SILVER AND ROSES

 Last weekend we went to a great estate sale -- that is, the antiques were great; just not the prices.  The stuff was all probably worth the asking price, but were not in our range at all.

The only thing I bought was this little 5" silver vase.  I found it out in one of the sheds with junk -- that is probably why it was marked $4.  I wanted to pay $2, but prices were firm!

I love the Greek key design and the 'loving cup' handles; and thought it will be handy to use for little bunches of posies from the garden this summer.

 Our rose bushes are covered with buds and just beginning to bloom; which is about a month early for our region of the country.    

Cold weather is in the forecast for tomorrow -- hope they don't get frostbitten!

Check out the following blog parties this week for lots of summer inspiration.

Southern Hospitality for Thrifty Treasures Monday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

White Ironstone Cottage for Treasure Chest Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

THINGS I ENJOY

Years ago, I bought this baguette bread board just because I loved the patina. Then on our 50th anniversary trip to Paris, I discovered French baguettes.

I made the table runner from one of my favorite Ralph Lauren fabrics.

Love my great-grandmother's monogrammed butter knives.

A 7-foot harvest table made by my husband surrounded by chairs purchased by my grandparents when they married in 1904.

A brown transferware pitcher bought at Marburger Farm at Round Top, Texas five years ago; now holding roses and valarian from my garden. The valarian was transplanted from my mother's garden many years ago.

A brown transferware butter dish from a neighborhood lady's estate sale.

Crochet edging on napkins inherited from my grandmother.

Just a few of the things that trip my trigger!

I'll be joining the following parties this week -- please check them out for a plethora of inspiration.

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Very Merry Vintage Style for Share the Love Wednesday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

MY SILVER STORY

Recently, everyone has been showing their silver. I decided that I should join in; but first, I need to fill you in on the history of my silver.

When we were married in 1958, it was quite fashionable to give and receive silver serving dishes as wedding presents. Evidently, we were fashionable because we received over 40 pieces. Now, this is just what two 19-year-old, college students living in a two-room basement dumpy apartment needed. So, the silver lived boxed up in my parent's basement for several years with my Dad always asking when we were going to take our stuff to our own place.

Finally, after we bought our first house; we unpacked the silver and displayed it, but not using it. In those days, there was no such thing as the 'tarnished look'; so I faithfully polished every month. Then, I entered into my 'earth mother' era and was too busy baking bread and tending to babies to polish. The silver was packed up again and began its 40-year existence under the bed. It has been moved many times to different houses, but always shoved back under the bed.

The only time I have dug into the box was thirteen years ago when our daughter got married. We used several trays and the coffee service on her reception table. I repacked everything at that time into plastic boxes and shoved it back under the bed until today. I decided it was time to take another look.

I was told to pack silver in tissue paper, then in plastic bags to keep it from tarnishing. Surprisingly, It has not tarnished a lot during all of these years.

The platter at the beginning of this post is huge measuring 15" x 21". By the time you put a turkey on it, it would be too heavy to carry to the table! Does anyone still carve at the table anyway?
This piece of silver below is a Silent Butler. Was I really expected to go around with this to empty my guests dirty ashtrays and brush the crumbs from the table into it during a party?

I have several sets of assorted dishes that match each other in pattern.

How many canape trays do 19-year old couples need? Evidently, five - that is how many we have!

There is a coffee service with a big, footed serving tray and two big covered vegetable dishes.

On the left below, there are quite a few candy and nut dishes; and on the right a big Paul Revere bowl with a matching cream and sugar set. Then, there are salt and pepper shakers, a butter dish, candle holders, a marmalade jar, and a gravy boat.

I guess our acquaintances didn't think we had enough silver, so our children each received a silver bank and a baby cup when they were born.

One of the things I found packed away that we didn't receive as a wedding present was this monogrammed dish below. I remember my uncle giving this to us when he went into the nursing home. With the "M" monogram, it must have belonged to my grandmother's family as her maiden name began with "M". It is lovely with all of the grapes around it. I may just keep this out for awhile to enjoy.

So, what is your favorite wedding gift to give? Do you do something from a registry, give something homemade, or money or gift cards? If you are looking for something to give that is unique, run to your local Goodwill store. I bet you can find a Silent Butler just waiting to be regifted.

I'm linking into Mary's Mosaic Monday at Little Red House.
There you will find a list of participants with beautiful photography and interesting subjects.

Also, Beth at The Gypsy Fish
is hosting Silver Sunday. Please stop by there to check out all of the beautiful silver.


P.S.: I must get busy polishing and repacking my silver. It is very empty under the guest bed.

TABLESCAPE TUESDAY

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch is hosting Tablescape Tuesday once again. Please check out her blog for a list of the most delicious tablescapes!

This past Sunday, we had our annual Thanksgiving dinner at our church with 40 tables hosted and decorated by the women of the church. I thought Tablescape Tuesday was a great opportunity to share some of them with you!

For my contribution this year I used my Johnson Bros. red transfer ware with my new turkey salad plates, also from Johnson Bros. The centerpiece was simple and inexpensive with the pilgrims from Hobby Lobby, the pumpkins from Dollar Tree, and the paisley scarf from Ross's.

I included my mother's Fostoria stemware and my great-grandmother's sterling silver.


My daughter decorated her table with Fall leaves, a quilted table runner, candles, her grandmother's Fostoria American, and my red Fostoria Argus ice tea glasses. Her silverware was a gift to her from her grandmother.


At the last minute, I was roped into doing a second table. Because of the time crunch, I used my everyday Blue Willow dishes and the red Fostoria Argus glasses. The centerpiece is a cornucopia using a red wooden bucket on its side. Going with the red, white, and blue theme, I included an antique Thanksgiving postcard showing a turkey with an American flag!


There was such a wide variety of creative tables; I've included some pictures of a few. I loved this turkey tureen centerpiece with four different Fall colors of Fiesta ware.


Look at this cute pilgrim couple.


Festive dishes in beautiful Fall colors!


Beautiful antique dishes with inspirational place cards!


This woman involved her granddaughter in making turkeys full of candy corn.


More pilgrims with a colorful tablecloth and centerpiece.


A black turkey centerpiece with a striking tablecloth!




Hope you enjoyed our church's Thanksgiving dinner as much as we did.



Thanks for stopping by,

Sally