Honoring Mothers!

This week's tablescapes are all about Mothers and Mother's Day.  I thought I would start off with a quote about Mothers.  Bad idea.  I just spent the last 45 minutes reading quotes and wiping tears.  There's just something about motherhood.  I lost my mother 11 years ago this month and life has never been the same.  It goes on but it's not the same.  So, I have decided to forget the quote idea, blow my nose and think positive! 

The guidelines for this table were easy for me to follow.  I use things from my mother all the time and today is no different.  I had two grandmothers in my life growing up and wish I had more things that were once theirs.  I am always so envious of other tablescapers with all their heirlooms.  I'm not sure how it happened that I have nothing from my maternal grandmother (youngest of 3 sisters, I guess) but I am lucky enough to have something from my paternal grandmother.  I was five when she died and I don't remember her very well.  I do remember her being very kind and patient with the four of us kids when we would visit her in upstate NY.  I am using her cranberry glass decanter and cordial glasses.  I think they are from the 1940's.  I think I wound up with this set because of my blue and mauve decor in the 80's.  At one time I had 4 glasses but a few years back I had a "dishes and glasses" accident.  I had a wooden armoire in the corner of my living room for my overflow and I overloaded the shelves.  When the shelf fell it sounded as if a train had come through the house.  We lost a lot of things that day.  I always wondered what finally made it give out.  I hadn't put any thing in there for months! 

I used my mother's Federalist Ironstone and added salad plates from Burlington Coat Factory and appetizer plates from Ross.  The rattan chargers are from Goodwill and I've used them several times before. 

I layered green and deep pink napkins together.  The napkin rings are from The Christmas Tree Shop.

My pink wine glasses were found at Goodwill and the water glasses are from Marshall's.  The cabbage plate is from Ross. 

I used my vintage silverware since it's from the same era as the decanter.

I found the April Cornell table runner at Home Goods.  I'm usually not a big fan of roses but I like the butterflies.

I bought a bunch of flowers from Target yesterday but I really had to add to them.  It takes a lot to fill a container like this.  I picked greens and flowers from my yard but still wound up adding fake.  Not that there's anything wrong with that, right?

This pink butterfly pick is from Dollar Tree and yes, I realize I'm mixing dragonflies and butterflies in the same table.  Hey, if it's okay with Mother Nature, it's okay with me!

I'm so happy I found these candle holders at Marshall's.  I use them all the time.

Looking at these pictures I'm seeing how feminine this table came out.  That's so unlike me!  I guess that's okay for Mothers!

Here are the women I am honoring today.

My grandmother

I love this picture of my mother and me.  When my mother gave you a hug you knew you were loved! 

p.s.  Do I look like a typical 1982 bride or what?  I never did like my dress but I loved that hat!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Make sure to stop my and visit my sister at Creating Wonderful Spaces

I am joining the following parties...

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Let's Dish! at Cuisine Kathleen

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Thrifty Things Friday at Thrifty Groove

I've Got the Blues!

Maybe we are all thinking green these days with St. Patty's Day and Spring coming on us but I'm feeling blue this week!  I started out with some new napkins I found at Ross that had blue flowers on them.  Funny thing is, after I "played" with my dishes I wound up not even using them!  Does that happen to you too?  I do the same thing with clothes.  I have to be "in the mood" to wear certain things.  That could explain why I am a compulsive over-packer!  How can I possible know what I will feel like wearing two or three days from now?  Sorry, I'm getting off subject here, back to tablescaping! 

I set a table for four in my Dining Room (because that's what I was in the mood for!). 

I bought these placemats a few weeks back at Ross (less than $1 each!).  They look like little rag rugs.  I'm always looking for different textures.

I tried to break up the blue with touches of green and brown.  That color combination seems to work well in nature. 

I think there's a reason we all own these rattan chargers.  They look great and are so versatile.  A place setting instantly becomes more casual sitting atop these!  Mine are from Beall's Outlet but they are available in many different stores in dark and light tones.

The dinner plates are from a thrift store, the salad plates are from Ross (love the color!), the leaf plates are also from Ross and I seem to find myself using them all the time.  Now you're probably wondering where I got the cute little green leaf plates.  I have to admit I don't remember.  I think that's one of the signs of being a "dish-aholic" when you can't even remember buying your dishes!

I do remember buying these pretty, paisley napkins (Marshall's).  They are April Cornell (of course!).  The napkin rings are from Home Goods and look like little gardening tools.

I found these glasses at my favorite Goodwill (on the way to the beach).

I borrowed this container from my home office to use as my centerpiece.  It's also a Home Goods purchase.  The greens are casually arranged (I plopped them in !).

I guess it's a big artichoke!  Once again, I love texture.

These candlesticks are from Marshall's and have that nice chippy look to them like they have been outside in a garden.  The candles have layers of blue, green and brown.

Two cement birds add to the garden feel.

Green votive candles are nestled in glass bowls filled with glass beads in blue and green. 

A little candlelight...

I'd like to share a tip with you about shopping for seasonal home decor or tablescaping items.  SHOP EARLY!  The stores start putting things out way before the season has begun whether it's summer or Christmas!  You have to be thinking ahead all the time.  Stores like Ross, Home Goods and Tuesday Morning only get a few of each item.  Once it's gone, it's gone.  Stores like Pier One, Pottery Barn, Z Gallerie or even Old Time Pottery will have more of a supply and will have things for a longer period of time.  In that case, you can "think" about a purchase for a few weeks.  One more tip for today.  I always try to make sure I can use something in at least 2 different ways and don't buy it if you don't love it!  This tip should save you money and storage space!  I enjoy "shopping " my house as much as shopping in the stores.  Today's centerpiece is a good example of that.

I am joining the party at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and Centerpiece Wednesday at the Style Sisters..

Be sure to visit my sister's blog, Creating Wonderful Spaces to see her table for this week.