Get Out the Vote Tablescape

This week's table is our bi-annual tribute to our right to vote - set for both family Democrats and Republicans. We don't allow any discussion of politics anymore (sadly since 2016.) Gone are the days of mild banter between the family party members. Today, we just visit and enjoy each other's company and the good food.

Pat set the table in traditional "party colors" of red and blue. She even pulled out the party napkins that she made years ago - blue Democrat and red Republican together with our Mother's flag napkin rings purchased many years ago.

Where it came from:

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

Dinnerware - "Scarlett" and "White" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Macy's, Kohl's, and Replacements,Ltd.

Star Accent Plates - "Stars & Stripes" by Pfaltzgraff from Replacements,Ltd.

Flatware - "Cobalt Blue" and "Primary" Primastone handle flatware by Noritake from eBay and Replacements,Ltd.

Red Water Goblets - Pattern unknown but from the Ferndale Emporium (a local gift and kitchen gadget store)

Cobalt Blue Wine Goblets -11 1/2  oz. "Premiere" by Libby from Target years ago

Napkins - Handmade by Pat years ago

Napkin Rings - from our Mother's collection

Red Glass Candle Holders - from Ross years ago

Stars and Stripes Drum Centerpiece - from Michael's eight or nine years ago

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

Dark Whim Halloween Tablescape

Since Halloween and Thanksgiving are two holidays that I would rather ignore, skip altogether. and move on to Christmas in October, I have to remember that I do share this tablescaping blog with my sister and sometimes my great-niece - they both love all holidays so I must "yield" table space to them - hence the token Halloween table this week.

Our niece picked theme, color and tableware for the tablescape this week. In just a few minutes, she came up with the design.

Where it came from:

Faux Leather Black Place Mats - from Pier 1 years ago

Glittered Teal Glass Chargers - from Pier 1 ten or eleven years ago

Dinnerware - "Mulberry," "Black," "and "Evergreen" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Macy's, Kohl's, and Replacements,Ltd

Black Flatware - "San Remo" by Hampton Forge from Horchow nine or ten years ago

Glassware - "Madeira Plum" by Franciscan from eBay and Replacements,Ltd.

Purple and Black Napkins - from Linentablecloth.com

Napkin Rings - from Bed, Bath and Beyond eight or nine years ago

Centerpiece Halloween Trees - from Pier 1 years ago

Wire votive holders - from Tuesday Morning

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

Dachshunds and Books Tablescape

Pat set this week's table combining two of my favorite themes: books and dachshunds. She used the Danbury Mint's notable "Dachshund" pattern (produced from 2005 through 2010) for the dinnerware and European-style "Pure" stainless steel flatware by Gourmet Settings with its flat, plain, wide style handles.

Pat placed small black bowls at each end of the table with "bone" crackers

Tried to get a "clear" glass but it has been so dark outside that no matter when or how I took the picture it turned out cloudy......

The candle holders are hand made from rawhide doggy bones surrounding a small dog food can to hold the candle

Pat used the bookends from on top of my desk....dachshunds of course.

Where it came from:

Tweed Style Gray Place Mats - from Pier 1 years ago

Gray Charger - "Faience" Service Plate by Christofle from eBay

Dinnerware - "Dachshund" by Danbury Mint  - a gift from a dear friend twenty years ago

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

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

Glassware - "Our Table" from Bed, Baath, and Beyond five or six years ago

Gray Hemstitch Napkins - from Pier 1 ten or eleven years ago

"Dog Collar" Napkin Rings - from eBay

Dachshund Book Ends - from Amazon at least ten years ago

Candle Holders - Hand made 

Books - from my shelves

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

 
 

Oktoberfest Table 2026

The official German Oktoberfest celebration held in Munich, Germany runs from September 19 to October 4th this year but is observed throughout the world. Here, in our "hidden gem" of the world (along the west coast of Northern California in the heart of soaring redwoods and moderate climate throughout the year) we also celebrate. One example is "OktoBEARfest" that will be held on October 10th at Sequoia Park Zoo to benefit conservation and animal programs at the zoo. A local cider company sponsors it and will present information on brewing and of course samples of their produces. There also will be - you know the drill - live music, chance to meet and feed the animals, pumpkin carving, and more.....good fun for a very good cause.

Sorry, back to tablescaping (the vegetarian/vegan-wanna-be and animal rights advocate in me got carried away again.) This week, Pat used the traditional colors of Oktoberfest - white and blue - as the theme for the table.

Simple flatware is my everyday set - "Pinch" by Mikasa

The individual covered soup bowls were from Pier 1 years ago

Pat used a mix of "Lapis" and "White" Fiesta(ware)

Not designed for a soup tureen, Pat makes everything do "double duty."

Where it came from:

Blue and White Checked Tablecloth - from Amazon this year

Wicker-like Square Place Mats - from Tuesday Morning years ago

Dinnerware - "Lapis" and "White" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Macy's, Kohl's, and Replacements,Ltd.

Individual Covered Soup Tureens - from Pier 1 years ago

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

Extra Large Beer Pilsners - from the Dollar Tree years ago

Napkins - from Linentablecloth.com

Stainless Steel Napkin Rings - from Pier 1 ten or eleven years ago

Beer Steins and Covered Beer/Punch Bowl - from our collection

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

Last of Summer Sailing Tablescape

Our Niece Maya was tasked with designing and setting this week's tablescape. Her inspiration came from a set of place mats she found in our collection that hasn't been used in a very long time. For the dinnerware, she chose "Shell" by Otagiri and teal blue crackle glassware from Pier1.

Where it came from:

Blue Sailboat Place Mats - from Tuesday Morning years ago

Glass Beaded Charger - from Pier 1 eight or nine years ago

Dinnerware - "Shell" by Otagiri from a local second hand store long out of business

Flatware - "Nautical" by Towle from Amazon eight years ago (but still produced)

Glassware - "Teal Blue Crackle" from Pier 1 several years ago

Hemstitch Steel Blue Napkins - from Pier 1 years ago

Baby Blue Satin Napkin Liners - a gift from our Niece

Silver Starfish Napkin Rings - from Tuesday Morning years ago

Stainless Steel and Wood Lantern, Netting, Most of the Floats - from Michael's five or more years ago

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