Playing Dishes

I Haven't Dropped Off the Earth

2009-09-21T20:42:00.003-05:00

I have been doing some (not much) reading and looking at tablescapes, but haven't had a lot of time. Our life has changed drastically during the past month. We have had two of my nieces since the end of August and will probably have the oldest (11 years) in a long term guardianship. The other sister is seven and will probably be going to her daddy's after this week. My youngest sister (their Nana) just moved up North at the end of July and this is breaking her heart since she can't be here for them. However, we are standing in for her and are hoping that we will be granded the temporary guardianship of the oldest.

We have been in a flurry of activity around here making room for them and transforming a bedroom to suit a Tween and the younger one, too. We finally have that taken care of and the girls have settled down to a routine. It seems there isn't time for much else besides school, homework, cooking, washing and spending time with them. We will get back to Playing Dishes, but at the moment, that has taken a back seat.

The girls are very excited about the upcoming holidays and wanted to go all out for Halloween. I had been planning a Boo Bash this year, so we have been in full blown plans for that costume party. I have been thrifting (got to have some ME time---LOL) and have picked up some amazing, cheap props and Halloween decor. I have spent countless hours working up my Halloween notebook like my Christmas and Thanksgiving ones and have started a Halloween blog, too. Our Boo Bash will be the Saturday before Halloween and will include mostly adults, but also some family and close friends' kids.

I have never really been into Halloween, but got excited about a Boo Bash last year. So, this has been in the slow planning stage for about a year. We will have themes for the front yard, front porch, each room in the house, the screened porch and the backyard. It is shaping up to be a ghoulish good time.

I just wanted to drop in and say hello and to let you know I will be back. At the moment, I just don't have time or energy for setting a table outside of the basics. I think we will probably slowly move back into this with some spooky and creative foods and tables in October. It will be a good way to involve the girls.

So, see you soon. Stop by the Haven Haunt for a visit. It is listed in the sidebar.

Giveaways Should Be Arriving

2009-08-17T21:03:00.004-05:00

Life got in the way and I was running so behind getting all these in the mail, but they are all one the way. I have 10 packages from the giveaways between the two blogs and one that I sponsored on Magical Holiday Home forum.

The challenge was finding boxes for some of them! In one case, I opened the container and flattened it out and added the items to a small flat rate box. It was plenty big to hold things, but in the original container of the table items, they were stacked and made for a deeper and smaller shape. I did include the original plastic box container. I hope you don't mind dear friend. I think that this was Country Wings gift.

I also left all the small cards at home when I went to the postal center on Friday with these, so they only have the return address! I did put printersdevil above my name and address for those of you who will remember that instead of my given name-Felecia.

Sorry for the delay. I hope that you each enjoy your items.
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My dear sister was with me for almost a week at the end of July-first of August just prior to her move to Nebraska. During this time we also had her precious granddaughters and little grandson for a lot of the time. We had our CIJ family dinner on August 2. I found out that it is way too hot in Texas to cook like this during the heat of the summer! It was great though.

We had around 25 for Sunday dinner and about the same number again on Monday evening for left overs. Dear sis's "man" flew in on Tuesday afternoon so we had the crew again on Tuesday evening. We had planned to all go out to eat that night, but decided that it would be more relaxed to just eat here. We tried to go simple with hamburgers and hot dogs, chip and dip and cookies. However, after a trip to Sam's Club and Walmart, we ended up also picking up potato salads, baked beans and the chips and dips. We also had over 40 ears of Nebraska corn.

Dan called and we asked about the corn in his area and said that we loved corn on the cob. Then he called back that he was bringing corn! It wasn't really food that fit the menu, but it was so fresh! He bought it from a farmer who had picked it that morning!

He brought it in a carry-on collapsible ice chest. He had called to make sure it was okay. However, when he got to the airport it set off the alarms and had to be unloaded piece by piece to be checked. It must have been hilarious. He had one woman who told him that she was going to grab the bag and run! It was the first time for him to meet much of our family and I think he was an instant hit with the corn. Actually he is a keeper and would have been a hit anyway.
But, he sure found his way into this family's heart through the stomach and love of fresh veggies.

Tanya (DSis) and Dan left here on Wednesday almost two weeks ago after we loaded the huge U-Haul to the brim. There wasn't room for much more than a small pillow!! Her SUV was also packed and on a trailer pulled behind as they headed north. My DH and I helped them load everything from her two storage sheds and came home and took a long nap. That afternoon, DD called on her way home to ask me to have the door open since it was storming. I got up and opened the door to find it almost dark and my huge oak trees bending over. DD got home and in about 15 minutes our electricity popped off. Just a few minutes later, my niece called and was hysterical. I thought she was saying that a train was in the middle of her house. We rushed out and headed over there. They do have a train track close by, but it runs the other direction, so I knew that wasn't what was wrong. She was frantic and crying about not finding the babies--her dogs. When we got there, we found a 65 foot tree of about 4 1/2 foot in diameter that had crashed through the side of their house and fell through the roof! My nephew was in the room that it came through and flattened. He had gotten up to go open the blinds when the electricity popped off and saw the tree coming down. He threw one of the little chiauhauas toward the door and tried to get out. He took a lot of impact from limbs and debris, but fortuanately got out enough not to be crushed by the tree. Fast forward a few hours and we had about 15 back here eating left-overs again since we got our power turned on first. They released him from the hospital thankfully with only bruises and sprains.

To say it has been a crazy few weeks is an UNDERSTATEMENT! They spent that night with us as it continued to rain and storm. Their insurance company put them in a hotel the next day but they joined us a couple of times to eat during the week at night and often during the day to get out. We had had their Mini Pin, two birds and fish until tonight. They finally got them into a rental house on Saturday, but they still don't have it furnished completely. I think everything else is to arrive in the morning. At this point, the decision has not been made on whether they are going to pull the house completely down or not. The contractor says that the weight bearing walls are ruined. The tree fell completely through into the laundry room and two huge limbs into the kitchen and living room by morning. It was and is horrendous.

So, needless to say, I haven't felt much like blogging. I also started back to work today. I only work part time and am off in the summer, but during the first few weeks of the school year I am there full time. So, this is my crunch time.

I have been popping in and out doing some reading, but I will be back!!!!! Thanks for the comments that have been left lately. See you soon!

Felecia~printersdevil

Holiday Lovers Come Join Us

2009-08-07T10:14:00.003-05:00

We're having a membership drive at one of my favorite holiday spots on the web---Our Home for the Holidays forum. If you love the holidays come and join the fun. There is something for everyone from shoppers, crafters, bargain hunters, cooks, swappers, and lots of other forums, too.

There is a wonderful group of members who share a love of Christmas and other holidays year round. If you aren't interested in all of this on a year round basis, come and join our seasonal members. Many return to active posting during the Christmas season.

We also have forums devoted to other holidays---Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines, Easter, St. Patrick's Day. It truly is Our Home for the Holidays.

Please stop by for a visit. If you decide to join (free, of course), introduce yourself in the Welcome thread and mention that I sent you. The Admins are holding a giveaway for membership recruitment. I am a moderator on the board, but am eligible to enter with new members brought in to our board.

I hope to see you there soon.

CIJ Tablescape Giveaway Winner Is...

2009-07-31T11:54:00.005-05:00

I am sorry that this took me so long to get posted. I had an out of town meeting Sunday and planned to finish counting all the posts, shout outs, etc. and post a winner on Monday.

Many of you know that my husband lost his only brother earlier this month after a very short battle with lung cancer. Sunday, the BIL's wife Sharon's mother had a stroke and was hospitalized. She had lived with BIL and SIL for the past few years and was 94 1/2. She passed quietly in her sleep Monday morning. Although she was not in my immediate family, she had been a part of our family. This has been another very tough week with another funeral and my heart is just broken for my SIL. She has not even processed the loss of her husband and now lost her Mom.

Thank you for your patience. I haven't even had the energy to post all week.

The winner of the Christmas tablecloth is Shutterbugs!
Please send me your name and mailing address and I will get it on the way to you. I have all the other CIJ giveaways from this month packaged and ready to ship to all of you.

I also decided to have several more drawings. I did a pull out drawing from all the participants who linked up a holiday table and the winner is:
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life

Another from those participants taking part more than one week (several did this for 3 weeks!) The winner from that group is:
Marge at Christmas Traditions

The final was one more from the HUGE collection of names from all month. The winner of that one is:
Country Wings in Phoenix

Marty, Marge and Country Wings, you each will receive something for you to use on your holiday tables. Sorry, these are not tablecloths, but will be a surprise gift. So, please send me your names and mailing address to: printersdevil72@yahoo.com

Thank you all for your support and participation all month.

From My Heart to Your Blog

2009-07-26T01:01:00.003-05:00

Wow, what a day of parties! I want to thank everyone who stopped by to visit me today and share in this great Christmas in July! Many of you stopped by as existing friends and followers, some came only for a chance to win a Christmas giveaway, others came through links to Maggi's CIJ party at Just Add Glitter and Stir or through a link from my Playing Dishes CIJ Tablescape Party or my Memes for Me blog, or just found this site by chance. No matter how or why you arrived, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Christmas is truly a magical time that I hold dear. However, July is a particularly difficult time in my life due to life's unexpected losses. Each year I struggle with the entire month of July, but this year, I shifted gears and extended my usual CIJ to include the entire month. Each of you has played a part in helping me through this time, even after my family experienced another two losses this month with the death of a wonderful uncle Leon, my husband's only brother, Larry, and our late son's beloved dog Blackjack.

My faith continues to guide me through these times.

I have enjoyed each and every comment you have left and have spent way too many hours reading and laughing at things on your blogs and countless wonderful hours working on my own CIJ parties, posts and giveaways.

Wow, I sound like it is all over---not so! There is still another full week of CIJ and I have a huge family holiday dinner next weekend. Family is so important, so it is really fitting that that will be the final event for this fun filled month.

Tonight, I just want to thank all of you for this wonderful weekend. My birthday was last week and I told my husband that all I wanted was some great holiday cheer and wow, did you all deliver!

I copied and pasted the names of all the participants in Maggi's party into the post below and the links worked! That way I will be able to go back and revisit and savor the wonderful things found there.

I will be visiting you often, please do the same. My Christmas Memories in My Heart blog will only have posts around Rudolph Day on the 25th of each month until the end of November, when I will be posting daily again. So check back around Rudy Day for a visit of holiday fun. Playing Dishes will continue to have posts related to dishes and my obsession with thrifting. My newest blog, Memes for Me will be devoted to the fun things in blog land. I will post things as they hit my fancy.

Until next time, I am roping all of you Christmas lovers into my Christmas Memories in My Heart.

I love things from the Southwest and the little musical cactus at the top is one of my favorite Christmas things. So, it is only fitting that he uses his lasso to pull us all together one last time.

Enjoy the cartoon video with Paul baby singing about a wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas in July,
Felecia~printersdevil

Please excuse me for posting this on both of my CIJ intensive blogs. I am way too tired to write another post to thank you all.

I have an out off town on Sunday for a meeting and will post the giveaway for Playing Dishes on Monday. I want to make sure that everyone has time to visit and I have time to add all the new names!

Christmas in July Tablescape Party--Week 4

2009-07-24T15:44:00.077-05:00

After viewing all the wonderful CIJ tablescapes on Mr. Linky below, be sure to visit Maggi~katamommy at Just Add Glitter and Stir for another great CIJ Party on Saturday, July 25. Just click on the link to be transferred and visit Maggi and all the participants for more CIJ fun.

Welcome to my Christmas in July Tablescape Party---Week 4. This is the final week for this event for the year. I want to thank each of you in advance for all your support. I was hesitant to spread this party out over an entire month, but since so many are vacationing and busy, I thought it would be best to give everyone a wider time frame to pull together Christmas tablescapes. I have to admit, that it has really been a stretch for me to find enough for all my tables without having to go through all my stored holiday decor.

Let me just say that I have a substantial number of huge Rubbermaid tubs, countless boxes of trees, ceramics, decorations, and ornaments, tinsel, etc. I really thought I was smart when I invested in tubs that were color coordinated for the seasons. I have a few older ones that I have always used for Christmas that don't match, but they are such staples that we know they include Christmas stuff. Let's just say that I am a Christmas nut and leave it at that! I guarantee that I will add a contents list to each tub this year when I put things up---or better yet, I will number each tub and save the contents list on my computer so when I NEED something in July, I don't have to get a heat stroke trying to find it.

I have done a table each week of the parties and even made a Christmas-snowman themed tablescape on my breakfast bar for an ice cream social that I attended in blog land recently. It was the same week that I had a blue and white snowman table for this party. Afterall, the hostess has to be a participant each week.

It has been a lot of fun, but I did find myself digging through some of the Christmas tubs looking for something to add to finish off a table. I live in Texas and let me tell you that it is HOT here in July and all my tubs are stored in an un-airconditioned shed, so this was not the highlight of these parties. We are having a cool front at the moment and are back in the upper 80s and 90s, but the weather has been in the triple digits for awhile. It is really feeling like Christmas is coming.

I am a big thrift store shopper and I lucked into two new sets of holiday dishes this month and immediately put them to use for the party.Thus, saving me some digging for things to use for two weeks.

If you have missed some of the fun this month at Playing Dishes, just scroll down through my posts to see each week's party. Don't forget to also look at the links to the other participants' tables, too. Remember, I had an extra tablescape at an ice cream social between week 2 and 3 parties.

We love comments, so please leave us one before you leave. Speaking of comments, I will be giving away a beautiful Christmas tablecloth this Sunday. I have a large container of names of everyone who has participated with a CIJ tablescape, left me a comment, or posted a link on their blog about this party. Like I said, the container of names is HUGE. It outgrew the original teapot container. So be sure to check back on Sunday to see who won.

Now, it is time for Christmas in July. I have five tables this week!!! Yes, bloggers, that is cinco.

You can see that I haven't finalized my place cards yet, because I am waiting to add your name, too!

I am going to post my main table first. It is all set and ready for my CIJ family dinner that will include turkey and dressing and all the trimmings. My youngest sis is moving to Nebraska at the end of the month and won't be here this Christmas, so we are celebrating early. I had planned to have this on July 25, but had to postpone the dinner until next weekend due to some family conflicts. But, the tables are set and ready. I will have to wash the dishes and reset things at the end of next week, but I am leaving things ready on the main table and the screened porch tables. The two card table settings were pulled down right after I took the photos to show you. I have things boxed up and ready to set up again next weekend. I will also be resetting the breakfast bar with a snowman theme for the two littlest relatives. I will do something similiar to the one from the ice cream social minus the white tablecloth. (I actually have still another set of snowman dishes that I might use for the little tikes.) Next weekend, I will add another leaf to the main table and expand it to seat 6. I just don't like the look of it and don't want to use all the extra space this week. So, at the moment it is set for only four.

I will be having 20 for dinner. That is six at the main table, four on the screened porch, two card tables of four each and the little tykes at the breakfast bar.

This week I am using my wedding china on the main table. I started with a green Christmas tablecloth and gold chargers. Next, I layered the dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and finally little juice glasses that I will use for fruit salad. I am not very traditional, but wanted to used more of the dishes in my set. The ornament place cards (from Bed Bath & Beyond) were placed on the bread plates.

If you visited the party last week, you will recognize these gold Christmas tree candle holders. I was looking for something to elevate the gold angels and they worked nicely.

I also used the same gold wired lacy ribbon again because it also worked with the new table.

Since I am such a thrifty shopper and love to repurpose things, I didn't think you would mind me using some of the same things with different dishes and a new tablescape.

I used an assortment of glassware. The gold wine glasses were a Big Lots find and the green goblets came from Pier 1 on an after Christmas clearance. I drove to Dallas to find enough of them since I didn't find them until they were almost all gone.

Here is another view of the table and the angels. I just love them. I found them recently at Goodwill for $6 each. I thought that was too much, but I do love them.

You can see the beautiful green color on the Pier I glasses in this shot. They were worth the extra effort and drive to Dallas---to four stores to find enough.

Thank you for stopping by today and all the other weeks for my Christmas in July Tablescape Party. I enjoyed all the photos and comments left. I can't wait to see all the tables submitted this week. Remember, that I will be linking four more tables to Mr. Linky from me. Please don't skip over them and think that I just goofed. They are each different.

I knew that this post was going to be long, so I decided to submit each post separate. I will be posting the tea party one from my Christmas Memories in My Heart blog, since it is my post over there because I shared info about this little teapot earlier in the week there.

Have a wonderful Christmas in July!
Felecia

Previous Christmas in July Tablescape Parties:

CIJ Tablescape Party Week 1

CIJ Tablescape Party Week 2

CIJ Tablescape Party Week 3

CIJ Mini Tablescape for an ice cream social

I have five Christmas tables this week since I am decorating for a IRL party for 20. I didn't want to put them all in one post since that is like looking at a novel. So, each on is in a separate post, one right after the other for a total of four. The fifth one is on my Christmas Memories in My Heart blog at http://printersdevil72.blogspot.com
However, in the interest of making it easier for you, I linked each individual post to Mr. Linky, too. So, you can view what you want.
Thanks for stopping by my party.

CIJ Screened Porch Table

2009-07-24T14:00:00.004-05:00

After viewing all the gorgeous CIJ tablescapes linked below on Mr. Linky, be sure to attend Maggi~katamommy's CIJ Party on Saturday, July 25 at Just Add Glitter and Stir. Maggi has a great party planned and there are lots of participants ready to help you celebrate all weekend.

Hopefully you have already read my main post that explains that I have five tables this week since I am hosting a real CIJ family party and needed tables for 20. Each table is in a separate link. This one is the table on my screened porch.

I started with a red tablecloth and tried out two different sets of green chargers. The first ones were more of Christmas green, but since this was outdoors, I wanted to use my casual green flatware and it and the centerpiece looked better with these dark green ones.

I am using a set of white dinner plates that feature a sort of scalloped edge and design. Solid red napkins are used and I chose to place them on the plates to break up the stark white of the plates. Gold metal napkin rings were placed on top of the napkins to give a holiday feel and add the touch of gold that I needed.

The centerpiece is one that was my late MIL's. It is a black wrought iron candelabra that hold five votive cups. She always used the gold cups and I couldn't find my red ones. Please pardon this photo. You can see it was one of my early ones and the broom is still in the background. The candles are also melted on the sides of the votives and I will be replacing them. I just didn't have five that size this afternoon.

For glassware I used a set of red stems that came from Kirklands and clear glasses with a holiday wreath on two sides. I purchased these a few weekends ago from a neighbor's garage sale for 25 cents each!

I hope that you enjoyed your visit to my porch table. The weather was very nice today, I just hope it is this nice on the day of my real CIJ dinner.

Be sure to visit all the other participants in this CIJ Tablescape Party. Remember, I haven't lost my mind, I just have numerous tables today and decided to spread them out to be looked at one at a time. They will all be used at my party next weekend.

Remember to leave us all a comment because we love to hear from you. The drawing for the holiday tablecloth will be held on Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to check back throughout the weekend for additional participants.

Felecia~printersdevil

CIJ Dinner Kid's Table

2009-07-24T13:50:00.014-05:00

After viewing all the CIJ tablescapes listed on Mr. Linky, be sure to visit Just Add Glitter and Stir for another fabulous CIJ party on Saturday, July 25. Maggi~katamommy has a gret party planned and there are lots of partying bloggers lined up to share the holiday spirit with you.

This is the kid's card table for my CIJ family dinner. I needed something simple for the little ones, so it is without any frills. All kids love snow and snowmen and I thought they would get a kick out of these dishes in the middle of the summer.

The tablecloth is a dark green topped with burgandy placemats edged in green. I have four card tables and had to try our several to find one that worked with the size of the placemats. I didn't realize that there was that much difference in the size of these tables.

Since these nieces and nephews range in age from five two ten, this simple table should work just fine. I have already used part of the green flatware, but it is a nice match for this table. So, I used the salad fork and a small spoon. The little ones shouldn't need a knife and the smaller fork will be perfect for them.

I used my green cut glass footed glasses to give them something special. They are on the rather heavy side, but I think they will be fine and the kids will enjoy them. The smaller juice version of these is being used on my main table for fruit salad. I have plenty if the kids want one for their fruit salad. There just isn't a lot of room on the square card table. The color looks off on the glasses, but it is a nice match IRL.

I couldn't decide what to use for a centerpiece, so you are seeing a plain look with only the matching salt and pepper shakers in the center of the table and some photos with a wooden sleigh with the S&P containers inside. The sleigh is a little big for the table, but I am leaning toward leaving it for the kid appeal.

Thanks for visiting and viewing my fourth table for the upcoming CIJ family dinner.

Be sure to visit all the other participants to see lots of eye candy.

Remember to leave us comments since we LOVE them. The drawing for the giveaway of a Christmas tablecloth will be held on Sunday.

Enjoy CIJ this weekend!

Felecia~printersdevil

CIJ Extra Seating Table

2009-07-24T13:30:00.002-05:00

After viewing all the wonderful tablescapes, be sure to attend Maggi's CIJ Party on Saturday, July 25 at Just Add Glitter and Stir. Click for a direct link to her party and all the participants over there.

This is my fifth and last table for my CIJ Tablescape Party---Week 4.

I bet you thought my last week of CIJ tablescapes would never end! This is it (except I still have to do something with that breakfast bar for the two little ones--maybe I will decorated the coffee table since they are two and almost one year old. It would be more their size.

This card table is covered with a bright gold holiday cloth and has alternating red and green chargers topped with white Gibson plates. I had planned to alternate the colors of the napkins for consistency, but I could only find the green ones.

In the background is my main table which is set for four. On the day of the dinner, I will expand the table to seat six. This extra seating card table will probably remain in this spot for the dinner.

The clear goblet/wine glasses are some of my favorites. They are a nice size and have a pretty shape where liquid goes into the actual stem. On this table to add to the gold theme, I used a set of dark gold tumblers and my everyday flatware.

The centerpiece is a wooden musical Mr. Christmas Advent Calendar. I received this in an advent swap on the old Organized Christmas website before the forums were removed. Those forums evolved into two boards that are very active today. I remain active on both Our Home for the Holidays and Magical Holiday Home boards. There is a link to both in my sidebar.

This advent calendar is beautiful when fully decorated. I should have added the ornaments to the table for photos, but I knew that this table has to come down until the day before my dinner next week and I just didn't take the time to decorate it. The tiny ornaments fit in all the little holes on the tree. It is musical and revolves to the Christmas carols.

This wonder advent tree was given to me in that swap by Marge, who also has a table here this week. This is her third week to participate in the CIJ Tablescape Party. We have never met IRL, but met online through our love of Christmas.

You can see where the little ornaments go in this photo. I think that Marge has excellent taste and I will always treasure this wonderful gift.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting our final week of the Christmas in July Tablescape parties. I have enjoyed this month of events and hope that you have too. Be sure to check out all the links on Mr. Linky for more wonderful tablescapes.

Remember that the giveaway Christmas tablecloth will be done on Sunday. Good luck to everyone!

There is also a link at the top of the page to a wonderful CIJ party that is being held at Just Add Glitter and Stir on Saturday. Be sure to click on the logo and enjoy all the fun there. Maggi will have links for all the participants.

Merry Christmas in July!

Felecia~printersdevil

Christmas in July Final Tablescape Party on Saturday

2009-07-23T13:37:00.003-05:00

Don't forget about this week's final CIJ Tablescape Party on Saturday and Sunday. We have had a lot of fun dreaming of Christmas and celebrating CIJ with tablescapes. I will have another table for you to view and have heard from several planning to participate. Be sure to stop by for a visit even if you can't participate. However, consider thinking out of the box and pulling together a tablescape of some kind in honor of July 25 which is Rudolph Day or what most of the world refers to as Christmas in July.

I will be making a traditional Christmas dinner on Sunday, so will return and add photos of the food to my post on Sunday evening. Even if you don't have access or want to dig out your holiday decor, think of a way to have a fun CIJ table for the weekend. I will be combining traditional food with some that is more fitting for the heat. I also decided not to dig out my other holiday dishes after spending over an hour rooting around in the hot shed this morning. I do have numerous sets of china and have been playing with table ideas, but at the moment, I am thinking about something a little different and using dishes that are more practical for an afternoon dinner in the heat. I promise it will be in the spirit of Christmas though and fit the theme.

I also have a second small post to add using my new little teapot for one. I bought this from HSN last week during their CIJ. We don't get the television network, so I just logged on and looked over their holiday things. This little teapot is shown on my Christmas Memories in My Heart blog and I will have a small tea tablescape with it at the party.

Here is a photo of the little centerpiece that I pulled out of my Christmas stash this morning for the tea table. It is a Partridge in a Pear Tree decorated with each of the little figures from the First Day of Christmas song. It was a perfect thing for my new little teapot. I just had to find it this morning.

See you on Saturday!

Don't forget the drawing for the Christmas tablecloth from this month long party will be Sunday!

Flower Garden Faux Table

2009-07-23T02:26:00.008-05:00

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch is hosting Tablescape Thursday today. Be sure to click and view her three wonderful flashback tables featuring beautiful lanterns. She also is hosting a giveaway of a lantern this week!

After viewing Susan's wonderful tables and signing up, be sure to follow all the links to the other beautiful tables on Mr. Linky and leave us all some comments. We love to know who stopped by.

I don't have a garden and even my flowers have all withered in the blistering Texas heat during the past week, but I do love flowers and have a passion for fresh vegetables. I used to can or freeze enough vegetables for the winter and even made jelly. However, I don't have room for a garden now and don't have a lot of options for acquiring enough produce to put up for the cold weather. Making hot sauce and pickles is what I miss the most.

I will share some of my recipes on Foodie Friday for fresh vegetables. I have a cute set of dishes featuring vegetables, but I used them a couple of weeks ago for Tablescape Thursday. If you missed my radish plates, scroll down for a look.

Although I have many dishes that scream summer flowers more than these, they remind me of a garden. I am always so envious of all the beautiful flowers that everyone has, but I just don't have what it takes to maintain a flower garden. I wanted to set up outside on the screened porch, but the heat was so scorching when I did this, so I moved indoors with it. Today, the weather was much nicer, but it was my birthday and I didn't have time to redo this for the outdoors. I am trying to decide on a table for my final Christmas in July Party on Saturday. I am actually cooking CIJ dinner for the extended family on Sunday, too. So, this table has to do today.

The plates feature a border of green with various flowers interspersed around the edges. I used a pale yellow tablecloth and a white wooden garden cart of faux flowers as a centerpiece. The flatware is a yellow handled casual set that came from Ross. I used white cloth napkins from Target. The stems are just clear ones that came from Dollar General.

Today's table is just a simple tribute to flowers everywhere and my love of them, allbeit mine are usually fake.

Be sure to stop back by Playing Dishes on Saturday or Sunday to join in on the final Christmas in July Tablescape Party. Remember there will be a giveaway of Christmas tablecloth on Sunday.

Garden Party Table

2009-07-18T16:59:00.039-05:00

Susan at Savoring Time in the Kitchen is hosting a Garden Party this weekend. Although, I don't have a garden---flowers or vegetable---I decided to participate. Click here to see Susan's Garden Party post and to find links to all the other parties.The flowers that I have in large planters are wilting in the extreme heat, so I will spare you the recent photos.

Click on the video and enjoy Ricky Nelson as he welcomes us to The Garden Party.

We love fresh vegetables and fortunately live in an area where they are plentiful throughout the summer months. I even have a perfect set of dishes with a vegetable theme, but I used those last week for Tablescape Thursday. So, I went digging through my stash of dishes looking for something for a Garden Party. I almost went with some china and an elegant theme. However, the weather has cooled somewhat and the late evening hours we are able to enjoy the outdoors for dining. So, I went for a more practical garden meal on the screened porch.

I decided that these plates with a birdhouse would work for the party this weekend. I tried to snag photos of the birds in the backyard, but since I was looking for them, they didn't show up. I have a male cardinal (red)and an occasional white female that visits my back yard area . I just love to watch them as they flitter from branch to branch. There is also a mockingbird that returns every year to make a nest in the spring. She is very territorial and has chased my husband up under the covered porch on several occasions when he was working under the tree that held her nest. We also have a couple of small rabbits that frequent the yard and many, many squirrels. All of them have been missing since I have manned the porch with a camera.

However, I decided that this rugged looking little birdhouse was an appropriate centerpiece for my Garden Party table for the evening.

I used round beaded placemats as chargers. I found these at a Salvation Army TS after Christmas for 99 cents each. They were new and still had the tags from Horchow! I couldn't believe the price.

I used a set of dark green handled flatware on top of red napkins and a red tablecloth.

Glassware used includes four amber wine goblets that I found recently for half price at a thrift store. They ended up being only 75 cents each that day. The other glasses were found last week at GW for $1 each and are green Coke looking glass. I love the shape and size of them for iced tea.

The menu for the evening was peel and eat shrimp that was cooked with Old Bay Seasoning served with cocktail sauce, Hoppin' John and a loaded baked potato.

Iced tea and an assortment of white wine was served. A Merlot was out for DH after meal time. He prefers the Merlots and enjoys them with most foods or as an after dinner drink.

This particular Cap Rock chardonnay is a Texas wine that I enjoy.

I always have to laugh at the piles of shrimp peelings that are left behind and tell their own story.

Dessert for the evening was homemade vanilla ice cream. I made this last weekend for one of the ice cream socials and froze several big bowls of it. Since it is not as hot this weekend and we are actually able to enjoy eating outside, the ice cream was a nice treat. However, I scooped it into the bowls and placed it inside the freezer for a few minutes before serving.

If you aren't from the South, you might not be familiar with Hoppin' John, so I looked up a little info for you.

Hoppin' John History

Eat poor that day, eat rich the rest of the year.
Rice for riches and peas for peace.
- Southern saying on eating a dish of Hoppin' John on New Year's Day.

Hoppin' John is found in most states of the South, but it is mainly associated with the Carolinas. Gullah or Low Country cuisine reflects the cooking of the Carolinas, especially the Sea islands (a cluster of islands stretching along the coats of south Carolina and northern Georgia). Black-eyed peas, also called cow peas, are thought to have been introduced to America by African slaves who worked the rice plantations. Hoppin' John is a rich bean dish made of black-eyed peas simmered with spicy sausages, ham hocks, or fat pork, rice, and tomato sauce.

This African-American dish is traditionally a high point of New Year's Day, when a shiny dime is often buried among the black-eyed peas before serving. whoever get the coin in his or her portion is assured good luck throughout the year. For maximum good luck in the new year, the first thing that should be eaten on New year's Day is Hoppin' John. At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, many southern families toast each other with Champagne and a bowl of Hoppin' John. If it is served with collard greens you might, or might not, get rich during the coming year.

There are many variations to traditional Hoppin' John. Some cook the peas and rice in one pot, while others insist on simmering them separately.

Most food historians generally agree that "Hopping John" is an American dish with African/French/Caribbean roots. There are many tales or legends that explain how Hoppin' John got its name:

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It was the custom for children to gather in the dining room as the dish was brought forth and h op around the table before sitting down to eat.

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A man named John came "a-hoppin" when his wife took the dish from the stove.

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An obscure South Carolina custom was inviting a guest to eat by saying, "Hop in, John"

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The dish goes back at least as far as 1841, when, according to tradition, it was hawked in the streets of Charleston, South Carolina by a crippled black man who was know as Hoppin' John.

Although not from the Carolina's, a variation of this dish is a favorite of mine. However, I use jalapeno peppers in it. These pepper are one thing that I do have growing in a small garden tub. We eat lots of these peppers.

I cooked fresh black eyed peas and used fresh tomatoes and our own peppers.

Thanks for stopping by my Garden Party. I hope you enjoyed your visit as much as I enjoyed having you. Be sure to visit Susan and all the other participants on the link at the top. Be sure to leave use comments, as we love to here from each of you.

Christmas In July Tablescape Party Week 3

2009-07-18T04:03:00.025-05:00

Welcome to the third week of my Christmas in July Tablescape Party! I hope you are enjoying these events as much as I am.

This week I decided to add a little of Christmas whimsy with a touch of elegance to my table. I am using a newly acquired set of dishes that I bought at Goodwill. These dishes had been there on the shelf for several months. I have to admit that I looked at them early on and thought they were cheesy Valentine's dishes. They were on a bottom shelf and stacked with dinner plates, salad plates and bowls on top. The top bowl was the one that is labeled Cupid. So, you see, I thought they were Valentine plates. I never bent down for a closer look since I thought they were a strange color for Cupid and Val Day. I wasn't even interested enough to pick one up.

So there they stayed for months, just collecting dust. Last week the local Goodwill was cleaning and dusting and rearranging things and the set of dishes got moved up to a higher shelf. This time, I paused to look at the figure on the Cupid plate and realized that it was a reindeer!

How could I have missed these? Well, I guess the important thing is that they were still there that day and now belong to my dish-ease! My friend from the Garden Web forum, Bettyd z7 va, recently used this term and I love it.

I put a leaf in my table today to have a little more room. I really hate to hassle with them unless I have company. I am pleased that I chose to do this today.

The tablecloth is an after Christmas clearance from Walmart in a gold color. I used a set of gold chargers with a scalloped edge that I think set off the plates nicely. I then layered the dinner plates with a bowl on top for salad and the dessert plate to the upper left of the setting.

Here is the Comet place setting.

I used an off-white set of napkins that features a gold glittery swirl and gold Christmas tree napkin rings with my everyday flatware. I really need to invest in a set of gold tone flatware!

The gold stems were found at Big Lots in the spring and the clear goblets were another recent Goodwill find.

For a centerpiece I added a glass gold star candy dish in the center of the table flanked by tall gold metal Christmas tree candlesticks and added a roll of gold lacy Christmas ribbon intertwined around the items.

Rudolph

Cupid

Comet

Blitzen

Now if I just had the matching plates for Donner, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen I would have a great table to use every month on Rudolph Day on the 25th!

I hope you have enjoyed today's tablescape. Be sure to click on the links below to visit all the other participants' tables. Please leave us a comment so we will know you stopped by. Remember, comments left on my blog result in another entry in the July 25 Christmas tablecloth giveaway.

To link your CIJ Tablescape post to this one, copy the URL for that specific post (not your blog address) and past it into the second box below. To get the URL of your CIJ post, simply click on the title to the post and then copy the URL from the address bar. This allows all links to automatically go back to your specific post of CIJ Tablescape 3.

Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to click on the following links to view more CIJ Tables. Next Saturday will be July 25 and the final date of this tablescape party. Be sure to come back and add photos of your table and visit us again.

Fun Afternoon Playing Dishes

2009-07-14T17:30:00.005-05:00

It was another triple digit day here and I didn't leave the house, except to bring in some dishes that were in the trunk of my car. I took advantage of the afternoon with the house all to myself and played dishes---one of my favorite things.

I decided to get a head start on my Christmas in July Party for this coming Saturday. I used to change my tablescapes on Saturday and usually left them for a week. However, since my CIJ party is on Saturdays this month, I have had to change my table dressing day.

Here is teaser of my table for this week.

Saturday's event was so much fun and I enjoyed looking at everyone's table. I hope that you each return with a new table this week, or at least to look at the weekly offerings.

I'm in the process of working on the details for the final CIJ Party on Rudolph Day, July 25. Actually, I haven't gotten to the table part of the planning. I am having a CIJ dinner and moving party in honor of my youngest sister, who is moving to Nebraska at the end of the month. She loves turkey and dressing and will not be here this year at Christmas, so I am hosting CIJ dinner for the family. There will be about 16 of us.

I hope to see you on Saturday at the CIJ Tablescape Party #3. If you haven't attended or participated, the info is in the white meme button in my sidebar. Remember, we have a Christmas tablecloth giveaway for July 25.

Ice Cream Social at Eye Candy Creations

2009-07-12T22:40:00.003-05:00

Our wonderful hostess for today's Ice Cream Social is Jenn at Eye Candy Creations. Jenn, Grant and Vivian have a wonderful day planned for all of us. Click here to attend Jenn's party and find links to the other participants.

Another weekly blog event that I love is Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally. I had decided that since I was so tired from all the blog parties over the weekend that I wouldn't participate in her event this week. Then it hit me that all three of my parties had lots of blue in them. So I am linking to her Blue Monday event here. If you are here to see the blues, be sure to scroll down to the other ice cream social I participated in over the weekend and my Christmas in July Tablescape Party that both were really, really BLUE.

Remember to leave each of the participants at both Jenn's Ice Cream Social and Sally's Blue Monday a comment.

I scream, You scream, We all scream for comments!!! Well maybe that is for ice cream... But, we do love hearing from our guests!

Whew, I need a few days vacation to rest from all the blogland parties this weekend. However, I guess I will have to settle for some fun time today at another ice cream social. I attended an ice cream social on Saturday where I extended a variation of my snowman theme from my CIJ Tablescape #2 Party. I shared some wonderful memories with the guests and an ice cream delight that many had never tried. It was snow ice cream and can only be made during the snowy weather. LOL. Scroll down to that post and Suzy's Ice Cream Weekend Social if you didn't get to attend.

But, now it is time to relax and enjoy some good old fashioned homemade ice cream---vanilla of course. I will share some non-vanilla variety recipes with you before I leave Jenn's ice cream social today.

Vanilla has always been a favorite for me and I LOVE the soft serve cones from Dairy Queen. We don't have a DQ, but a neighboring town still has two, and I occasionally go by for a cone. Back in March, my sister, Barbara, and I made a long trip from Texas to South Carolina. On the way home when we stopped for gas we spotted a DQ sign and just had to pull in and have a large cone. It was wonderful.

The little cone on my table centerpiece reminds me of the DQ soft serve cones. They are a delight to look at and to eat.

I had already signed up to attend Suzy's ice cream social event on Saturday at Kitchen Bouquet when I found the invitation to today's event at Eye Candy Creations. I thought about doing a double post, but decided that it would be more fun to have two real ice cream events in one week! Plus, I found some adorable ice cream bowls and spoons and just had to use them for something special.

My dear daughter Tracie (of the now blog famous snow ice cream recipe) returned Sunday from a week long cruise to Montego Bay, the Grand Cayman Islands, and Cozumel. Since Tracie, is our only living child, we sort of pamper her. So, I decided to have a welcome home party by way of the ice cream social. Tracie, like her mother, prefers homemade ice cream to be vanilla, thus our plain Jane version at today's event. Maybe someone will host another ice cream party and we can show off our ice cream skills later.

Tracie came in Sunday afternoon from her cruise and we added two Carnival glasses to the centerpiece since they seemed to fit right in.

The ice cream was good, but I prefer the way I usually make it, and I tried something different today. In fact, I still prefer the flavor of the homemade ice cream made with raw eggs, but I guess those days are gone. I used half and half today and didn't like the end result as much. Mr. Printersdevil was also not as pleased with it, although he ate three bowls!

Even though we didn't eat the ice cream until around 8 p.m., it was still too hot to enjoy it outside. We snapped a few photos and retreated to the air conditioned house.

I also served Sock-in-to-me cake and iced tea. Iced tea is a staple in our house year round.

We have a possible break in the triple digit and even higher heat index on the horizon for the week. Yeah! We will have to make ice cream again when we can enjoy it on the porch.

Did you like my ice cream bowls and cute spoons? I found those this past week at a Goodwill in a neighboring town. They had just put them out on the shelf. The spoons were still in the styrofoam container. I paid $2 a bowl and $2 for the spoons. The little ceramic ice cream cone was also found there. It had been on the shelf for months and I kept looking at it and wondering how I could use it. It was only 50 cents!

Here are a few recipes that I promised to share.

Orange Pineapple Ice Cream

2 cans Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
1 small can crushed pineapple
6 10-oz bottles of Orange Crush soft drink

Combine all ingredients. Mix well and freeze.

Big Red Ice Cream
2 cans Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
2 pkg. frozen strawberries
6 10-oz bottles of Big Red soft drink
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Then freeze.

I have a Milky Way ice cream that I really love, but I couldn't find the recipe today. It is very decadent. I called a friend to see if she has this one and she promised to look through her recipes. I couldn't even find it online and was afraid to give it from memory since it is not cheap to make with all the candy bars. If I find the recipe, I will do another post.

I hope that you enjoyed our homemade ice cream and cake social today. Be sure to stop by at Jenn's and visit her party, as well as all the other's participating today.

Thank you Jenn for hosting this wonderful event.

Welcome to CIJ Tablescape Party

2009-07-11T16:46:00.003-05:00

I have several events that I am participating in today, so please scroll down to find my CIJ Tablescape Party.

Be sure to stop at Pink Saturday and the Ice Cream Social. I have a tablescape for the ice cream social, too.

Brrrr, it's an Ice Cream Social during CIJ!

2009-07-11T14:41:00.019-05:00

Suzy at Kitchen Bouquet is hosting this wonderful Ice Cream Social Weekend for blogland. Click here to go to her party. She started the party with a wonderful tour of photos and graphics of old fashioned ice cream parlors and all things ice cream. Suzy even shared many of her ice cream memories with us. Be sure to check out her post and the links to all the participants in this fun event.

I'm in the midst of my Christmas in July celebration and when I heard about this social, I thought it would be fun to mix this with CIJ. Like everyone else, I have fond memories of church ice cream socials, neighborhood homemade ice cream parties and the special treats of just making homemade ice cream just because.

My earliest memories are of churning the ice cream for what seemed like forever. I remember having to sit on top of the churn atop the wooden bucket to keep it from moving around. We always made vanilla ice cream, but my neigbors were more adventurous and had things like peppermint, chocolate, banana, peach and strawberry. I always loved the flavors, but vanilla was my favorite.

We always used eggs, but in recent years, that became a health hazard, and I started using condensed milk to avoid the use of eggs. I also found many other flavors and styles of ice cream through the year. Still, homemade vanilla is my favorite. I want just it, no toppings, sprinkles, nuts, or other additions. I guess that makes me boring.

However, there is one type of ice cream that I love more than slow churned homemade vanilla.
It is SNOW ice cream. I guess what made it special was the fact that I didn't get to have it often. I grew up in West Texas and although we had our share of snow, it wasn't always deep enough to make ice cream. When I was a young child there were years when my parents wouldn't let us make it because they were afraid of it having radioactive "stuff" in it. I never really knew (or cared) what this was. I was just disappointed that we weren't allowed to make snow ice cream. I remember hearing whispered conversations about the Cold War and fallout.
Shesh, this interrupted a perfectly wonderful childhood tradition.

When I was in junior high, my family moved to North Texas and we didn't get snow as often. I felt deprived during the winter. However, when my children were little we had several years in a row where we received lots of snow. It was marvelous for someone who enjoys the snow so much. I was even able to introduce my son and daughter to fabulous snow ice cream.

When my daughter was quite young, she decided that she wanted to make the snow ice cream on her own. She called her Grannie Ida and asked how to make it. Of course, Grannie obliged and off Tracie and Mickey went to find the appropriate amount of snow to make this treat. Recently, I was looking through a recipe box and found that handwritten recipe in Tracie's childish handwriting. It is now a priceless heirloom that I hope to pass on to her children someday. At the moment, Duke, the Mini Pin, is my only grandchild---uh make that grand dog! But, he does love ice cream, just not snow. Maybe we will tempt him to venture out into the snow this winter with a promise of a bowl of snow ice cream.

Tracie and Grannie Ida's Snow Ice Cream
(with the original spelling)

Clean snow
2 table spoons of milk
2 or 3 table spoons of suargar
1 or 2 drops of vanillia

Big bole Stir it up
and if you need more snow put some more milk in it.

Here is a copy of the orignial hand printed recipe. It was written in red ink on a piece of notebook paper. I found it folded up in my recipe box.

Thanks Suzy for hosting this wonderful event. It caused me to remember some great memories and spend this very hot afternoon indoors with the central air cranked down to escape the triple digits heat and dream of cooler weather and snow.

Since I was spending a nice leisurely afternoon in the coolness of the house, I decided to take advantage of my decorated table for my CIJ Tablescape Party this week. featured some snowman dishes. I had the breakfast bar decorated for a small ice cream social that I am having this evening. We are going out to eat with some friends and coming back here for ice cream.

All of this decorating made me hungry, so I expanded the ice cream social to include a lunch for one. I fixed a turkey breast sandwich, with mayo, pepperjack cheese, and red onion. I finished my impromptu lunch off with a Clausen pickle spear and a glass of iced tea. With the heat index at 110 degrees on Friday, a cool sandwich was the perfect addition to my day.

Pink Saturday Find in Antique Store

2009-07-10T15:59:00.007-05:00

It's time again for Beverly's Pink Saturday and I am so excited. I have to have my weekly dose of pink! Click on the link above to see all the delightful pink items that were gathered for this week's event. Be sure to leave us all a comment so we will know you were here. We love to blush and turn pink with all the attention.

I spent several hours wandering through some local antique stores looking for inspiration this week and ran across this wonderful pink display and just had to show it to you.

Although the items don't go together, the booth owner had grouped the pretty pink on a top shelf and it was so pinklicious! The ceramic baby booties would make a great centerpiece for a shower and the compote is adorable in a more fuschia color. My favorite is the stand mirror. It would be so precious in a little girl's room.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today. Make sure that you visit Beverly and all the other lovers of pink gathered on her site today.

Welcome to CIJ Tablescape Party--- Week 2

2009-07-10T14:55:00.015-05:00

Thank you for stopping by to visit my Christmas in July Tablescape Party---Week 2. I love Christmas and I love dishes, so this party was a perfect match to help get through the hot month of July. The party will continue each Saturday this month, so please come back and participate or to at least visit us.

As the guests, arrive, they will post a link at the bottom of this post on Mr. Linky to allow you to click to see their wonderful tables for Christmas in July. Be sure to check back throughout the weekend since some may be late in arriving. Be sure to leave comments for everyone since we are unable to see our guests. It is nice to hear that you were here.

An added bonus for just stopping by today is an entry in the July 25 CIJ holiday tablecloth giveaway. I will contact the winner on Sunday, July 26.

Enjoy your visit to each wonderful blog and the tablescapes.

It is so hot in Texas during Christmas in July that I like to think about cooler weather and the possibility of snow. I love snow, but we don't get a lot of it where I live, so I have to pretend and play with my dishes. I have four different sets (some are portions of a set)of dishes that feature snow in some form.

Today, we are going to cool down with a table featuring a cute snowman family on off-white stoneware. I actually found this set this week at Goodwill!

I ran up to a florist in a town a few miles from my home (a friend runs it) and made a quick stop in GW.

You know that you are addicted to thrifty shopping and dishes when you can't drive by a GW or other thrift store without stopping. Although I have numerous other sets of snow people dishes, this one was too cute to pass up. It was new in the box, but had a broken handle on a coffee cup. It was marked $10, but I pointed out the broken cup and they sold it to me for $8. Not bad for a place setting for four.

The tablecloth is a solid dark blue and I decided to use my newly acquired varigated blue handled flatware. (I have been using them way too much, but I really like them.)I found them at Big Lots. The varying shades of blue look nice with the shades of blue in the dishes. IRL the colors are perfect together. The photos look a little off.

I have numerous choices of blue glasses and stemware, but I had the most trouble finding one that looked all right. These are a dark blue that is a very pretty shade.

Even though I am hosting this CIJ Tablescape Party, I didn't have my Christmas things readily available. My dishes are mostly accessible, but things for accents and centerpieces are all packed and stored away. I found the two little blue snowmen in a small plastic container that I had put in the top of the closet, but couldn't decide what else to used for a centerpiece. Then, I thought why not just use a white candle since this is a snow scene. It is not very creative, but was the right shade since the dishes are not a bright white. I placed it on one of my everyday salad plates and flanked it with the snowman pair. It's not the greatest or most creative, but it worked for me today.

Close-up of place setting

I used a set of off white napkins with blue frosted glass napkin rings.

DH was at the golf course while I was playing with this table. He came in hot and exhausted from the heat and I asked if it was snowing at the golf course. He looked at me like I had gone over the edge and then immediately looked at the table and said, "Only in here!"

You've got to love a man who goes with the flow of Christmas dishes all during July and with the main room clock playing Christmas carols on the hour. Now, if he will just buy me a pressie on the 25th...

He also has been tolerant of that little tree in the corner behind the table. I never took it down. I just loved the colors with my room, so it stayed. This month I have another small tree sitting on the fireplace ledge, too.

Add to that a Christmas table a week this month and even one of my ice cream parties during the next several days has a Christmas in July theme. DH just shakes his head and says, "Whatever you want dear..."

DH taking an early evening snooze after a hard day on the golf course!

I love that man!

Felecia~printersdevil

P.S. Remember to add your permalink in the second box of Mr. Linky, not your general blog url. To get this address, double click on the TITLE of the post that you want to link and copy the url address. Paste this in the second box on Mr. Linky!

Happy CIJ blogging!

Veggie Tablescape

2009-07-09T12:33:00.034-05:00

Thank you Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting today's Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to stop by and visit her and all the other participants.

It is so hot in Texas at the moment, that I don't even want to eat, much less cook! The only thing that salvages meal times around here is the abundance of fresh veggies during the summer. I enjoy using these cute vetetable themed plates for a nice cool dinner based on all the wonders of the garden.

The plates feature a blue pattern on the rim with veggies inserted at intervals and a wonderful bunch of radishes in the center. My tablecloth is a blue and white one with various vegetables in the square block patterns.

Since the plates are an offwhite color, I used solid offwhite napkins and my varigated blue handled flatware that came from Big Lots. The glassware is a light blue and I used a tall glass for iced tea and the shorter one as a water glass.

For the centerpiece for this lunch table for two, I combined several items. I used my small vegetable tureen flanked by carrot candleholder. I didn't want candles since this was lunch, but liked the looks of these. I think I will paint the inside for they won't look so much like candleholder in the future. I used an assortment of ceramic vegetables in a large basket to complete the centerpiece.

I hope you enjoyed my cool and crisp veggies tablescape. Now, I am off to visit my friend and pick up some fresh squash, okra, onions, and cucumbers. I still have a few tomatoes and picked some jalapenos this morning from my tub in the backyard.

DH is growing tomatoes in a Topsy Turvey planter. They haven't produced yet, but we do have numerous small ones and I see that he pulled one this morning to finish ripening on the porch sill. I planted them a little late this year.

Below are a few veggie recipes that we love in the hot weather. Neither is made from fresh veggies. We tend to just steam, bake, grill, or fry the fresh ones without bothering with a recipe. We so enjoy the few months of fresh veggies.

Both of these are made with canned vegetables, but are great cool things to enjoy in the heat of the summer.

Bush's Hominy Salad

1 15.5 oz. can BUSH'S BEST White Hominy
¼ cup chopped green pepper
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons chopped onion
¼ teaspoon celery seed
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup cubed or grated cheese
¼ cup drained pickle relish or sliced olives
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon salt
2 tomatoes sliced into wedges

Rinse hominy and drain well. Combine with remaining ingredients and chill well. Serve on lettuce, garnished with tomato wedges and more mayonnaise if desired. To make a main-dish salad, add 1 can drained tuna fish or 1 cup diced ham or 4 chopped hard-cooked eggs.

TEXAS CAVIAR
2 cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1pkg. Italian dressing made by directions, or 1 c. Italian dressing
1 bunch chopped green onion or 1 small chopped onion
1 med. Green pepper
4-oz. can diced jalapeno peppers or 5 fresh jalapeno peppers
4-oz. can diced green chiles
½ tsp. garlic salt
Mix all ingredients and chill. Serve with tortilla or corn chips.

Don't forget to check back at Playing Dishes on Saturdays this month for my Christmas in July Tablescape Party. Mr. Linky will be up on Friday evening. Come and join us or just to visit. Info is on my sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by to visit today. Be sure to visit Susan and the other participants in today's Tablescape Thursday at the link at the top.

Outdoor & Watery Wednesday

2009-07-08T15:02:00.009-05:00

Today I am double posting in two fun blog events. Outdoor Wednesday is hosted by our great hostess Susan at A Southern Daydreamer. Many bloggers join her event each week to share some of their adventures, scenery shots, gardens, or just anything that is in the great outdoors. Be sure to click the link and visit all these great sites for some cyber fun. My new friend 2sweetnsaxy at Watery Wednesday also host this wonderland with photos of watery things for us to enjoy. Be sure to visit both site and all the links to each. Remember we all love comments so let us know that you have stopped by today.

Ooops, I didn't realize that this was so old, but the sunsets haven't changed much on the lake. They are still gorgeous and so relaxing to watch at the end of a fun filled day on the water.

Be sure to stop by Playing Dishes this Saturday for the second Christmas in July Tablescape Party. I've heard from quite a few who are planning to participate this week since there isn't a holiday conflict. Mr. Linky will be up on Friday night.

Since it is CIJ and very hot for most of us, you could set your Christmas table on the porch, by the pool or pond or even take it to the lake for some variety! Come help make this a memorable and fun CIJ event. Remember there is a giveaway on July 25. The info is on my sidebar.

Thanks to both of our wonderful hostesses for these events.

Enjoyable afternoon playing with dishes

2009-07-08T00:48:00.006-05:00

What's not to love about Christmas in July? It's hot outside and I spent the late afternoon pulling out some holiday dishes and playing!!! I hope that some of you have found time to do this and work on a table for this weeks CIJ Tablescape Party to be held Saturday. Mr. Linky will be up on Friday evening.

I have to admit that I have stressed about this all week.

I have not had much focus for the past week after losing our beloved dog Blackjack and then DHs only brother, but usually, an afternoon by myself and I am good to go again. Late this afternoon, Jim went to the golf course for the first time in several weeks since his asthma has flared in the heat and humidity. For an daily golfer, he has been cooped up for too long. Then the loss of Blackjack last week was tough on all of us. Add to that the anniversary of our son's death was Monday of this week and we buried his brother today. So, things have been far from normal in our home lately. He needed an afternoon out and I need him to have an afternoon out!

I thought that I would enjoy the afternoon plotting a table for this week's event. Then, I realized that I didn't have a clue which large plastic tub my Christmas tree dishes were stored in. All of the Christmas tubs are together and I assume it is one of the bottom ones due to the weight, but sheesh there are so many of them. The shed was so hot when I ventured that direction this afternoon. I pulled two large tubs out in to the yard and browzed through the contents. It was fun looking at all the Christmas goodies in the awful heat, but there wasn't a thing I could use for a table. I just couldn't figure out how to use any of the 8 different advent calendars. For the life of me I don't know why I have so many. These are all still in the plastic wrapper and new!

I guess I have to admit that I am a shop-o-holic in addition to a dish-o-holic. Or, make that a bargain-o-holic. I just can't pass up a good bargain. That is why I have enough new tablecloths, napkins and plastic chargers in red, maroon, silver and gold to open a store. But, that is another story.

I set up this weekly blog event for CIJ Tables and now I can't get to my dishes that I want to use this week. So, I had to shift gears and come up with something else. I have all my snowmen dishes stored in a cabinet in the garage so, I can fall back on those for this week. In fact, that will be appropriate since it is supposed to be back in the triple digits and the thought of snow will be fantastic by Saturday.

Now, I just have to plot a way to convince DD to help me drag out all the huge Christmas tubs next week to find the Christmas tree dishes for the following week. She is on a cruise this week and should be nice and rested for just such a task. Don't you agree? Surely, Tracie, will agree, too.

After digging through the tubs I pulled out, I retreated to the air-conditioned house and a large glass of iced tea. I then braved the even hotter garage and pulled out the snowmen. Actually, I had a box of snowmen stoneware right there in the house because I bought it just yesterday at Goodwill! I told you I can't pass up a good bargain. They were new and unopened and they marked a couple of dollars off because a cup handle was broken. I ignored the fact that I have way too many snowmen dishes already.

But, I was on a mission and pulled out all the snowmen and snow people. Now, I just have to find something to use for a centerpiece for them. I set up a table this afternoon using the new GW find, but really was grasping for a centerpiece. What I used was a stretch. I have lots of snow things, but they are in one of those tubs out in the shed. Hmm...., I guess I need to label things better this year. I even have a new large lighted snowman that I bought to use on a table. It is still in the original box and I couldn't find it either. So much for organization.

I pulled together a a snowman table and I plan to enjoy it for a few days. I have had some strange comments from friends over the CIJ tablescape from over the weekend, just wait until they see the snowmen there now.

I came up with some good ideas for the holidays with the other sets of dishes, if I can find the stored items to go with them. I know that I have them, it's just finding them...

I also am processing some ideas for some different kinds of tablescapes for the remaining CIJ parties. This afternoon was the best therapy in the world. I had fun and my dog, Duke, didn't complain about anything.

Please add your tables to the party on Friday or Saturday or at least stop by for the fun this weeked. Remember there is a giveaway of a Christmas tablecloth to be given after the final party on July 25.

CIJ Tablescape Video Workshop from utube

2009-07-05T17:08:00.009-05:00

I found this Christmas in July video that was labeled CIJ Tablescape Video Workshop. It has some great eyecandy and hopefully will remind everyone to get their Christmas in July Tablescape ready for this week's party here on Saturday. I will have a post ready with Mr. Linky on Friday evening. I hope you decided to participate. Click on the button in my sidebar for complete info and come back this week to enjoy the tables and enter for a chance to win the July 25 tablecloth giveaway.

After watching this short video, I search for this group and found this link that has many more wonderful holiday tablescapes.

More tablescapes from the Benedict Foundation.

Hometown Tour--Denison, TX

2009-07-04T21:38:00.007-05:00

Melissa at Huckleberry Prairie is hosting this wonderful tour of our hometowns and I am a little late to the party due to real life getting in the way. So, I am going to go ahead and post these and hope that someone enjoys them. Be sure to go over and view Melissa's wonderful photo tour of her hometown Kingsville. You will also find links to other participants and their photo tours.

I made a slideshow and it is my first attempt at this. I had already saved when I realized that there were several errors. The historic home shown is the Munson home and I misspelled it on the slideshow. The final photo is labeled as Tanglewood Resort, but it is The Point Restaurant at Grandpappy Marina. I'm not sure what happened to my photo of Tanglewood and several others. You will just have to travel to Texas and visit Denison to see all the places shown here and many that we not included.

Denison is home of the Yellowjackets and has a wonderful public school system with Grayson Community College here also. Our big claim to fame is that President Eisenhower was born here, but only lived here for several weeks. Our newest honor is that Captain Shelley Sullenberger, hero of the Hudson River plane crash, is from Denison. He graduated from DHS and his class of 1969 just had their 40 year reunion. He and his wife returned for the event and he was also keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony for the class of 2009.

Here is a brief glimpse as some of our sights in Denison. It is truly small town living at its finest and the DFW metroplex is only about an hour away.

Pink Party on the Go

2009-07-04T02:33:00.004-05:00

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound is hosting her weekly Pink Saturday event. Be sure to jump over to see her pink items and those of all the participants listed on her site.

Today I am sharing a photo that I found on my daughter's computer. She and three other girlfriends went on a weekend trip recently to San Antonio and stayed on the Riverwalk in observance of one of the girl's birthday. The birthday girl, Nikki, loves pink. One of the girls attending lives in the opposite direction from the others. She arrived at their hotel early and set up this pink table in honor of Nikki's birthday. I thought it made a nice post for today since it is so, well, PINK!

CIJ Tablescape Party #1

2009-07-03T15:39:00.014-05:00

I hope I am not the only one at this week's party. Invitations were sent out late and it is a busy July 4th weekend. However, I wanted this to be a month long event and the weekend seems to be the best time for Playing Dishes for me! Hopefully, some table divas will break down their red, white and blue tables and repurpose the red and white into a holiday table. Or, maybe some will find time to creep inside to the airconditioned house and browse through their Christmas photos in an attempt to de-stress from the heat and Independence Day busy activities. Tablescapes are timeless when captured in photographs, so share some of your festive holiday table decor for our Christmas in July Tablescape Party.

I had a death in the family early this morning and did not get to work on my table. But, tonight, I decided to pull something together since I had this all ready to post with Mr. Linky.

This week I am displaying my new Farberware Christmas Treats dishes. I bought these on a 75% clearance at Big Lots in early December. The had been $20 for a placesetting for 4. There were two sets left so I got the service for eight for $10! I liked them because they are not the traditional bright red.

Table view from above

The plates are more of an off white color and feature a border of holiday ornaments on the outside rim area. The ornament colors are primarily burgandy and dark green. The set came with the dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls and coffee cups.

I had planned to use a floral centerpiece, but I didn't feel like having to uncrate it from my storage. So, I used this little wooden Santa sleigh that is also in the same colors of the dishes.

Sleigh centerpiece

I bought the sleigh last week at an estate sale for $3. I tried several items in the sleigh, but nothing looked right, so I decided to leave it empty. Maybe it is at the end of Santa's deliveries, or before the elves load it on Christmas Eve.

Another view

My tablecloth and matching napkins were also an after Christmas clearance item. It is the same rich burgandy color. The stainless flatware is a set that we found in the top of my late MIL's cabinet in a wooden storage box. It is very vintage looking. I can't make out the name on the back, since it is in a scrolly typeface. The clear glassware belong to a set that I have had for years.

This view of the wooden sleigh centerpiece also shows my Christmas tree in an urn. This little tree has been up all year in the corner of my eat in kichen area.

I hope you enjoyed my first attempt at a CIJ Tablescape for week one of the party.
It will be a nice change of pace for breakfast in the morning.

If you are unable to participate in the CIJ Tablescape Party by Saturday, go ahead and link your photos in sometime during the long weekend, so we can enjoy a few minutes of Christmas cheer in July.

Remember the next three parties will continue on July 11, July 18, and the final event will be held on July 25. Each photo participant will have their name added twice in the giveaway drawing for a new holiday tablecloth and once each for adding the meme and a shout out about CIJ Tablescape Party. A random drawing will be held for this on Sunday, July 26 as Christmas in July enters its final week for 2009. If you would like to be included in the giveaway and don't have a CIJ tablescape to show, leave me a comment for one entry and/or place the meme on your blog about this event or give the event a shout out on your blog for one entry each. Be sure to let me know if you add the meme or shout out. The shoutout and comments and new tablescape photos can all be done each week for more chances to win.

I just wanted to get Mr. Linky up and running in case there are other tables tomorrow. Hopefully, a few will have time to post for this week.

If you are participating in the CIJ Tablescape Party, you will be using Mr. Linky to allow your wonderful table to be viewed from your site by all visitors to this blog party. Mr. Linky is easy to use.

Please publish your CIJ Tablescape Party photos and information post to your blog and then stop by this blog post and put your name and the permalink to your tablescape post into the Mr. Linky's sign up box.

In case you aren't sure what a permalink is, read on for information. It is a direct link to your post, as opposed to your general blog address. If someone visits Playing Dishes days or weeks after the blog party and clicks on your link, they will be taken directly to your tablescape post instead of having to search through your most recent posts to find it. It is really a very neat tool!

There are two ways to get your permalink. One way is to click on the title of your current CIJ Tablescape Party post, then right click on the URL address showing in the address field at the top. Then paste this link into Mr. Linky which will be available below. Click on "Enter" and you are all done! You will see your permalink posted.

Or, another way to add your permalink for Mr. Linky is to right click on the title of your current CIJ Tablescape Party post, select "copy shortcut" and then paste this link into the URL box on the Mr. Linky sign-up.

Clear as mud? It really is simple. Remember you are adding your URL to your post of this week's entry in the CIJ Tablescape Party.

Be sure to also copy and add the meme photo from the top of this post to the top of your post. That will allow viewers to know that you are participating in this week's Christmas in July Tablescape Party.

Mr. Linky is below!

Christmas in July Tablescape Party

2009-07-03T02:27:00.022-05:00

It's Christmas in July and only fitting that Playing Dishes hosts a holiday table setting event. I know that all my Christmas friends at Our Home for the Holidays, Magical Holiday Home and the Garden Web holiday forum will be excited about the opportunity to play dishes with their holiday things.

If your holiday dishes are all packed up and you can't get to them, don't despair, just think of alternate ways to enjoy some holiday table cheer during the heat of the summer for most of us. You can be creative and use holiday colors with white, red, or black dishes, or even make a new Christmas centerpiece. Hobby Lobby and other stores are beginning to stock their Christmas things and have quite a bit out for CIJ shoppers. You could even concentrate on holiday type foods and let them be your focal point. What about homemade ice cream to replace snow ice cream for dessert?

Most of you probably even have some photos that you could share if you don't want to make new tables. However, this will be a great time to try out some new ideas before the holiday rush. Stay indoors out of the blistering heat and decorate tables and think of Christmas.

Photos of your table or tables should be posted each Saturday during July by midnight. The dates will be July 4, July 11, July 18 and the final one on Rudy Day on July 25.

In honor of the spirit of giving during the holidays, a giveaway will be held on the final Saturday, July 25. Your name will be added twice to the drawing for each Christmas or winter themed weekly table that you link to my blog and this party. Remember the next three parties will continue on July 11, July 18, and the final event will be held on July 25.

Enter a table in the party with photos and get two chances entered in the giveaway drawing.

Add the meme button shown at the top of this post to your blog and get your name added once to the drawing.

Giving a shout out about CIJ Tablescape Party will add your name one time to the drawing. (You can repeat the shout out weekly and get an additonal entry each week. Just leave me a comment if you do this, so I will get the correct number of entries added.

A random drawing will be held for this beautiful Christmas tablecloth on Sunday, July 26 as Christmas in July enters its final week for 2009.

Of course you can enter the drawing for the tablecloth without participating with a table of your own. As a guest and visitor, just leave me a comment about the party. Come back and comment each week for another chance added. You can also choose to add the meme button or give a shoutout with having a table. Pass the word so that we can have a great party.

Please add the above meme to your blog to announce this event. Leave me a comment that you have added this to your sidebar or given this party a shout out for an additional entry in the drawing.

I love a good party! Happy Christmas in July.

Double Blogparty Thursday & Friday

2009-07-02T17:00:00.017-05:00

It is almost Independence Day and it looks like many of us are breaking out the red, white and blue to honor our wonderful nation. Susan at Between Naps on the Porch hosts this weekly party to display our tables. Be sure click on the link to see her gorgeous photos this week and links to all the other participants at Tablescape Thursday. I will have another outdoor table on my Saturday post since I am having another cookout.

I am double posting this at Gollum's Foodie Friday. Be sure to visit this site for more wonderful food from all the participants.

This is my inside table for the week.

It is an informal table using plastic white plates with stars on the rim found at Walmart. They were placed on red Christmas chargers. The tablecloth is just a simple dark blue and the napkins are bright red from Christmas clearances. The stemware are red glass and came from Kirklands. The flatware is a relatively new find from Big Lots--also a clearance item. The clear candle holders sport a wire attached to the top decorated with red and blue stars. The star shaped red and blue bowls in the center of the plates came from Dollar General as did the candleholders.

I used the star shaped bowls to hold the baked beans and the small blue dessert plates to serve cheese cake. The rest of our meal consisted of barbecued chicken breasts and thighs, homemade potato salad, baked beans, and yeast rolls.

This barbecue was held last night and we ate indoors because of the heat. However, as the sun went down the temperature fell and it was very nice outside. So we all moved out to the screened porch to visit and have drinks.

I forgot to take photos of the food last night. Since it was so hot and we decided to eat indoors, I set the food up on the breakfast bar buffet style. Four ate at the table and the other six of us ate off of t.v. trays in the living area, which is open to the dining area. It was just family and made for an enjoyable evening.

Since four didn't show up at the last minute, we had plenty of leftovers for tonight.

Cheese cake for dessert.

I'm hosting a Christmas in July Tablescape Party every week during July. Click on the meme in my sidebar for information. A holiday tablecloth will be given away on July 25. So pull out some Christmas dishes or decor and practice on some holiday foods so you can join in. Photos from previous holiday seasons are also welcome.

Thrifty Bar Find

2009-07-02T16:28:00.005-05:00

Woohoo! I almost forgot to stop by and list my wonderful thrifty find for the week. Leigh left me a comment on my holiday blog Christmas Memories in My Heart and I realized that I forgot to post this one on one of the thrifty sites earlier in the week. I love Leigh's Bloggeritaville site, but sometimes split my thrifty finds with other sites. I was so excited about the bar, but have had many life matters in the way this week and almost forgot to share this one.

We screened our back covered porch in recently. I had rattan furniture of my daughter's to use. (she's living at home at the moment and we decided to use this instead of just storing it.). I bought a new table and four chairs from JC Penney's back in May and wanted the bar and stools that matched it, but just haven't want to invest that much in it. I was hoping to pick one up when they clearance them.

Since I love to look at Craigslist, I had been searching for patio bars for several weeks. Last Saturday night, I found this bar that had 3 stools. It looked exactly like my table and chairs. It was located a little over an hour from me, but I called and talked to the owner and drove to see it. I couldn't believe it, but it is almost identical.

As you can see it does have some rust spots that I haven't worked on yet, but I got the bar and three stools for $50! I was so excited.

The air conditioner is broken in DH's truck, so I asked the owner if he thought it would fit in the trunk of my car. He said that it folded up and should fit since I drive a midsized car. DD and I went after it--enjoying the air in the vehicle since it was 103! We got there and removed the two shelves and glass top and it folded up to a nice side. However, it was too wide to fit between the wheels in my trunk. So much for a great bargain. I thought I was going to have to drive back and get the truck and then wilt in the heat.

The owner worked diligently in the heat to figure out how to get it all loaded. We ended up with one bar stool in the trunk with the folded shelves, top and bar on top of it. He used a wide strap bungee to tie the trunk door down. Actually it had to remain almost all the way open. The back seats were laid down and the other two bar stools fit there. So, we drove all the way home with the air on high and the entire back end of the car open to the heat. I wish I would have taken a photo of that site. DD called her dad and told him that we looked like the Clampett's driving down the highway.

Please excuse the stacked shelf. I haven't had time to get the shelves set up yet.

Thanks Leigh for giving us such a great place to share our thrifty buys.

Dogs on Thursday Therapy Today

2009-07-02T15:43:00.006-05:00

I wish I would have found this wonderful event earlier. But, today, it is therapy for me. I lost my wonderful Blackjack earlier this week. It was the hardest thing I have ever done to have him put to sleep, but I know that he is at peace now. Scroll down for a post about that day. However, today, I want to share a few favorite photos of him with you.

Be sure to stop by Dogs on Thursday and visit Natalie and links to all the other dog lovers.

Here is Blackjack on vacation near Galveston several years ago. He loved the ocean and would strut down the beach right in the edge of the water. Once, we walked so far that DH came after us in the truck. We go to a place where the beach is relatively secluded, so we have the luxury of not having to keep the dogs on a leash all of the time. He loved it.

His favorite activity was playing with a blue crab. He would bark and bark at it when we beached one. He never hurt it, but would run at it and it would swat at him. Once he got too close and got his nose nipped. After that he stayed at a healthy distance.

On his first trip to the beach, we were with my sister and brother-in-law in their RV. In the RV park, he had to be leashed and he was not too happy about that. However, we went down the beach to swim and he had free reign. In the evening and early morning, we also took the leash off as we sat outside the RV. One morning he was sniffing around the tires of the RV and we heard the men laughing and him barking. He had found a frog and tried to eat it. Well, if you know anything about frogs, they don't take to this very well and well, pee, or emit this horrible liquid. Blackjack looked like he was foaming at the mouth. That also curbed his curious nature and he gained a healthy respect for other creatures.

The next two times that he went to the beach we had his brother, Duke, the Mini Pin with us. They are so compatible, but Duke is not as much of a beach bum as Blackjack. Their photo is in my sidebar.

There is a picture of Blackjack on his Tot Spot chair in the post below. He loved to climb up on it and rest. You can see where he collected a lot of the sand each day. He also loved his late evening bath/shower and heading into the cool house for the evening. He whould eat and crash until time to get up and enjoy coffee on the deck overlooking the beach. Then he was ready to go again.

My final photo of Jack that I want to share today was the last morning that we had him. He had a nice bowl of sugar free Jello, a bath and told us goodbye. I held him all the way to the vet and the three of us were with him until the end. We pick up his remains tomorrow and will scatter them where him son is buried. Blackjack was Mickey's pride and joy and they are together again.

Since this is my dishes blog, let me share a story about that night. When we came home without Blackjack, Duke was quite distressed. When Duke got ready to eat, he rounded the corner behind the loveseat and stopped in his tracks. Blackjack's bowl was gone and he stopped and just looked at the spot as if he knew. Duke has been very subdued the past few days. Last night we had 10 people over for a cookout and he finally perked up some, but these days are going to be hard on him, too, for a while.

Sad, sad day at the Printersdevil home

2009-07-01T03:41:00.004-05:00

I am so awake and can't sleep. We had to have our beloved Blackjack put to sleep today. I am truly heartbroken. He was our special Grand-dog that belonged to my late son, Mickey.

Jack was diagnosed with a prostrate tumor in January 2008. The vet more or less told us at that time that he was living on borrowed time. However, we couldn't give him up. He took a round of antibiotics and got better. We knew that the tumor was there as we could see it as it grew in size. However, he remained very active and was not in pain. We knew from that day on that we needed to be prepared for his loss, but that dog was the light of the house. He had such a personality and everyone fell in love with him.

When Mickey got him, I was against it because I didn't want another dog. He called as he was pulling up to the house to tell me that he and Blackjack were home. They came in and Blackjack began to take over our lives. He was the most amazing thing.

He loved ice cream and wanted some every night. He never got much, but he would run to the kitchen and bark if he didn't get any. Some nights he would run around and around the kitchen, entryway and living area and stop near the fridge and do his short staccato Woof, Woof. On his final night, Mr. PD had gone to bed and he did his Woof Woof. I ignored him and he did it several more times. I got him settled down and convinced him that he was not getting ice cream and about that time Mr. PD came in and gave him some milk. Boy, that dog was spoiled. But, that was what made him special. After all, grandkids and grand dogs are meant to be spoiled.

We have known for the past week that his time was getting near and finally yesterday we knew that we had to make this decision. DD is leaving Sunday to go on a cruise and we couldn't wait to tell him goodbye while she was gone.

The three of us went together. First he had a nice warm bath and he rode the 20 miles to our vet in my arms. His eyes were so sad, but he knew that it was his time. The three of us held him until the end when he went over the Rainbow Bridge. I know that Mick was waiting for him with open arms.

We will pick up his remains on Thursday and take him to Mick's gravesite to be with him forever.

Mr. Nosy Blackjack sticking his nose in the Pampered Pet Swap that he and Duke received from my friend gustyd.

Blackjack in his Tot Spot lounge chair at the beach. He loved the beach almost as much as Mickey did.

I miss and love you Blackjack and Mickey. Our Mickey has been gone six years on Monday. They are together again.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-01T03:35:00.004-05:00

Visit Dixie's blog for more Wordless Wednesday red, white and blue posts.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

2009-06-30T11:56:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow starts Christmas in July and I am so excited. I am a Christmas nut, even more than I am a dishes nut. I celebrate Christmas year round and belong to numerous holiday sites where we observer Rudy Day every month on the 25th, shop and prepare all year long and are some of the closest cyberfriends on the web.

I have a linked photo of my front yard Christmas decor on my sidebar. Please come over and visit me and check out the other Christmas sites. I will be having a giveaway over there that will be announced tomorrow.

There will also be a CIJ dish related giveaway here, too. So, be watching for info.

Nothing to be blue about!

2009-06-29T00:55:00.006-05:00

Visit Smiling Sally to see her weekly blue photos and links to all the other blue items and bloggers this week.

Some red, white and blue from Flag Day in honor of the greatest nation in the world. Happy 4th of July week!

Me with at a teaparty I had with my niece Audree last week. I took and posted photos of Audree in my Porch and Patio post recently and she told me that I had to post one of me in one of my hats since she was featured on the blog in a hat. So, here I am all dressed in blue.

Drum roll, please! More giveaways...

2009-06-28T22:57:00.004-05:00

Wow, I have been doing a lot of blog hopping and reading and have found two more fantastic giveaways. Actually, I have been trying to come up with a party to host and was thinking about doing something for CIJ since I am a Christmas nut. I prepare for Christmas all year, celebrating every 25th of the month as Rudy Day. I will post more later about this and all my dear friends on several boards.

Tonight, I found Traci's blog Beneath My Heart. She has a great blog and it is worth stopping by for some wonderful ideas. She is hosting a Christmas in July giveaway all month long. She is giving away an adorable personalized gingerbread decoration that she makes. One will be given away each Wednesday during July. So click above to find out how to enter!

While I was visiting Traci's blog, I found a comment from Jammi who is also having a giveaway. I have to say that this one really intrigues me. It is a movie about ME! Well, actually, it is a movie called, Confessions of a Shopaholic, but it sounds like my disease. LOL! She is also giving away a red, white and blue bracelet from Cracker Barrel. So, jump over to They Call Me Jammi to sign up. And, don't just enter and leave. Take time to read both blogs. There is some good stuff on both.

Now, I'm back to deciding what to do for all of you for CIJ and my birthday which falls toward the end of July. Hmmm......

It's a blogiversary for April

2009-06-27T23:54:00.002-05:00

My new friend April at dot...dot...dot... has had a great first year in blogland and is holding a giveaway. In fact, she is has numerous giveaways. The more you read the better they become. Check out the link for some wonderful items. However, along the way, you will find some wonderful links to other great sites and some new blog friends.
Happy blogiversary, April.

Adorable teapot giveaway--check it out

2009-06-27T23:21:00.003-05:00

I was blog hopping and ran into a fun sounding giveaway by Chefmom09.

Be sure to click on the link to see the photos of the adorable cake plate, teapot, expresso cups, coffee cups, plates, scone knife, and creamer. She is relatively new to blogging and is offering these goodies to get people involved in her blog. Drop by and leave her a comment and put a note about her blog on yours to be in the drawing. Be sure to let her know that you heard about it from me.

Happy blogging and good luck!

Pink Saturday

2009-06-26T21:54:00.009-05:00

Love pink???

Thanks to Beverly we have a lovely weekly party celebrating all things pink on Saturdays in blogland. Be sure to visit her site for a Pink Saturday for a treat and links to all the other pink delights of the week.
This photo was taken by DD at the Dallas Arboretum last year when she and her best friend and fiance were there to take their engagement photos. It was a beautiful place for the photos and she got some wonderful shots.

Tablescape Thursday

2009-06-25T00:28:00.014-05:00

It is time again for Tablescape Thursday. (I hope!) I posted a table last week, only to realize that there wasn't a TT being held. So, I changed the title and left the post. Be sure to check the links out to Susan's blog at Between Naps on the Porch for her wonderful tablescape this week and links to all those participating in Tablescape Thursday. I had planned a family cookout for Father's Day, but after the unexpected death of a favorite uncle, I decided to wait on that party. However, I actually have two tables since we observed Father's Day and Kathleen hosted her wonderful all White Tablsetting event on Tuesday. You can scroll down my blog to see the White Tablesetting photos and links to all the others. (

I wanted something more manly for DH for Father's Day and since he is an avid golfer, I decided to go with the golf theme. Add to that the fact that he was glued to the tv to watch the US Open all afternoon.

Since it was Father's Day and I was catering to Mr. PD and his urge for BEEF, I planned to link to Foodie Friday and realized it is not this week. For some reason I thought this was a weekly event. I am also linking this to Gollum's Foodie Friday. So be sure to check out all the weekly food photos and recipes on the participants.

I just realized that these pictures aren't the final ones of the table. I took these and then realized that I needed to add some golf tees and balls scattered around.

But, you get the idea.

Close-ups of centerpiece decor (found in a thrift store)

DHs very manly steak dinner:

Ribeye steak, mushrooms, loaded baked potato, fresh tomatoes, fresh squash, and a couple of his freshly picked jalapeno peppers. Add to that ice tea and he was all set to enjoy his meal...

...eaten off of an orange plastic tray in front of the tv! Afterall, it was his day. He does enjoy the tables, even though he often complains that the plates are too small!

The photos look a little washed out in color on the tablecloth. It is a light tan. The centerpieces are on top of a black and tan placemat that hopefully added a manly look. The two golf items used for the centerpiece featured a lot of dark green and tan. So, I used my newly found green flatware from GW. I couldn't believe that the entire set was there (16 pieces) and they were just dropped in the containers to be sold piece by piece for 25 cents each.

The napkins match the black and tan checked placemat, but were bought at a different time and thrifting excursion. The green candle holders were from Dollar General after Christmas clearance and the glassware was another GW find.

I got a set of 4 each of the tall glass (too small for tea in my opinion), the small sherbet or dessert glasses, and another cocktail looking glass.

The plates, are black hexagon shaped ones from another find. The table cloth is one that I have had for along time.

The squash came from a friend's garden and the steaks were on sale this week at Kroger.

For some more wonderful views of tablescapes this week scroll down a few posts to see my Let there Be White tablescape at Kathleen's event. You can also click there to see another of Kathleen's wonder tables and links to all the others.

THRIFTY THURSDAY

2009-06-24T17:05:00.022-05:00

It's time for Thrifty Thursday over at my friend Leigh's place. She holds this event for us to show off something old, something new, or something blue. Well, scratch the blue, it can be any color, as long as it was a thrifty find. Maybe you even found something for free---just be sure to snap a few photos and share with us. Click on the link above and see what Leigh has to over this week and for a list of all the participants this week. We all love thrifty finds and especially love to hear comments about them. Have fun!

This last week I was on the hunt for a teapot so I could join another blog event. In the end, I bought four, but the wonder of this excursion was where I found the first one and also the other bargains picked up there. We have three Goodwill stores and one Goodwill As Is store in the little area of our two twin towns. I visit the GWs often, but have to admit that I am not a fan of the As Is store.

For one thing, it is just a mess of...well junk. The theory is that when it doesn't meet the criteria for the regular stores, it lands in the As Is store. It also is one large metal un-airconditioned building. I usually am at the Goodwill store that is next door after 5 p.m. or on Sunday's when As Is is closed.

But, over the weekend, I found myself there in late afternoon, and thought I might as well check things out.

I decided to make a quick run-through. Did I mention that it was un-airconditioned? I grabbed a basket and started down the aisles. This was not a simple task since the aisles were littered with pieces parts of items and a lot of what I would have thrown away. Well, in fact, most of it I would have thrown away. I found this little flower for $2

I started to leave, but, I was committed and forged on. I found a CD novel that I picked up for my sister's road trip to Nebraska. It turned out to not be the one that was shown on the cover, but it was only $1.

As I was quickly about to melt, I walked toward a large shop fan at the rear, just so I could continue breathing and found a table full of lamps and chandeliers. I have been looking for a light to go over my table and just haven't found anything I really wanted. I found this one on the floor under a large table. I have oil rubbed bronze on my sink and my other two ceiling lights are a bronze looking color.

Hmmm, I really like this one. It's not like I haven't seen one before at Lowes and HD, but this one was sort of lonely and neglected. I picked it up and it looked fine---no cracks or missing globes. The best part was it was $5. So, I added it to the cart. I had a ceiling fan over the table and have really been wanting to change it out to a light. This is a real bargain and fits my more rustic Southwest decor style.

I have been in bed sick for the past several days and was pleasantly surprised to see DH put the light up today. I was so excited until I realized that he didn't wash the light or the globes. Now, I get to reach up to do that. It will have to wait until I feel better. I also only had one light bulb, but just had to post this today. I think it looks pretty good for the price.

This sweating with the oldies might not be too bad.

I kept moving around and headed toward another large fan on the other end of the building. Then I rounded a corner and found this.

As I reached for it, I just knew that I was going to find the entire backside busted, but it was fine. I have no idea why they would have placed this cute little teapot in such a dismal place. And the best part was the $3 price. It was perfect and had found a new home.

I also picked up a 6 foot ficus tree that was dusty and needs a new basket or planter, but is otherwise fine. It was $5.

I offered to buy their large shop fans, but they weren't for sale. I'll probably go back to shop again, but since we have hit triple digits this week, it probably won't be for a LONG time.

White Tablesetting Party

2009-06-22T22:24:00.005-05:00

Kathleen is having a party today at Cuisine Kathleen! The invitations requested that all guests decorate a table in all white. What a wonderful challenge this has been. I can't wait to see all the results. I am apprehensive about my table---in fact, I feel like I am about to enter a ball or a prom and am not sure about my gown!

Well, I don't want to be a wallflower, so here goes. I hope you enjoy looking at my table. Don't forget to click on the link above to see what will surely be an exquisite tablescape from our hostess, Kathleen, and many more from all the talented friends here. Be sure to leave us some comments, so we will know who all attended.

When Kathleen first mentioned this event, I wasn't sure if I would participate. I just couldn't "see" something in all white enticing me except for a wedding or shower. Then I started seeing all kinds of things that I thought would be great.

I found a new white tablecloth that I bought after Christmas on clearance and decided that I would attempt this table. I pondered about a centerpiece and finally found this floral arrangement that I really liked.

A close-up view:

I was a little worried about flatware and decided to use one of my two stainless sets. Then I walked into Ross one day and found this Cambridge set and knew that I had to have it. It is so pretty. The box calls it casual, but I think it works nicely on a dressed up table, too.

The handles seemed to wash out with the flash, but they are very pretty with a nice silver looking design. The handles are clear.

Next, I had a dilimna over napkins and napkin rings. I had a new white tablecloth, but couldn't find white napkins except ones that looked plain. I found these at Big Lots when I wasn't even looking for them. Then after going through my napkin rings, I decided on these white ceramic ones with flowers on top. (white on white of course)

I didn't have a full set of white dishes, but planned to use what I had until I found this Gibson set in the Salvation Army Thrift Store. It is so unusual with the over sized, pretty cups. I think they are great for even desserts. The store was about to close when I found them and I grabbed them up. They came from an estate sale and didn't appear to have been used.

That brings us to stemware. Although I had several to choose from, I ran across these again at the SA as they were being unboxed from an estate sale. They were pulling off stickers where they were priced at $5 each. I paid $15 for nine of them. They are very pretty.

I really didn't set out to buy almost everything for this table, it is just when I started thinking white, I realized all the potential for this tablescape and decided that I wanted to be prepared with some items that I didn't have. As luck, or thrifty shopping would have it, I found most items at a great price and pulled together something that I ordinarily wouldn't do. I am very pleased with the result.

I think the white on white is so clean and refreshing. I can see it being used in many settings and look forward to using this table at a dinner party soon.

The candle holders were some that I already had and I just added some tall white tapers.

Thanks for stopping by and seeing me work outside my usual comfort zone. I really love the end result and can't wait to see all the other fantastic white tablescapes. Be sure to stop by Kathleen's blog to see hers and links to all the others.

Thank you Kathleen for inspiring me.

2nd Time Around Tuesday

2009-06-22T20:36:00.003-05:00

Diane is hosting 2nd Time Around Tuesday again for us to show off our treasures from yard or garage sales or even something picked up in a thrift store. Anything that is being used for a second time around qualifies for this party. Be sure to click on the link above to see Diane's items and links to other thrifty divas.

I found this ladder at a garage sale recently and decided I had a perfect corner for this. I have thought about buying one in the past, but didn't want to pay a lot for something like this. The price was right for $5.

Teatime Tuesday on the Front Porch

2009-06-22T17:14:00.014-05:00

It is once again time to enjoy Barb at Grits and Glamour for her Teatime Tuesday party. Barb is on vacation, but being the gracious hostess that she is, she is still holding this event. In fact, you have a wonderful tour of her party this week as she holds a virtual tea party with decadent looking desserts and beautiful china. This is surely on of the best parties that I have attended.

So, let's move on and take time to

I love tea and have always admired teapots, but have never had one. I used a teakettle to make hot tea. After joining blogland lately, I decided that I HAD to have a teapot or two. I am not into frilly or froo froo things. Don't get me wrong, I love these things, but they are just not me. I love dishes and glassware, but I am more of a homestyle girl. So, while looking for teapots, I kept this in mind.

I set out over the weekend looking for something to use so that I could participate in this event today. I first found a cute little off-white teapot that I practically stole. It was just calling, "Take me home" and I did. But, I haven't had inspiration yet in how to use it or which dishes to pair up with it. So, the hunt continued. I actually bought 4. None of them are fancy or expensive, but they each spoke to me.

I decided to go with the more whimsical one for my first ever blog teatime.

I also found that cute little sign above while I was shopping and just had to have it, too.

I just somehow liked the look of this little teapot. It is nothing special, but something that I instantly liked. Maybe, it is the color.

Here is a close-up of it.

I hope you enjoyed by little teatime today. The tea was great,

but I really have to get busy and do some baking before the next event. I attended the funeral of a favorite uncle yesterday, so this little time for me was very welcome today.

Please be sure to go to Barb's site to view her virtual teatime and access the links to all the other parties.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Yawl, come back and visit us.

Yellow that is not so Mellow

2009-06-22T00:38:00.005-05:00

Another fun blog with a color theme! I just found another fun Monday event while visiting Blue Monday participants. Hipchickshome had a great double post today that included Blue Monday and Mellow Yellow Monday. What a great combination of colors. In fact, I have a perfect idea for a future Monday involving dishes and a tablescape. (Does that surprise you?)

When I noticed the meme on Hipchick's blog, I knew that I had to take a break from viewing the Blue Monday links to post something in yellow. I just changed this tablescape out yesterday, so I immediately thought of all the yellow in this one.

Although the bright orange in the tablecloth is quite vivid, I just LOVE the yellow placemats and other touches of yellow.

Thank you for hosting this event.

Blue Monday and Teapots

2009-06-21T23:44:00.008-05:00

Smiling Sally loves the color blue. so, each week she has this wonderful blog event where everyone can post a photo of something blue. Blue is a close second in my love of colors and I am excited to join her party today for the first time. Be sure to click on the link above to see Sally's submission for this week and for links to all the others who participate.

I have a new fascination for teapots. Now, it is important to note that as of last week that I didn't even own a teapot, but I decided that I wanted to change that. So, I went out thrifting with the goal of finding a teapot that I really liked and at a bargain price. I visited numerous places and found many that were wonderful, but had chips, broken spouts or some blemish that I wasn't willing to accept. So, I drifted into several downtown antique stores. There I didn't have much luck.

There is one store that is going out of business after many years in operation in our little town. I spent a long time browsing all the wonderful items that are discounted from 30-50%, but alas, no teapots. However, they did have numerous silver tea service sets, and although I have always admired the beauty of these, that isn't what I want at the moment. I almost buckled and bought one that was very pretty without a lot of the intricate detail that I don't like. But, I decided to stick with my quest for a teapot.

I found several that would have been nice to own, but they just were too "froo froo" for me. So, I continued to look.

I did find one that was rather unusual and it is blue, but I will be showing it off on Tuesday at Barb's Tea Party at Grits and Glamour. So, I decided that I would look for something else to show off today on Blue Monday. Then, I remembered the photos that I had taken while I was out shopping!

I had found a cute blue teapot early in my shopping excursion that I almost bought. It is something that I liked, but I ran across it early and sort of filed it away and forgot about it until I went through my photos. So, I decided to show it to you today. In fact, I just may go back and buy this one for myself.

Here is the little teapot, short and stout
When I didn't buy it, it surely did pout.

Thanks Sally for hosting this event. I can't wait to see all the Blue Monday items this week.

Pink Saturday

2009-06-20T00:17:00.005-05:00

Hello, fellow pink lovers! This is my first time to participate in Beverly's Pink Saturday. If you aren't familiar with this event, check it out, or better yet, join the fun and post some photos showing anything pink. Some say that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I truly believe that honor belongs to all things pink. Pink is such a happy color. I find it hard to be down or our of sorts when I think pink!

Here is a photo of a table that I did around Valentine's Day. I use a lot of red and white and red and black and just plain red for Valentine's, but enough is enough of the Cupid and heart color. I mean, red is so often associated with rage or being mad. Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and all things romantic. Since my anniversary is in early February right around V Day, I decided to go for something much more delicate and eye-pleasing for one of my tables.

It was cold and definitely soup weather during that time, so I pulled out a soup tureen and my new (TS find) dishes featuring very pretty pink roses and pulled this table together. The soup tureen and the pale pink tablecloth and the gingham cloth napkins were also TS finds. Gee, after 36 years of marriage, one has learned to be thrifty and to finally enjoy the hunt for wonderful gently used items. In my early years of marriage, I would have cringed at the thought of this---even though money was very tight during the early years as I was finishing school. Now, I thrift store browse and shop because I WANT to. I enjoy the hunt almost as much as the booty.
Even the pink candle holders shown were a thrifty purchase. I picked up several sets of these in the bright pink and also in green from Dollar General at 75% off. They were practically free! Also, the dessert plates (you can see over on the back right hand side of the photos) were found at T.J. Maxx on clearance for $2 for all four!

Although they are much brighter than all the pastels, I think the table needed a little punch..

I hope you enjoyed looking at my pink table. I have many, many more pink things to share and I will be back next week. Thank you, Beverly, for hosting such a fun event. Be sure to click on Beverly's site to see her items and also all the links of other pink enthusiasts.

Grilled Pork Loin and Memories of Home Ec

2009-06-18T23:30:00.005-05:00

Ooops, I thought Foodie Friday was weekly, but evidently it is not this week. So, I removed the icon for it so you wouldn't all be searching for the other entries this week. I guess I just have to come back next time with a food entry that is intended for this wonderful party.

In the meantime, please take a look at my Thursday night impromptu meal.

Tonight on the Printersdevil's menu is grilled pork loin. Mr. PD received an early gas grill for Father's Day. We gave him the grill early so that he could practice before we host a family cookout on Father's Day. He has been getting plenty of practice this week and we have all told him that he needs to keep practicing every night.

I bought a boneless pork loin earlier in the week and planned to cook it in an electric slow roasting pan. However, I had to take my niece to the doctor today and was gone all afternoon. On my way home, I called and Mr. PD told me that he had just put the pork on the grill. Hmmm...taste buds did an about face turn. No brown gravy and mashed potatoes with this one.

My first thought was that we would be eating very late since it was already late afternoon. I had about a 90 minute drive home, but when I got home, I was greeted by a marvelous aroma coming from the backyard. Next, I was informed that I needed to pull something else together to go with the pork loin because it was almost done. So much for planning.

I had some fresh yellow squash that Mr. PD wanted me to fry. He likes it sliced thin and fried crispy. I sorted through the freezer and located some frozen okra and decided to steam it. It isn't hot enough for okra to be fresh here yet. After dumping the okra into the steamer pan, I realized that most of it was really too big to cook this way, but I was committed and I didn't want to have another fried food. So, I decided to just wing it.

I know that this probably gave the food pyramid thingy fits, but a girl has to do what she has to do. I was satisfied that this would do, when my niece came through the kitchen and told me that she only liked fried okra and didn't like squash.I couldn't feed her only the pork loin. It does look good enough to eat without anything else, but she is only 11 and needs other things.

So, I went digging around the fridge and pulled out a container of parmason pasta salad that we had on Sunday. Miss Audree gave that a thumbs up. I also found a small bowl of some broccoli and rice from earlier in the week. Now, I know this combination is way wrong on the pyramid and old---I mean dear Miss Nesmith is probably remarking, "I knew that girl would never amount to anything in the kitchen. She was my ninth grade home economics teacher and almost flunked me during the first cooking lab.

We cooked cinnamon toast of all things. Pleeeeeeeeease, I had been doing that for years. I don't remember what else we were to prepare, but it had to be planned out and we had to measure everything, even the cinnamon and sugar for each piece of bread. I can still smell the burned bread odor that filled the lab. We had to do everything by the book including setting a timer for the appropriate amount of time to cook. The only thing was----our stove's timer was broken. I wanted to remove the toast at a decent time, but my partner and best friend was one of those "by the book" people, too. So, we waited on the timer, at least until the smoke started filling the room. I probably sat there with my legs crossed at the knees instead of the correct ankle position, much to her disgust. I guess she would have said "chagrin" instead of "disgust".

Poor Miss Nesmith was beside herself with us---me. To her horror, I had to point out that we were just doing what she told us to do. She lived through that and so did I.

I even enjoyed detention hall.

So, you see, it really doesn't bother me to throw things together. I really know how to plan a balanced menu and do so often, but on occasion, it is fun to just be me and be spontaneous especially in the kitchen.

Here is a look at Mr. PD's plate since he decided to eat the squash, okra and the rice with his pork. He evidently didn't have Miss Nesmith for a teacher.

One last thing, we ate off of plastic trays in front of the television. Sometimes you just have to go for comfort in the summer.

For dessert, I went back to the freezer and scavenged up an assortment of ice cream. Everyone had their Blue Bell choice including vanilla, butter pecan, vanilla with chocolate syrup, and strawberry. Everyone was semi-happy, except Miss Audree who would have rather had Rocky Road. I draw the line there! (Read that as I don't like it, so I don't buy it!)

Pork loin, broccoli and rice, squash, okra, pasta salad, iced tea and ice cream. Priceless.

I haven't smoked up the kitchen in years, Miss Nesmith. But, there was that incident right after I got married when I used added baking powder in a cup measurement instead of the required teaspoon or tablespoon that was needed. That was my dear MIL's fault since she read it that way to me over the phone...

It's a wonder Mr. PD hasn't starved to death or divorced me over my cooking. Maybe that is why he grills so often.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing a Foodie Friday moment with me. Be sure to jump over to Gollum's place at the link at the top to view her wonderful food and photos and then to the links to all the other participant's posts. I bet they followed the food pyramid.

2009-06-17T15:57:00.000-05:00

COSTUME PARTY OF THE YEAR

Oh my, I feel under-dressed!

It is such an honor to get to celebrate Sares' birthday with her today and to participate in the Blog Costume Party.

I searched and searched for what to wear. My first inclination was to wear something with a hat because I love hats and there are so many to choose from...but then what would I do for the rest of my attire????

Then I realized that I wanted to look like the elegant Queen Guinevere from King Arthur's court in Camelot. I have always loved Arthurian legends and fell head over heels in love with the musical, Camelot, when it first came out. Even now, many, many years later, I know all the songs by heart.

Here is a picture of my wonderful Arthur's castle.

I finally settled on this wonderful gown. It is simple, but very elegant and I believe would even be comfortable. A queen has to mingle with all of the guests when she appears at other's parties.

Come on into the castle and look around before we have to leave to attend Sares' event.

I wanted to make sure that you met the whole court, including my wonderful Arthur.

Now, as we travel to Sares' magical party, I offer a birthday toast to her and all the guests. Enjoy your time at the party and be sure to visit all the other party-goers through the link on Sares' site.

I am so blasted mad at Merlin!!!!!! I have been trying to get to this party all day and he seems to be short circuiting again with his spells. I can see, hear and even smell the wonderful cakes that Teresa brought. Sare's table is divine. But, here I am suspended in Camelot blogland. I can't for the life of me find Mr. Linky and can only blame Merlin. Arthur used to talk about all the spells Merlin did when he was younger. I think he has me suspended in time. Drat, it all, I demand to get to go to this party in person. It is not enough to just watch and hear.

MERLIN, where are you and Mr. Linky?

I just had to come back to edit and add that evidently it wasn't Merlin's fault. I should have gone ahead and posted my costume on my site. I didn't have to find Mr. Linky. Sares had all of our names and links already on her site for the party and all we had to do to meet everyone was to click on their names. Arthur is always telling me, "Jenny, keep an open mind about Merlin." I guess he is right, I should have given him the benefit of the doubt. But, I was having daydreams of all the festivities. I could see and here, but didn't realize that they could click on my site as soon as I put it up.

Thank you Sares for the fabulous costume party. Happy birthday! It was an honor to share it with you.

Wordless Wednesday--Tribute to Dads

2009-06-17T14:14:00.000-05:00

Dixe is once again hosting her fabulous Wordless Wednesday. Click on the link and view her wordless tribute this week to Father, Dad, Daddy or Pops in honor of Father's Day. There is no text---only awesome photos.

Thank you Dixie!

3-fer Blog Party--Outdoor Wednesday, Porch & Patio Party and Tablescape Thursday

2009-06-16T23:14:00.000-05:00

This is a very busy week in Blogland for me. I couldn't decide which of these parties to attend, so I decided to do all three. All three parties are marvelous, so I hope you click on the links to see all the festivities and enjoy the fun. Susan is hosting her Outdoor Wednesday. This weekly party always has some wonderful photographs of participants' outdoor areas or of places they have visited and want to share. I love the outdoors and am always in awe of all the beautiful flowers and gardens. I have never been able to keep plants of flowers alive, but this year I have tried something different. Instead of planing things in the ground, I am trying to grow flowers in large pots. Here are some of the flowers as you come up my front walk.

These are all supposed to be full sun plants, but they are already taking a beating in the Texas sun. They are in the shade during the first part of the day. You can see that I am a flower novice, because I can't even remember the names of the flowers!
Here is a photo of a couple more planters on the other side of the walk.

Now for one last photo of more of the elephant ear plants up in the corner of the front courtyard like porch. These are shielded from the direct sun during the heat of the afternoon.

Although I don't have the gorgeous flowers that I see on lots of blogs, I am proud of my attempt this year. At least I have one entry to Susan's Outdoor Wednesday party. Well, that is one entry of my own outdoors. I have lots of photos to share of great outdoor places and scenes that I have visited.

Please don't hurry away, I really do have more to offer today. Just look at my beautiful niece, Miss Audree. Doesn't she look precious? We are planning a tea party and she is practicing her dress-up skills. I found out today that she loves hats.

Miss Audree is here to welcome you to the other parties today including Barb's Porch and Patio Party. I wanted to participate in this event last month, but my newly screened back porch was not ready. We had weeks and weeks of rain in Texas that caused dear hubby to have to stop work on the porch project for awhile. I thought that we were going to have an unplanned screened in swimming pool for awhile. Then, he started having problems with this thumb and hand due to all the drilling in to the concrete and hammering and stress from building. He broke several bones in the hand last fall and the added stress during the building phase caused him to have to back off the work for awhile.

I was so unhappy to not have the porch ready in time for Memorial Day and the start of the summer season. In fact, it still is not complete. You can see in some photos that the bottom area under the screen has not been finished out yet. He concentrated on finishing the outside since that was most vulnerable to the weather. You can still see the wooden posts and the backside of the outside material. But, it is functional and I am using the screened porch and trying to ignore this little glitch. He took the break because it was either the screened porch or his golf game that had to be on hold. He wasn't able to keep up with the stress of both on the hand. Guess what won?????
But, I am rambling...

Now Miss Audree has moved out of the photo so that you can see my bistro table and chairs. My late son and dear daughter bought me this set and the bench across from it, for my birthday right before we lost Mickey. They are special items to me.

Now, just follow Miss Audree through the house to the back and the screened porch. Here is the view from the back door.

This is one of my tables for the week. I actually have another to link to Tablescape Thursday when Susan opens it for this week's party. However, I couldn't resist having a triple party post here, too.

The table looks a little sparse, but I chose not to use a tablecloth today and left plenty of room for the buns, meat and veggie platters. I also had to leave room for a big iced tea pitcher since it is in the 90s today. It also looks like I forgot the flatware, but it is hanging in a little metal rack in the center as part of the centerpiece. I tried out several floral arrangements and nothing looked right, so I settled for the cool looking flatware rack. It is flanked by catsup and mustard containers and a ceramic cheeseburger and hot dog. I found the ceramics recently while browsing thrift stores and didn't realize they were condiment containers. I threw the plastic pumps away and planned to use them just for table decor. You can see these better in photos further down.

Over to the right is the sitting area, so let's grab an ice cold margarita and visit while the burgers are cooking. Miss Audree ordered them all well done, so it will be a while.

Wow, that was fast! Jim says the burgers are ready. It is amazing how much faster it is to cook on his new infa-red gas grill. He had always been a die-hard charcoal man and finally decided that he would try out a gas grill. So, we gave him one for an early Father's Day gift. The steaks and chicken have been great on it. His first burger attempt was a little raw for me, hence Audree's decree of the well done burgers today.

Hmm...looks like they are very well done tonight. Oh, well, a man has to play with his new toys.

You can also see my new colorful flatware in this photo. (I see it is crooked, too!) I found this set at T.J. Maxx for only $10 for a setting of four. I just love that store.

It is time to take your seats at the table. Miss Audree was the first served since she just had a birthday and was unable to be with us on her day.

Thanks, Jim, those were really good burgers. Don't tell him, but they really need to be somewhere between the moo-burgers and the char-burgers. (Don't tell him I said that!)

Let's move back down to the sitting area and relax some more. Duke is really enjoying the cushioned seats! Blackjack likes the screened porch, but not the heat. He stays inside until the sun goes down.

How do you like my yard sale find table? I picked this up a couple of weeks ago and haven't gotten it painted yet. I am almost afraid to attempt spraying it because of all the open areas. It doesn't look bad as is. It has a mirror top. Behind the table is my tree that I found at the Resale Barn for $5! The basket was broken, but a little glue and it was as good as new.

I am so glad that we have a lot of room for everyone to sit and be comfortable. The furniture was bought for DD when she moved out into a downtown loft. She is really into retro things and ORANGE. Can you tell????

She picked out the material and the hippie guy who re-upholstered the cushions convinced her to use the lime green buttons. It looked great in the loft, but has been in the storage shed here since she moved back home. The colors were just not something that could be used in many places. However, I decided to use it for the screened porch. After all, Mom, paid for it!

We are still in the process of decorating here. Plans are for this to be a cantina like porch. Note the cheesy little signs that you can see in some photos. A bar is yet to be bought. There is also a refrigerator outside the door to the house. I am on the lookout for a parrot on a swing to hang above the bar. We also still have to add the cantina colored lights and some other items. Here are a few of the signs and the birdhouse cantina.

However, finally, we are able to enjoy the screened porch. It is so nice to not have to fight mosquitos or flies. My dogs aren't too happy that they have to go out a doggie door now and I wish it was completely finished, but it is a wonderful place and we are enjoying it daily.

This is the material that is being used to make some pillows and a new cushion for the papasan rocker and footstool. The ones that are shown in the photos here will be used during the fall and winter when I am ready for a more subdued color. The cushion on the rocker is not made for it and is not very thick. It was the best that I could find locally---from Target. The new cushions are being made by a cushion company out of Alabama.

I love the bright colors in this. It is called Portland Rainbow and I think will be better for a cantina theme.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I always love to have company. Be sure to check in with Susan at Outdoor Wednesday Barb at the Porch and Patio Party and Susan at Tablescape Thursday.

Almost time for Sares' Costume Party

2009-06-16T07:51:00.001-05:00

I am still working on the my costume and final details for this exciting Blog Costume Party that Sares at Loveleigh Treasures is hosting starting at midnight on Wednesday.

This sounds like so much fun. I hope to see all of my Blogland favorites there. I just hope that no one is dressed like me. That would be sooooooooo embarrassing. Well, actually, it might be flattering, as long as she didn't look better than me! LOL

Don't forget to get your party duds on and meet us at the party. Remember the party is open only for the 24 hours from midnight Wednesday.

Oh dear, now I have to worry about the time. I don't want to be late. However, the time on all of my posts is way off. I need to figure out this clock thingy here, so I won't be left holding someone's glass slipper.

The Great American Town Tour

2009-06-16T07:26:00.000-05:00

I love a good parade and absolutely love getting to see places and hear stories about great towns in our wonderful nation. I was reading my way around Blogland last night when I ran across a fantastic invitation from a fellow Texan at Huckleberry Prairie. She is hosting the Great American Town Tour on July 1. What better time to view some of America's interesting towns and cities than on the eve of our Independence Day!

I took the liberty of copying and pasting the complete rules from Huckleberry Prairie's site below. For a transplanted Texan, she really knows about Texas hospitality. So, yawl check it out and join us as we go on the Great American Town Tour.

Huckleberry's rules for the tour:

July 4th is rapidly approaching and there is no better way to celebrate our country's birthday than with a tour of the towns that we all live in... all across America (and beyond! All countries are more than welcome to participate!)

Here are the rules:

Take pictures of your town (OR where you grew up OR have lived)... and anything that you would like to share about it (historically, significance, a story, a little bragging or some local insight). It can be your Main Street... your water tower... your courthouse, city hall, farm fields, city skyline, favorite restaurants, bakeries or shops (Antique and craft shops, home decor stores, yes please!), rivers, oceans, a sample of housing architecture and styles, tourist attractions, your neighbor's rose garden or the view from your own backyard... the possibilities are endless. It will be a little Blogland vacation with each participant's post! I'm so excited and hope y'all will join in the fun! Please pass the word along to all of your blogging buddies or copy and paste the party button onto your blog... the more people that join in, the merrier our Blogland vacation! ;)

Thrifty Treasures

2009-06-15T23:52:00.000-05:00

Every Monday, Rhoda at Southern Hospitality hosts a Thrifty Treasures party. They are always so much fun and provide a great way to show off all those Thrift Store, yard and garage sale treasures. I hope that you enjoy looking at some of my weekly finds. Be sure to visit Rhoda at her site and also the links to the other party participants.

I have a few things that I found during the past week that I can't wait to show off and use. The first is a cool wicker wine bottle holder. I really like the look of it and it was only 99 cents!

Next is a set of china that I picked up a yard sale for $5. I have more china sets than anyone needs to have, but I just really like the colors of this and I have lots and lots of blue glassware. So, it begged to come home with me. It was 4 each of salad plates, cups and saucers, and bowls. I decided that I could use it without the dinner plates. Then when I got home I looked on ebay and found the plates. They were offered at various prices up to about $15 each and there was one listing for four plates at a Buy it Now or Best Offer. I won the bid for all four for $10.

Another favorite of the week was this wicker flatware holder. I thought it would be great for the screened porch. It was only $1.

All in all this was worth the trip to a little town about 7 miles away. The two wicker items were found at the Resale Barn.

Kick-off To Summer BBQ

2009-06-14T21:39:00.000-05:00

I am kicking off summer with Debbie at Mountain Breaths by joining her backyard grilling party this weekend. The weather has been perfect and the company and food fantastic. I hope you enjoy my photos and recipes. I am sharing some of my favorite backyard party recipes, but have to admit that this weekends event went for the simple and fast. My DD and I spent all day Saturday planting flowers and getting final preparations done so that we could enjoy the rest of the summer. DH spent the day golfing with a friend about an hour away. DD, younger sis and I went to Olive Garden Saturday night for sis's 45th birthday and today, we all spent time together and opted for a simple meal without much prep time.
Let me first show you around. Here is DH’s new Charbroil Infa-red Grill. DD and I bought it for him for Father’s Day and gave it to him early.

Next we have DH putting the chicken and corn on the cob on the grill.

See his cute golf cooking utensils that my big sister gave him. I love the spatula, it looks like an oversized driver.

The chicken is getting done and we are getting ready to enjoy it.

While we wait, let’s drink another Strawberry Margaritta.

This is my tribute to Old Glory for Flag Day with the table set on our screened porch.

Another view

Since it is about time to eat, check out a clos e-up of the placesetting for my Flag Day table.

I used red Christmas chargers, with a clear plastic plate featuring a flag border on top of it, then a white luncheon plate for the meal. Then I added a blue salad plate and topped it with star shaped bowls in red and blue from Dollar General.
Another view:

I think you can see my new flatware in this one. I found this blue set at Big Lots in a neighboring town. It was marked $10 for the four placesettings, but rang up for $6!

Now for a look at the food. Grilled chicken with Curley’s Hot Barbecue Sauce, Parmesan Pasta Salad and grilled corn on the cob. We also had guacamole salad and chips.

DH said that the luncheon size plates weren’t big enough so he got his own from the kitchen!

I forgot to take photos of the guacamole. We had most of it and the tortilla chips and sun chips eaten by the time the chicken and corn was done. Yum!

Dessert was raspberry sherbet. It is so hot outside and this is very cooling and light.

Below are some wonderful favorites for the grill and outdoor entertaining in the heat. However, sometimes it is good to just fire up the grill and do something basic and pull out a good pasta salad box meal and take it easy. After all it is vacation season.

JAMAICAN JERK CHICKEN
1 whole chicken, quartered
½ jerk seasoning
1 T. salt
1 T. black pepper
¼ c. bottled hot sauce (adjust to taste)
Wash chicken pieces in salted water. Rub Jerk seasoning, salt and pepper into chicken pieces. Let marinate for two hours or for best results overnight. Grill or bake slowly until done at 375 degrees.

BASIL GRILLED CHICKEN
¾ tsp. coarsely ground pepper
4 chicken breast halves, skinned
1/3 c. butter or margarine, melted
¼ c. chopped fresh basil
½ c. butter or margarine, softened
2 T. minced fresh basil
1 T. grated Parmesan cheese
¼ tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
Press ¾ teaspoon pepper into meaty sides of chicken. Combine 1/3 cup melted butter and ¼ cup chopped basil; stir well. Brush chicken lightly with melted butter mixture. Combine ½ cup softened butter, 2 T. basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl. Beat at low speed of mixer until smooth. Set aside. Grill chicken over medium coals for 8 to 10 minutes on each side, basting frequently with remaining melted butter mixture. Serve grilled chicken with basil and butter mixture. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs, if desired.

TEXAS CAVIAR
2 cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1pkg. Italian dressing made by directions, or 1 c. Italian dressing
1 bunch chopped green onion or 1 small chopped onion
1 med. Green pepper
4-oz. can diced jalapeno peppers or 5 fresh jalapeno peppers
4-oz. can diced green chiles
½ tsp. garlic salt
Mix all ingredients and chill. Serve with tortilla or corn chips.

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SURPRISE
2 c. crushed pretzels
2 T. sugar
1 ½ sticks margarine, melted
8 oz. cream cheese
1 c. powdered sugar
10 oz. Cool Whip
1 lg. pkg. strawberry Jello
2 c. boiling water
2 (10 oz.) frozen strawberries, thawed
Mix pretzels, sugar and melted butter into 13X9-inch pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. Blend cheese, powdered sugar well; add Cool Whip and blend well. Pour over crust and refrigerate until firm. Dissolve Jello in water and add strawberries. Let stand 5-10 minutes to thicken. Pour on top of cheese mixture and chill.

BALSAMIC STRAWBERRY SALSA
6 T. olive oil
2 T. balsamic white vinegar
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 pt. chopped strawberries
2 pt. chopped cherry tomatoes
6 chopped green onions
¼ c. cilantro
Mix together strawberries, tomatores, onions and cilantro. Mix olive oil, vinegar and salt. Pour over strawberry mixture. Chill. Makes 6 cups. Serve with chips.

VEGETABLE SALAD
¾ cup vinegar
½ cup Wesson oil
1 cup sugar
1T water
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
Bring to boil and then set aside.
1 can French style green beans
1 can shoe peg corn
1 can small green peas
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup chopped celery
1 bunch chopped green onions
1 small jar diced pimentos
Drain canned vegetables and put all ingredients into large bowl. Pour liquid mixture over vegetables. Refrigerate overnight in an airtight container.
Serve cold. It keeps for up to three weeks in the refrigerator.
This recipe was my great-aunt Patsy’s. I omit the salt since canned vegetables have so much already.

I hope you enjoyed your time with me. Be sure to go over to Debbie's site Mountain Breaths and view the other Kick-off to Summer BBQ parties that our friends posted. You will have fun and pick up some great recipes. Be sure to come back and visit me soon.

Thank you Debbie for hosting this. I enjoyed all the posts.

Elegant Tea Set Giveaway

2009-06-11T18:10:00.000-05:00

Wow, this morning, I was blogging through Blogland and ran across a post about Mary @ Little Red House and her 500th post. Not only is that a momentous occasion, she is celebrating by giving away a wonderful silverplated tea set!!!!!!

I am blown away by the thought of owning this (a girl can dream).

I have spent hours and hours reading and looking at all the fabulous posts showcasing everyone's dishes and tea sets. I have to admit that I am totally in love with the prospect of owning one of my own someday. So, I am posting here and providing a link back to Mary's site to let everyone know about this great giveaway. So, click above (if I added the link correctly) and go over to look at this awesome offering. Then you can read Mary's rules for adding your name to the drawing for this tea set. Or, if you really, really don't need or want it---tell her to put my name in again!

Happy blogging! Congrats to Mary on all the posts and for providing us some wonderful eye candy AND a chance for one of us to win this beautiful set.

Blast from Past Summer Tablescape

2009-06-10T21:29:00.000-05:00

When I found these dishes, it brought back memories of the late 60s and early 70s. But, this is 2009 and my 27 year old daughter thought they were great! She is a die hard orange freak and loves anything that looks like my era of teen years. I just had to buy them.

I have several tablecloths that just weren't the right shade of orange and then I found this vintage cloth at the Crisis Center Thrift Store. It is made out of a knit material and even has fringe along the bottom.

Here is a close-up of the plates.

The plates are by Gibson and were found as a yellow line item (new) at Goodwill. The goblets came from Dollar Tree, the flowers from Garden Ridge quite awhile ago for DDs room, the vase was a repurposed one that I had, the placemats were on clearance for $4 at T.J. Maxx, the napkins were a thrift store fine and the flatware is my eveyday one. Memories---priceless!

I love a good bargain that comes together and makes me feel happy.

Thanks for looking and be sure to stop by Between Naps on the Porch to see Susan's exquisite Faerie Ball table and links to many more Tablescape Thursday photos.

Thank you Susan for hosting this fun event. I have been visiting for awhile, but today is my first time to participate.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-10T02:50:00.001-05:00

Please look at other Wordless Wednesday flag or Flag Day images by Dixie at French Lique, Texas and also visit the links to the other participants today.

What's On Your Wall Wednesday

2009-06-09T23:31:00.000-05:00

Today I am joining Barb at http://gritsglamour.blogspot.com/
for today's edition of What's on Your Wall Wednesday. Please visit her blog and look at all the links to other's wonderful wall decor items.

I wasn't planning on joining this today since I needed to take some more photos and find something just right to post. However, as I was uploading some photos to my Photo Bucket account tonight, I ran across this one of my late son's Native American dance bustle. Mickey was a part of the Order of the Arrow dance team in Boy Scouts. This was one of his beautiful bustles called the butterfly. The bustle "wings" actually looked like butterfly wings as they gracefully moved with the rhythm of the dance to the wonderful flute music and beat of the drum. This is one of two of his dance bustles. They both hang in our family room along with other items from his dance attire. I have always loved the Southwest and my distant Native American heritage, so my decor is all in this style. Having his items make it all the more special.

We lost Mick in 2003 after a life long battle with numerous illness and surgical problems that he had from birth. Despite his almost 24 year battle with health issues, he led a full life. Yesterday, while DH was digging up a tree trunk close to our newly screened in porch, he hit a plastic jar. I happened to be working on the decor of the porch when he found it. He immediately came inside and showed me what he had unearthed. It was a large plastic jar that was covered in plastic and contained something wrapped in foil. The jar had been surrounded by bricks and buried in the dirt. The tree trunk and roots had also sort of surrounded it. When we opened the jar, we were both surprised to find a sort of time capsule that our son had buried. It contained a Scout swiss army knife, four quarters, his first driver's license and two printed copies of his high school schedule from the start of his junior year. Needless to say, we both burst into tears.

This is a particularly hard time of the year since we lost him in early July. However, finding this little time capsule of things that he had buried, brought some joy to both of us. It was as if he was saying, "I'm okay." Then tonight, I ran across this photo. I knew that it was a great opportunity to share this story and a little of Mickey's wonderful spirit.

We can only guess at the significance of the items in the jar. He received his Eagle Scout Award toward the end of his sophomore year of high school. He also got his driver's license around that time. He laughed that he didn't have the learner's permit very long, because he turned 16 not long after finishing driver's education. At that time, we bought him a small car and he started his junior year of high school with this new independence. All of these items seem to mark these things. The quarters are a puzzle. I know that he collected all of the state quarters as they came out. These four are so dirty and sort of corroded that you can't tell what they are or the dates. I do plan to clean them up to see the dates. However, this little surprise has made these days somehow easier for me.

Thanks Barb for giving me this opportunity to share a little about my wonderful, amazing young son.

2nd Time Around

2009-06-08T23:59:00.000-05:00

Hello, I survived my first blog party adventure yesterday with only minor problems. For some reason my photos were all cut off on the right hand side. I decided to attempt this today again and join Diane at A Picture is Worth a 1000 words for her 2nd Time Around party. I had posted numerous weekend finds for the Thrifty Treasures party. (see below).

I am trying to decorate my newly screened in back porch and have been looking for some needed items including another end table, a rug, and a baker's rack or shelf of some kind. I found this cute table at a garage sale on Saturday, but didn't buy it. I went back on Sunday night to see if it was still there. They were closing down the sale and the table was still there. I got it for $5 complete with the removable mirror top. I have to paint it, but wanted to show it off today.

Thrifty weekend finds

2009-06-08T00:37:00.000-05:00

This is my first time to join to join others in their weekly postings. I chose Rhoda's Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality for my inaugural plunge into blogging. I had a small blog at Christmas, but just posted photos to share with some cyber friends on a forum. I have been reading and admiring all your posts since then. Thank you Rhoda for letting me participate today.

I love thrift store shopping and yard and garage sales. So, this is a very appropriate first plunge for me. I used to laugh about my Mom spending hours in Goodwill, the Salvation Army TS, and at garage sales. Now, I have become my Mom! I feel very close to her as I make my weekly rounds. I even run into one of her friends often and we have a good laugh together.

I have found a new passion in dishes and tablescapes. This is like an addiction to me and I am happiest when I am looking for something new to add to my collection. Unfortunately, dishes and the centerpieces have to be stored somewhere, so this brought about a new problem for me. I have a large cabinet that my late father-in-law made as a storage place. It is in my garage and was filled up rather quickly. I had everything from dishes to glassware, centerpieces, etc. in it when I first started around the first of the year. I quickly outgrew this cabinet and now have dishes in two large kitchen cabinets that used to store my electric appliances and my baking goods. I also have a china cabinet that is full.

So, Saturday, I set out to find some type of cabinet that could house glassware. I didn't have room for this in the house, so needed something that I could store in the garage. I went from estate sales to garage sales, to yard sales and even hit all of the area thrift stores. I was about to come home without a cabinet, when I noticed a sign for a sale that was out in the country. I decided to make one last stop. I am so glad that I did, because I found a great cabinet for only $12.50!

Everything was spread out across the yard and then into a barn like building. I spied the cabinet alongside an antique bed and dresser. I started not to even look at it because I figured it was a set or too expensive. However, I was shocked to see the price tag on the cabinet. I hurried into the barn area and told the woman that I wanted to buy the cabinet. She immediately told me that this other woman standing there had just asked about it and that she had to go check the price.

I was deflated. I had found another cabinet earlier in the week at one of our Goodwills that someone bought while I was standing in line to purchase it. It was $29 and not nearly as big as the one I found Saturday.

The woman came back inside and said that it did have a $12.50 price on it. Then her husband laughed and said he guessed we'd have to flip for it. I was so sad and told them that I just couldn't seem to have luck with a cabinet because the same thing had happened earlier. The woman who was interested in the cabinet looked at me and told me that I could have it. She said that she really didn't have room for it without moving something out.

I was shocked and sooooooooo happy.
$12.50 cabinet

Inside of the cabinet

Here it is loaded with glassware.

DH will add one more shelf to this---maybe two if I shift things around and can use shorter glasses on one shelf.

I would have been content with only finding my cabinet for the day's work, but I also picked up lots of other goodies. Take a peak.

Watermelon cookie jar from a yard sale. It was marked $5, but I stopped back by on Sunday to check about something else and he let me have this for $3.

At the same sale, I noticed this pretty purple silk floral arrangement and I asked about it. I got it for $1. I have several sets of dishes that it will look great with.

My favorite glassware find is this darling pumpkin teapot. It looks great with a pumpkin soup tureen that I found in a thrift store recently.

These animal print looking dinner plates were only $2 at the Crisis Center Thrift Store. They were having a 50% off sale on all glassware. I have four salad plates that look great with them.

Also from the 50 off sale were these amber colored glasses. They were marked 75 cents each. I picked up eight of them.

This little basket has a fruit motif on the actual basket, but it was the large pineapple and other fruit that I liked. I found it at Goodwill for $2.

I have been looking for things to use on a patriotic table and found these blue dishes at our Goodwill. Someone had pulled the tape apart that had linked the 4 dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls together. The long pieces of the tape were still attached to the DPs. I gathered them all up and took them to the front not knowing the price. I got all of them for $5.

I hope you enjoyed seeing all my amazing bargains this week. Be sure to go over to Rhoda's blog at Southern Hospitality to view her bargains and to find links to all the others participating.

I just realized that all my photos are off center and the right side cut off. I don't know what happened. They look fine in the preview. The photos were so large that I used Paint to reduce them. I use this to post photos on other sites by using the Stretch/Skew function and reduce both to 20%. This means that every photo has to have this done and it be resaved and renamed. Now, I realize that it didn't work and messed up the photos. Is there an easier way?