foodie Friday" along with white grape juice and steamed corn for the wee little ones! Oh yeah, how do you like my "cabbage" and corned beef? Get it, corned beef on a "cabbage" Bordallo platter! LOL

Maybe the corned beef would pass for "Pink Saturday" ... Let me ask Beverly!

Don't forget to grab dessert before you visit another table today! My lovely 16-year old daughter made it just for you! As always, YOU ALL ROCK for peeking!