Tablescape Thursday--Colorful and Thrifty tables for the Masses

Colorful and thrifty tables for a large group

The post today for Thursday's Tablescape is all about ingenuity, thrift, quantity and color.

We had a breakfast at church last Saturday and when I walked into the cultural hall I was met by 20 round tables dressed in bright vibrant colors.

The woman responsible for the decorating had used runners she had previously made for a family event which were chartreuse green, pink, yellow and hot pink.  Some were striped and some were plain fabrics.

She layered these on top of similar colored plastic round tablecloths that are usually not that attractive. The centerpieces were trees cut from foam core then all were painted bright pink.

The big plastic light bulbs were purchased at the dollar store then painted to match the theme colors, bright pink, green and chartreuse, three per table.  They are hung on a jewelry rack that was also purchased at the dollar store.  She put the base of the holder into a piece of wood which was wrapped in paper of the theme colors.

   She scattered and hung little gold stars.

The walls were also treated to some of the wrapping paper and stripe fabric in big rectangles.  All in all, it was a fresh and happy look for our Christmas breakfast event.  To read and see more tablescapes click here.

Holiday Boutiques

It's that time of year when signs appear around town or in the newspaper advertising Holiday Boutiques. I love to go to these because it is kind of like going to a garage sale in that you never know what you'll find.  Unlike a garage sale where most of the items are used, boutiques are all new, mostly hand made, one of a kind items.  I love them!  Here are a few items I found being sold this year at the boutiques I've attended.

Fun chalkboards

I was so excited when I laid my eyes on this table with tons of bolts of ribbons--and at incredible prices! You never know what a person's passion is.

Cute decorative stars to hang in a room and cheer your spirit.

Fun magnetic boards to post notes to your family, keep important date reminders etc.

Unique jewelry can be found at many boutiques.  Also in this somewhat blurry picture are cute messenger bags and childrens' bibs out of oilcloth.

These are little 2 oz. hand sanitizers. The owner has her children participate in filling the bottles so they feel a part of this project. The profits go to help children in Africa.

The designer of this fabric was participating in the boutique and so the fabric was less than 1/2 the cost that it sells for in the stores.  I know, I bought it last Christmas and made quilts from it.

Maybe you need a big clothespin clip for your desk.

Another advantage of boutiques is that they are generally in a home and so if you get exhausted, you can have a little break and sit on the furniture.  Unless, of course they have taken out all the furniture to make room for the merchandise, which is exactly the case at one boutique I attended last week!  Boutiques support the local economy and they are just plain fun!  I hope you have a chance to attend at least one this season--or two or three. (Let me know where they are so I can come too!)

Christmas at my house 2009

I love Christmas!  I love decorating my house with all the Christmas things that I have collected.  It is all done now and I would like to share it with you.  We will begin at the Front Door.

 I love the fresh wreaths at Costco and usually just hang mine from an ivory satin ribbon but this year I found this tin reproduction post card plaque so it adorns it this year.

As you walk in the Entry you are greeted by the banister going to the downstairs.

Across from the railing is a black chest where I change the arrangement according to the seasons.

This Christmas I took my lead from Pottery Barn and used glass, mercury glass, silver and snow in all the vignettes throughout the house.

To the right is the Livingroom

This is on the coffee table.  I like to showcase my antique glass ornaments so I put them in these hurricanes.

I couldn't get a good shot of the whole mantel so it is here in two pictures.

Across from the mantel is a tall cabinet that is called a Summer Kitchen.

I use it as a library and hang some favorite handmade pieces from the keys to the doors-like tassels.

This little Christmas angel hangs out on the shelf of the Summer Kitchen along with this Red truck carrying a few more antique ornaments.

Now, on to the Kitchen.

This built-in cabinet changes at this time of year to hold my red glassware and Christmas plates in the shelves.

The pegs are a good place for Christmas mugs.

This whimsical cake plate is new and was snagged at TJMax in October for $19.99.  I saw it in a catalog since then for $99.00! (Oh, how I love a bargain!)   Now, on to the Dining table.

Again more silver, pewter, bells and snow in the punch bowl.

The Family Room Christmas tree. Notice the cute little cradle by the tree. (It is the same one on my header) I use my glass ornaments on the tree that I have used for years and still love. They were originally purchased at a Walgreen's that was going out of business.

Years ago I found some crystals from an old chandelier so I put them on our tree that year.  Now, when I find more at yard sales or antique shops I add them to my collection.  I like the way they reflect the lights of the tree and room. The gold and white balls were a Martha idea I did--dipped them in a mixture of paint and water to make them marbleized.

This is the family room mantel.  Again it is in the white- snow, glass and mercury glass candle holders and greenery.

One last little reading corner where I keep seasonal pillows.  The grandchildren love to come and rearrange the letters on the shelf.  I never know what words are going to be spelled out there.  They have fun surprising me!

I leave you today with this Christmas angel's prayer.  I hope you have enjoyed this Christmas tour.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

  I am linking up to the following Home Tours.  Check them out to see lots of great Christmas decorating ideas.

 

 

 

Lunch at the Country Club

For today's tablescape and Foodie Friday entry I will share with you an event I was able to attend.  I do not belong to the Country Club but was able to go this month and had a delicious lunch in a beautiful surrounding.  

We were greeted by colorful Cranberry Spritzers.

 The tables were set with white linens
 

 and the centerpieces were boxes with gold gilt edges filled with glittered pomegranates and greenery.

 These boxes were set on draped silver lamecloths.

 Snow was scattered across the cloth and at each place was a white glittered snowflake.

 

  At each place was the butter plate with 3 different butters all decoratively shaped. ( I guess because I never do this it seemed really fun to me)

 The meal began with a wonderful butternut squash soup served in footed compotes which made them seem even festive.

  Then we were served Breaded Pork Medallion (1) (I think this is called Weinerschnitzel in Germany), , Mashed Potatoes, a carrot and a bit of broccoli

 

and for dessert a scrumptious Eggnog Cheesecake.  This had a kind of gingerbread crust and very faintly eggnog flavor.  It was delicious.  I did not ask for their recipe but have one I will share with you today.

The room was not overly decorated but the few trees in the room were done nicely with lots of red.

 Now for the Eggnog Cheesecake recipe:

Crust
1 cup graham crackers, crushed
2 T. white sugar
3 T. melted butter
Make graham cracker crust and pat into 9 inch spring form pan.  Bake 10 minutes at 325.

Filling
3 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup white sugar
3 T. flour
3/4 cup egg nog
2 eggs
2 T. rum flavoring
1 pinch of ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 435 degrees.  In a food processor combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and eggnog until smooth.  Blend in eggs, rum and nutmeg.  Pour mixture into cooled crust.  Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to 250 degrees and bake for 45 minutes or until center of cake is barely firm to the touch.  Remove from oven and immediately loosen cake from rim.  Let cake cool completely before removing the rim. 

I hope you enjoy this holiday dessert!

I am linking to Susan's Between Naps on the Porch Thursday Tablescapes and Foodie Friday with this post.  Be sure to check out these sites to see more beautiful tables and get more wonderful recipes.