Farmer's Tractor Parade Christmas Tablescape

Time for the 30th annual Tractor Parade in one of our most quaint local communities - the Victorian village of Ferndale. (Yes, it is probably true that each town in our county tries to "outdo" the others with unique - and sometimes bazar - Christmas events but it is pure pleasure to see what they come up with each year.) Farmers and ranchers all over the Valley decorate tractors and horse-drawn carts and floats in local themes to ride down Main Street. It is quite a sight!

So it was obvious that Pat would use the Tractor Parade as the inspiration to this week's Christmas table....

Pat's husband was born and raised on a dairy ranch in Ferndale and our Mother was raised in Ferndale {there was a large migration of Italians and Portuguese immigrants to Ferndale in the first half of the 20th century attracted by the fertile land and possible job opportunities) so we have many ties to the community. It seems only fitting that we would have "cow" dinnerware in our collection.

The large charger is red "Fun Factory" by Waechtersbach

Flatware is very sturdy "Classic Bead" by Reed & Barton

One of our first purchases from Pier 1 when it opened years ago in our community - sadly, the glasses lasted longer than the store....

Farmer Santa holds a Holstein cow

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:

Denim Place Mats - Handmade by Pat

Red Charger Plates - "Fun Factory" by Waechtersbach from Replacements,Ltd.

Dinnerware - "Spotted Cow" by Tienshan from eBay and Replacements,Ltd.

Bread and Butter Plate - Black "Fiesta(ware)" by Homer Laughlin from Replacements,Ltd.

Flatware - "Classic Bead" by Reed & Barton from Tuesday Morning seven years ago

Glassware - from Pier 1 ten or eleven years ago

Checked Napkins - Handmade by Pat

Cow Napkin Rings - from a local boutique (of course, located in Ferndale) years ago

Black Candle Holders - from Pier 1 years ago

Santa, Hay bale, Red Candles, Tree, etc. - from Michael's over the years

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

Copper Christmas Tablescape

Copper has been used since ancient times. It is weather proof, durable, and corrosion resistant. It has been adapted for both indoor and outdoor use and even for a nutritional supplement. And it makes a beautiful addition to any tablescape.

Pat started this week's table using these gorgeous copper chargers that her daughter gave us

Dinnerware is "Indian Tree" by Spode

Even the napkin ring is copper

Copper flatware is "Paris Hammered" by Hampton Forge

The copper goblets are from Pier 1 several years ago

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:

Leather-like reversible Place Mats - from Pier 1 several years ago

Copper Chargers - a gift from Pat's daughter

Dinnerware - "Indian Tree" by Spode from our collection

Flatware - "Paris Hammered" by Hampton Forge from Horchow years ago

Glassware - from Pier 1 six or seven years ago

Brown Napkins - from Linentablecloth.com

Copper Napkin Rings - from Pier 1 two years ago

Copper Trees, Santa, Snow - from Michael's

Copper Wire Balls - from Pier 1 three years ago

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

Annual Bikers Gift Run Tablescape

Our County's motorcycle riders are getting ready for the 47th Annual United Bikers of Northern California Toy Run - Humboldt County rendition. Of course, Santa will participate and help deliver lots of toys around the area. It's always quite a site to see....

So, naturally, Pat decided to set our first Christmas table in honor of those generous individuals who give up their time, resources, and money to give to others. 

Pat set the table in black and white - the place mats are made from leather-like material and fit the theme of the table perectly

Flatware is "Hammered" by Godinger

The pattern on the plate reminded Pat of a tire tread

Simple glassware from Bed, Bath, and Beyond

For the centerpiece, Biker Santa, complete with his "ride," decorates the tree

The silver chains came from Michael's years ago

One last look

Where it came from:

Black Place Mats - from Pier 1 many years ago

Dinnerware - Pattern unknown but from the Contempo Collection" by Baum Brothers from a local charity shop years ago

Flatware - "Hammered" stainless steel by Godinger Silver from Costco eight or nine years ago

Bread and Butter Plate - White "Fiesta(ware)" by Homer Laughlin from Replacements,Ltd

Black and White Napkins - from Linentablecloth.com

Chain Napkin Ring - from Pier 1six or seven years ago

Black Candle Holders - also from Pier 1 years ago

Biker Santa - from Pierson's Christmas Store at least six or seven years ago

Silver Chains, Ornaments, Christmas tree, and Candles - from Michael's

Santa's Motorcycle - from Ross years ago

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

Formal Family Thanksgiving Tablescape

If we are going to celebrate Thanksgiving any year, my family must gather earlier in the month since everyone "scatters" to various parts of the state to observe the day with other friends and family on the traditional Thanksgiving Day [We all stay close to home on Christmas however]. With this in mind, Pat set the table this week deciding to use formal dinnerware and simple design.

Dinnerware is "Autumn" by Lenox - Pat's daughter "lent" us her "Mansfield" chargers years ago to use with it.....(oops, somehow they wound up in my dish room and never left)

Flatware is "Byzantine" by Yamazaki

We looked everywhere for smaller, more formal glasses in this shape but had no luck. Then we found them at Replacements, Ltd. in sets at a good price. They are "Fedora" by Spiegelau

Fortunately for us, our Mother was a collector, too. This is one of her many Armani figurines.

One last look

Where it came from:

Place Mat and Matching Napkin - from Pier 1 four or five years ago

Dinnerware - "Autumn" by Lenox from wherever we can find it (Macy's, Amazon, Replacements, Ltd, eBay, etc.)

Charger - "Mansfield" by Lenox from Pat's daughter

Glassware - "Fedora" by Spiegelau from Replacements, Ltd.

Flatware - "Byzantine Gold" by Yamazaki from Horchow several years ago

Armani Figurine - from our Mother's collection

Candle Holders - from Art & Old Things (a local antique store) years ago

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