Happy New Year 2013

I'm using more of my new to me Fiesta in Black.  I've had this table in mind since May when my friend gave me the white square plates that she and her daughter decorated. She also gave me the runner which I folded so the monogram can be visible and we can sit next to each other. I did create the first version back then so this is the second attempt. I like this version better. I used a black charger, a black luncheon plate and a small white square plate.  They crystal champagne and ice glasses were wedding gifts.  The crystal candle holders, salt and pepper shakers, and tray were all thrifty finds.

 

I wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Fiesta and California Hand Prints

I have always wanted to find some vintage tablecloth at thrift shop. Well, I did this past summer.  When I saw this cloth, I am pretty sure I made some kind of noise.  I did get a few weird looks.  A few weeks later I found a similar cloth but it does not have the label nor does it feel the same. 
My camera is giving out again and the pictures are pretty bad. I tried to mess with them on Pic monkey but they may still look pinkish but the Fiesta colors are Scarlet and Black.  Most of the Black pieces are new to me.  This includes the flatware.  I didn't know it had been made in black.

 

 

I used my bow napkin rings and candlestick holders since there are bows are the cloth. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of that part of the cloth.

 

 

We didn't get to use this table. I had to cook to go to my mom's house since we can't bring her here any more and I also had to bake and cook a side dish for my in-laws on Christmas Eve. I hope I can get my New Year's table done tonight but it doesn't look promising.

FIesta Holly and Stars

This one of many Christmas decals on Fiesta.  It is called Holly and Stars.  I'm not sure what other pieces were made with this decal but I have the luncheon plates, mugs and an ornament.  They are were all purchased at Dillard's on clearance.  Fiesta does not seem to sell well here and I am sure that is why they don't bring that much here.

The tablecloth is by Lenox.  I have several red napkins that I have found at my favorite local thrift shop.  The napkin rings were also found at the same thrift shop.  My hubby found my the holly glasses at an estate sale years ago.  My red glasses are from my aunt.  She got them at Dillard's.

 

 

The sugar and creamer is a different Fiesta Holly paattern.

 

I will try to join the following parties this week:

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesdays

Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish

Please stop by their place to see what everyone is sharing!

Have a good week!

Peppermint Overload

I have been dreaming on working on this table for year.  As the year went on, things were added from thrift store finds and clearance tables. Several of my friends contributed to the creation of this table also.

 

What is your favorite part of decorating?  My favorite is the dishes.  They are the first Christmas items taken out and the last to be put away.  I hope I get to set a few more tables before the end of the year!

Thanks for stopping by!

Crazy Busy

Things have been so crazy.  I can't seem to keep up with shopping, work, taking care of my parents, my house work, doctor appointments, decorating, blogging or even with Facebook. Everything seems half way done.  I haven't planned out my baking.  I've never been one to be organized but this yearly is completely out of hand. 

I did manage to set my table. I hope to post it later. I wanted to work on 5 by the time Christmas came around but it doesn't look like there will be any time.  I hope to get two more done at least. 

I hope your days are more organized than mine.

Thanksgiving 2012

Here is my table for Thanksgiving this year.  We do not have a traditional meal.  No one really cares for turkey except for me.  So I am making a ham, mash potatoes and green beans.  It will be simple and no need for all the dishes on the table. Besides, my dad will get overwhelmed will all the stuff on the table. 
I didn't get to set all the tables I wanted to set.  There was just not enough time.  I wanted set one with all pumpkins and one with all leaves.  So since I really wanted to do both, I combined them.  So since it is a fantasy table, it makes sense to use my Fall Fantasy Fiesta luncheon plates.  Kinda corny and dumb, I know. I will have my mom use the luncheon plate for her meal. She doesn't eat much and if I give to her on the big plate she will think it is to much.  I will also have to switch out her glass as she needs a smaller one she can hold. Oh and my dad will drink he soda out of the can.  I have a set of clear salt and pepper shakers that are just for him also.  He does not like my Fiesta ones.

 

 

Here is wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

I will be joining Cusine Kathleen for Let's Dish!!

A Fall Table for Two

As I was setting this table, I was thinking of all those on the East coast that lost everything. It seems silly to be grateful for my things and to play with my dishes. It does reinforce the idea not to save things for a special occasion as everyday we are given should be a special occasion.  I decided a few years back that I needed to use my stuff and not be afraid to use it. It is not only this latest storm that has inspired me to write this but another sad story that I learned about thru one of the Facebook groups that I belong to. A fellow collector lost her family home along with all her belongings in a fire.  The collector who posted the story is trying to gather people to send any extra Fiesta dishes their way to help them rebuild their collection.
There is also my parent's declining health that brings me to write about my things. These last few months my dad has been cleaning house.  He tells me to take stuff.  It is like he is getting ready for something. He looks tired.  Caring for my mom 24/7 is taking its toll. I try to help on the weekends but there is only so much I can do.  Guilt does set in most days. My dad told me again this weekend that he is not ready to send her to a nursing home.  He still wants to take care of her.
I have most of my mom's dishes now.  They include some of her gadgets, baking items and trays. She used to love to shop for kitchen gadgets not so much dishes. Her goal was to get the meal done and not so much on the presentation. Our table was dressed up only on holidays. There was never a centerpiece or candles(only for birthdays on the cake). Back then it didn't matter to me.  I was just happy not to eat on a paper plate. I didn't mind washing the dishes either.
I will tell you a not so sad story about my mom.  This past weekend I took my parents a new coffee maker. It is nothing fancy but boy was my mom excited.  She kept asking (in her own way) if it was for her. When I would tell her yes, her smile would be a mile long.  It made me sad only because I miss the days when we would go shopping.

So on to my table.  Do you still want to see it?  My mom would probably say the tablecloth is too busy for her tastes. Although, I think she would love the color combination. 

 

Just a few photos this time around. The Fiesta colors are Chocolate, Paprika, Ivory and Evergreen.

Prayers are being said for all those being affected by the storm.

Missing my Spunky baby

It was a year yesterday that I had to say goodbye to my Spunky baby. She had just turned nine.  I still cry when I mention her. Halloween was sad for me because that was her birthday.  We always bought her a new stuffed animal. My hubby did a great job of keeping me distracted yesterday.
I think it is harder for me because I am the one who was with her when the vet did what had to be done.  I'm the one that saw fear in her eyes when they held her down to shave her leg for the injection. I know I will never be able to forget those moments.  I do think of the good times too.  She knew which toy was what. Her piggy was her favorite.  She loved squeaky toys and to walk.  She knew 10 to 15 minutes before my hubby was going to arrive.  She would always reposition herself to face the door when he was close by. 
I know there are many out there that have lost children and may think I am making a big deal about a dog.  I am not able to have any children of my own so Spunky was my baby. 
I planted a garden in the backyard next to where she used lay down when she was outside.  It is a distraction to look that way not and expect to see her there. It is still a work in progress.  I took a few pictures on my phone but not my camera yet.  I will try to load them.
We have new fur babies that are keeping us busy.  They are so different than Spunky.  It was what I wanted.  I couldn't bear to have a similar dog.  I saw a dog that looked like her the day after we got Ryleigh and Reagan at the pet store. I couldn't help but cry. I will take it as sign that it was ok to get my new babies. We are all still adjusting to each other.  They are older and may have had a rough life.  They have helped fill the void.

This is one of my favorite pictures of her.  She always wanted to get on the bed and yes we did let her.  On occasion, she would push one of us off.
I did hear her the other day.  She used to sleep in the entry way at one point or another during the night in the entry way.  When she would get up I could hear her tags and her scraping the floor. I heard the same noise.  Or maybe I wanted to hear it.

Spiders and Fiesta Halloween 2012 Part 3

I went as far as to bake for this table.  I like to bake. I just don't do it well or often.  I picked the four best cupcakes for this table.  I saw these cupcake holders on several blogs and never thought I would find them here but I did.  They go so well with the table that I made the effort to bake.

I used several of the same elements from my last table.  The place mats were the inspiration. Then I found the napkin rings and the candles.  I used a piece of cheese cloth as my spider web.  The stand holding the witches kettle was a clearance purchase at Big Lots.  The Fiesta colors are Plum, White, Black and Yellow.  I put the plates off to side so you can see the cute spider on the place mats.

  

And these are my pumpkins.  This the best shot of them together.  Reagan is looking straight into the camera and Ryleigh is looking for a way out.  We have had them for five months now.  They have helped fill the void of my Spunky who we lost last year to cancer.

Happy Halloween!!

I will be joining the following parties be sure to check them out.

Seasonal Sundays

Table Top Tuesday

Let's Dish

Fiesta and Halloween 2012 Part 2

I said it in my last post also but I didn't plan on more than one Halloween table but I forgot about these placemats and napkin rings that I purchased last year.  I couldn't go without using them again.  I like how several bloggers have used purple in their 'scapes and I wanted to try it.  Thank you to all of those who inspire me!!

I used a luncheon plate in white to show off the place mat. Then I layered a plum salad plate which is then topped off with a black fruit bowl.  The Fiesta colors are White, Plum, Black, Chartreuse and Lemon Grass.  The Fiesta pyramid candle holder are one of my favorites.

My hubby has always been more into Halloween than I have.  These tables are more for him.  He likes skulls for some unknown reason.  But it is funny to me that he no longer likes the candles that are in the bowls.  He says they have too many teeth.  His comment just made me laugh. 

 

 

My dad purchased this crow set for me.  This from a man that says I have too much stuff.  I never thought my dad would contribute to any of tablescapes. 

I will joining the following blog parties this week:

Seasonal Sundays

Table Top Tuesday

Let's Dish

Tablescape Thursday

Have a great week!!  Thanks for stopping by!