HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!!!

Linking up with Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday in celebration of the 4th of July!  This is one of those low cost tablescapes that I so love to orchestrate.....  All I bought were the red, white, and blue napkins from Tuesday Morning for the grand total of $7.99....  That's the joy of white dishes, just add some brightly colored accessories and you're ready to PAR-TAY!

I made the starfish garland last summer after seeing one in a gift shop for way too much money.  I like the way it mimics the stars on the napkins and on Uncle Sam's top hat.....

I tied a red ribbon on the black lantern and used my red TJ Maxx dessert plates as accent pieces.

This Uncle Sam cast iron bank came from Tuesday Morning many years ago.  My grandgirls absolutely love to see the coins drop from his hand into his bag.....  Uncle Sam abuse fer sure.....  The kittens LOVE it when they are left alone for a bit.....  Ha ha.....

The first dinner guest has already arrived............  Just one of three adorable kittens that are free to the first in line..............  And if you take all three, you get a HUGE discount.... LOL

Here's a far shot of my lush and tropical hideaway.  Do you see the new plant in the background to the far right?  It's a queen palm I got on sale for dirt cheap at Wally World.  I painted the old clay pot with Versailles colored chalk paint and waxed it with dark wax.  It's a test to see just how durable chalk paint really is......  I love that pretty gray green color......

Of course, that sale queen palm just had me salivating for more so I went back with Johnny in his Surburban and bought a much larger one.  This baby was on sale for $23, believe it or not!!!  I'm not sure how well it'll do in a pot but if it shows signs of neglect I'll just plant it in the yard.....  I love that tropical patio look!  Those darned kitties are giving it hell, though.  They climb halfway up the trunk and hang on for dear life.  PLEASE, someone adopt one or all of them!

Stay tuned for the FOUNTAIN I finally treated myself to......  It has to be stained before it can be assembled......  Here are the girls kissing the LSU tiger at the concrete yard the day we picked up the fountain....  Don't tell their mama cause she's an OHIO STATE FAN.  :-)

It was SOME HOT that day!!!!  Y'all try to stay COOL now!!!!!  Hope you have a FANTASTIC 4th of July!!!!!

Hop, Hop, Hoppy Easter Tablescape

It's that time of year again................. Spring has sprung and it's egg hunt time.  And time to think about setting a nice Easter table.....  But first things first, had to visit the ole Easter bunny and have a pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt with him.  Believe it or not, my girls are twins.  One looks like daddy and one looks like momma.  Kinda neat, huh?

And now it's tablescape time............

I've been itching to do something new with that roll of burlap I bought a while back.  I paired it with some faux Easter eggs and a little raffia for a simple but sweet look and accented with the bunny I bought off the sale table for a couple of dollars at Home Goods last summer.  This southern girl is OFFICIALLY on a budget.  Had AC problems and had the repairman out who band-aided the problem with a transistor and said if I'm lucky it'll last the summer.  The entire system needs replacing to the tune of $5,600......  And I have TWO units!  OUCH!!!!!!!! 

Rather, make that OUCH!!!!! OUCH!!!!! 

 The small bunny was purchased at Tuesday Morning a few weeks ago.  Doesn't she look cute nestled in the Phalaenopsis peeking out at us?

Haven't a CLUE as to what I'll fix for Easter dinner, but the table will sure look nice.  Tee hee.... Note to self:  Clean the dirty fingerprints off the back door before company arrives.......  Chances are that I'll have to move the entire tablescape to the dining room table and add more settings as that table seats more people.

I didn't spend a penny on anything new, just repurposed things I already had on hand..... My daddy would be real proud of that, bless his heart.

Couldn't help posting this close up shot.  I love the way the light reflects off fine china.

HAPPY EASTER, Y'ALL!!!!!!!!!!

Linking up with Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.  Hop on over and pay her a visit.....  http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Napkin Rings Made of What???

Back to school is always a busy time for me and I've been coming home and crashing on the ole sofa......... I think I'm becoming a sofa ornament. :)

I've been collecting wine bottle corks for years now without nary a single idea as to what to do with them. Suddenly, VOILA! When I started putting this fall tablescape together, an idea popped into my head. What about cork napkin rings???? What do ya think of these? Double-click for a closeup view. The corks have that earthy feel that goes so well with fall foliage. I shared my inspiration with my man Johnny and off we went to Lowe's. After looking at tubing and PVC pipe, we selected a short length of PVC in just the right diameter for the rings. One hacksaw later (I love that gadget) and we were in business.....

We sliced the corks in half lengthwise and cut half inch rings from the PVC. The flat side of the cork halves were then glued around the outside of the PVC rings. What an easy project! I picked up the orange and green leaf dishes at Ross for $1.99 each..... I love the way they bring out the colors in the centerpiece. That old crow couple came from Big Lots years ago. They make me smile everytime I look at them.

Don't forget to hop on over to Susan's sweet blog Between Naps on the Porch to see more beautiful tablescapes.

The placemats that I picked up at Pier One over the summer have completely lost the beachy feel now that they are used with fall decor. They make me think of a cornucopia. Here's another view of one of the napkin rings.....

They need something inside to cover that ugly PVC pipe, maybe a strip of burlap or a earthy toned ribbon. Still working on that....

Here's a birds eye view of the entire table.

Those two are some quite contented crows, don't you think????????

Here's one last view...... May the fall colors bring cooler temps here to hot and humid south Louisiana.....

Happy fall, y'all!!!!!

100th Post and Tablescape Thursday

It's time for Tablescape Thursday once again. Special thanks to Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting this weekly event. Today's post is my 100th and I can hardly believe it..... Oh, how does time fly.......

On my last trip in to Old Time Pottery, I found this beautiful red and yellow quilted table runner marked down to $4.39 and just had to have it. I looked high and low for coordinating placemats and napkins, but they were all gone, every last one. There was just something about those sunny colors that hooked me and it made its way into my buggy. When I got home, I started looking around for objects that would complement the runner. I had totally forgotten the red canape plates I scored at TJ Maxx for $5.99 a few months ago. They match perfectly, don't you think? The yellow tulip arrangement that usually resides on the side of my whirlpool tub was bought at a garage sale for $3.00...... My only new purchase was the golden yellow napkins from World Market Imports, 6 napkins for $9.99. World Market has just gotten in an assortment of gorgeous colors from yellows to reds, purples, blues, and greens.....and I want em all! That store is quickly becoming my favorite.

I used my Southern Living at Home glass-topped tray to ground the flowers on the colorful runner. The fleur de lis napkins rings came from The Royal Standard a while back. Lil Brookie broke one of them but luckily they were still in stock when I returned, so I was able to replace it. Pllllleeeassse ignore the messy countertop in the next picture. I have developed a severe case of the late summer lazies.... happens every year like clockwork....

The little birdie topiary came from Tuesday Morning. Isn't he cute perched up top of that imaginary bush? Here's a close-up of one table setting....

And here's one last view of my thrifty red and yellow tablescape..... Doesn't it just SCREAM fajitas, chips, avocado slices, and sour cream??????? Ummmm, I think I know what I'm having for supper tonight...

Thanks for visiting and do leave me a comment, please........

Terri

Beachy Tablescape Encore

I just can't get enough of the beach these days. Returned from Orange Beach last week and am headed out for Destin early Friday morning, this time with my kids and grandkids. Woo hoo!!!! Time for a celebratory tablescape, don't you think? Be sure to hop on over to visit Susan to view other breathtaking tablescapes when you finish here.



I found these beautiful ocean blue glasses at Old Time Pottery and just had to pull out the fish dishes and do another beachy tablescape.... Aren't the salt and pepper shakers just adorable? When I caught sight of them at World Market, I just HAD to have them... The placemats came from Pier One. I bought the last four, sure wish I could have found two more..... I wanted to incorporate more of that gorgeous ocean blue so I strung the glass beads (Wal-Mart clearance item) to pretty up the napkin rings. And while cleaning out kitchen drawers yesterday I came across the perfect fabric for a table runner. Are you ready to hear the source? I discovered a carry bag from an old patio umbrella that has long since been retired in the back of a drawer. And better yet, the colors were PERFECT for the tablescape. I cut that baby up and sewed up a table runner, easy as pie. How's that for some highly creative recycling, y'all?

Here's another view of the table runner. I used some pretty shells to add some interest.

This tablescape is set for three, me and the two kids who still live at home even though more often than not, they just perch briefly before heading out again.... Oh, to be young again....

I love this fat fish! He doesn't seem to have missed many meals....

I decorated the candlesticks with twine and a sand dollar and starfish. Here's one last view....Look out Destin, here we come!!!!!!

Beachy Tablescape Thursday

I celebrated the 4th of July holiday at the beach with friends. The pretty shell dishes were picked out on a previous trip to Old Time Pottery but my friend Kim recently upgraded her table and chairs and a nice tablescape was just a callin my name..... ;-) The table base looks wood but is made of resin and the chairs are seagrass. Kim was able to re-use the glass top from the previous table and save a little money. The floral arrangement was purchased at Haverty's in Baton Rouge. That's Kim in the background preparing dinner.

Doubleclick on the pics to see more detail. Kim is in the market for new silverware. What you see in the pic is what was in the condo when she and her hubby purchased it. Any ideas on the best place for nice heavyweight silverware at a bargain price???

The condo was about to go into foreclosure when they bought it and they've made some nice upgrades since. Just about all of the furniture has been changed out.

Here's a view of the living area and balcony beyond. Do you see that chair and ottoman in the background? I sewed the cushions for Kim. Not bad if I say so myself..... I will NEVER EVER work with braid that large again because it was a royal pain to sew.

Last summer the condo was booked solid but the oil spill brought about a lot of last minute cancellations. If anyone is interested in rental information, please don't hesitate to leave me a comment.... The condo is located in Orange Beach, Alabama just about 4 miles from the Florida state line.

The roses on the countertop were a birthday gift for Kim. She rolled over into a new decade that will remain unnamed on June 30th..... :) Here's one last shot of the beachy tablescape........ Happy Tablescape Thursday!!!!

Sunflower China

Woooo hooo! I'm getting more prompt with this tablescape stuff. Thanks, Susan, for hosting Tablescape Thursday. Please visit Susan at www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com. I stopped in at TJ Maxx yesterday afternoon with my BFF Kim and found these cute sunflower plates on the clearance rack, marked down to $2.00 each. Kinda hard to pass up such a bargain, don't you think? DOUBLECLICK ON THE PICS TO SEE THE DETAIL! I pulled out my artificial sunflowers and red dessert plates and had the beginnings of a charming new tablescape.... Here's a bird's eye view.

Sure wish I had some red glasses to accessorize with. Wouldn't that be beautiful? But alas, I'm just a single gal on a budget still trying to refinance this darn house of mine....

If you haven't tried to buy or refinance lately, a word from the wise..... Pay your bills on time and work on improving that credit rating. Even though I NEVER made a late mortgage payment in 27 years nor ever one single late car payment, my ex wasn't the best at his bills and the old credit rating isn't pristine. Not bad, but certainly not pristine. And oh what a fuss the bank is causing as a result. I could string that guy up by his toes, and I'm not talking bout the mortgage loan officer either!

This whole refinance thing has been going on since September now. They told me I needed a property settlement and I got that, only to be told they needed final divorce papers. Grrrrrrr! So now I'm going with a different company that says divorce papers aren't needed. Hello??? I knew that all along.

Please forgive me cause I digress..... Here are the beautiful sunflower plates on black glass chargers. Doesn't that make for a sweet tablesetting?

They coordinate beautifully with the red dessert plates that also came from TJ Maxx.... I sure wish they'd quit advertising so much on TV cause the lines are unbelievably long these days.....

Some day I'll be able to afford to entertain with my pretty dishes.....

HAPPY TABLESCAPE THURSDAY!!!!!!!