Some tables this last year

It seems like a long time since I have posted photos of my tables.  Here are some from the last year.

Easter 2014

Christmas 2013

Easter 2013

Tablescape for July Fourth

Celebrating Independence Day

I am having such fun creating these holiday tables!!!  All of the linens have a home in a cedar chest but I am not sure where I will keep the new dishes and chargers.  We will probably shoot off the fireworks one night in July.

A Michigan Table

I was introduced to Tablescaping while we were wintering in Florida.  I had NO idea what all was in the cedar chest of linens I inherited from my mother and grandmothers,  I was vaguely aware of the dishes and things I that passed down to me.  I couldn't wait to get home to look at everything with a new eye.  It took me many days to gather together the dark blues for the main table.  Then I took the rejected light blue items and created a second table nearby for my granddaughters.

Tablescape Record

After I discovered what "Table scaping" was, I discovered a huge group of bloggers that take part in "parties", linking their newest scape to the first blog.  I think there are "Table scape Tuesdays" and all kinds of other special "parties".  One is a mosaic photo party.  Some make a mosaic of their tablescape and others make the mosaic out of other related photos.  I like recording my tablescapes in this mosaic style.  I haven't joined any of the challenges, preferring at this point to stumble along unrecognized until I know more about what I am doing.

Easter Tablescape for Brunch and Family Dinner

One Easter, Two Tables

For the last week or 10 days I have been working on our Easter dinner table, for the 6 of us.

As luck would have it, the guest list expanded to 10.  After a few tantrums, we settled on a fancy breakfast for the 6 and make whatever adjustments in dishes, etc, were needed for the dinner.  I had to also switch the menu from picnic fare to a little more Easter Dinner-like.

Fresh fruit in Margarita glasses worked.

The napkins, a gift from a friend, napkin rings from Pier One and margarita glasses also from Pier One.

All of my fresh flowers come from Sherri's Floral Shoppe, Inc in Sebastian.

The menu was French toast, fresh fruit, and fresh orange juice and coffee.  The bee hive pot for the syrup was a new purchase from a local antique shop.

Imagine my surprise when the willow branch of blown glass eggs, leafed out (and rooted). 

Changed plates, no place mats, freshly washed napkins and the table was ready for dinner for 8

Shopping pays off!!!

I went back to the Hospice resale shop in our town (Hidden Treasures).  While I was there I asked about volunteering next winter and they said they always need people early winter.

The dishes I saw last time were gone but I liked another set they just got in better and same price...complete setting for 6 for $20 and made in USA.

2 contrasting napkins and the new dinnerwear

3 or 4 stores down the way is the florist I like.  I asked about apricot flowers for next Friday and they said they would order a few.  Then I asked about a branch of some kind for the Easter glass ornaments and they brought out a perfect piece of willow.  Two days later and the thing is leafing out and looks perfect with the eggs hanging on one side so gracefully!  I won't show that until I get the flowers into the basket-vase next Friday.  The Margareta glasses will hold fresh fruit for an appetizer.

Margareta glasses for fruit and pitcher (on the right) for juice

I took a couple of the apricot napkins (print and plain) to Pier One and barely got in the door.  That place just assaults the senses.  This time their tables were as beautiful as the ones in Melbourne.  I am going to ask about the designer next time.  Imagine having that whole store at your disposal. The girl who met me at the door had some wonderful suggestions including these napkin rings and pairing of contrasting napkins.  Thanks to the wonderful gift from my fellow Granny Rosie I had just the napkins needed for my Easter table for 6.

The breakfast table for Easter is almost done

As I said, the whole table including flower arrangement will be posted on Friday.  It has become the Easter Morning Breakfast table.  I just heard that 1, 2, or 4 or maybe 5 more people will be here for dinner.  I have a tablesetting for 8 so there will have to be a big change between meals and still get in the Easter Egg hunt, the basket hunt, and more.  I can do it, though.

Bargain Day

I have already found the thrill of bargain hunting last week at the Dollar Tree, Home Goods, and Bealls.  Today I wanted to go a bit further...thrift and antique stores.


Sebastian is a relatively small town, but right on the water, it has a good Spring Break crowd and lots of Snowbirds...thus lots of specialty shops.

Very close is a small strip mall that acquired two new shops this year.  One is a resale shop for the charity supporting Breast Cancer Research.  There were some interesting linens but nothing that spoke to me.  I did find some napkin rings.  There was a whole set of china, service for 8, no pieces chipped or missing for $20 just sitting there. I  may go back Thursday.

This will do...for $.25

Next I walked next door to the Party Treasures store looking for Easter decorations.   All I found there was a package of fancy disposable finger towels that might make for good decoupage Easter Eggs like I saw in a blog yesterday.  I did get a set of 6 Easter egg sidewalk chalks for the girls.

If I don't get to decoupaging the Easter Eggs then these will go well in my bathroom for guest towels.

I bought these eggs-ornaments last week but still don't know what I will do with them.  Branched sticks are few and far between in Florida. Maybe I had better go see my florist on Thursday, too.

Then we had lunch and chased a large brush fire we could see but wanted to locate, since it was rather close to where we live.  That adventure is in my Snowbird blog . 

Then we went to an antique, resale shop on Main Street that we have looked at many times.  It was so chock full that I only got a yard or two inside the door before I knew I better stop before I ran out of money.

First I saw these adorable salt and pepper shakers that I knew went beautifully with the shell dishes from last table setting so, of course, I bought two sets.

The 2 bunny bowls and one plate just screamed at me for Easter breakfast for the girls.  I can pair them with other plates I have available.  $1 apiece.

The crystal with the gold edge will go back to Michigan with me because it goes with the water goblets that belonged to my maternal grandmother.  Don't they just scream the 1920s?  All four for $20!