Living With Thanksgiving

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Remodeling Our Kitchen-Part 1

August 24, 2016 28 comments

This is our kitchen before our remodel started. It takes a lot of time and thought before you take the remodeling plunge. You have to decide what you want; determine approximately how much it will cost and finally consider the disruption and inconvenience of doing without your kitchen for a considerable length of time ( which is always longer than the contractor estimates). My goals were to replace the sink with a larger farm sink, add a new gas stovetop and vent hood, build in a microwave drawer, replace countertops while making bar one level and eliminate bar sink. It was especially important to me to lighten up the room by painting all the cabinets and trim white. Last but not least, I wanted to add more storage.

Monday, August 8, 2016

Bridal Coffee for my NIECE

August 08, 2016 16 comments Bridal Coffee

It's summertime and there are wedding parties and weddings happening every weekend. Today, I am reposting a bridal coffee for my niece several years ago. The flowers are breathtaking and the food beautiful. Hopefully, you can get some ideas for entertaining maybe on a smaller scale such as the gorgeous limelight hydrangea arrangement and party food.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

A Summertime Alfresco Evening

August 02, 2016 38 comments Alfresco blog hop

Hello, and welcome to the Alfresco Tablescape Blog Hop sponsored by Chloe Crabtree @ Celebrate and Decorate blog.
Join me for a summertime alfresco evening here in the deep south with a table set for two. I'm in my garden nestled under the shade of the trees enjoying a nice breeze perfect for alfresco dining for my husband and me.

Hydrangeas, my favorite flower, fill a vintage McCoy pot as a centerpiece along with green nadina berries.
The different hues of hydrangeas inspired my centerpiece and table elements. At this time of the year, the colors of hydrangeas change from blue or pink to lovely shades of blue-green and smoky purple.

Setting a table surrounded by the beauty of God's creation stirs up so many memories for me.

It's getting close to our anniversary and I'm feeling a little romance in this setting.

The green hydrangeas on the bush in the background were all blue just weeks before.

Dining in the freshness of the open air is so pleasant.

The phlox is blooming and butterflies are lazily flitting from flower to flower. Summer flowers make us happy because summer evokes pleasant memories

of family vacations and a more laid back atmosphere. We want to get outside and enjoy nature.

Summer shades of green in the flowers and garden foliage inspired me to chose green Paula Deen plates for my alfresco tablescape. A floral napkin print with several colors worked well with purple stemware and since butterflies are everywhere in my garden I was reminded to use the butterfly napkin rings purchased on a wonderful trip with my husband to Provence.

Colors evoke moods or feelings and the ambience of the outdoors calms and relaxes.

Are you feeling relaxed and tranquil? It's time to escape the noise of the T.V. and pull of the computer and focus on your dining companions.

Can you smell the flowers and even the fresh clipped rosemary in the tiny votives? Are you getting hungry?

Our menu:
Grilled salmon (my husband's speciality) with lemon-dill sauce
Roasted asparagus
Tossed green salad
Lemon icebox pie with graham cracker crust

I've enjoyed sharing my Alfresco Tablescape with you today as part of the Alfresco Tablescape Blog Hop. View other alfresco tables here and here. Join all the other fabulous tablescapers all week. Links are given below.