Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Dining Room - Part Two

The dining room table, set for fall, filled the whole last post. So, here comes the remainder of the dining room fall look. I truly hope that those of you who have seen most of these things before in other vignettes are not getting tired of seeing them. I have nothing new to show in this one. You old faithful followers (that I appreciate so much) need to keep in mind that I have new viewers all the time, too.



 
The first buffet. For the short, autumn season in the year, I love featuring these colors. If my dining room was being used for a Thanksgiving meal some of these items would be removed and this buffet would become the place for desserts.
 

 
Just some table confetti in the three compotes. I got this confetti after Christmas at Pier I Imports several years ago. Because the color fits in with fall I have used it in one way or another, at Thanksgiving, every year since.
 
 
 
It is so sparkling and cheerful. It, surprisingly, weighs almost nothing. I think the whole lot of it wouldn't register on scales, it is so light.
 

 
This has been pictured many times and you might see it again in the Christmas pictures, soon.
 
 
 
I never get tired of the frosty fall fruit and berry sprig, either.
 

 
 
 

 
You have seen this one so much you probably think you must have surely been drinking from it!
 

 
Moving on to buffet number two where most of the Thanksgiving food is placed when we are ready to eat.
 
 
 
An extra plate like the ones on the table. If you haven't seen the table and would like to, you can click HERE and go to that post. Return here by using your return arrow. If you would like to see fall in my kitchen you can click HERE. If you want to see fall décor in my sitting room click HERE    



 
Lifted up on two cake plates are my white coffee pot, pumpkin sugar and creamer, and the velvet pumpkin.


 
 

 
I love the details on these.


 
You don't always need color if you pay attention to details.
 

 
Always close by is my prized plate from Ten Downing Street. And, in the glass silverware holder, some silver from there also.
 

 
It is so difficult for me to get a picture of the chandelier but it gets some kind of special touch for every season.
 
 
 
This gold and clear glass trim is more shiny and showy than it looks in the picture.
 
 
 
There is always the same problem with trying to show the window wreath which also gets changed out for the seasons. Maybe 2014 will be the year I will get something better to replace the out-of-date mini-blinds which have been here ever since I bought the house!
 
 
 
This close-up does show the nice fall colors and detail.
~~~
Now, for me, it will be full speed ahead for Christmas! I will work in a few other subjects before I start showing Christmas decorating. Let me take this time to say to Americans, have a great, scrumptious, thankful, Thanksgiving day.
 

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Autumn Table

My autumn table has been set for weeks.  I think it is my favorite fall table setting that I have ever done. I used the same plates as was used in the last several falls but, mixed them up with different linens, etc.....

The sad thing is, everything will soon be put away! Yes, before Thanksgiving without ever being used. Due to a scheduling conflict I will not be having a Thanksgiving meal at my house and Christmas things will come out soon. I need to be ready for my 21st annual Christmas Brunch on December 7th.

 
 
 
Looking down from above you can almost see the whole table. Back in the summer I purchased a very inexpensive plaid table cloth at Home Goods and used it to make a long runner and eight napkins
 

 
In early fall I found these light gold place mats for less than $2 each (I'm thinking they were $1 each)
 at The Christmas Tree Store. They are really not bad quality. I also made some napkin rings which you will see close-up a few pictures down. Everything else is things I have used before.
 
 

 
I blended two different patterns for the cups, every other one different. It works quite well.


 
 

 
 

 
So, here you see the plaid napkin adorned with its lace and "bling" napkin "ring" lying on an over sized leaf.

 
 
I love the little glass frames bought one year in an after-Christmas sale. I wrote "Happy Thanksgiving" on a name card and have used them several years.
 

 
All of the things in the centerpiece are also quite used. But, I am not tired of the mixed look of glitzy and informal. The tea pots you see at top left are really not up against the table as this picture makes them look.
 

 
 
 
 
 
And last, the close-up of the napkin with it's lace and glitz. Well, at least I was able to enjoy the look even though it will not be used as first expected. There are always blessings to be found. I will not have to wash everything, before and after! I will just dust and shake off the dust and put them away. They may come out again next year.
 
~~~~~
Come back for part two to see the rest of the room.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, November 4, 2013

The Raised Beds and a Few Other Things


I am home from my trip to Tennessee. It was great to attend Lindsey's beautiful wedding and other celebrations. I had a great stay with my 93 year old sister and several visits with nephew Tony and his wife Trudy. Tony made three trips to the Tri-Cities airport for me - try to figure that out! There was lot's of eating out.  Really enjoyed a fun shopping spree in old Jonesborough with my two nieces, Wanda and Brenda.  Enjoyed a fantastic overnight stay in Pigeon Forge with my sister, Mamie and niece Freida. We (Freida and I) also spent an hour in a very old cemetery in Jonesborough.  I have loads of pictures. But, for this posting I am using a post that I had partly finished before I left. Some trip pictures will come later.



 
About three weeks ago I cleared everything from the two raised beds and added some Black Cow and the two bags of worm castings that I mentioned  several posts back.

 
A totally new start once in a while is good for this type of gardening.
 
 
 
 

 
Here is the first one with it's new plantings of herbs.
 

 
Some herbs in this one too but mostly lettuces and mustard and turnip greens. In the big pot is pineapple sage.
 
 
 
I put Red Sails lettuce in the window box pot.
 

 
 

 
We are now in a good season for all these plants except the basil. I clearly wasn't thinking right when I purchased several of those! They really don't like temperatures below 50.
 

 
 
 
 

 
This is not new but grows between the two beds and as you can see is blooming. It is our substitute for Tarragon - Mint Marigold.


 
 
 

 
He was watching over my work that day.
 

 
And this dragonfly was hovering nearby.
 
 
 
 
 
 
I love the beauty of God's nature that keeps me company in the garden.


 
 
                                  And now to show you how things have grown.....

 
...especially the lettuce and greens.
 


I need to start eating some salads and cooking mustard and turnip greens.
~~~
I will be back soon to show some highlights of the trip.