Pat had family and friends over for Mother's Day Brunch (a annual gathering) on Sunday. This year's table theme was "modern" - quite a change from past tables. She wanted everything simple yet elegant with no glitz. I think she "nailed it" as usual. The tables were stunning. Of course, we dined on wonderful food - a huge selection of homemade baked goods (scones, cinnamon rolls, breads, etc.), fresh fruit compote in individual iced serving bowls, French Toast, sausage, and the list goes on. On the side board, she had Champagne, assorted fruit juices, and coffee. It was a grand feast to say the least.

Very simple, very elegant single flower vases served as centerpieces.

Monogrammed silver is a family heirloom belonging to Pat's husband.

Fruit compote was served in an iced liner to keep it cold.

Sleek, modern glassware goes well with the trumpet champagne glass.

The salad plate and dinner plate are white alabaster from Pier I.

The charger is a beautiful seafoam blue also from Pier I this year.

Tablecloths:  Gottschalk's (local department store out of business)

Napkins:  Tuesday Morning

Flatware:  Family heirloom

White Alabaster Dinner and Salad Plates:  Pier I this year

Charger:  Pier I this year

White Pearl Napkin ring:  Pier I last year

Bread and Butter plates, cups and saucers:  Centura by Corning (one of Pat's sets)

Water and Juice glasses, individual vases:  Pier I this year

Champagne glass:  Ross

Fruit Compote/liners:  Purchased more than 25 years ago

Mother's Day is Sunday. Time to think of Mom, and time to change the tablescape for her day. Our Mother loved dishware, so we came by it naturally. (She also collected porcelain figurines, bells, plates, tea cups, anything Norman Rockwell, and the list goes on.) Her walls were covered in decorative plates. She had dozens - in the livingroom, down the hall, around the kitchen, in her bedroom, everywhere. All kinds and sizes. But my favorite thing she collected was her Armani figurines. She started collecting them late in life so she only had a few dozen, but they are beautiful. So....it only seems natural to a set Mother's Day table decorated with one or two of her lovely "girls."

Betty in her lovely pink Boa to match.

That wooden "stick" is a clever little gadget that Pat's husband made for each of us. It is used to arrange the place setting and flatware so it is equally centered and exactly one inch from the edge of the table. (Hyacinth Bucket would be soooooooo jealous.)

Here's a closeup. The bottom of the napkin is placed on the center notch. Perfectly placed dishes and flatware everytime.

Mom bought the flower vase years ago.

Mom would have loved these napkin rings.

Hope your Mother's Day is happy and one filled with friends, family and good memories.

Lace placemats:  Lentz Department Store (Ferndale, CA)

Charger:  Mikasa Color Spectrum (eBay)

Dinnerware:  Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz from Replacements.com

Flatware: April by Wm Rogers & Son

Napkin Rings - Tuesday Morning

Green Glassware - Dollar Store

Trumpet Champagne Glass - Cristal D'Arques "Selection" from Ross

Rose colored napkins - Gottschalk's (a local department store no longer in business)

Sheer napkin overlay - Granzella's Gourmet and Gifts in Williams, CA

Crystal Candlesticks -  by Oleg Cassini from Tuesday Morning