New Harmonies Table Decorations

I have had no time to blog or visit blogs this summer - I have missed SO much!!! I have been decorating tables and here is one that was very special. Our Arts Council is having an exhibit from the Smithsonian Museum's Museums on Mainstreet Program called New Harmonies which celebrates American Root Music - jazz, bluegrass, gospel, blues, etc. We had a Grand Opening for the exhibit and I did the table decorations.



I am linking this to Tablescape Thursday sponsored by Susan BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH.

Also Linking to Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters.



For the centerpiece I used a fiddle and a mandolin. I was lucky enough to have my daughter's violin/fiddle and one of her friend's loaned us the mandolin. Getting them to lean just the way I wanted was a bit of a challenge. I finally used 2 glass cake plates with lips which could hold up the instruments, a vase to hold up the mandolin's neck and a ham holder to more securely hold the fiddle. All of these got covered with black fabric which blended with the black table cloths.



Around the tables I used pennants made of old sheet music glued to ribbon and then attached to the edge of the table.





The wall above the table looked really blank, so at the last minute a friend loaned me a grapevine wreath she had made and I stuck some miniature musical instruments (Christmas ornaments I had to dig out) and a mini watering can and some fans made of old sheet music. I made a bow out of Ivory & Black striped and black swirled ribbon to go with the old sheet music and VOILA - the wall was no longer blank!



For the flowers, I wanted to use sunflowers, preferably free sunflowers, but by last weekend all the sunflowers around here were past their prime. So I got several bouquets of grocery store flowers which had a few sunflowers in them and used those plus flowers and greenery from my yard and my friends.

I put magnolia leaves behind the musical instruments  and the the flowers in galvanized tin containers from the Target dollarish section (bought these a few years ago.) The flowers I used were: Sunflowers, Mums, Black-eyed Susans, Zinnias, Berries, Goldenrod, Asters, Acuba and Cotton Blossoms. Yes, I went out to a cotton field on the day of the event to cut cotton blossoms! I thought they added to the American Root theme!

For refreshments, the committee used napkins and plastic cups in yellow, orange and green to complement the flowers. I think they really stand out nicely against the black tablecloths.



The event was a BIG success with lots of visitors. The Exhibit is amazing as was the live music and food! Happy Tablescape to all of you!

Fourth Of July Fun!

Happy Fourth of July!



I am linking this (very late) to Tablescape Thursday sponsored by Susan at BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH!



I started with my gold tablecloth and used my Colonial flag placemats. I used a Spode Blue Italian dinner plate topped with a Spode Pink Tower salad plate for a red, off-white and blue setting. Colonial shell flatware, Pewter goblets and red wine hocks complete the setting.



Here is the whole table:



And here is the dining room mantle:





Here are some close-ups of the centerpiece and candles on the table:





I hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July Weekend!

Graduation Celebration!

A few weeks ago my older daughter Carmen graduated Salem College. We have had a wonderful time celebrating!



I am linking this post to Tablescape Thursday sponsored by Susan at BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH!



Thanks Susan for hosting Tablescape Thursday every week!

The celebrations started Friday night at the Baccalaureate Service followed by the President's Reception.

The next morning we had the Graduation Ceremony outside in the May Dell. It was a little rainy, but that didn't put a damper on our happiness!



After a luncheon at the college, we moved here out of her dorm and into her first apartment! She starts her first "real" job July 1st and we are all excited for her.

Then it was back to our hometown for a dinner at our house. Our theme was Daisies, since that is the college official flower.



Here is the foyer table with the epergne filled with daisies and hydrangeas.

Here is the dining room table loaded down with the food.



Here are some close ups of the centerpiece.









Dining Room Mantle




Happy Graduation Cake!



The Sun Room with Paper Daisies all around




Daisies in the Parlor


A good time was had by all - especially the graduate and her proud parents!

Crab Bisque

Memorial Day weekend the whole family went to the beach for a long weekend. While we were there we made some Crab Bisque which I thought I would share for Foodie Friday.



Make sure you stop by by Gollum's at Designs by Gollum.


I used this recipe from Recipezaar: Lobster or Crab Bisque

It was so good! A great way to celebrate being at the beach with all my family!



Make sure you visit Designs by Gollum for more great Foodie Posts!

Memories of Proms Past

MEMORIES OF PROMS PAST!



For Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH. Be sure and visit her blog to see all the wonderful tablescapes!



My younger daughter, who is a freshman in college, is going to the prom at her old high school this weekend. Since this is not "her" prom, just her date's, I won't be hosting the after-prom breakfast I have had for the last couple of years. So I thought I would stroll down Memory Lane and tour Proms Past!

This was in 2006. The theme was something like "Tropical Beach." This was the first use of my blue and green goblets, which now are used all summer long, especially on our porch! I got them at CVS Pharmacy for 75 cents each. I made punch and served it from the silver punch bowl passed down from my grandmother. I used a paper plaid runner that has luckily survived to this day with no spills!!!







For my centerpiece, I hollowed out a pineapple to act as my vase. I got a mixed bouquet from Sam's Club (back when mine carried flowers) and arranged them in the pineapple.



Thanks for sharing this prom past with me! Sorry to be gone so long from my blog, but life does get hectic!!!!

Be sure to visit Susan at BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH for more great tables!

Easter Parade or How Many Salt & Peppers Can She Use?

Once again it's Tablescape Thursday sponsored by Susan at BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH!



Thanks Susan for hosting Tablescape Thursday every week!

Here is my Easter table and I have to warn you if you have high blood pressure - there are a lot of salt shakers on this table!!!



It all started with a simple white tablecloth, gold chargers, white Big Lots dishes and my bunny salad plates from Cracker Barrel last year. I used some Fosteria stemware as well as some antique goblets a friend was giving away. I thought it needed more color, so I added striped napkins from Target (clearance last summer). THEN I used the matching Cracker Barrel egg cups as individual salt cellars along with my grandmother's salt spoons and an egg from Cracker Barrel as individual pepper shakers. Sounds pretty standard so far.



A seated view


Then I decided to use my Target bird salt & peppers - the ones that everyone in Blogland owns with the matching bird tealight holders. They tied in well with the nests I got from Tuesday Morning.





Well, I have a set for each end of the table, so we already have lots of salt and pepper for the table! But this set is just so cute and Eastery I had to put it on there too!!!



I also use this little green glass rabbit as a butter dish complete with a spreader that one of my daughter's gave me as a birthday gift.



My centerpiece is a large glass tray with a glass pedestal plate on it with a smaller pedestal plate on it with an antique glass basket on it. I have added a wreath and egg candles all around. The ramekins I will fill with Easter candy before the big day!



Here is another overview shot of the table:



And here is the dining room mantle!



I hope you like this Easter table even with the high sodium content!