Table for Two

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for this weeks Tablescape Thursday. I hope you'll check it out and visit everyone else's tablescapes.

I wanted to share some dishes we brought back with us from Jordan. These too were hand carried on the plane. Many didn't make it. There was a collection of graduated square plates but only one survived and it's chipped so it can't be used for any thing but decoration.



Even Spartacus, our cat, wanted to join in today.



The pillow is hand appliqued from Egypt. They cozy up the chairs.



The flatware is from my Mother in law. She passed it along for one of her grandkids to "inherit".



Everyday Plate.









Thanks for looking. I hope you enjoyed the handwork of painted ceramic plates from Jordan.

Formal Dinner Party

First, indulge me a moment.

I have been teaching Life Management at my local high school (across the street). It is a Home Economics class that exposes the students to various subjects, including Childcare, Cooking, Sewing, Event Planning, and Consumer Issues, among other things. Currently we are doing the cooking unit. Today was serving meals, setting the table and table manners.

I cringe to think that these 9th and 10th graders are our future. Not one of them could understand the need to set the table properly or use the appropriate flatware piece for the appropriate dish. They did not understand the need to slow down and enjoy a meal and the conversation of family or friends. I have 102 students who have been taught from an early age to inhale their food, or to take it to their rooms and text, or talk on the phone, or play video games while inhaling the food. It's a sad state of affairs.

Enough on that subject.

I decided to set my table for a dinner party for six using one of my sets of china for Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.







The tablecloth is again from Damascus, Syria. The matching napkins are in the water goblets. You can't tell from my photos but the tablecloth and napkins are embroidered all over in white.



The flatware was my mother's "best" set. She didn't want them any longer so I inherited early. They are about 35 years old.



The china was a gift from my mother in law. She bought them at a second hand store. I did not receive any china for our wedding, so she boght me two different used sets about 15 years ago.







Thank you for peaking at my table and for putting up with my ranting.

Everyday Tablescape

Welcome to another go at Tablescape Thursday. I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. I've been so inspired by all the other tablescapes. You must check them out.

Today I decided to set the table with my everyday dishes. The plates, etc. are from Target (5 years ago). The stainless is Oneida "Community". They were gifts for our wedding 25 years ago.



We just purchased the napkins, placemats, chair pads and tablecloths (not used today)from Target. This lovely little table was given to us. It has 6 chairs and two huge leaves!



As you can see from the table, it needs a refinishing. And that is exactly why I was looking for a used table. I will be hauling it out to the garage for sanding and painting right after dinner! It will be a lovely shade of black when I'm done.



The waterglasses were a Christams gift from my mother a few years ago. I think she was wandering through TJ Maxx and thought of me.



The roses wouldn't stand still long enough for me to take their picture. That's why a little blurry. LOL The roses are from my frontyard where they seem to bloom from March 'til November.



The window valances are made from a tablecloth cut in half, sewn and tied with black satin ribbon.



The little hearts are from The Pampered Chef. They all received new black ribbons as well.



Thanks for joining me in an everyday dinner.

Tea Set from Jordan

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch again today for Tablescape Thursday.


This week I thought I would share a tea set that I purchased when we lived in Jordan. It's a lovely little pale green set for six. However, it does not include plates or any other pieces.




So I thought I'd just give you a peek!



This lovely tablecloth is from Syria. We purchased it in Damascus on one of our monthly trips there. The table is three meters long so you can imagine how long the tablecloth is! I have several different tablecloths which I will share later in the fall.




Thanks for looking!

Russian Tea Set

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for my first tablescape for Tablescape Thursday.

In 1999, Husband and I went on our first two week Evangelical mission trip---to Russia. It was literally a life changing event for us. More on that at another time.

While we were there we were able to shop in down town Moscow, as well as see the sights. I found this cute little tea set in a shop and couldn't resist. I had to hand carry it home on the airplane. They had packed it neatly in a brown box which was tied up with string. I was afraid something would break, but all the pieces survived.

The set is for six, including cake plates. Today I've only set the table for two.



The tiny little dish in the center of the cake plate is actually a tea bag caddy. Waste not!



The sugar bowl is almost as big and the tea pot.





"Don't you think that Daisies are the friendliest flower?" Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail.



Enjoy your tea!

Little Dresser Re-do

First Time for Me! I'm joining the Met Monday with Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.

Husband and I found this little beauty of a dresser at a garage sale. We paid $5! We had already found and refinished a dresser for Daughter's bedroom but who can resist a bargain! I'll post that dresser make-over next week.



It had quite a bit of damage to the top. The handles were tarnished and very outdated.



I had enterd Glidden Paints online giveaway back in June. They were sending a free quart of paint, in whatever color you chose, to all who signed up. I chose "Marshmallow" in an eggshell finish. I purchased Deglosser to use on most of the dresser, but the top had to be sanded down with an electric sander.



Reasdy for paint.



Two coats of paint.




Three coats of paint. Then I applied paste wax and buffed it off.



The little pulls were $1.29 each at Home Depot. They are a combination of brushed steel and bronze in a starburst pattern.



I'm very happy with the results. It will go up to Son's room and the little dresser in there will come out to the garage for freshening up.

So to recap: dresser $5
paint free
deglasser $8
pulls $15.48

Total $$28.48
Good Price!

Thanks for looking.

Pitter Patter of Doggy Feet

We added a new member to the family on August 10. This is Rerun, a 4 year old German Shepherd, Husky, Wolf mix. He has the best manners. Housebroken, loves to ride in the car, doesn't bother other dogs or cats. The best manners. And he loves to be hugged and brushed and walked.



What a good boy!



Of course the cat has ruled the house for 4 years, all alone. He's had some adjusting to do. But now they hang out together, though they aren't best friends yet.

And just in time for both Son and Daughter to go back to school. Husband and I are back to the empty nest.

I just finished posting and went to look for Rerun. Couldn't find him in his usual sleeping spots. Then I found him!



I guess he does have one vice! He figures if the cat can, so should he!