Happy New Year

This New Year’s Eve I wish to

thank all my blogger friends

for your inspiration and good will thoughout 2010

All my best wishes to you for a prosperous and Happy New Year!

Holiday Tablesetting

Well, this is nearly the last Thursday of 2010, and I am glad to participate in Tablescape Thursday, ably hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. I have been so presed for time that I have not been able to post since before Thanksgiving.

As I do every year, I took out my Lenox “Holiday” china and the coordinating “Holiday” linens to set the dining room table for the Christmas holidays.

The place settings are framed by graceful chargers and gold flatware embossed with a floral motif. At the end place settings the napkin is placed across the bowl. The napkin ring is also Lenox “Holiday.”

I also used the clear stemmed green goblets to pick up the green in the holly trimmed plates.

The centerpiece is a crystal nativity set elevated slightly, and then surrounded with gold and silver beaded garlands and green ribbon and green glass ornaments.

On each side is a silver plated candlestick with gold candles and holly rings.

I usually use the Lenox "China Jewels" nativity set, but decided on the Gorham lead crystal set since it was easily retrieved from the curio cabinet. The China Jewels set is packed away in many boxes, and I did not have the energy for so much unwrapping. See the post in my nativity gallery blog for more about the Gorham nativity set.

The place settings at the side feature cream soup bowls and stands and napkins on the side, while the settings on the two ends have rimmed soup bowls, and napkins on top.

Dessert plates are at hand at the edge of the table:

Please visit Susan Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for links to many more festive holiday tablescapes, and to join in this beautiful weekly blog event.

Holiday Teacup and Saucer

Tea Cup Tuesday, co-hosted by Martha at Martha’s Favorites and Terri at Artful Affirmations.

My teacup today is part of the dining room room table setting which features the Lenox “Holiday” pattern. I enjoy the cream color with holly in subtle green and red. Also, the gold embellishement.

Both sides of the cup have the sprig of holly design.


I'm also linking to Lady Tea Time Tuesday at Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor.

A second Tea Time Tuesday, is hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage


Thank you for stopping by today. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Teacup Tuesday – Pink Beleek

Tea Cup Tuesday, co-hosted by Martha at Martha’s Favorites and Terri at Artful Affirmations.

Last week I shared a soft yellow Beleek cup and saucer. This week it is a pale pink set.
I’ve placed today’s teacup and saucer on a pink crystal platter, which I received as a gift back in summer 1988. It is made by Mikasa and is the "Rosella" pattern.

Like last week’s cup, this one is also shell-shaped. It is Beleek’s "Neptune" pattern, Made in Ireland.

Notice the shape of the saucer and of the footed cup. The handle looks like pink coral.

Note the tiny shell feet on the cup bottom.

Also linking to Tea Time Tuesday at Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor.

A second Tea Time Tuesday, is hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage


Thank you for stopping by today. Please visit our hostesses at the links above. Please leave a comment and do come again soon.

Metamorphosis Monday – White Dish Display

A few days ago I decided to make room to display more of my white dishes. I have them already on a plate stand to the left of the sink, but wanted to display more.

A few white items were seen in the photo below, set atop the bookcase I use as a partial panty.


Taking a three-shelf wall unit from a local thrift shop, I doubled the space for my white dishes.

First I cleared the top of the bookcase:

The three shelves provided for four Wedgwood “Patrician” plates and matching cups and saucers; two square Canonsburg “American Traditional" dessert plates, a white teapot, a napkin holder, two sets of salt and peppers, a candlestick and a black and white teapot.


Under the lowest shelf I placed several tea books. Ceramic cottage boxes add to the mix:

Alongside on the right, are a framed print, and ceramic tea-house containers.


This post is linked to Metamorphosis Monday. Please visit Susan Susan at Between Naps on the Porchfor links to many more captivating changes, and to join in this weekly blog event.
I am also linking to Tabletop Tuesday, hosted by Marty at A Stroll Thru Life.

Also linking to Tea Time Tuesday at Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor.



Have a great week, and do visit again soon!

Teacup Tuesday – Soft Yellow Beleek

Tea Cup Tuesday, is co-hosted by Martha at Martha’s Favorites and Terri at Artful Affirmations.

My teacup for this Tuesday was made in Ireland. This pattern is Belleek "Tridacna" [5th mark 1955-65], a lovely sea shell design.

The pale yellow cup and saucer feel so thin and so light, but it is strong porcelain. This thin irridescent porcelain is called parian china.

The handle is a delicate ring circle, with tiny branches at top and bottom.

Here I pair the exquisite cup and saucer with a Fleetwood vase with an irridescent glaze. This vase is designed as a tree trunk and is embellished with 22 kt. gold. On the tree branch is a golden squirrel holding a nut.

Please visit Martha and Terri at the links above to see more lovely teacups, and also to link to your own post.

I am also linking to Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday. Click here to visit other participants. I trust you are enjoying your week...God bless!

Tablescape Thursday – Eggplant and Pumpkins

Again this week the tablescape is at the breakfast table in kitchen. The color scheme has deep hues to go along with the cooler weather we have been having here.

The table cover is a plaid in green, yellow, and red. Red quilted round placemats are set with white dinner plates, green cabbage plates and white pumpkin bowls. Yellow napkins and Towle stainless flatware complete the place settings.

The centerpiece includes a large white pumpkin covered serving bowl, a green ceramic candle holder, and a Fitz and Floyd Eggplant covered dish, set amid brown hydrangeas.

This post is linked to Tablescape Thursday. Please Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for links to many more table settings.and to join in this weekly blog event. I am also linking to Leigh's "Thrifty Thursday" at Tales From Bloggeritaville. Please visit her for links to all the participants.

This tablesetting also depended largely on bargains that I found in discount stores, local thrift stores, etc.
The round tablecloth cost $3.00, while the napkins and the place mats were 25 cents each at a local thrift store.

Wedgwood "Edme" Dinner plates – local thrift store - $3.25 for 3 dinner plates, 2 bread and butter plates along with one cream soup bowl and saucer.
Pinheiro Bordallo Cabbage Leaf Dessert Plates – TJ Maxx and Marshalls $7.99 each; Individual salad bowls – from TJ Maxx
Fostoria brown "Virginia" Goblets – Six for $5.00 at flea market Lenox "Summer Terrace" candle holder made in Portugal – Ebay Best Offer.
Towle "English Shell" Stainless flatware – From Ebay and Replacements Ltd. At very reasonable prices.
White pumpkin soup tureen and bowls – T.J. Maxx $5.99 each for small bowls.

Thanks for stopping by. I enjoy reading your comments.