Found While Cleaning

This is the time of year many of us seem to get the urge to purge -- belongings, that is!  This morning I went through drawers and found things to donate to Goodwill,  as well as a few oddities and memorabilia that I thought post-worthy.

First up -- a pair of ecru cotton gloves, last worn in August of 1971 for the president's reception for incoming freshmen at Baylor.  Those were the days when dressing up meant a long dress, and my mother made mine -- ecru cotton trimmed with cotton lace.  Wish I had a photo of the dress!  I'm keeping the gloves, just in case they ever come back into style!  They still fit -- unlike the dress. . . .

In the same vein, I found a pair of cotton performance gloves worn to ring with the handbell choir at a former church.  The handbell choir I'm in now is much more relaxed, with a random collection of gloves we wear when we play in worship and that we take turns laundering.

In the same drawer, I found what's left of a childhood tea set -- two cups, two plates, and the creamer.  I found a place for these pieces in the china cabinet.

Here's a t-shirt that I really should wear more often, given to me by one of my sisters.

The same drawer also holds a small jewelry box for keepsakes, and I especially enjoyed finding the next two items.  The first is a teething ring engraved with my date of birth, and the clock's engraved hands are set to the time of my birth (1:45 a.m.).  My initials are engraved on the back. I must really have teethed on this, because it looks pretty worn!

And, finally, my charm bracelet with charms mostly from my junior high years.  Those of you around my age who grew up Southern Baptist may recognize the green and white GA charms, earned by achieving Queen, Queen with a Scepter, and Queen Regent status in the Girls' Auxiliary.  Any other Queen Regents out there?  I still have my green satin cape and scepter, saved by my mother but now in my possession, as well as the cross-stitched map of the world completed for one of the requirements. 

Thanks for walking down Memory Lane with me! 

Changing Things Up

Now that the last of the Christmas decor is stored away, I've been having fun decorating various surfaces around the house.  One I'll share today for Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life is my entryway table.  This area needs color, and I decided to use blue for January.

The afternoon sun made it hard to take photos!  Here's another try.

One end of the table includes a salad plate in the Bordallo Basketweave Blue pattern, a blue and white rabbit that was my mother-in-law's, and a demitasse cup featuring bluebonnets.  For height, I set the pieces on a stack of decorating books.  (By the way, the DISH book was a Christmas gift, and it's wonderful!)

The other end of the table holds blue tapers in brass candlesticks and potted ivy in a pretty cachepot that belonged to my in-laws.

Thanks for visiting!  Be sure to check out Tabletop Tuesday for lots of great decorating ideas!

New Year's Eve

Our holidays were busy, with family visiting over Christmas, then a couple of days in San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl and to celebrate our 39th anniversary.  We were glad to get home yesterday and have a quiet dinner, just the two of us, on New Year's Eve.

I decided to set the coffee table, in front of the fireplace, even though it was way too warm for a fire last night! The pretty flowers were an anniversary gift from our son and daughter-in-law, who celebrated their first anniversary the same day.

Since it was New Year's Eve, I decided to use "the good stuff," our wedding china and silver, plus some crystal champagne flutes.  I also wanted to use the new napkin rings my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Aren't they pretty?  The creamy color is perfect with my Lenox Windsong china.

Here's a closeup of the coral Gerbera daisies and peach roses.  I like the contrast with the light turquoise of the placemats and napkins.

Here are a couple of overhead views.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner (prepared by my husband) and an early bedtime.  Staying up till midnight is not for us!

I will be linking to Tablescape Thursday at Susan's Between Naps on the Porch later this week. Thank you for visiting me this week!

Christmas Table

The inspiration for this year's table was the set of darling Santa placecard holders my sister sent me as an early Christmas gift. There are four different poses.  Just love these!

The glittery red and green of the Santas reminded me I had some glittery green candles and a red linen table runner.

Instead of my "good" china, I used my Christmas china, Dansk Winterfest.

 Here's another view, showing the emerald green glasses that first belonged to my husband'a grandparents.  I love the shape and color, and the pattern name -- Burple.

The monochrome centerpiece is simply evergreen clippings with the glittery green candles and some ornaments.

Anchoring each end of the centerpiece are poinsettia "blooms" and more evergreens in silver julep cups.  I'd been wanting to try clipping the poinsettias after seeing the technique in Southern Living.

Here's a closeup!

A view down the table. . .

Time to light some candles!

The candlelight view.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I will be linking to Tablescape Thursday at Susan's Between Naps on the Porch.

Cozy Christmas Breakfast

Our daughter's family will be arriving later Christmas Day, so we'll have just four around the breakfast table that morning -- my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and me. The simple centerpiece includes two miniature live evergreens in pots topped with "snow" and two Father Christmases handed down to me from my mother-in-law's collection.

 These cute salad plates were the inspiration for this table.  I bought them after Christmas last year at Crate and Barrel Outlet.

I added my red glasses and green placemats, and we're using the silver flatware at breakfast since it's Christmas! 

I've had the napkins, also from Crate and Barrel, for several years, but they seem made for these plates.  I like the lime green mixed with the more traditional green and red in the Joy design.

Here's another view that shows my silver pattern, Lunt Belvedere.

Here's a closer look at one of the Father Christmases.

In the background of this view is our 30+ year old Advent calendar, made by my mother when our daughter was little. The chair back blocks the little candy-filled pockets for each day.  You can also glimpse our living room Christmas tree on the left.

 Here's one more view of the table, looking toward the baker's rack.

Thank you for visiting, and I hope you will leave a comment before you leave.  I will be linking to Susan's Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Such Sweet Sisters!

I am blessed with two wonderful sisters, both of whom are EXCELLENT at gift-giving.  Last night, the UPS man delivered a box that held a beautifully wrapped gift from my sister in Dallas, with a tag reading, "Open NOW!"  I was happy to oblige and found these adorable Santa place card holders inside!  I can't wait to use them in a tablescape, and they'll also be cute holding cards to identify dishes for a buffet. 

Earlier this month my other sister in Nashville sent me a box with six different types of Jeni's ice cream, including such amazing flavors as frankincense and almond cake and smoked tea and plum pudding.  They are AMAZING, and it's been lots of fun to sample the different flavors.

I am thankful to have such fabulous sisters!

You Know It's December

When your husband brings home the long-awaited Haagen-Dazs peppermint bark ice cream!  Our Sam's had it this year.  If you haven't tried it, you are really missing something!