Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Let There Be White Challenge

I am joining the challenge posted by Kathleen over at Cuisine Kathleen.  For her Let's Dish Party we were to create a white on white table with one accent color.  
I hemmed and hawed about even trying this challenge until I went furniture shopping with my daughter at Ikea.  Now what does that have to do with doing a white table?  Well that is where I saw these chargers!
They are really candle plates from Ikea, but I thought they made wonderful chargers, plus the price was right.  
I thought these chargers could easily look kind of Victorian but I chose to take them another direction and go bold with an accent color of orange.

What better to use as a centerpiece than actual oranges and clementines.
This table is really making me crave a Mimosa!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Sources:
White Chargers/candle plates, Napkin rings- Ikea
White plates - World Market
White flatware - Homegoods
Orange Napkins - Stein Mart

I am linking up at the following parties:
Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday @Between Naps on the Porch

Friday, July 26, 2013

Summer Picnic

I have always admired Mary's  wonderful picnic posts over at Home is Where the Boat Is.  If you have not checked out Mary's absolutely beautiful blog yet  - you have been missing a spectacular treat!  So after seeing all of her fabulous picnic posts - I decided to try a picnic post myself.

I had an usual day off with nothing really planned.  It was a beautiful sunny day - so I decided to pack up a picnic basket and head out to one of my favorite spots.
Now - I have to admit - Even though I packed a kind of romantic picnic for two - I was the only one there.  Well, me and the guy mowing the lawn just to the left of where I was working!
This pond and willow tree are on a walking path that my husband and I walk a lot.  The only problem with this was - that it is a little hike with a bunch of stuff in tow - I wished that my husband had been with me.  Not just for pack mule purposes - but then I would have had someone to enjoy the picnic with!
I am pretty sure you are not suppose to have alcohol in the park, and I was going to dump out the wine and just put colored water in the bottle but then I forgot - consequently I was worried I would get busted.
"honestly officer it is just for my blog- I wasn't consuming it!"

 I got some really weird looks by the few people who were walking by on the path seeing this strange woman setting up a picnic for two.  I am sure they were thinking it was for me and the guy mowing the lawn! 

But no one must have reported me and the got the pictures I wanted!  I just love the willow trees around this pond.  There are houses on the other side of this pond - wouldn't you just love to look out at this everyday!

I am linking up at:
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Sea Shell Table

Inspired by our vacation last week - I decided to put together a Sea Shell Tablescape.
While we did not spend a lot of time at the beach - we did spend a wonderful evening watching fireworks with our friends while dangling our feet in the ocean.

As much as I love the beach - I am not really a beach person.  I am a red head - I burn!
One day at the beach can ruin a whole vacation for me.
I love the sand, so I decided to stick with neutral colors for this table.
Sea Shells are the theme here,
With some sand dollar napkin rings.
I thought these chargers had kind of a wave look to them.
The potted greenery is my attempt for some beach foliage!

I really like the way this table came out - too bad I have to take it down right away - because I have the carpet cleaners coming tomorrow and I have to clean everything out of the room!
I may just have to put it all back the way I have it - good thing I took pictures of it :)

I am going to make a shout out to my friends Elsie and Linda at Butterchurn Kitchenwares in Walnut Creek - one of my favorite places to shop!  It was nice talking to you today!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful summer weekend!


Sources:
Chargers, White Dessert Plate and Solid Napkin- Pier 1 Imports
Beige Plates - Amish Country Peddlar
Shell bowls, striped napkins, placemats and runner and rattan vases - Marshalls
Bronze goblets - World Market
Wood Box and flatware - Homegoods
Large Sea Shells - Old Time Pottery
Curly stick thing! - Butterchurn Kitchenwares

I will be linking up to the following parties:
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Inspire Me Tuesday @A Stroll Thru Life
Wow us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters
Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Monday, July 15, 2013

Windows and Doors of the South

I went on vacation and all I came back with was a bunch of pictures of windows and doors! Oh - and of course - a few dishes! 

 My husband and I took a small tour of the South last week.  We had a wonderful time visiting Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina.  These are two places I have also ways wanted to explore.

I really enjoyed seeing all of the beautiful homes.  Unfortunately it was raining most of the time we were in Savannah.  But this just seemed to add to the romance and kind of mystique that the historical section of Savannah holds.  

Speaking of mystique - this is the Mercer House, home to the famed Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  Which of course- we have never read and are now anxious to read the book first, then watch the movie.   ( sorry for the blurry spot - I think it was a rain drop,  but with all of the ghost stories in this town- you just never know!)




Did someone say ghosts!! We chose The Gastonian Bed and Breakfast to stay in because it was the only one in the group of highly rated Bed and Breakfast Inn's that was not listed as haunted!
I loved this little telephone booth we came upon while wondering the area. While we did take a trolley tour of the area the first morning,  it was easy to walk to many nice restaurants, gardens and historical sights.
Just stumbling upon some beautiful sights like this is fountain Forsythe Park was fun.

After two pleasant nights at the Bed and Breakfast - we packed our bags and headed for Charleston South Carolina.
I found Charleston so charming and much brighter - of course it  helped that the sun was shining when we got there!  But the pastel colored houses, palm trees and beautiful flower boxes everywhere made it more seem more cheerful and friendly.

 We stayed at the DoubleTree Hotel which was right down by the Historic district and right across the street from all of the horse and buggy tours.  So of course we took a horse and buggy tour!  I enjoyed our tour guide because he was in the process of getting his realtor license and was giving us the low down on how much these beautiful historic mansions were worth years ago and how much they are going for today.
This happens to be the Calhoun Mansion - the largest private residence in Charleston, although they do have parts of the house open for tours.

We enjoyed walking through the charming streets in the Historic district.





Can you tell I am obsessed with widow boxes?!

We also took tours of the Magnolia Plantation and Drayton Hall Plantation.
I was a bit disappointed in Magnolia Plantation, but I have to remember that we were there too late to see everything blooming.  So I took a picture of the peacock!  
I did get a nice photo of Drayton Hall, which is the only plantation house in the area to survive both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
We were able to fit quite a bit in and yet still feel relaxed on this vacation.  Both cities were pleasant to just stroll around and explore at our own pace,  Lots to see and experience.  It was a wonderful and enlightening vacation!

I hope you get a chance to experience something new this summer.
Thanks for stopping by!

I am linking up to:
Oh the Places I've been! @ The Tablescaper