Candlelight and Puccini

Sunday was our wedding anniversary. We were married August 21, 1971. Forty years ago! We had a quite but memorial evening at home reminiscing and enjoying a great meal together.

I set the table with our wedding china, crystal and silver and decided to use several silver trays that were wedding gifts as chargers. Then I remembered my husband's parents had given us a beautiful silver vase on our 25th wedding anniversary that I used as a vase for the centerpiece.

 I had the hardest time trying to photograph the engraving because the chargers reflected even the plate.

 Then the leaves of the roses were reflected.

If you look closely you can see the initial "M"with the year 1996 underneath and 1971 above. Does anyone know how to photograph a shiny object?  It  also reflected me like a mirror.

I snapped a quick picture of our food: grilled salmon with dill, fresh brussel sprouts and angel hair pasta before our drinks were poured then put the camera away. After all the evening was about us. Listening to Puccini playing in the background we clinked our glasses and I said Je t'aime as a toast.  It was a lovely evening.

I am joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday and My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.


Natasha, from 5minutes just for me expressed in her blog this week some of the feelings I experienced this week after buying and arranging the fresh flowers I used in this post. Read her blog here and enjoy the research she did about how the presence of flowers trigger happy emotions.

Visiting our son and family out West!

Our son's family has just moved into a different house so they are still getting settled. I love their house! 

Scenery out of the guest room window.

Back patio.

Couldn't resist snapping some tabletops to share.

These cowboy boots were my son's when he was a little boy.

I really like this antique chest and it has great storage for toys downstairs.

Three generations. Thank you, God.

We ate well.

Great eatable tabletops!

But this precious one was the main attraction!

We were "over the moon!"

 Good night moon!

Goodnight James, Sarah and Will. We love you! Thank you for a wonderful visit!

Linking to Tabletop Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesday and Open House Party Thursday. The participants in these parties always inspire in a myriad of ways.

Wedding Trousseau ~ 40 years ago!!!

Can you believe I still have clothes from our wedding parties in 1971? I could not part with them and am so glad I didn't now!
The green dress I wore to our rehearsal dinner and wish I could remember the shoes I wore that night. The print I loved and wore it to a dinner party in our honor with brown platform stacked heels that made me feel tall that night. I couldn't say a word to anyone wearing a short dress now. That little print dress could have been a top!

The thin yellow belt is missing from this "jumpsuit!" I saved this 70's beauty too!

Polyester was new and all the rage! I wore the yellow and white dress to my bridal tea. Belt is missing. I will never forget how blown away I felt to greet so many sweet ladies that came to my tea and  couldn't believe all the presents! I was overwhelmed with gratitude. 


We were babies (both 21) but God has blessed us. He has seen us through and keeps providing for us. I would do it all over again! Our love has deepened and grown mostly because God has changed my heart to be more like HIS.

Today is our wedding anniversary. I am setting the table with our wedding china, silver and crystal. It will be a candlelight dinner at home. Oh yes, I still have my wedding dress too. It has yellowed as has my white wedding picture album but the glow of our love has not grown dim. I will post pictures of our dinner later this week.


Linking to Seasonal Sundays, Wow Us Wednesday's and Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Alfresco Dining at my Daughter's House

My daughter and son-in-law hosted a birthday party enjoying a beautiful night on their deck. Each couple brought a dish to share. 

They are all fabulous cooks as you can see. Thanks Amy and Scott for letting me share your evening with my blogging friends. 


Linking to Tablescape Thursday, Wow Us Wednesdays, Outdoor Wednesday, Open House Party Thursday and Foodie Friday.