A Perfect Time to be Well

Today was the first day I've been out in over a week.  Ok, I'll fess up--I did not have a flu shot.  There, I've said it.  It's sorta like cleaning out a closet, you have every intention of getting to it, but it's not high on the priority list.  When I started to feel bad, I thought I probably was just getting a cold.  I had a tightness in my chest, and just felt lousy.  Then came the fever.  I was up all night popping this pain reliever or that, doing whatever I could to just make it through.  The next day I called the doctor.  He did not scold me for not getting the flu shot, he even said that it might not have made any difference.  He did prescribe the flu medication, but I think I might have waited too long, because it was several days before I felt the least bit better.  My chest ached from coughing, and the cough is still with me.  Fortunately, it isn't as bad as it was, and I think I might live. 

Funny thing, though.  I go a week with absolutely NO appetite, some days only drinking liquids, and having a bit of soup.  Did I lose one single lousy pound????  Of course not.  Just my luck.  You'd think SOMETHING good might come of being sick, but NOOOO!!  Ok, I take that back.  The good that comes from being sick is being thankful for health.  I know I take my health for granted, and when I don't have it, I realize that without it, there's not much left.  There was no blogging or tablesetting last week, so if I didn't get to visit with you, I apologize.  So here's to good health!!

Simple and casual tonight!!  I'm using an April Cornell brown floral runner with shades of greens and blues. 

 Chargers and green dinner plates were purchased at Marshalls.

Blue salad plates were purchased at Dillard's last summer.

Silverware is the Mikasa that I won from Anita's Far Above Rubies a few months back.

The goblets look more turquoise blue in person, they are looking a bit too green in these pictures!  Anyway, they were a great thrift find.  The wines were my Mom's.

Napkins are vintage, and are edged with a very light blue.  They were also my Mom's.

 

Acuba made a great filler for an arrangement.  It's the only thing in the yard that's still green that doesn't remind me of Christmas. 

Candleholders are from Southern Living at Home.

Well, there you have it.  Not real fancy this week, but I am happy to be back. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Spring is less than a month away!  Woohoo!!!!!!

A Pink Perfect Setting

There's something a bit exciting about looking forward to a party.  What will I wear, who will be there, and will I have fun are some of the things one considers when accepting a party invitation.  But if you are the one having the party, it can be a bit more intimidating.  Whether you are a first-time hostess or a seasoned one, you can throw a great shindig--even if you don't know how to boil water or if you are on a strict budget.  It can be done with a bit of planning and a little help from your friends.

One type of party that helps is a pot luck.  How many times have you invited someone and they courteously ask 'what can I bring?'  Do you say, 'oh nothing--I've got it covered', or do you specifically let them know?  Sometimes I consider the individual's situation.  Do they work full time?  Are they busy with kids/grandkids?  If so, I might ask them to bring something they can just pick up.  If the person has a specialty, I will sometimes ask them to bring that.  At Christmas and Thanksgiving, I often will tell my family members what I intend to prepare and let them decide what they'd like to bring to fill in.  At larger events, we sometimes use the alphabet.  For example, those with last names from A-N--appetizer, last names from O-Z--a dessert.  Sometimes it really is just pot luck.  And it works out most of the time.  And sometimes I really do prefer to do it myself!  Entertaining is a lot of work, but can be a lot of fun, too!

Today's table uses dishes that you probably have seen lately in the TJ Maxx or HomeGoods stores.  I think they are lovely and romantic.

The tablecloth is a white cotton with cut work, over a solid pink tablecloth.

The dinner plate is Maxcera Amour and the accent heart-shaped plate is Maxcera Paisley Peony.  They were purchased at TJ Maxx and Home Goods.

Repousse flatware is used with a pink floral damask napkin. 

Salt cellars are adorned with a tiny flower and were my Mom's.

Chargers are from Ross.

Crystal on left is Heisey, and was my Mom's. 

 

Floral-etched stems were also my Mom's.

Pink floral votives came from, are you ready--Kroger!

I also found the matching vase and a pair of adorable birds~

The crystal candle holders were a gift from my cousin.  They will hold a taper or a pillar candle.

Last but not least, the most important thing about entertaining is that people come to see YOU.  So if things aren't as perfect as you'd like--light a candle and smile.  That's the best decoration of them all!

Thanks for visiting my romantic, pink table.  What would you like to bring???

A Perfect Setting's Red and Gold

My mother's younger sister and her family lived beside us while I was growing up.  We lovingly called her 'Sissy', and she had two sons, one my age and one around 6 years older.  When her boys were 3 and 9, their father died of a brain tumor.  My father became like a second father figure to the boys, and the family naturally became a part of ours.  They ate meals with us, they went on vacations with us, and we supported each other in more ways than I can say.  Sissy was a strong lady, and she was loved by all who met her.  She knew no strangers, and she loved all of us with a passion.  She and my Mom became entrepreneurs, as Sissy struggled to take care of her sons.  They had a sandwich shop, a 'junk' shop, an antique business, and finally, a florist business.  They never made much money, but they sure had a lot of fun.  I believe the stress of trying to make ends meet got to her, and she died of heart disease in 1979 when she was in her mid-fifties.  She was a talented lady, and it is hard to sum up her life in a few paragraphs. 

My Mother told me she cried for a year after Sissy died.  They were best friends, and had a bond unlike no other.  All of us, Sissy's nieces and nephews, and her sons, took a little of her with us--some more than others (wink), and we all miss her more than words can say.

I am using Sissy's wine glasses, salt and peppers, and candlesticks, which are now vintage Avon.  As I pulled them out of the box, I could still smell the perfumed scent.

Welcome!

I used this white cloth with gold design that I found on sale at Home Goods a few weeks ago.

I found these plates at an antique store, they do not have any markings on them.  I believe they are fairly new.  I loved the cherub and I will use them for Christmas and for Valentine's.

Along with the Avon stems, I used my Lenox crystal (I think it's Lenox, not sure) with the gold rim.

The dinner plate is my Lenox Courtyard.  It is ivory and has a gold rim, with a delicate swirly white design around the edges.  The design is hard to see in the photographs...

Napkin rings are silver with a gold bow, and were purchased at Stein Mart years ago.

I used red roses and filled in with whatever I could find in the yard--sprayed gold.

I used my cherub bowl, and added table gems to the bottom for sparkle. 

I love the painted faces on these little guys!

Sideboard...

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me!  I always enjoy hearing from you!