Labor Day (the first Monday in September) is observed by Americans to celebrate the contributions and achievements of American workers. Through picnics, parades, and parties, Americans come together to give praise to laborers around the country who make America strong. So, each year, we set a table to show our appreciation to the workforce that gives so much.

This year, the table features carpenters and painters. Pat started with a napkin that she made in yellow and black. She then used yellow and black Waechtersbach dishware - it's sturdy design is perfect for the table. Here's what she came up with.

Overview of the table.

Another view of the table.

The place setting.

Hammered handles add the right touch to a worker's table.

The napkin ring consists of two rings with a screwdriver in matching color.

Simple black water goblet and a bottle of beer - the perfect beverage.

The charger is black Color Spectrum by Mikasa.

Naturally, the centerpiece had to be a tool box.

Another view of the table.

Betty works hard, too.

Tablecloth:  Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Waechtersbach Dinnerware:  Tuesday Morning, Replacements.com, and eBay

Black Charger:  Mikasa Color Spectrum from Replacements

Hammered handled flatware:  Costco this season

Black Goblets:  Pier 1

Yellow and Black Napkin:  Handmade by Pat

Black Napkin:  Target

Napkin rings:  PVC pipe spray painted

Have a very Happy Labor Day.

Sunday lunch in Rio Dell

WOW! Sunday was warm!!!! With temperatures hovering way below 60 degrees for most of the Summer, it was a real treat to see 65 degrees (of course, I was at my sister's house in Rio Dell, CA which is always hotter than Eureka.) We had lunch on the patio - naturally, Pat "set" the table for the meal. Luckily, I brought the camera with me and took a few pictures of the place settings.

She fixed fresh sundried tomato pesto on fettucini, fresh cucumber and tomato salad and flat Italian string beans that had been picked minutes before they hit the steamer. Lunch was great.

Gorgeous day to match a beautiful outdoor table.

Lemongrass and turquoise colored Fiestaware match the placemats and napkins.

Close up of the place setting.

No plastic here - Pat used inexpensive Dollar Store glassware.

Satin finished flatware looked great with the dishes.

Inexpensive silk flower from Michael's and PVC pipe make a great napkin ring.

Close up of the turquoise Fiesta salad plate.

This is a Lemongrass luncheon size plate in Fiestaware.

For a charger, Pat used her white Centura dinner plate by Corning.

Just a white lantern with a lemongrass green candle for a centerpiece.

Another view of the table.

The water feature sounded perfect during the meal.

Placemats and matching napkins:  Tuesday Morning
White napkins:  Target
Napkin rings:  Hand made from PVC pipe and silk flowers
White Centura dinner plates:  from Pat's collection (wedding gifts 40 years ago)
Fiestaware Lemongrass luncheon plates:  Kohl's
Fiestaware Turquoise salad and bread and butter plates:  Homer Laughlin.com
Green stemware:  Dollar Store
Flatware:  Costco
Centerpiece Lantern:  Target
Lemongrass colored candle:  Michael's

A Green Champagne Flute Challenge

Have you ever bought something just because you really, really liked it, but had no idea what to do with it? Well, that is the story behind a green champagne flute that I bought from Replacements (the famous home of the "Great Wall of China" - but that is another story.......) in North Carolina. Fortunately, I am related to two very talented women - my sister and her daughter. So, I put a challenge to them via email one day - what can "we" do with this glass? My niece emailed me back immediately with a great idea.

I did not have an accent plate in the color scheme that she suggested, but we improvised. She loves Fiestaware as you know, so of course the setting uses it. But....it is used in a very elegant way unlike most tablescapes using Fiestaware. It's not exactly what Jennifer had pictured, but it works.

This is the green champagne flute that started it all.

Overview of the table done in amber, gold, green, and brown.

Close up of the place setting.

You can see the detail on the "Gold Iconic" flatware.

The napkin ring in gold and amber is from Pier 1.

Starting from the top of the place setting......

Next layer. (This is actually a salad plate, luncheon plate and then the dinner plate in Fiestaware.)

The plates are in a beautiful chocolate brown.

A gold charger under it all.

The amber candle holders are from Pat's collection. They hold natural beeswax candles in a beautiful, soft yellow color.

Amber votive holders match the candle sticks.

Detail of the two placemats used in the place setting. 

Just another view of the table.

Green placemats - Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Gold/Green woven placemats - Costco

Fiestaware - Homer Laughlin's Chocolate Brown currently available

Flatware - Wallace's Gold Iconic from Replacements (we love this place - we live in earthquake country)

Brown and green napkins - handmade by Pat

Gold beaded napkins - Pier 1

Napkin rings - Pier 1

Green champagne flute or trumpet glass - Replacements.com (you can get anything for the table there)

Brown goblet - by Lenox from eBay

Amber candle holders - from Pat

Amber votives - Bed, Bath and Beyond

Centerpiece and candles - Michael's

Gladys' Birthday table

Twice a year, my family celebrates a collective birthday for our dogs - yes, I said dogs. We all love them. Let me explain: Seven years ago (7/05) a very special lady found her neighbors' three purebred dachshunds wondering the neighborhood. When she took them home, she discovered that her neighbor had passed away. This lovely lady took in the three dogs (she already had two dachshunds and a purebred Lab puppy) - then she found out that one of the females was going to have puppies. What to do???? She contacted my cousin (the dish collector) who had one of the original puppies from this dog. He was willing to take one more puppy. He contacted me - I would take one. My brother and his wife were willing to take one. Great. Pam could find homes for the adult dogs and thought she would have no trouble if Kelly (the pregnant dog) had more than three puppies. Short end to the story: no one wanted the adult dogs. So, I took them. Yes - that gave me four dachshunds. And then I took in two more dachshunds from another home just a year later (my sweet brother took in one, too.) Yes, my house if full of dachshunds and dishes......everywhere you look. Life is great!!!

Anyway, the puppies were born 8-23-05. (We also celebrate in January when the last three additions to the family were born.) So......Pat came over yesterday and started to get the table ready for the celebration. Crystal and silver - only the best - for her canine "nieces."

The finished table - quite spectacular!!! Can't say this table is going to the dogs.......

Another view.

A place setting featuring a long haired red Dachshund.

Another type of Dachshund - this is a short haired red.

A black Dachshund - just like the birthday girl, Gladys.

A wire-haired Dachshund.

The place setting without the napkins.

You can see the detail on the Dinner plates.

This charger is exquisite.

Of course, Pat used a bone shaped placemat.

Closeup of the silverware.

The napkin ring is the exact colors of the place setting.

Gorgeous Cris d'Arques "Lady Diamond" crystal.

All three Dachshunds are from SANDICAST sculptures. Pat made sure they had something to eat, too.

The candle holder is solid crystal.

Betty has her own Dachshund.

You can't tell from the picture, but Betty's Dachshund has a glitter-like finish to match her dress.

A final view of the table. Happy birthday Gladys (and your sisters Cassie and Teeny.)

Dinnerware:  by Danbury Mint given to me as a gift from my dear friend, Sue (who also loves dogs.)

Charger:  Pier I

Flatware:  King James by Oneida

Glassware:  Lady Diamond by Cris d'Arques

Napkins:  Handmade by Pat

Napkin rings:  Pier I

Candleholders:  Gottschalks (a local Department store out of business)

SANDICAST dachshunds:  Linda's Hallmark Store in Fortuna (now only in Redding, CA)

Betty's glitter Dachshund:  Gift from my Niece