Purple is a special color this weekend. It symbolizes the strength and courage of cancer survivors everywhere but especially in our community. On July 14th and 15th, the annual Relay For Life - the event that raises money for the fight against cancer - will be held. The very moving and emotional Survivor's Lap takes place right after the opening events. Pat and her husband Jim will be there and will be there for most of the two-day event. Each year, they dedicate many long hours before and during the Relay to help raise awareness and much needed money.

To honor all the people who have been touched by cancer, Pat and I wanted to set the table in purple (quite a challenge since purple is not a color we have a lot of.)

Overview of the table.

Another full length view of the table.

The placemat is a metallic purple!!! But it looks really good on the purple table. (One of Pat's bargains - she got them for less than a dollar apiece a Pier I. I couldn't imagine what she was thinking at the time. Boy, was I wrong!)

Flatware is "April" Silverplate by Wm Rogers & Son.

Close up of the gorgeous Bell Heather cup and saucer by Royal Doulton.

The rims on the Dinner and Salad plate are stunning.

Royal Doulton made a variation of this pattern with a gold rim with the same name.

Heather is known as a sign of love, kindness, and hospitality.

Assorted white and purple heathers cut from my yard.

Close up of a real Bell Heather.

The purple metallic-like glass coordinates with the placemat. Both are from Pier I.

A very substantial crystal candlestick.

Just one of the crystal salt and pepper shakers on a tray.

You can see the detail of these cute napkin rings - another Pier I purchase.

Purple votives on a mirror look just right.

Betty dressed for dinner.

Couldn't resist another picture of the table.

White Brocade tablecloth - from Pat (one of her "finds" at a local rummage sale.)

Purple metallic placemats - Pier I

Dinnerware - Bell Heather by Royal Doulton (made from approx. 1941-1956)

Flatware - "April" by Wm Rogers & Son

Purple stemmed water glass - Pier I on sale this Spring

Champagne trumpet glass - Cris d'Arques from Ross

Lavender Hemstitched Napkins - eBay

White Napkins - Target

Napkin Rings - Pier I

Large Crystal Candlesticks - Gottschalk's (a local department store now out of business)

Candles and votives - Michael's

Purple votive holders - Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Crystal Salt and Pepper shakers on trays - eBay



The 4th of July is over, and it seems everyone is posting red, white and blue tablescapes. We couldn't resist either. Pat and her husband hosted a wonderful Barbecue that day with lots of family, neighbors, and friends (as usual....) Of course, she set the tables with an Independence Day theme - indoor for this barbecue since the wind was howling. We are not cursed with the horrible heat wave that many parts of the country have been suffering through. 

 The menu included barbecued ribs, garlic baked fingerling potatoes and carrots, fresh watermelon, salad with lemon dressing, garlic parmesan cheese bread, and lemon trifle for dessert. All this was preceeded with wonderful assortment of hors d'oeurves and appetizers. Beverages included wine, gourmet coffees, tea and lemonade.

The rectangular table had similar rectangular placemats.

The round table shows the round red placemats.

Closeup of the place setting.

Centerpiece vase for the Hors d'oeurves table.

Centerpiece vase for the round table.

A white vintage vase for the rectangular table.

Of course, red, white and blue glassware.

Simple stainless flatware - a staple for casual settings.

Accent plate sits on top of the white dinner plate. 

A closeup of the lemon trifle. Pat grew the blueberries in her back yard.

Red placemats and napkins:  Bed, Bath and Beyond

Napkin rings:  PVC pipe spray painted

Flatware:  Ross

Blue charger:  Espana by Tabletops Unlimited from EBay

White dinner and Bread and Butter plates: Centura by Corning

Red, white and blue accent plates and parfaits:  Stars & Stripes pattern by Pfaltzgraff from Pfaltzgraff.com

Blue glasses: from Mervyn's (a department store chain now out of business)

White glasses: vintage depression glasses from EBay

Red glasses: purchased locally at a boutique in Ferndale, CA

Red and blue votives:  Bed, Bath and Beyond

Centerpiece vases:  Various goodwill stores in the area