Sweet Virginia Bees

For the past several years, I have had the pleasure of meeting up for a fun week-end with my girlfriends from my hometown. Most of us have known each other since we were children. Even though we all have been apart for many years, it is such a comfort to know that when we do come together, it is as if we have never been apart. Girls from the South love a good party, and we are all about it. But most of all we love the fellowship we have with each other--the laughing, the crying, and did I mention the laughing? We share family stories, we talk about the good ole days, we eat, and we dance!! So here's to my sistas--may we continue our ya ya week-end for many years to come!

A relaxing dinner outside was on my mind after the excitement of my week-end. The buzzing bees reminded me of all our activities and conversations!

I began by using yellow flower placemats from Home Goods.  For my black and yellow theme, I added my basic black plates.  If you look closely, you can see a bee flying above the hive!

I added a lighter yellow salad plate, which I just bought on sale at Dilliards, and then the darker yellow flower bowls, which are the Martha Stewart brand from Macy's. 

I found the cute pitcher and bee hive at Goodwill, and filled the pitcher with daisies and some crape myrtle.  The cute bee napkin rings came from Sur Le Table and I used a combination of yellow and black napkins.

The saltcellars match the bowls.

The glasses are the bee old-fashioned La Rochere glasses (I think you can buy them from overstock.com) and the wine goblets were purchased at Tuesday morning many years ago.  Can you see the little spoons in the saltcellars?

Woops, accidently left a tissue on the table, not very good manners.

By candlelight... Looks like some activity in the bee hive!

Thanks for visiting today!  Please leave a comment, as I strive for a PERFECT SETTING!!

Time To Let Go?

Several of my friends are getting ready to take their son or daughter off to college for the first time.  Senior year is a time of so many "lasts".  The last game, the last recital, and last family spring break, the last week, the last dinner...  I experienced this with my own daughter, and I was a wreck--I was flooded with so many memories and emotions!  When I walked away from her in that dorm room, I just couldn't hold in the tears.  Good thing my husband was there to drive us home.  The year turned into a year of  "firsts"--sorority rush, the first college tailgate and football game, the first formal dance...  This summer she (finally) turned 21 and talked us into taking her and some of her friends to Las Vegas to celebrate.  How did we go from Chuckee Cheese to Vegas??  Before we left, we had our family celebration, and I decided on a black and white color scheme.  After bringing out the dishes, I thought the design needed a bit of color, and went with a lime green tablecloth.

I used black plates, and black and white floral salad plates, which I purchased from TJMaxx a few years ago.  The white napkins are trimmed in black ribbon, I adore the bow in the corner, and they also came from TJMaxx. 

The wine glasses are Mikasa Park Lane, and the glasses are rimmed in silver (I've had them for many years, and can't remember where I purchased them)  I used three black vases down the center of the table, calla lilies in the center with some ornamental grass from the backyard, and the other two vases with just greens.

 I used two black tapers in crystal candle holders on either side of the center vase, and two more that are shorter on the outside of the other vases.   The glass votive holders were purchased at Pier 1.  I used three black metal votive holders, and added crystal strands and table gems, to add sparkle.

We enjoyed our family dinner, and the kids had a ball in Vegas.  I've often thought of how wonderful it would be to go back to the sweet baby days, but I know I never would, because I would miss the beautiful young woman I see before me today!

My little friend watches all the preparations from his favorite spot.

The ladder adds a bit of class, don't ya think??

 Thanks for visiting today!  Please leave a comment, as I strive for a perfect setting!!