~Tea for One ~

Tea for two is always special

From: Southern Lady Gracious Tables by Phyllis Hoffman

Tea for three or four is a party

From: Southern Lady Gracious Tables by Phyllis Hoffman

but why not treat yourself as nice

as a favored guest?

I pulled out my sweet little teapot for one and
 matching cup and saucer

Look at this cute little guy with his hands on his hips..

A couple of my favorite cookies on the side

(A COUPLE? ........who the heck am I kidding?)

these two little cookies just look too forlorn....better invite some company

Don't forget the pretty linens. 
I'm always a sucker for anything monogrammed.
Even if it's not my initials.

and Voila' it's a party for one.

Sip slowly and enjoy

I take a moment to sit back and dream

and what am I dreaming about, you ask?

why SPRING of course.

~ Twas the night before Christmas ~

Twas the night before Christmas

and all through the house
not a creature was stirring


except for a yellow dog 
with Reindeer antlers on her head.

The goodies have all been baked

with that touch of citrus that always smells like Christmas to me.

The Chandelier draped with greenery

The table was set in it's Red and White finery
in hopes that Grand children soon would be here

The big Guy himself was the main theme this year

with a Santa at every place setting

With touches of Silver here and there

mismatched vintage silver trays serve as chargers

The silver is picked up by the vintage Art-Deco wine glasses
 handed down to me
by Mr/ Wonderful's Mother.

With a nod of approval from an angel watching over the dining room festivities

The only thing left to do now, is wait for Saint Nicholas
to make his appearance.

So from The Dressed Up Cottage:

Merry Christmas to all
And to all a Good Night

~Thankful ~

It's that time again, for us to put aside our petty differences
 and join hands across the table. 

All kidding aside
I LOVE THANKSGIVING
it's all about gathering your family together and eating as much as you can hold.....
what's not to love?

And of course we eat first with our eyes, so I enjoy setting a welcoming table.
This is the time, to pull out all the best stuff.

Polish the silver

Iron the linens

Grab that fancy dish in the back of the cupboard and USE it.

To take the extra time needed to dress a lovely table
to think of the small details that will bring a smile....
these little things tell your family, how much they mean to you. 

Little pilgrim hat place cards for the Grandkids

But we all know this day is not about the beautiful table or even the food.
This is the moment to recognize those things for which we are thankful.
So with head humbly bowed; 

I'm thankful for little hands folded in prayer 
as a bountiful feast is blessed. 

though my Thanksgiving table starts out with all good intentions

when all is said and done it usually ends up
 looking something like this

Does this look familiar?


And another happy ,satisfying 
Good Old Fashioned Thanksgiving 
was had by all.