My Very First Tablescape Meme

Hosted by "Happy To Design"
Here we are again, on Sunday, happy to relive our some of our precious posts. And what's more precious than your first time, right? (Ok, get your minds outta the sewers, I meant first time joining in on the memes, and since this is a strictly tablescaping meme, of course I meant Tablescape Thursday!) LOL

Much thanks to our lovely host, Chari and to all of our bloggy friends who help to make each Sunday that much more blessed. Heart you all! ;-)

From February 19, 2009

Tablescape Thursday



Hosted by"Between Naps on The Porch"
Hello! Good morning everybody... This is my very first Tablescape Thursday, so please be gentle with your critiques.... (Eyes closed and fingers crossed!)


THEME:
"Beautiful Together"

MY INSPIRATION:
My Valentine Red Roses
When I got these, they were a tight set of buds, even the carnations, so I wanted to use them while they are in their fullest bloom before they died out. If you look closely, there are actually three colors of red: red, cherry red and red wine red

This wasn't an easy thing to put together as I don't have all of my plates in the apartment, but I had fun mixing up my Roscher "Tara" Gray collection of dinner and salad bowls with white scalloped plates and dark red chargers. With my Gibson "Chrome Bamboo" utensils, along with my Canopy ramekins and heart shaped glass tealight holders on a dark red runner, I created a very eclectic yet chic and contemporary tablesetting.

(Psst! "Brain" doesn't want me to tell you this, but the runner? It was my Christmas find that I just turned over. Don't tell...)

Since it is still February, I wanted to do something with red. It actually took a while to get the creative juices flowing because it was a toss up between using gold, off white and crystal to this look. What won this setup was the red color that I felt I should use until March hits... Plus, my teen really likes these Roscher plates, so I had an extra incentive to show her how fun tablescaping can be. LOL

I also wanted to incorporate the roses I got from Valentine's Day since they all still look so beautiful... I liked the red bottom to red on top look. My Anchor Hocking "Fire and Ice" glasses complemented the chunkiness of the Roscher dinnerware. I used the same white tablecloth and the ramekins I used for my V-day tablescape to extract the white from the top two dishes. I also chose to go geometric on the stacking since two are round and two are squares and I wanted a more interesting look to it.

(Sorry, we just ate dinner before, so no food to accompany this setup)

TABLETOP GOODIES:glasses- $9/16, Walmart; chargers- $1 each, Tom Thumb (CC); white scalloped plates (no label)- $2.99 each, Ross; gray dinner plate and bowl- $2.99 each, Marshall's; red runner- $4, Ross (CC); white tablecloth and napkins- $8.50, Kroger (CC)

Before (FIRST Picture): No flash, just regular light
After (LAST Picture): Played around with some settings to bring out the candlelights better

Hope you like it! I had fun wracking my brain to put this together. Love all of you for looking (and commenting, of course!)

(Psst again! Make "Brain" happy... So she'll let me get more dishes to play with, ok?)

Pink Clouds Overhead!

Hosted by Christine and Beverly

I was trying to figure out what exotic place to regale you with this Saturday, but I didn't have to go very far. So, today, we're enjoying, Carrollton, Texas again!

Look at these very beautiful PINK clouds- right outside my front door! These started out yellow then orange at about 8:30 PM, Friday.

Aren't they majestic?

Proof that there is a God who reminds us how truly wonderful HIS gift of a world to us, is... We should enjoy each day with immense gratitude...

These were everywhere!





Much thanks to our beautiful hosts, Christine and Beverly. I'm glad they host such great fun for us!

Thank you to all of you who continually beautify my blog with your great comments. I so heart you all for each one!

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" is still amazed at what she saw) During a great "sky show", imitate the great colors on your table and relive the amazement. Use a green or light brown tablecloth and use a vase with color swirls close to the clouds you saw and fill it with matching colorful swirly branches. The bottom, for a runner, use a green print of plants or use faux fern leaves to simulate the tall trees. And "voila!" you just created a "ground to sky" interpretation on your table!

Breakfast Is On Me!

Hosted by "Poofing the Pillows"

Hosted by "Designs by Gollum"

HAPPY PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENCE DAY! (Spanish-American War, 1898)

White color of the equilateral triangle on the hoist side symbolizes equality, fraternity and peace. Blue and red panels are equally divided horizontally where the blue symbolizes noble ideals, political purposes, truth and justice whereas the red is embodied with patriotism, bravery, heroism, courage and willingness of the Filipino patriots to sacrifice life for cause of independence. (Philippines Flag dot net)

Did you know that if the red flies on top, it means that Philippines is at a major war? The flag of the Republic of the Philippines was adopted on May 19, 1898. The Philippine flag has two equal horizontal bands (blue on the top and red on the bottom during peacetime; red on the top during war) (Enchanted Learning dot com/asia/philippines/flag)

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In honor of today's significance to all Filipinos, before you head to check on all the goodies everyone has to offer, make sure you have yourself a great breakfast, on me! I saw this at Susan's over at "A Southern Daydreamer" and thought it'd be a great breakfast to serve to my own family-- and YOU!

Our drink to start the day, no OJ here today! We like to wake up our minds, too, so we'll have the Minute Maid Blueberry Pomegranate 100% juice that's good for the brain! I know "Brain" loves it!

I'm also flaunting my the beautiful red on the Philippine flag and some of my delicious red strawberries. I got them from Albertson's and they are juicy and sweet! It's my first time joining in with Stacey's FYRF fun, so I hope this is an ok start. (fingers crossed) (Just my luck, she's not available to host today, so I may just be the only one flaunting today, lol)

It's a croissant french toast! With some luscious strawberries, grapes and bacon on the side! I sprinkled powdered sugar on the toast then drizzled syrup around the berries.

Yum! Thank you, Susan!

A big thanks to our lovely hosts, Michael Lee and Stacey; and to all of you who came "peeking" in. Remember, BREAKFAST is the most important meal of the day... :-)

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" wants more...) Have kids? Mix up your table menu! We did this recently. We ate dinner leftovers at breakfast, breakfast for lunch and lunch for dinner! Create a table that "tips" off your family of the food to come by using iconic ingredients as part of your centerpiece or have it on a tray nearby.

Not Just Another Table

Hosted by Susan and Leigh
Hello all! It's Thursday again! You know what that means right? So which dishes did you play with this week? I wanna see, I wanna see!

This is my from my first post back in early February, when I started this blog, but since I actually did this table in the summer time, I thought I'd share it with you today.

Plus, I didn't have any time to do a new tablescape; we had a thunderstorm/tornado watch happen last night which freaked out my two young children. So I hope you enjoy this as well...

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THEME:
"COUPLES ONLY" (2006)
MY INSPIRATION:
Nikko "Precious" scalloped plates

Think back to October 1997, I'm an almost one-year old bride and we were in Costco salivating over everything! We were poor of course! My husband and I had just decided that whatever big purchase we make, it would have to be a gift for a significant event (like our momentous 1-year anniv) so we wouldn't get into a bad spending habit. The moment I saw those plates, I wanted them! But, I managed to pry myself away (for a few minutes, lol), went around the whole warehouse and found myself back in front of the plates again.

Finally, Mr. Man asked me, "Do you really like those?" (I think all the drool from my mouth to the big puddle on the floor wasn't a big enough hint, so I had to tell him, after swallowing, yes, yes, yes (imagine eyelashes batting too), pleeeeaaaseeee!)

Did we dash for a cart and grabbed them? No, we had to add to the 1-year anniv to justify the steep tag per box of 4 placesettings. That's when we decided to host our very first Thanksgiving as a couple! So, these plates were also my very first Thanksgiving inspiration! (No, no pictures of those, too busy washing 8 plates, bowls and salad plates for 16 people! Trust me, exhausting but fun, plus no one noticed! Yes!)

Noticed the wrought iron planter, did ya? I used that to hold the roses when the food were served. What did you think it was for? LOL

Here's the close up of the candles I used. They were originally used for the 2005 Thanksgiving, but I wanted something more unique, so I hacked at the top! Gave them a more chic look to them. :-)

We hosted a dinner for another couple that was taking over a project that I've handled for a while in our church. When Audrey told me that it would only be her and her husband Derek, then this whole concept came together.

Here are the two dozen of the darkest red carnations I've ever seen! Hubby brought them home from work. He worked at the Phoenician Resort and when guests change their minds about "dressing up" their rooms, the employees benefit! (Yay, me!!!) I thought they were roses! And see the mini roses, they matched the carnations! It tied the living room to the dining room. It was so beautiful, I was very happy how it all looked!

The day before, my then 1st grader's teacher came by to drop off some clothes that might fit her, saw the table and she said,

"Your table reminds me of that host on Food Network, the one who makes her table? Sandra Lee. Yeah, your table looks like something she'd do."

(Wow, I loved that compliment, boosted my obsession, I mean my confidence!)

Look at how THRIFTY it is, too!

TABLETOP GOODIES:
Tablecloth- Pearly White, Alberston's closeout- $2
Plate, salad plate and bowl-Nikko "Precious"- FREE (Anniv Gift from DH)(1997)
Silverware- Farberware "Cameo"- FREE (Sis' Thanksgiving Hostess gift)(2000)
Placemat- Plastic white stripes- Albertson's closeout- 10 cents each
Glasses- Reminiscent of my Debut Gold crystal, Target- 50% off (2005)
Candle holder- Easter Garage sale find- 50 cents each (2006)
Candles and tealights- Thanksgiving 2005- Michael's, total $5
Mini roses- Basha's 3 for $5

MENU:
Pork Adobo
Steamed Rice
Veggies
Dessert (cheesecake I think)
Ice Water
I made the menu simple because I didn't want our guests to feel that they have to act just so. Despite the daintiness of the table, the food was of the messy, stain everything variety, so no prissy posturing that night. The dessert was served afterwards.

I hope you liked this preview for this blog for those who love to "make up" their table for any occasion.

Don't hesitate, celebrate!
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Thanks to Leigh and Susan for hosting!

Scared or Relaxing?

Hosted by "A Southern Daydreamer"
It's Wednesday again, and I'm feeling much better!!! Thank you to all who prayed for me. Two of my kids also got sick within hours of each other, but are better now, too.

Last Saturday, my two young kiddos found him against the fence that border our apartment unit against an alley way. We didn't know if their presence stunned him or he was too comfortable to move...

What do you think?

Thanks, Susan for hosting another great week! Make sure to visit her and many more who participated today!

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" surprises me sometimes...) You don't have to create an African Safari theme on your table, instead do a neighborhood safari theme! Take pictures of your local animals and go to the library to figure and borrow books about your local fauna. Use the same books to prop your centerpiece and create a transfer on table runner with the pictures of the animals you caught! For flowers, use what's in your garden or what's common in your area. An inexpensive runner and centerpiece but with a great impact!

WW: Flags

Hosted by French Lique, Texas































All images were borrowed online.

Thanks for hosting Dixie! And to all of you who came by!

Self Met Monday

Hosted by "Between Naps on the Porch"

I've been sick for about three days now and with lack of sleep due to an inconsiderate neighbor who partied from 10PM-3AM, I feel worse...

So, I go from this gal...

To this gal until I feel better...

Hopefully... See you all Wednesday!