Wednesday, December 14, 2011

All Aboard!

In yesterday's blog post I made mention of the Holiday Historical House Tour of which we were a part.  Today I thought you might want to see some more pictures.  Largely the tour was successful.  We had a good crowd of very friendly people, all of whom were most complimentary, oohing and ahhing over the furnishings and decorations.  Three things seemed to make an impression again and again: my husband’s antique cleric robe cabinet in the entrance hall, the whopping big size of our backyard (that does look huge now that all of the tornado damage has been cleared), and the centerpiece on my dining room table.  The dishes (Old Curiosity Shop  by Royal China) seemed to make an impression as well.  Imagine my shock and surprise the following day when I went to photograph the table only to find two of the coffee cups were gone!  Considering that most of the people who passed through the house looked more like Miss Marple than Light-fingered Louie, it just goes to show that you can’t really trust anyone, even during the holiday season, alas.







You may have noticed that there are no napkins on the table.  In my haste to get everything ready I simply forgot them.  My plan for the holidays, however, is to use cranberry napkins in this rosette napkin fold.

Tablecloth - Bed, Bath & Beyond
Chargers - Pier 1
Transferware - Old Curiosity Shop (vintage)
Cranberry Glasses - Crate & Barrel
Clear Glasses - La Rochere
Greenery - Whole Foods
Snowflake Candles - Crate & Barrel
Train - Josephine's Gift Shop, Godfrey, IL
Salt & Pepper Shakers - Gift

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23 comments:

Gone-ta-pott said...

Nooooo tell me they didn't take the cups!! That makes me sick to even think about it. The table is beautiful and I love the train!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

I love your train! Gosh....I can only imagine your dismay to find your cups missing. That's just so sad.

Mary said...

Someone STOLE your cups?! I'm outraged on your behalf! I can't believe someone would take something on a historical home tour~ seriously nervy especially at Christmas! Your setting is wonderful with the train~ I didn't even notice the missing napkins :)

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I am in shock that someone would STEAL your cups!!!! That is horrible! Sad too, that someone would even think to do that. Your table is beautiful, my hubby would ADORE your centerpiece: he collects trains and we have a train ROOM!!!! Love the dishes. XO, Pinky

Liz@A Dish Here, A Glass There said...

That is the cutest train ever! I love the way it looks like it's moving! Love your dishes too! I am stunned that someone would take anything during a tour like that! My friend Betty just had her home on a tour. They had someone posted at each room to make sure no one got away with anything. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas!

Marlis said...

My stomach did a lurch at the thought of someone stealing your cups. That makes me so sad. Love your train.. oh gosh that is a fabulous piece. I love your table. you have a wonderful eye for detail and design.. Merry Christmas. May you and yours be blessed! xo marlis

Tea in Texas said...

You were so wonderful to have the people view your home. The train is the cutest and makes a wonderful centerpiece. The train looks like it is climbing a hill saying "I think I can". The CHINA hmmm well some one is really just a creep! My grandmother had this to use everyday and I loved it. YOU are giving all the tablescapers a special Christmas treat by sharing your lovely post! Merry Christmas and Happy Tablescaping! Pam

Alycia Nichols said...

Get OUTTA here!!!! Someone actually had the nerve to get a five-finger discount on your cups??? The nerve!!! I can't believe people would actually DO that sort of thing! Where is there conscience? Where is their soul? Where is their Christmas spirit!?!?! Unblievable! You may have to bolt the rest of everything down from here on out! :-) I LOVE the train!!! What a fabulous centerpiece item!!!! It looks great with everything you have assembled there. I hope you're able to replace the missing cups without much hassle or great expense. Take care, Pattie, and Merry Christmas!

Aledia said...

What a terrible thing for someone to do by taking your cups... I have to say I LOVE your train!! It makes for a fabulous centerpiece and those dishes are beautiful!

Merry Christmas!
Aledia~

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Your table is fabulous! I love that centerpiece it is absolutely unique and a show stopper.

Now onto that stealing thing. I had heard about things disappearing and someone had warned me to station folks all around the house when we were on the tour. My oldest daughter wanted kitchen duty. I set the breakfast room table with my Lenox Winter Greetings Everyday. Well, some of those plates still had the tags on them. Yep, I am embarrassed to say, I had forgotten to remove tags from a couple of new plates. In my haste to get things ready for the tour I just suds them and dried them and threw them on the table. At the end of the tour, there was nothing missing from anywhere in the house, but my daughter said a guy came through and lifted a plate to see the pattern name...low and behold it just had to be one of those plates with a tag/sticker still attached!!

Beansieleigh said...

Oh my word, I've been through quite a few tablescapes so far this Thursday morning; and while I don't participate, I just love seeing all the beautiful dishes, centerpieces, etc, etc... I'm still having trouble, however, being inspired for some reason. Until NOW! (0; LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your table! Love the train centerpiece, as it brings back memories of how much my son loved trains when he was little.. Loved your beautiful dishes. Your table was absolutely my favorite this week!! Beautiful! Happy Holidays to you and yours! ~tina

Lulu said...

Someone else must have needed your cups more than you so wish him/her a merry Christmas! What nerve. Even with cups missing, the table is a delight, and I would have had a hard time not trying to figure out a way to leave with the train....it's terrific.

Marigene said...

Your table is stunning, especially the train! I have always liked the Curiosity Shop pattern and thought I might start collecting it, but it is hard to find anything other than the saucers.
It is sad day to have something stolen from your own table, apparently the person(s) needed the cups more than you. I hope they have a guilty conscience every time they use the cups.

Tess said...

How incredibly RUDE that someone would steal your cups!!!! I don't know what is wrong with people! And after you graciously opened your home.

But your table is lovely and your train, adorable!!!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

What a fun table with the train as a centerpiece! I would have loved to tour your home. I'll bet it was beautiful judging from these pics and those below!

Anonymous said...

Your table is wonderful!! The train makes it just so much fun as well! I cannot believe someone would take your cups right off your table!!! Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Janet Rudolph said...

Your table is beautiful, and I looove the Train. But you knew I would. I like the idea of the rosette napkin fold, too. So someone stole your cups? How awful! Tea for two, apparently. I read a novel once where the main character stole spoons at dinner parties. She felt it was ok, that the hostess expected it. Duh.. I wouldn't expect or take. Sorry about your cups.. Love your table.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous Center Piece! Original. I love your dishes. Pat

Snap said...

Beautiful table. I love the train. I love trains anytime of year, but there is a certain magic to them at Christmas. Wonderful!

CJ Foss said...

Really, people? Really? That is so wrong! I hope someone with extra cups sends them to you for free! If I had them, I would. Your table is lovely, whimsical, and harkens back to a wonderful era. Don't let the bad apple harden your generous heart. Thanks for sharing your home and your post! Merry Christmas. ~CJ

Tammy at Tammy Loves Dishes said...

Love your tablescape! The train centerpiece is so unique and looks fabulous.

I can only imagine your dismay when you found the cups missing. It really makes you wonder what is wrong with some people! Just unbelievable!!

cathy@my1929charmer said...

Your table is gorgeous,and I love the train. I feel so bad for you that your cups were "taken", especially at this time of year. Our culture just isn't it what it use to be. Thanks for sharing over at Sunday's Best and happy holidays!

Belle Abner said...

I have that very china...and a bunch of it....I can help you out with replacement cups...if you like...I am sick that someone would do such a thing....My china is all packed up right now...in storage...we close on our house soon...so I hope to be unpacking it soon....contact me at belleray2@yahoo.com if you would like me to send you two...No charge...Just want to make all thing complete in your world...;-)
I am sincere and would love to help....
Sonya Abner
Auburn, AL