Nutcracker Christmas

To me, nothing shouts Christmas more than pulling out some of our nutcrackers and decorating with them. (Originally, German tradition/folklore hold that they are symbols of good luck and protectors of home and family. They were functional nut cracking figures designed mostly as soldiers. Today, they are cute, whimsical figures without much purpose limited in design only by one's imagination.)

Pat decided to set this week's table using accent plates that she found at World Market a few years ago.

Pat chose Kate Spade's "All In Good Taste"  sleek handled flatware because it resembled the straight legs of the nutcrackers.

Napkins match the colorful place mats.

The dinner plate is "Scarlet" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin

The charger is Hunter Green "Color Spectrum" by Mikasa

Pat found these great place mats and matching napkins at Tuesday Morning this year

Large, simple glassware is from the Dollar Tree

The bread and butter plate is from our vintage Fiesta(ware) collection - "Forest Green" was produced from 1951 through 1959.

One last look

Where it came from:
Nutcracker Place Mat and Matching Napkin - from Tuesday Morning this season
Charger - "Hunter Green" Color Spectrum charger by Mikasa from Replacements.com
Dinner Plate - "Scarlet" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Macy's
Accent Plate - from World Market five years ago
Bread and Butter Plate - Vintage "Forest Green" Fiesta(ware) [1951-1959] by Homer Laughlin from Replacements.com
Flatware - Kate Spade's "All In Good Taste" from Wayfair two years ago
Glassware - from the Dollar Tree (currently available)
Nut Bowls - "Scarlet" Fiesta(ware) Gusto Bowls by Homer Laughlin from Kohl's (currently available)
Nutcrackers - from our collection
Beaded Garland - from Michael's two or three years ago

This week, we will be joining "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/ 

Getting Ready for Christmas Tablescape

Welcome to my favorite time of the year - I love Christmas. No, we don't get much snow, if any, and yes, it mostly rains (which is good after years of severe drought) and roads close which means nothing in or out of the county for days or weeks, but it's still Christmas....time to decorate and celebrate.

Pat set this week's table with accent/salad dishes we found last year at Pier 1.

The place setting starts with two square place mats offset to show the red trim

Flatware is "Primary" by Noritake

Pat used a "Scarlet" Fiesta(ware) Chop Plate by Homer Laughlin for the charger

The simple centerpiece consists of a small decorated Christmas tree surrounded by packages and a jolly Santa

One last look from the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Red and White Square Place Mats - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond three or four years ago
Red Charger - "Scarlet" Fiesta(ware) Chop Plate by Homer Laughlin from Replacements.com
Dinner Plate and matching Bread/Butter Plate - "White" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Macy's and Replacements.com
Accent Plate - from Pier 1 last year
Flatware - "Primary" by Noritake from eBay
Glasses - Pattern unknown from the Ferndale Emporium (a local kitchenware and giftware store)  several years ago
Napkin Rings - from Pier 1 years ago
Christmas Tree and Small Ornaments - from Michael's
Santa Claus - from our collection

This week, we will be joining "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/ 

Last of Autumn Tablescape

Pat couldn't resist one more Autumn tablescape - it's her favorite time of the year and her favorite color palette.

Pat filled the center of the table with a mass assortment of Autumn florals and bushes

Flatware is "Antique Copper Twig" - it's really neat to look at but very impractical to use....

One last look from the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Plaid Place Mat - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond years ago
Brown Charger - from Pier 1 five or six years ago
Dinner Plate - "Martillo" Cinnamon from Pier 1 four or five years ago
Salad Plate - "Ginger" from Pier 1 many years ago
Flatware - "Antique Copper Twig" from Black Forest Decor (mail order)
Dark Amber Glassware - from our collection
Brown Napkins - Handmade by Pat
Gold Hemstitch Napkins - from Tuesday Morning three or four years ago
Napkin Rings - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Assorted Centerpiece Vessels - from Pat's collection
Assorted Florals, Bushes, and Pumpkins - from Michael's

This week, we will be joining "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/ 

Queen's "Thanksgiving" Tablescape

It seems like we missed most of Autumn here in Northern California and slipped right into Winter - the weather is dark, very cold and depressing. (At least we have electrical power for now - no rain is forecast for the near future which means we could have our power supply cut at any time for "safety" reasons if we get any wind.) Anyway, Pat's daughter came up with this week's table - she even shared her "Thanksgiving" turkey accent plates for it.

Flatware is one of my favorites - traditional style "Classic Bead" by Reed & Barton

I haven't seen many Thanksgiving themed plates that use pink as an accent color - I love it.

Sorry Pat - I didn't iron the napkins before I took the picture.....

The dinner plate is "Centura" by Corning

Pat's daughter chose "Rose" Color Spectrum charger plates by Mikasa to bring in more pink

The glassware is crackled amber from Pier 1

Pat made a silk flower arrangement in our Mother's vintage soup tureen 

One last look from the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Brown Place Mats - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond years ago
Charger - Rose "Color Spectrum" by Mikasa from Replacements.com and eBay
Dinner Plates - "Centura" by Corning from Pat's collection
Accent Plate - "Thanksgiving" by Queen's from Pat's daughter
Bread/Butter Plate - "Everyday" from Bed, Bath, and Beyond several years ago
Flatware - "Classic Bead" by Reed & Barton from Tuesday Morning four years ago
Crackled Amber Glassware - from Pier 1 three or four years ago
Mocha Brown Napkins - from Tuesday Morning several years ago
Individual Salt and Pepper Shakers - from Pier 1 two or three years ago

This week, we will be joining "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/