Saturday is Cinco De Mayo, and here in California, it is a big day of celebration - lots of great food, good music, and friendly people.  Colors are bold and bright. So, naturally, a table set for that day should represent this. I had pulled out all sorts of things to use having no idea where to start. Pat looked at the "huge pile" of possibilities that I had made, and within a few minutes, had the table set.

The first layer is a Mexican blanket purchased in Puerto Vallarta twenty years ago. Since it is wool, it wears well but it's not the best choice for a tablecloth - hence, Pat used bright yellow placemats on top. She made the napkins, of course, to coordinate with the Mexican theme.

Full of color, the table has a chili pepper theme. Notice the votives in assorted colors to match.

The place setting consists of a very large square dinner plate used as a charger.

Pat came up with the idea of using two soup bowls as candle holders.

Here's a closeup.

The flatware is just as bold and bright as the dishes.

The centerpiece is an extra large chili-shaped bowl raised and filled with assored colorful peppers.

Pat used three glasses - naturally one for Margaritas and, if guests prefer, one for beer. The matching water glass holds a napkin.

Overview of the table with a different candlestick - not as bright and festive even though everything else is the same.

Betty dressed for the festivities.

To add color, Pat used colorful gummies.

Closeup of the empty 18" long centerpiece.



Just another view of the table.

Tablecloth - Purchased in Mexico years ago
Placemats - Bed, Bath, and Beyond still available
Dinnerware - by Laurie Gates for Macy's (purchased several years ago)
Glassware - Dollar Store (currently available)
Flatware - by Cambridge from Ross Dress [and Set Your Table] for Less two years ago
Assorted accent peppers - Kohl's
Candles - Michael's
Votives - Bed, Bath, and Beyond (currently available in several colors)

Yes - Easter is over but we were unable to celebrate that day. So......finally, as promised, the Easter Brunch table has been set. Pat and her husband always have lots of family and friends over on Easter morning to eat and celebrate together. She usually sets up one or two additional tables spilling over into the Living Room to hold the crowd.

Pat bakes for several days prior - everything homemade - scones (four different varieties all served with flavored butters and lemon curd,) cinnamon rolls, croissants, and hot cross buns. Of course, there is French Toast, sausage (this year was a sausage and egg casserole), fresh fruit compote, Champagne, assorted fruit juices, and coffee and tea. And somewhere in there, Pat still had time to make the napkins for the tablescape. Not bad.

When Pat and her husband had the kitchen remodeled, they created a really neat thing. It is a dual purpose counter-top/dining table. It is the same height as the counters and has been covered in a sheet of Corian to match. When she wants a formal table, she uses assorted tablecloths to cover it up. The chairs were purchased from a company in Canada to match the kitchen and fit the height of the table.

Let Easter Brunch begin.........

Untypically Easter, this year's theme colors are blue, white and yellow (no bland and boring pastels for this table.)

Close up of the place setting showing a blue Martini glass used to hold the fruit compote.

Hand made napkins from bright yellow Kona cotton ironed crisp and clean. Napkin ring is painted PVC pipe.

The juice glass is actually a small wine glass in a neat trumpet style shape.

Flatware is silverplate King James pattern made by Oneida. 

The cute bunny centerpiece was made years ago by Pat.

Close up of one of the frosted bunny votive holders used to serve candy instead of holding candles.

The top layer of the placesetting.



The place setting uses two chargers - the first is a white alabaster plate from Pier I. The blue plate is by Luigi Bormoli. The dinner plate and compote liner is Blue Danube. The white salad plate is Corning Centura (Pat's wedding pattern choice nearly 40 years ago.)

Tablecloth - Gottschalks (wonderful West Coast chain of Department stores now closed)

White charger - White Aabaster from Pier I (they also have this pattern in blue)

Blue charger - by Luigi Bormoli purchased at Ross several years ago 

Blue Danube dinnerware - Gottschalks and Replacements.com (after several earthquakes)

Blue goblets - Another department store at our local Mall no longer in business

Blue wine/juice and martini glasses - Judal from Replacements.com

Trumpet shaped champagne goblet - Ross last year

Flatware - family heirloom

Frosted bunny votives - Tuesday Morning