Mother's Day/Parent's Anniversary Tablescape

Since we can finally get together as a family and safely have dinners again (at least for now), Pat wanted to celebrate our parent's wedding anniversary - it would have been 76 years on April 22nd - and combine it with Mother's Day. [So you will know how weird our family is and how we will celebrate almost anything, we are getting together Friday night with the theme of Depression Era food. Our brother is fixing his "famous" Hoover Stew* as the main course, and the rest of us are coming up with side dishes and desserts. It's going to be great fun! Dinnerware will be casual and from that era, too.] 

The dinnerware for this table is formal "Spring Bouquet" by Lenox

Pat used gold flatware to bring out the gold verge on the plate

To me, the best part of this pattern is the fluted edging of the plate.

Glassware is "Fedora" by Spegielau

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:

Glass Charger - from Pier 1 several years ago

Dinnerware - "Spring Bouquet" by Lenox from eBay and Replacements,Ltd.com

Glassware - "Fedora" [1985-2001]by Spiegelau from Replacements,Ltd.com

Ivory Table Linen - from Linentablecloth.com

Gold Napkin Rings - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond years ago

Flatware - Pattern unknown from eBay

Salt and Pepper Shakers - "Edme" by Wedgwood from our collection

Candle Holders - by Waterford from Pat's collection

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

*In case you are interested: A short article and a recipe for Hoover Stew can be found: Here. YouTube has lots of videos about Depression Era foods also.

Vintage Apricot Fiesta(ware) and Plaid Tablescape

As an homage to all things vintage, Pat set this week's table using retired "Apricot" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin. Definitely subdued in color by today's more contemporary, sharper Fiesta, this pastel dinnerware looks good in both a formal and a casual setting. Produced from 1986 through 1998, it is known as "Post 86" Fiesta - thus making it "modern" by Fiesta standards. Unfortunately, the prices for pieces in this color have soared over the last few years.

I have to admit that I am much more fond of the pastel Fiesta(ware) than some of the current bold colors that are available today

Flatware is modern, sleek "Addison" stainless steel by Mikasa

Pat mixed a "White" Fiesta(ware) luncheon plate with "Apricot" 

Glasses are from Pier 1 several years ago

The table has a simple, fairly unadorned center to show up the place setting

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:

Apricot and Gray Plaid Place Mats - from Tuesday Morning three or four years ago

Gray Charger - Inexpensive lacquer chargers spray painted with plastic adhesive spray paint to match the place mat

Dinnerware - "White" and "Apricot" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin. The white luncheon plate was purchased at Macy's several years ago but the "Apricot" dinnerware was purchased at Replacements.com, eBay, and any place we could find it

Flatware - "Addison" by Mikasa from Costco three years ago

Glassware - from Pier 1 several years ago

Gray Napkin - from Linentablecloth.com (currently available) 

Apricot Silk Roses - from Michael's two or three years ago

Crystal Salt and Pepper Shakers - from Tuesday Morning years ago

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

A really neat article about all things Fiesta(ware) - new and old - can be found Here

Pink Glass and Periwinkle Easter Tablescape

The inspiration for this week's table was the plaid place mats that Pat found at the bottom of a drawer. The blue and gray plaid combination was enough to challenge her to come up with a simple but nostalgic Easter luncheon table. (In fact, she found another plaid place mat combination that she is planning to use for next week's table since she had so much fun coming up with coordinating plates this week.)

Flatware is "Pure" by Gourmet Settings

The Pier 1 bunnies come in a boxed set of four different styles

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

Once again, Pat's husband went above and beyond for the table - he spray painted eight ugly lacquer chargers with plastic adhesive spray paint to match the place mat. (Pat finds dozens of these inexpensive scratched chargers at thrift stores and saves them for the "right" table)

Glassware is "Rosaline" by Cristal d'Arques-Durand

Pat used simple greenery surrounded by Depression Ware candle holders and sugar and creamers for the centerpiece.

Where it came from:

Gray and Periwinkle Blue Plaid Place Mats - from Pier 1 four or five years ago

Gray Charger - Inexpensive lacquer chargers spray painted gray to match the place mat

Dinner Plate and Matching Bread/Butter Plate - "Periwinkle" Blue Fiesta(ware) [1989-2006] by Homer Laughlin from Replacements,Ltd.com and eBay

Accent Plate - "Elegant Gray Bunny" from Pier 1 five years ago

Flatware - "Pure" by Gourmet Settings from Bed, Bath, and Beyond years ago

Glassware - "Rosaline Pink" by Cristal d'Arques-Durand from eBay and Replacements,Ltd.com

Gray Napkins - from Linentablecloth.com (an online store that features inexpensive table and wedding supplies)

Stainless Steel Napkin Ring - from Pier 1 five or six years ago

Depression Glass Candle Holders and Creamer/Sugars - from our collection

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

Casual Easter Tablescape

Our family is really looking forward to Easter this year. We have not really had a family celebration in a long time, and this year Pat is planning a big dinner at her house "if everything goes right".....however, we are getting quite use to plans "turning on a dime" because something comes up. But for now....

This week's table is just one idea Pat had for the family get-together meal. She will be using two tables with one bunny at each table. 

Rustic and colorful, the table is perfect for a family gathering.

The flatware is "Treble Clef" by Gourmet Settings - Really neat to look at but not so easy or comfortable to hold. Another problem with this place setting is the uneven place mat. It also looks great but it makes for an unsteady and somewhat bumpy surface for a plate.

Pat set the table with a tumbler and water goblet - no wine glass - most of the family doesn't drink wine. Milk (the vegan in me shudders!) and juice are the preferred beverages.

I love these rustic bunnies - we found them years ago at Pier 1.

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:

Place Mats - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond several years ago

Wooden Charger - from Pier 1 several years ago

Dinnerware - "Sofie the Bunny" from Pier 1 six years ago

Flatware - "Treble Clef" by Gourmet Settings from Bed, Bath and Beyond nearly ten years ago

Green Goblet - "Diamond Point" by Indiana Glass Co. from a thrift store and eBay years ago

Red Tumbler - from Pier 1 ten years ago

Napkins - from Linentablecloth.com (a mail order company featuring inexpensive table linens and wedding supplies)

Wooden Napkin Rings - Pat found them at a local thrift store last year

Rustic Centerpiece Bunnies - from Pier 1 eight or nine years ago

Glass Candle Holders - from TJMaxx four or five years ago

Red Candles - from Ross two or three years ago

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