Happy Birthday, America!

The Fourth of July is Monday, July 4th. Independence Day commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Celebrations include fireworks, family reunions, concerts, barbeques, picnics, parades, and baseball games. Do you have a specific tradition in your family to celebrate the Fourth of July?🇺🇸
I've set a  Patriotic table outside today. 

Join me for a yummy fruit dessert. The blueberries and strawberries were so sweet and any fruit is good with whipped cream. 

Gardenias were blooming in my garden and their fragrance was heavenly.

A reticulated white tray held blue and white chinoiserie vases with red roses, gardenias, and American flags for a patriotic centerpiece. Fringed red, white, and blue stripe napkins added additional texture. For some reason, I always prefer my matelasse tablecloth.

The plate stack consisted of a white Ikea charger, solid red plate, Royal Stafford blue floral salad plate, and a vintage blue and white floral bread and butter plate.  

Whatever your menu or activity, red, white, and blue celebrates July 4th! Happy Birthday, America!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Here are several links to older Patriotic Posts.

                               God Bless America

My Country Tis of Thee
Grateful for our country. May God Bless America!

Summer Celebrations

Welcome to my garden and a tablescape set just for you. Summer has not officially arrived on the calendar yet but our weather in south Alabama says summer has arrived. My garden is shady so I invite you to have a seat and let's visit. 

I am participating in a Summer Tablescape Blog Hop sponsored by Rita @ Panoply. There are 23 table stylists participating in this blog hop. You can find the links to their tablescapes at the bottom of this post.  Please leave them a comment so they will know you enjoyed their post.

My hydrangeas are blooming and I had a delightful time cutting blooms and making an arrangement for this small table in my garden. 

It has been a number of years since I had enough hydrangeas to make a large arrangement and still have  other blooms left in the garden to enjoy. I look forward to my hydrangeas blooming all year.

 This tortoiseshell vase is one of a pair given to me by my daughter-in-love's mother. I wish she could be here and have a cup of tea with me. I used the tortoiseshell vase in another tablescape here.

The cheetah dishes are fun to use and work nicely with the tortoiseshell vase. I've been amazed at how many accent colors work well with these cute dishes from Hobby Lobby.

The checked tablecloth was also a gift, from my husband's aunt when she downsized. I'm getting a lot of use from the things she passed on to me. Thank you, Joyce. I loved the pattern and color play it added to the tablescape.

 The bamboo flatware is new for me. I have secretly wanted some for years and when I found them on sale I gave in. I love the variety and texture it added. I keep learning that all the elements of design each play an important part in design but I think texture really makes a difference. The vintage brass teapot is another example of variety and texture pleasing the eye.

This little bistro set from Lowes bought years ago normally resides on my porch but I could not resist a photo op in front of the hydrangeas. These hydrangeas are an old variety named Nikko Blue.
"In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explode, and every sunset is different." John Steinbeck

Memorial Day was on May 30th. It is the day we honor those that have fallen in the service of our country. We had an informal dinner party for six for the occasion. It had been so long since we entertained because of all the problems with Covid. It felt so nice to have friends over again. Our menu was: Rack of pork, potato casserole, green beans, and Key Lime pie. 

I did a smaller than usual arrangement for the table so as not to impede conversation and enjoyment. You will chuckle at this comment from my husband. As I was setting the table, he said, "Now Bonnie, don't get carried away. Just keep it simple! "
Summer has two patriotic holidays, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Memorial Day kicks off the beginning of summer. School is out. Life is at a slower pace.  Picnics, ballgames, swimming, biking, hiking, camping, vacations, and on and on will be happening. Let the celebrations begin. In the tablescaping world, the sky is the limit for your imagination in planning a fun summer tablescape. Enjoy the links below to jumpstart your imagination for a summer tablescape.
Click on the links below to view the blog hop tablescapes.

Pandora's Box - Stars, Stripes, and Checks - A Summer Tablescape

Bluesky at Home - Easy Summer Outdoor Table Ideas

Life and Linda - A Taste of the Tropics

 Plaid and Paisley - Yellow and Blue Alfresco Setting

Everyday Living - Celebrate Summer With The Red, White and Blue

Panoply - Summer Garden Party Tablescape

Hyacinths for the Soul - Tis the Season of Patriotic Tablescapes

Home is Where the Boat Is - Anchors Aweigh on the Pontoon

Debbee's Buzz - Botanic Garden Floral & Butterfly Summer Table

My Hubbard Home - Easy Alfresco Dining Table | Tips for Summer

Me and My Captain - Camping, Fishing And Summertime Fun

Thrifting Wonderland - Butterfly Garden Table Setting

My Thrift Store Addiction - Honeysuckle and Hydrangeas Summer Tablescape

The Little Yellow Corner Store - Sweet Old Summertime

Red Cottage Chronicles - Dining Al Fresco - A Summer Tablescape

Celebrate and Decorate - Inspiration for Designing a Bright and Cheery a Summer Citrus Tablescape

From My Carolina Home - Summer Sunshine Tablescape and Hop

Living With Thanksgiving - Summer Celebrations

Zucchini Sisters - Red and White Tablescape in the Park

The Bookish Dilettante - Beach Reading Tablescape

The Painted Apron - Let's Go Fishing

Belle Bleu Interiors - A Summertime Luncheon in the Garden

Dinner at Eight - Summertime Blossoms on the Table

Have a great summer.