EATING THROUGH THE WEEKEND

I know that I have been 'missing in action' recently, but I really have an excuse other than just being blog brain dead (which I am)! We have a new computer -- something that we have needed for a long time. For instance, I have been unable for 2 1/2 years to comment on any body's blog that had their comments embedded -- the old computer just wouldn't let me do that. Plus, there were many other issues - it was past time to update the equipment. Hopefully, now I will be a better blogger. However as I put this post together, I realize that I didn't do a very good job taking pictures of our weekend's activities. We really have been eating our way through the weekend, but there are no food pictures. Trust me, there has been some good eating going on!

It all started Friday evening when we had the friends that we worked with on the estate sale over for dinner. We had to try out the Johnson Bros. Friendly Village dishes that I bought during the estate sale. We did have food - chile cheese chicken with vegetables, noodles, fruit salad, bread, and apple-spice cake. I think that I got the recipe from a blog for the chile cheese chicken, but I can't remember who. If you are the author of this scrumptious recipe, please let me know so I can give you credit.

Then, on Saturday it was our daughter, Jenni's 38th birthday. For those of you that are familiar with her battle with brain cancer, know that every birthday is a celebration!!! The family was here for lunch, then birthday cake.

And then today, Sunday, was our church's annual Thanksgiving dinner. The women of the church decorate and host tables for eight. Once again, I used the Friendly Village dishes with my Fostoria Argus red glassware.

The amount of food was unbelievable. Along with turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, there were three long tables with salads, side dishes and desserts. Needless to say, we are stuffed for the rest of the day. I'm just sorry I neglected to take some pictures of our fortunate abundance, so you could have enjoyed it with us.

I will be joining in with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch

this week for Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to go by her blog for Thanksgiving inspiration!

HERITAGE TABLESCAPE

Once again it is Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan of
Between Naps on the Porch.
Please check out her blog for a list of this week's participants.

Recently, my 95-year-old Mother in law downsized to move to assisted care. Among her belongings were 40 pieces of Heisey crystal in the Moonglo pattern. She announced that my husband, Bob, was to have the Heisey because in the 1950s as a teenager he gave it to her for Christmas one year. Now, didn't he exhibit infinite wisdom in choosing that wonderful Christmas gift? He had no idea that he would marry someone who cherishes china and crystal, even though we were dating at the time. The set includes goblets, sherbets, cups & saucers and a relish plate. It is engraved, etched, and has a wonderful ring to it.

So, I believe a tablescape is in order.

I've combined the Heisey with my grandmother's green glass plates, my great-grandmother's Austrian china, and my mother's 1847 Rogers silver plate.

The white linen napkins with the crocheted edging were a wedding gift to us 51 years ago from my 5th grade teacher.

It was so enjoyable to set this table with things and memories from both sides of our family.

Sally

TABLESCAPE & VINTAGE THURSDAY

I have set up my gate-leg table in the living room for coffee for two. Included is a vintage electric coffee percolator in china with matching creamer and sugar. My parents received it as a wedding present in 1937. It is complete with its coffee basket and stem inside plus the 1930's electric cord. As far as I know, it still perks; but I'm afraid to try it with its old electrical works. It is insulated, so it still makes a great server for coffee with its cute little spigot. It is marked "Royal Rochester Hand Decorated Royalite Electric Chinaware".

For a treat with our coffee today, we are having Madeleines, a French cookie.
The white plates, cups, and saucers are part of my great-grandmother's good dishes from Austria. The same great-grandmother embroidered the tea cloth and napkins.

Please check out the wonderful blog of Susan at Between Naps on the Porch
as she is hosting Tablescape Thursday today.

And, Suzanne at Colorado Lady
is hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday. Please check her blog out for a list of other vintage treasures.

Thanks for stopping by for coffee today.
Sally

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY AND OTHER FUN STUFF

"Hi, my name is Matilda. I use to live in Georgia with Sue at
Rue Mouffetard, but she decided I should move west and live with another old bird named Sally. I was in this hot box forever, and you would have thought Sue could have at least packed me with real Georgia peanuts and not these faux ones! They stick to everything."

"I've been checking this new place out, and I think I will like it here. Maybe I should live in the bathroom and be a Bathroom Diva - what do you think, Sheila?"

"Or, there is the computer room where all of this blogging stuff goes on. Looky see, there is Maude, my sister, with all of the other ladies at Sue's house."

"On occasion, I could become the next Samantha Brown and travel the world. These folks have an honest-to-goodness chicken traveling cage."

"How about outside? I could be a real 'Farm Chick' among the corn and tomatoes. Yum!"

"This tablescaping gig looks pretty fun."

"I wonder what's for dinner?" " FRIED CHICKEN???!!!!!!"

"Maybe, if I hide back here no one will see me."

"If I survive this fried chicken crisis, I really do think I will enjoy being a tablescaper. Please go by Susan's of Between Naps on the Porch to check out the other tables. Maybe, they are having something better to eat."

"Oh yes, Sally says to tell Sue thank you, and that she is the best blogger that sends the best presents!!"

TABLESCAPE IN MINIATURE

What fun it is to participate in two Thursday parties this week. First, be sure to check out Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for all of the great tablescapes this week. Then, hop over to Suzanne's at Colorado Lady. She is hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday where everyone will be showcasing their vintage items.

Bob came home the other day from a yard sale with this adorable child's chair that he had purchased for $3. The couple selling were in their 50s, and the 'new' wife said that they had a picture of the husband's grandfather sitting in this little chair. I have no idea why they were selling it - guess they were getting rid of things from their previous lives. I always feel bad about buying anything like this little treasure for such a small amount of money; but I rationalize that it has found a good, new home.

The chair is only 15 inches high and the seat is 8 inches in diameter - the perfect size for a miniature tablescape of doll dishes.

I've always loved blue willow dishes and found this doll dish set of several place settings with teapot, creamer and sugar 40 years ago while junk hunting.

The little set of red bakelite silverware was a gift from my friend, Jan.

Thanks for stopping by, and now please check out the blogs of our two hostesses for these fun Thursday parties.



EDITED TO ADD: For those of you who follow Mary of Mary's Meanderings
know that she was bitten by a rattlesnake last Saturday while at her beehives. I was able to see her for a few moments today, as she is still in ICU in the Pueblo, CO hospital. She is very weak and in a lot of pain, but says she is making progress. She hopes to get moved to a regular room soon, and would appreciate your continued prayers for patience and healing.

Sally

SUMMERTIME BREAKFAST!

Thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for once again hosting Tablescape Thursday. To check out my favorite Thursday party, be sure to go by Susan's blog to find a list of today's Tablescape Thursday's participants.

Finally, my garden flowers are starting to blossom, and I have materials for a centerpiece for a summertime breakfast setting.

Nothing fancy - just a plaid tablecloth and my everyday Blue Willow dishes.

My mother always had her Royal Copley roosters sitting around in her kitchen to remind herself that she didn't ever want the real thing in her yard! She did not have fond memories of taking care of live chickens when she was young.

For several Christmases and birthdays in the 1960s, my mother gave me the Fostoria red dishes and glassware. The white bread plate is from my set of Mikasa Italian Countryside dishes.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY

It is once again time to play with our dishes as it is Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. Be sure to stop by Susan's blog for a list of participants with all of their beautiful tablescapes!

I've done a simple pre-Easter tablescape for lunch with the grandkids. What is better for lunch than home-made macaroni and cheese, fruit salad, and chocolate candy for dessert!!

I've pulled out some of my vintage Easter decorations including an Easter basket from the 1950s, a paper-mache bunny, and a large paper-mache egg candy container from Western Germany.

Here is the candy container open with it's pretty toile lining and scalloped border.

I've set the table with glasses from The Dollar Tree, my Mikasa Italian Countryside white dishes, and some brown & white transferware salad plates from Marshalls.

I gathered up some old tin toys from around the house to use for all of the chocolate candy at each individual place setting. First, a toy wheel barrow.

A small sand pail.

A miniature tin basket.

And, a toy farm wagon.

I made the tablecloth from a twin sheet from Wal-mart ($3) with an added border of leftover striped quilting fabric. The napkins are also leftover quilting fabric.

I know the grandkids will enjoy it - especially all of the chocolate. After they get all hyper from the candy, I'll take them home to their parents. That's what Grandmothers do!!!