A November Perfect Setting

It is one of our greatest fears--that of speaking in front of a group.  Which is why I found myself sick to my stomach in the school bathroom when I was in 8th grade.  I had been chosen as an officer in the FHA--Future Homemakers of America--and as one of my duties, I had to come up with a program agenda and introduce all guest speakers.  I had literally made myself sick from the anxiety, and seriously did not think I could get through it.  My Home Ec teacher, I'll call her Mrs. Lee, sent someone to get me, and I left the bathroom to face my fears and do my duty.  I somehow made it through that introduction without dying, and my Home Ec teacher had been confident in my abilities from the beginning.  Being the people pleaser that I was am, I did not want to disappoint.  Mrs. Lee taught me how to do so many of the things I do today, I wonder what I would have done had I not taken those two years of Home Ec.

I often wonder, too, about our daughters.  We have been so busy making sure they have wonderful educations and careers, have we neglected to teach them the things they need to know in order to have a home and family?  I went on to teach high school, and overcame my fear of standing before a group, and one of my best teacher friends was the Home Ec teacher.  Of course, then they called her the Family Life teacher.  The curriculum was altered, and mock weddings and open houses became a part of their studies.  Now there are no Home Ec or Family Life teachers, and no room in high school students' busy schedules for classes such as sewing or cooking. 

I am grateful that I had that opportunity.  Even though I had lots of great women in my life who taught me SO MUCH, Mrs. Lee gave me confidence and instilled in me the joys of homemaking day in and day out for two years.  I will continue to write about her, as well as the other influential women in my life.

By the way, the guest speaker I introduced that day was speaking on flower arranging!  lol Hope I got something out of that meeting, I attempted to gather whatever I could find in the yard for today's centerpiece.

The turquoise topper is a card table cloth and the perfect color to go with the dinner plates I am using.

The white leaf plates were purchased at GW, along with a large white leaf-shaped platter.  Great find!  Notice my new flatware, my recent win at Anita's Far Above Rubies giveaway, which is Mikasa's Italian Countryside.  I love it!

These accent plates are the perfect color, and were purchased at Dillard's.  I think they are by Main Ingredient.

These plates are my inspiration today.  They are creamy white, with turquoise and green leaves, and purple berries.  The dishes are Vintage Fine China (Japan), and were my Mom's.  I have no idea where they came from.  Even though the colors don't scream autumm, I thought the leaves and berries were perfect to use this time of year.

These napkin rings were also a Goodwill find.  They have a place where you can add a flower and a tiny bit of water so that your flower doesn't wilt.  I guess you have to warn your guests to be careful when removing the napkin:)

I found these adorable salt cellars at Tuesday Morning last week.  Unfortunately, they only had four.  I'm keeping my eyes out for more!  I love the shape!

The purple glasses were also purchased at Goodwill, and the wine is Crown Pointe by Gorham. 

The lighting makes the glasses look a bit more on the purple side, and the napkins appear a bit more burgundy.  Actually, they are very similar in color.

Candles are lit...

Another great view of flatware.

Thanks for stopping by!  If you get a chance, let me know if you took Home Ec in school and your thoughts about the experience (or lack thereof).  I am thankful for all the wonderful women that have touched my life!  Have a great week, and come back to see me, I will continue to strive for A PERFECT SETTING!



A Perfect Setting for Christmas Trees

The Halloween boxes have just been put away, and we haven't even gotten around to Thanksgiving yet, so why do I already have a Christmas tree post?  Christmas trees make me happy, and I feel like I need to get a head start on all the decorating projects, so I won't be stressed out in December and I can devote more time to cooking, shopping, friends, and most importantly, family. 

A bit of background is necessary here.  My mother always loved Christmas trees, even more than I do.  She made all of her own ornaments, using costume jewelry, beads, sequins, braids, trims, velvet, whatever she had at the time.  Hers were all different colors, but the ones I am using now are all white.  She insisted on putting up a tree every year, even when she was in her late eighties and early nineties.  My mother died on New Year's Day, 2009, and for the last two years, I haven't put up my tree in the foyer with her ornaments.  The first year she was very ill, and I didn't have the time or strength, and last year, I couldn't bring myself to pull them out.  This year I ordered a new tree, and yesterday I pulled all the ornaments down and started to go through them.  This is not my big tree where the family gathers Christmas morning, but this is a pencil tree I will use in my foyer with my mother's ornaments.  Here is what the foyer looked like before:

Since I don't move the table, I have just enough room for a slim tree.  I will use the black and gold fishbowl as a tree base.  You could also use a large urn.  The next photo shows the arrangement I used last year and the year before instead of the tree.

To use the fishbowl as a base, I took an old coffee can and put cardboard pieces inside, and then placed the tree base inside.  I added marbles, you could use rocks or something else heavy, and made sure it was in the center of the fishbowl.  Then I added more cardboard pieces around the coffee can, and stuffed every available space in the fishbowl with heavy brown paper, like paper grocery bags or heavy brown paper.  Then I added the remainder of the tree pieces.  For added security, sometimes I use green Velcro tape and secure it to the banister. 

The tree is secure, and this picture is with the lights off.  I like to decorate the tree with the lights off, because I feel I can see the placement of the ornaments a little better, and if it looks good when it's not lit, it will look great when it is!

Most trees now are pre-lit, but if you add lights, make sure to wrap the branches up and down, this gives the tree a nice depth.  I added ribbon just to catch the light.  The best way to do this is cut the ribbon in small pieces, it is much easier to work with and you can hide the beginning and ends of the ribbon pieces behind branches.  It just looks as if the ribbon is winding in and out of the tree branches.  Another way to add depth to your tree is to decorate "inside" the tree, not just on the branch tips.

I also add icicle garland, again to catch the light and to give a shimmery feel to the tree.  This ornament is decorated with sequins, pearls, and silver braid. There are no two alike!

Pearls . . .

Can you see the bird--upper left?  My parents had these on their tree when they were first married.

It's not necessary to decorate the back of the tree, but in this case, I do because you can see it when you come down the steps.  If you need to put your tree closer to the wall, you can just flatten the branches in the back, it's not noticeable.

At the top of the tree, I use shiny branch-like stems all the way around the top.  You will see a better example of this when I decorate my main tree.  I think it gives a "crown-like" appearance to the tree-top.

Try to hide the cords, if possible.  This tree had a heavy green extension to it, so I hid it with a gold cover that's sold to hide computer wiring.

I think a Christmas tree is a very personal thing, and each and every one are beautiful.  Thanks for taking the time to look at my "memory" tree, it is very special to me!  Can't wait to see yours!!

A Perfect Setting for Pumpkins

With the holidays and cooler weather on the way, I am ready to start decorating and planning meals for friends and family.  I have begun making lists and making out menus.  With all the parties and entertaining in the near future, I am beginning to have a bit of anxiety about (dare I mention it) the dreaded five- to ten-pound weight gain.  I have many, many diet books, and I'm sure they would all work really well if I could stick to them as written, but for some reason, I falter after just a few days.  I am pretty good about exercising, and I have been walking for an hour a day with a friend in the mornings.  It seems that the older I get, the easier those pounds creep up.

The joys of being around a beautiful holiday table with our loved ones is such a fulfilling experience--emotionally and gastronomically, and is one that I am not willing to give up to be slim.  Hopefully I can exercise moderation, and allow the magical moments and memories that are being made to fill me up. I intend to savor every minute and morsel, and cherish the time spent with those around me.  In January, I will let you know which diet plan I intend to use.

The table is set and ready for you!!

Lots of pumpkins, warm colors, and texture create a cozy setting.

Lots of candles--

To create this centerpiece, I started with a grapevine wreath which already had artificial grape leaves.  I piled on three pumpkins, gourds, and an artichoke, filling in with nandina leaves and berries.

To the left of the centerpiece, I added another pumpkin, three artichoke candles, and one pumpkin candle.

To the right, I added three pumpkin candles--purchased at Pottery Barn-- and another smaller pumpkin candle.  I filled in with crystal candle holders and orange tapers.

Chargers were purchased at Target, plate is Fitz and Floyd, purchased recently at Tuesday Morning, and pumpkin plates were purchased at TJ Maxx.  Sterling is Lunt.

Crystal is etched with gold leaves, and was purchased years ago at Tuesday Morning.

I used orange and beige colored napkins, with a "harvest" moon napkin ring.  Table runner came from Home Goods last year, but I think they have them this year as well.

I am so excited to be the winner of Anita's giveaway at Far Above Rubies.  I won a set of Italian Countryside flatware by Mikasa.  I hope to show it soon!  Please visit Anita and see all her lovely posts!!

Thanks for stopping by, and as always, I am striving for A Perfect Setting!!