~Tablescape Thursday in Blue~

Please visit our hostess, Susan,  at www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com for some beautiful table setting inspiration!

One of the first sets of dishes I bought after being married was Franciscan’s Denmark in blue.  It also comes in red, but I didn’t know that the time.  I believe I heard that Johnson Brothers bought Franciscan’s business, and continued making this pattern, however, I don’t know if it is still called Denmark or not.  I’ve seen it at T.J. Maxx at very affordable prices!  My set includes the dinner plate, salad plate, rimmed soup bowl, and cup with saucer, teapot, creamer and sugar bowl, and butter plate.   

The larger white plate beneath the other dishes was a great buy from T.J. Maxx last week.  I bought 8 dinner plates, but only 3 salad plates were available, and no cups and saucers – boo.  I’m still on the hunt, though.  I know they’ll turn up, I just know it!

We’ve had very hot weather lately, but today was beautiful, with a mild breeze, so I decided to set the table out on the deck.  I found these darling white pitchers at Home Goods a couple of weeks ago.  Grouping them in three’s gives them more punch!    They are very versatile, too.  I’ve had them in several places around my home already, and I’m sure they will continue to travel in the weeks to come! 

When I spotted the blue goblets with the green base, I hadn’t even thought about using the Denmark Blue for my tablescape, but I loved them.  I turned around, and there on the next aisle were the linens.  I spotted  the napkins and place mat set in the identical blue color, and knew I wanted them, but still didn’t have a plan, other than mix them with some white dishes

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I do wish all of you that are looking at my table could join me for tea on my deck.  It all looks so nice, but without friends to share a meal with, it’s only a pretty face!  I’m just glad that I had a reason to get them out of the boxes and on display.  They deserve to be oogled for a day! 

I hope you enjoyed your visit. Come back anytime!  And don’t forget to keep “living in the Pink!”

Mary

 

~Easy Living With White~

It’s White Wednesday, hosted by KATHLEEN at www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com .  Be sure to visit her to see more of her beautiful whites, and see who else has posted their treasures for you! 

I love white and cream, and have used it as my primary “color” for most of the 35 years we’ve lived in our home.  It’s easy to live with whites and creams.   I find that they calm  my nerves, give me a feeling of airiness and light, and they are versatile.  I like to change other fabrics, like draperies, throw pillows, quilts, and accessories, and in case you didn’t know, EVERYTHING goes with white!  There are times I will see something that I like in a color, but I can walk away without buying it.  However…if I see the same item in white, I can’t resist! 

This little candy dish is in an earlier post for Tablescape Thursday, but I wanted to give it more prominence today, because it’s just so pretty.  I love the roses and the handle.  A Home Goods bargain at $2.99!  The flowers inside aren’t attached, and not ceramic. They are just some little silks that I put there for a tad of color.

 

These sweet little place card holders are made by Coalport in England.  I found 6 of them in white at an antique store, then found another 14 of them in color!  Five of them have pink flowers  that I posted on last week for Tablescape Thursday.  I purchased the Arthur Wood white teapot with dainty multi colored flowers at T.J. Maxx for $7.99 about 12 years ago. I’m sure it will show up again in the future with some teacups on Teacup Tuesday!

 

This is a picture of our entry way.  I painted the mirror white just a couple of months ago.  It was rather inexpensive, trimmed in the gold gilt commonly used for mirrors.  I’ve never been too fond of it anyway, because it’s too plain, and not foo-foo enough for me (is that how you spell foo-foo, or is there a fancy way to spell it?), but I needed a mirror and it was there.  I didn’t think painting it white would help it too much, but it did help enough for me to at least like it a little more than I did before.     There is a little white picture frame on one side,  and I’m looking for something to put on the other side, hoping they will give the mirror more “substance”.

 

As you  can see, the walls are cream and the entrance door is white.  Again, I’m thinking about painting, but this time, it will just be a warmer shade of cream…well, maybe a hint of yellow…we’ll see.   I have white candles in the candlesticks now, but change them with whatever theme I’m having when serving tea.  For instance, at Easter, the candles will be yellow or lavender.  At Christmas, they’re red, and so forth.   Sometimes there aren’t any candles on this table at all, or there could be two pillar candles on  large candlesticks.  It’s ever changing…could be a big vase of flowers, or it could have more pictures of family, along with a teapot…or two!

I just purchased this little rose trimmed  square “bowl”.  I’m not really sure what I will do with it, possibly a plant.  Any ideas?  It was one of those items that I didn’t have a specific use for, but it’s white and it has roses – what else did I need to know?

The teacup fabric it’s sitting on has a darker cream background, more like a vanilla, but I put it on the table to show it off.  I’ll probably include it again for Teacup Tuesday.  I bought it to use for making a quilt to throw over the cream loveseat, but I just can’t seem to make myself cut it! Maybe a pillow instead.  At least that way, I could cut it in BIG squares!  Or a table runner – oooohhh, the ideas are flowing! 

 

Now here is my favorite rooster!  His name is Ronnie, after Ronald Reagan, because…well…I think he looks like him!  I mean that as a compliment – I liked Ronnie R.  He’s much prettier and regal looking in person.  He sits on top of the refrigerator, overlooking the kitchen, but I couldn’t get a picture of him up there, so he’s posing for you on the kitchen table.   

 

Doesn’t he look mean?

 

And last but not least are my latest buys from Home Goods – three darling white pitchers.  When I saw Kathleen’s pitchers, I thought they were so pretty and fresh looking, and you could put roses and other flowers in them, so when I saw these, I knew I would enjoy them very much.  I’m going to use them as a centerpiece for a white tablescape, so watch for them on Thursday!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  This is my contribution for this week’s White Wednesday, and I hope that you have enjoyed seeing them!.  I can’t wait to see what Kathleen and the others have to show us this week.  Just click on the link on the side, and you’ll be right there!

May your day be filled with many joyful and memorable moments. 

Don’t forget to keep “living in the pink”!

Mary

 

 

It’s Teacup Tuesday!

It’s time to display our  teacups for Teacup Tuesday.  Thank you to our hostess, Kim, at http://shabbypinkandpretty.blogspot.com.  Be sure to visit Kim’s blog to  see what other beauties she and other friends have posted for you!

I recently went to a favorite antique store, and found this four tiered teacup stand, already distressed in shabby chic white!  AND, there are roses on the top!  There were two of them, so I bought the second one for a dear friend’s birthday.  I had been looking for a three tiered stand, but hadn’t found any that I was in love with, so when I saw this one, it took me about one second to take it up to the register to pay!  I was so happy to have found them, but to only pay $20 each was even better.  Don’t we just love a bargain!

The teacups on the stand are, from top to bottom:

Royal Albert Peach Damask,

Bethany, with no pattern name.  It’s the same pattern as the Allyn Nelson,

just different manufacturer,  and it doesn’t have the flowers on the inside of the cup

Royal Albert Soft Pink Lace,

Royal Albert Rose Cameo Pink. 

 

 

 

Love the roses  and the curves! 

 

 This teacup, sitting on a pink cake plate, has a yellow background, with a chintz pattern of pink and white roses, as does it’s matching teapot, made by Allyn Nelson.  There is no pattern name on the bottom.   I just hate it when there’s no name.  Makes it almost impossible to find one on ebay when you don’t have a name! 

I have the yellow one in the Bethany teacup without the flower inside, just like the pink one on the tiered stand.   I found these two at T.J. Maxx for $9.99.  I think this Allyn Nelson was about $30 at Country Clutter.  I would like to get another yellow one with the flowers on the inside, so I have a pair to go with the teapot.  I also have this set in blue – I might post that one next week!

I got the cake plate quite a while ago, maybe 5 yrs. or more, and don’t remember where, but they now have them at T.J. Maxx in this smaller size, and also in the larger size…in case you’re interested in a pink cake plate.  I use it often for my grandgirls’ tea parties.  It’s fun for me to get my things out to take pictures.  I don’t use these very often, but since they’re out, I will use them for my morning tea out on the deck tomorrow! 

I’m glad you stopped in for a visit.  I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my collection, and hope you will come back again!  

Don’t forget, if you haven’t already stopped in for a visit with Kim, she’s waiting for you! 

May your week be filled with wonder and delight.  God bless one and all!

“Living in the Pink” for Pink Saturday!

*** Living 'in the pink' means being healthy in the emotional, in the financial, in the mental, in the physical, in relationship and in the spiritual.”***

I’m so glad you stopped by to visit on Pink Saturday, hosted by Beverly at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/. Thank you, Beverly!

  Since you’re visiting here, you  probably have a passion for pink like I do.  It’s a color that appeals to our soft, romantic side, and we all have one in varying degrees.  Romance isn’t just about the opposite sex.  It is about love, and everybody needs love!  We need to receive it, and we need to give it.    Even our pets need our love, and we are so blessed when we have a little pet love us back.  Have you ever seen anyone and their dog kissing?  It’s a beautiful sight!

Pink comes in so many shades, from light to dark, from pale to bright, there are so many hues in between that we could find endless items to show off each week.  I have a few I would like to share.  I hope you enjoy them!

I think pink and roses go together, so I’ll start with roses from my garden.  Did you know that …

“…roses are a symbol for love and gratitude. As the pink rose was the most prevalent among the old garden roses, it was most strongly associated with these sentiments. While different roses may have more specific meanings, these are still the underlying message of any color rose. Pink roses also now carry a connotation of grace and elegance, as well as sweetness and poetic romance. Different shades of pink also carry their own significance. Dark pink roses are symbolic of gratitude and appreciation, and are a traditional way to send a message of thanks. Light pink roses are associated with gentleness and admiration, and can also be used as an expression of sympathy…Today, pink roses enjoy their own unique position representing elegance and refinement, as well as communicating thanks and admiration. The recipient of an arrangement of pink roses is sure to feel appreciated and special.”

Compliments of http://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/rosemeanings/pinkrose-meanings.aspx

 

The tag on this rose bush says Double Delight.  It is next to the railing on our front porch, so it greets our guests as they walk up to the door.  There is a larger picture of it on a previous post.

  

I have another that looks different, but also is tagged Double Delight.    There are no blooms on the other one right now, so I can’t get a close up shot of, but this picture outside the window is about a week old, and perhaps shows the differences.  It has a little more yellow when it opens.   I just love the fragrance and the beauty of roses, especially pink roses! 

This rose is a very soft, pale pink that has little fragrance, but it’s one of the first I planted along with several others along the driveway, and I just can’t remove it.  It is very, very large, not a tea rose like the others, but it is profuse with roses, and provides me with many full vases for tea parties!

 

Another lighter pink climbing rose in my back yard that I call “cotton candy” pink.   It is, unfortunately, being shaded by an ever growing lemon tree, so I don’t get a as many blooms as I do with roses in full sun.  I’m not sure how I will take care of that problem, as the lemon tree provides us with plentiful lemons all year round, and I use them constantly for lemon curd and just cutting and adding the delicious juice to my tea every day.  Perhaps I can prune the rose and move it.  I’ll have to check that out. 

 

 I bought this green triple vase holder at an antique store in Sacramento about 2 years ago.  It came with the “bottles”.  I saw it, but didn’t buy it at that time.  When we got home, I couldn’t get my mind off of it, so we drove back, an hour away, and I rushed to get it, afraid it would be gone.   Would you believe that those beautiful pink roses are fakes?   I hope you couldn’t tell!  I love it when they’re filled with real cut roses from the yard,  so I can breathe in the wonderful fragrance when at the sink (and I’m there often), but I just can’t stand to see those pretty bottles empty.  These lovelies are a great “double” !

 

I purchased this darling miniature tea set at an antique store a few years ago.  I paid $30 for it. About a year later, I saw it on ebay, and I believe it sold for $12!  I can’t complain – I’ve been very fortunate in finding fantastic bargains at thrift stores and on ebay .  I had a very difficult time keeping this tea set away from my granddaughter.  She assumed that because it was little, like her, that it WAS hers!    It’s not. It is mine

This is a Precious Moments painting that my daughter-in-“love” gave me for Christmas one year.   She painted it freehand herself – she is a very talented artist and scrap book queen!  The picture sits in the bay window over my kitchen sink, where I can see it and reflect on it’s words daily.  I don’t know about you, but I find myself feeling fearful about things at times. I must consciously remember not to be afraid of anything. What good does it do, anyway, I ask ya?

   

 

It was a  pleasure to share a little of my rose garden and my personal treasures with you this week, and I hope you will visit again.  Until then, keep “living in the pink”!

Don’t forget to visit Beverly at www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com   and visit  other Pink Saturday friends that have posted their lovely items for your viewing enjoyment! 

 

May God bless you all!

Tablescape Thursday

This will be my second post for Tablescape Thursday, hosted by Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/!   Thank you, Susan, for making it possible for all of us to see what wonderful and creative juices we all have running through our veins!  Be sure to visit Susan to see a list of tablescape participants! 

I hope those that view this post will enjoy it.   I  didn’t get the place cards printed in time to include them inside the place card holders!  I do hope to be more prepared next week!

I found the soft green round placemats at Home Goods just a few days ago, and knew the color would be a perfect fit in my home.  They aren’t quite sage green, more of a lime green, but really pale lime.

 I also found the lime green goblets at Home Goods for $2.99 each.  I bought 6, but in my husband’s usual custom  of helping me bring my treasures in from the car, he dropped the bag and two of them broke.  I don’t know who felt worse, me or him!  All was not lost, as I still have 4, and you know Home Goods – they will continue getting things in for a year, and often, you can add to a collection you had already started. 

 

 

These beautiful dishes are made by Johann Haviland, probably in the 60’s, but I’m not sure.  I was told that they were sold at gas stations!  I found 5 plates, a platter, and the cream pitcher on ebay over a year ago, and just found 3 more plates, plus the salad plates, and 8 teacups and saucers on ebay a couple of weeks ago.  I’m thrilled that I now have 8 dinner plates, which are actually more the luncheon size of 9 inches – perfect for teas! – and 8 matching teacups/saucers, also perfect for teas.  I’m a happy woman. 

 

 

The salad plates have had more wear, so the roses are somewhat faded.  The dinner plates and the teacups and saucers, however, still have the bright pink color, which is still very soft.  And notice the soft green leaves – a perfect match with the place mats.

 

 

 

 

This is a “napkin ring” I made using ribbon from Michael’s and a flower cut from a bush of silk flowers purchased at  JoAnn  Fabrics.   The silver is made by Lunt and the pattern is  Delacourt.  I couldn’t get a clear close up of the roses, but they are so pretty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The little flower place card holders are made by Coalport, in England, and were listed as vintage.  I found 6 white ones at a thrift store, then went looking for more on ebay, and wah-lah,  I found 14 in color, 5 of which were pink!  I only used the pink for this table – imagine that!

A sweet little candy dish with roses. Home Goods, only $2.99! 

Pretty pink frog vase from Home Goods last year, with roses from my yard.  It was really hot today when I cut them, so they’re not lasting very long.

I’m using my white battenburg tablecloth for this tablescape, which is usually the one I use for teas only, however, it’s all I have for a summer table setting.  Guess I need to branch out a little, so I can come up with more colorful tablescapes, like the ones all you wonderful decorators have done!

I found two of these darling votive candle holders.  The picture doesn’t really depict the lampshade – it’s encircled with roses, sort of frosted over the clear glass.  I paid only $7.99 each at Home Goods.  Home Goods…sigh…I love you.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed visiting my blog.  I can’t wait to see the lovely creations on Susan’s blog this week – I know it will make me salivate, and not for the food!

Til next time, have a wonderful week, and may God bless each of you!

Mary

TEACUP TUESDAY!

This is my first Teacup Tuesday post, hosted by Kim at http://shabbypinkandpretty.blogspot.com! I know she would love to have you stop by for a visit and see her beautiful tea items!

I hope that you will enjoy viewing part of my collection, just as I enjoy yours so very much.

This is my “Fruit” collection.

About 12 years ago, I spotted this gorgeous teapot at Marshall’s. It was over $100, so I left without it, brokenhearted. When I told my husband about it, he called a friend and asked her to go get it for him, because he was unable to drive due to an eye condition. I fretted for days, whining about this teapot and how expensive it was, while he kept silent. I’m sure he was secretly very glad that he had been sneaky and got it for me. You can imagine my surprise when I opened it about a week prior to Christmas. He gave it to me early so I could use it for my Christmas tea the next day. It was a wonderful gift – not just the teapot, but the thoughtfulness of my husband, and the willingness of my friend to go and get it for him.

Portmeirion Teapot. It has a date marked in gold ink of 4/97 on the bottom

I love the lid!

This beautiful teapot was a birthday gift from two dear friends last year. We went to tea and then shopped at nearby antique stores. My eyes lit up when I saw this one, but I didn’t want to spend any money that month (I should say “more” money. I had already spent plenty!) Two weeks later, wrapped in a beautiful pink hatbox, was my teapot!

Spode Fruit Harvest Teapot

This beautiful Arthur Wood teapot was a Christmas present from my daughter-in-“love” several years ago. I love it, and use it often to serve guests.

The teacups, made in England by Royal Victoria: Apple, Pear/Grape, Plum/Cherry, and Peach/Strawberry. I enjoy using one of them in the morning out on the deck with my Spode teapot, a plate of fruit, and sometimes a warm scone. Yum!

I hope you enjoyed your visit today. Please stop in again. My tea cottage is always open to you!

Mary