Simple, Serene Summer Tablescape

  How does the song go? “Summertiiiiime, and the living is easy.” That’s going to be my plan for the entire summer of 2024. Easy living, peace, serenity. No complicated food or plans, just relaxing and enjoying. That’s what I had in mind when I created this table — simple and serene.

Even though this is a low maintenance and serene table, that does not mean that it isn’t attractive. I started with the tablecloth that I found in a closet recently and had completely forgot buying. I loved not just the pattern, but the quiet colors. That’s not to say that I don’t like bold colors, but there’s something about entering the summer season, that I like to do quietly.

Rustic chargers are on top of Woven Placemats giving it a simple farmhouse look.

 

The dinnerware is one of my absolute favorites. It is by Portmeirion, and a part of their 'Garden Roses' collection. The salad plate on top has the same pattern as the plate below.

The cup and saucer are also from Portmeirion, from the 'Garden Harmony' collection and complement the plates quite well.The hammered flatware by Mikasa in the 'Opulent' pattern reflects light in various angles as it bounces off each facet. The napkins, from Amazon, in deep green, pair nicely. 

The glazed pitcher in the center, I found here, is filled with a spray of simple grasses.

 

It is flanked on either side by etched crystal, antique candlesticks that the Late Mr. O-P bought me for our first Christmas together. I had thought about using white candles here, but I gave the green a try and I really liked it. I think the green candles keep the table from being washed out. 

The glassware is from La Rocher. These glasses work equally well for water as they do wine, shrimp cocktail, or a dessert mousse. I find them very versatile.I hope that you plan to relax and make the living easy for your family this summer. Enjoy each day.

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 This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

A Tabletop Tidbit

I always admire the talented bloggers who manage to design, set, photograph, and post beautiful table settings every week.  Inasmuch as I'd like to do the same, I find that I get quite attached to some of the settings that I create, and just don't want to take them down to make way for something new.  Such was the case with last week's tablescape, Destination: Dinner.   At the same time that I was admiring it, a friend in the process of downsizing decided to gift me with this unique Griffin (I call him “Merv”) from the Blanc de Chine collection by Fitz and Floyd produced in the 1980s.  She told me that it was a gravy boat, but I saw it as a rather showy addition to my “worldly” table.  So here's a tabletop tidbit for today.  I've been envisioning it full of pansies, homemade pastel butter mints, overflowing with variegated ivy, or offering up spicy seasoned pecans.  Leave a comment and tell me what you'd use it for, and you may just see your idea in a future blog post!

  

This post is linked to:

Tabletop Tuesday

 Open House Party
 The Charm of Home
 At The Picket Fence

Tablescape Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

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

This post is linked to:

Tablescape Thursday
Seasonal Sunday

Tabletop Tuesday

Sunday's Best

A Boxing Day Dinner

As the family grows, so do their commitments, and it becomes more and more difficult each year to pack visits with everyone into the day-and-a-half that comprises the Christmas holiday.  So this year, in an effort to make things more enjoyable and relaxed, I opted to celebrate the day after Christmas with a Boxing Day dinner.  It was a huge success!  Twelve were in attendance and everyone enjoyed the event.  I served my traditional buffet roast beef dinner at a table bedecked with live greens, snowflake candles, Santa, and apothecary jars full of Christmas candy that delighted guests both young and old, all of whom had to have a sample (or two).  The young ones were allowed to reach into the jars at evening's end and select some candy to fill a bag and take home with them.  In addition, each guest was given a small house-shaped box with caramels inside that I'd used as place cards.  The name was on the front of the tag, and the explanation of Boxing Day was on the reverse, as follows:

Boxing Day, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (after the first Christian martyr), is celebrated in the U.K. on December 26^th.   It originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria as a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to the bonuses many employers offer their employees today. These gifts, usually given in boxes, gave the holiday its name, "Boxing Day". Today, Boxing Day is a time for family and friends to gather with lots of food and fun. 

Apothecary jars full of candy delighted the children (and young at heart) at the table.

Place setting with place card box.

Each guest had his or her own bottle of water.  I liked this extra addition of green.

Apothecary jars contained M&Ms, bell-shaped gumdrops, mini Hershey bars, Kisses, peanut butter cups, and Twizzlers all in red and green.

The mantle in the dining room above the Franklin Stove glowed with soft candlelight.

The frosted trees at either end, gave the table a Northwoods look.

Santa oversaw the event and was pleased.

This is linked to Tablescape Tuesday and Seasonal Sundays.