Tablescape Thursday

Thanks to Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch, for hosting this event. I love getting ready for Thursday!

I set up a Mother's Day tea with the flowers I was given, so I decided to post these pictures instead of a tablescape. It was hard to me to do this week, because I have been painting walls and projects!

I am using the tea pot my husband gave me for my birthday...I was very happy with it, cause I usually get appliances!

I have collected several card table size hem-stitched tablecloths over the years. Before TV, I think people played cards, so there is a lot of this size out there.

This is my oversize english tea cup, made by Roy Kirkland. He makes very thin cups, but the are durable too. I put mine in the dishwasher and they are fine. I purchased this one at Marshall's. I have several different designs, even one with teddy bears.

Please visit Susan's blog to look at the other entries. There are so many creative tables that just have to get viewed! You can get some great ideas, especially if you are having some summer get-togethers!

This week has been hard to get a table together because I have been painting my urns and a desk. I'll post pictures soon. Thanks for stopping by,

I should never go shopping.

I was at Dillard's yesterday looking for clearance towels for my quest bathroom, when I wandered into the china department (in case my husband's reading this) and came a upon this set of Ralph Lauren China and Glassware.

I'm normally attracted to vintage items, but this pattern has that look. It is meant to match an oriental pattern called "mandarin", and each piece retails for $40...too steep for my pocketboot. Isn't it cute? It matches something else I collect, which is cambridge glass.

This goblet is about 70 years old and is half the price of the Ralph Lauren Goblet. Go figure. My absolute favorite piece of glass is the "BOOPIE" I have them in every size. They were made by Libby from 1940s thur the 1970s, they look vintage and they are indestructible. I even put them in the dishwasher.

You see them at the thrift store for $1 or less each. They are very common in the smaller sizes...and harder to find in the Iced Tea size. Here is one holding sugar cubes.

And...I couldn't leave the mall without a cupcake!!! Doesn't it look chocolaty!

Have a great Tuesday!

Garden Update

I spent the weekend in my garden, and want to update with a few photos. I woke up very early, before the heat, and spotted a few balloons floating above. You can see the Rockie Mountains in the background.

This one was above my neighbor's house. If you live in my area of Albuquerque, you see these daily.

I also promised a picture of my neighbor's sedum lawn when it turned green. The hill part of the lawn is made up of the ground cover. Doesn't it look great, it can stand the heat, and you don't have to mow!!!

Here is a photo of my ground cover transplants. All the pots came from the largest pot. Soon all the pots will be full and ready for the lawn.

My large yellow rose bush is still mostly buds, and it's after Mother's Day...it's a late bloomer.

And, the last mystery rose has opened...it's red. I wanted a white...I guess I be planting roses soon.

I started to plant my annual pots, and picked up a flat of purple trailing lobelia at Lowes. These do really well at high altitude, and bloom all summer.

Just a little update,

What Style to Decorate My Home?

The project that drove to start a blog, was the decoration of my new home. Every time I have moved, I've tried a new decor style. It's a great time to change things up. But for some reason, I'm stuck.

Right now, I am torn between my favorite 2 styles of the moment. White Cottage-Shabby Chic-Vintage French - or - Tuscan Mediterranean. French Country???? I believe I am going to be in this house for a while so it is a little more permanent, than places I knew I was leaving soon.

My very good-natured husband Ed, said when he married me, knowing how much I liked to decorate, that I could do whatever I wanted. He has stuck to that, and usually supports my going whim. The only time he complains is when I have too many things in the garage waiting to get painted, especially if they are in his way.

I think I am stuck because my co-decorators are 2 cats and a beagle
(the cats are seen here on a rare excursion outside, just so I could take their picture).

Mikey

Lilly

Freckles

They each have their own ideas. The 2 cats want something high to climb, and the dog wants something squishy to sleep on. And, all three vetoed the white sofa idea.

Anyway, I would like to get started, and I know I would like to paint the cabinets. These pictures kind of say I can combine both styles... I'm going to think about it over the weekend. The Roosters are thinking about it too.

Thanks for visiting,

My Camera & Blog

I have been one of those annoying people that took pictures of everything. In fact, there are not many pictures of me at family functions cause I am the one holding the camera. Now I have tons of pictures to deal with...an organizational challenge!

When I got my first digital camera, things got much better, because I can pick and choose what I like, delete the ones I don't and send some off to Walgreen's to print. Some of the pictures on this blog were taken with my first digital, a Kodak Easy Share which I think I was $89.99.

Then about a year ago, I updated to my little Fuji, which I highly recommend. It takes good pictures and is lightweight and does not require batteries like the Kodak did. It was easier all the way around, and it was cute.

I have recently decided it was time for a camera upgrade. This year has been full of changes for me...a move...I became an empty nest-er, etc, so why not a new camera too. What I mean is, I actually use my camera as much as I use my phone, so it's time for one that does a little more. Does everyone feel that way, or is it just me?

We all have the camera thing in common...we are using it everyday. Actually, I would love to know what everyone uses, the pictures are breathtaking.

I used to buy lots of magazines, and now I read everyone's blog. It's like the excitement I used to feel when getting my "Southern Living" or "Better Homes & Garden's" in the mail.

I feel as though each one of us has on-line magazine. Only, it's better than a paper magazine, because each one of them is so personal full of wisdom and creativity!

You're probably asking yourself, how is she going to organize the pictures? Well I've decided to make a photo album/scrapbook for every year. After all I have a new camera, I have to make space for my "blog pictures".

Thanks for letting me share. I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and a great weekend!

Thursday! My Favorite Day!

You know, I really love dishes. I love that Between Naps on the Porch, has this event, 'cause I would rather have a cute set of dishes than a diamond, or gold, or even a new car. They genuinely make me happy. I so look forward to Thursday (actually Wednesday afternoon).

I noticed that I had been posting too much blue, so I decided to go for the cabbage rose tablecloth! I think pink and green go well together...it's so Spring and Summer to me. Also, another of my mystery roses have bloomed....it's yellow!

In my ice bucket I placed a bottle of Biltmore Estate grape juice, I purchased when I took the tour in North Carolina in 1995. I could never bring myself to drink it. It's like having a little piece of Ashville in my pantry. That's silly isn't it!!! If anyone is around there, please visit Biltmore if you can! It is memorable!

My local thrift store had 50% off, so I got this ice bucket for $2.00. I don't even care that it has an initial on it. It has a liner you can take out...and it polished up beautifully.

I have several sets of white dishes, but because use them so much I have managed to break pieces and I don't have a service for 8 in any one pattern. When we unpacked this set, all the handles were broken off. I guess it's time for a complete set again, although I have been holding out hope that I would find matching cups at a thrift store. This set was made by Noritaki in the 80s.

The topiary is one of my favorite things to decorate with, they are so french. I think it goes with the roses. Here is a close up of my mix and match vintage silver.

Please stop by Susan's Blog and see all the other entries. Give yourself a couple of hours.

I hope you enjoyed this visit, I know I did.

Thanks for coming by,

Tea Time Tuesday

Barb at Grits and Glamour is having the first ever in the history of her blog, "Teatime Tuesday." And, since having a "tea" is right up there on my top 10 list of things to do, I have to participate.

I'm doing an out door tea because It's finally Spring here, and I really like being in my garden. I wanted to light these little votives, but it was too windy.

The tea pot is a Le Creuset and is actually blue, but this scene made it appear purplish, doesn't it?

I am using a vintage tablecloth I purchased at an estate sale about 30 years ago...my guess is, it is from the 40s. It reminds me of Spring.

The sugar is one of my boopie glasses along side my vintage linen.

Stop by her blog to see the other tea entries...I'm sure they are all wonderful!

Thanks for letting me share.

Liz

Vanilla Sugar

I am always looking for great jars I can use as canisters in my kitchen. This octagon shaped canister was made by Anchor Hocking in the 50s, and does not have a rubber seal it's that old.

I don't eat much sugar, but my family does, and of course I use sugar to bake with. So, I make vanilla sugar with a real vanilla bean.

You add one vanilla bean split down the side to the sugar, and the smell of the vanilla eventually flavors the sugar. It is especailly good with tea and coffee.

When you open the canister the smell is overwhelming, and reminds me of my Grandmother's kitchen.

To cut down on sugar, I use "Agave Syrup" and my favorite brand is from Trader Joe's. It is especially good on fruit and with coffee or tea. I recommend it for anyone trying to control their sugar, and you like the taste of honey, It's similar.

Have a great day!

Liz