How Sweet The Sound

We Gathered Together

 

 

 

 

This year there were nine of us gathered

 

at our home to give thanks.

 

We split into two groups so all would be comfy.

 

 

Six in the dining room,

 

and three in the breakfast room.

 

 

We shared lots of delicious and traditional

 

Thanksgiving fare.

 

 

 

And, we laughed as we each shared our

 

favorite movies, books, songs and

 

a few things on our bucket lists.

 

 

We enjoyed the fellowship

 

and we counted our many blessings.

 

 

I had cooked for several days

 

so that Thanksgiving Day prep

 

was pretty easy.

 

 

Our Menu

 

Roasted Turkey

Apple and Sausage Dressing

Whipped Potatoes

Giblet Gravy

Baby Butter Beans

Carrot Souffle

Collard Greens

Cranberry Chutney

Deviled Eggs

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Crudite Tray

Pickled Peaches

Tropical Fruit Salad

Yeast Rolls

Iced Tea

Pecan Pie

Southern Praline Pecan Cake

Pumpkin Pie

 

 

 

Today I am joining

 

Susan for Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch

 

and

 

Kathleen for Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen.

 

 

Autumn Dinner

 

 

I love the early days of Autumn.

 

One of my favorite things to do is take my

 

morning cup of coffee and sit in the sunroom.

 

The cool crispness in the air and the chirping

 

of the birds begin my day with a smile.

 

One morning while enjoying this ritual,

 

I decided to invite one of our special friends

 

to spend the afternoon with us.

 

And, I knew just what I wanted to prepare for dinner.

 

 

I served Braised Short Ribs in a Guinness Sauce,

 

Roasted New Carrots and Brussel Sprouts,

 

Whipped Garlic Potatoes

 

and Rolls.

 

That is truly a "comfort" meal.

 

 

I set a casual table in our breakfast room,

 

and we shared the joy of friendship

 

surrounded by the softness of early Autumn.

 

 

We chatted just as the birds

 

were chattering outside our windows.

 

Pretty colorful blooms reflected the Autumn glow.

 

 

Life is sweetest with family and friends.

 

Days of Splendor

 

 

Today I am joining Susan

for Tablescape Thursday 

at Between Naps On The Porch.

 

 

Easter Brunch

 

 

This year I decided we would have Easter Brunch instead of Easter Dinner.

 

The timing worked better for our family, and it was a nice change.

 

I served a nameless egg casserole.  Nameless because I didn't have a recipe.  I used a rectangle glass baking dish, and first put a layer of whipped potatoes, melted butter and panko crumbs which served as a crust.  Next I layered slices of Canadian Bacon, whipped eggs and grated cheese.  I baked it at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, and the family reviews were good.

I also served oven-roasted asparagus spears, biscuits with butter and fig preserveres and a fruit salad with mango, papaya and pineapple chunks.

The Easter table is always my favorite.  I love the soft pastel colors I tend to use in my Spring tablescapes.

This year I used a pale yellow tablecloth which I purchased several years ago at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  The napkins are a baby gingham of mixed pastels which I found at Pier One, and the napkins are overlayed with a sheer cover I found at Carolina Pottery a few years ago.  I also used two Battenburg Lace napkins under the centerpiece.

 

 

 

The chargers are also from Pier One, and I believe they are available again this year.  The dinner plate is White Centura which I chose as my informal dishes when we got married over 42 years ago.  The top plate is Fire King Jadite in the Alice pattern which was produced in the 1940s.  The white lotus bowls must be close to 40 years old, and I purchased them at World Bazaar in Fort Lauderdale.

 

 

I decided to use my mother's sterling flatware.  The pattern is Formality, and she got it when she married in 1950.  I have always loved the delicate simplicity of this pattern.

And, do you see my new dragonfly napkin rings?  I have been wanting some for years, and I just didn't want to pay the amount on the price tag.  The week prior to Easter I happen to find these in Tuesday Morning.  The only problem was the beads for the bodies were black and dark purple.  No problem.  I used my silverleaf marker, and now they are just what I wanted.  I also found those little wood carrots when I was in Tuesday Morning.

You may remember my glasses.  My cousin painted the flowers on them for me over twenty years ago.  They are a go to favorite for me.

 

 

And, those darling pastel ceramic mini-baskets I first saw at On Sutton Place.  Ann said she found them at Kroger, so I headed my car in that direction.  I really wanted six of the white, but they only had two of each color.  That worked for me, and I think they are so cute.  The jelly beans were a big hit, too.

 

 

I decided to use the same centerpiece I already had on the table, and just surrounded it by some pretty daisies and fun egg-filled nests.

 

We had a wonderful Easter.  It is my favorite holiday.

Now, I have to wait another year to wear my Easter bonnet.

I hope your day was joy filled, too.

 

A special thank you to Susan for hosting these wonderful

Tablescape Thursdays.

 

 

What's For Dinner

 

Our Christmas Day dinner is always the same.

 

It has become one of our traditions

 

at the request of our son.

 

 

 

 

Lasagna.

 

 

Garlic Bread.

 

 

 

Mixed Green Salad.

 

 

 

 

I had Red Velvet Cheesecake for dessert,

 

but they opted for Rice Krispie Squares.

 

 

 

 

My husband, son and grandson.

 

Three great guys.

 

Easy to please.

 

And, giving my mother pasta makes her happy every time.

 

 

A day filled with love and joy.

 

 

I will be linking with Susan's Tablescape Thursday

 

  at Between Naps On The Porch.

 

 

 

And, I'm also linking with Kathleen for

 

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen.

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow For Easter

 

 

Today I am sharing our Easter dinner tablescape.

 

As you all know, yellow is my favorite color.

 

And, Spring is the perfect time to celebrate yellow.

 

 

An overview.

I had not yet arranged the chairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• White Tablecloth - Bed, Bath and Beyond many years ago

 

• Table Runner - Etsy last year from Floratouch

 

• Chargers - Pier One last year

 

• White Milk Bottles - Crate and Barrel last year

 

• Green Rabbit Egg Cups - Our local grocery store

 

• Napkins - Etsy last year from EmmiLee Designs

 

• Green Napkin Rings - Bed, Bath and Beyond last year

 

• White Dinner Plates - Centura Coupe forty-two years ago

 

• Yellow English Salad Plates - Etsy last year from Nancy's English Transferware

 

• Mini Bird Nests - Michaels

 

• Yellow Chicks - Michaels a few years ago
  

 

• Silver Flatware - Formality purchased by my mother over sixty years ago

 

• Iced Beverage Glasses - Carolina Pottery and hand-painted by my cousin many years ago

 

• Green Spider Mums - our local grocery store

 

I will be linking with Susan's Tablescape Thursday

 

  at Between Naps On The Porch.

Thank you for all of the inspiration, Susan. 

 

 

 

 

And, I'm also linking with Kathleen for

 

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen.

 

 

What Is On The Shelves?

Today I am participating in Tablescape Thursday

with Susan

  at Between Naps On The Porch.

Thank you for all of the inspiration, Susan. 

 

 

 

 

Last month I shared our Dining Room Redo

 

on Metamorphosis Monday.

Click here if you would like to see the entire redo.

Today I am sharing some of the tableware displayed

behind the glass doors.

Shelf number one.

 

• China pattern is Debutante by Sango

 

• Crystal pattern is Colonial by Lotus

 

• Sterling salt and peppers were a wedding gift to my parents in 1950

 

• Lidded and silver-banded container is Heisey

Shelf number two.

 

• China pattern is Jean by Homer Laughlin

 

• Iced teas are Araglin by Waterford

 

• Wine glasses are Pompadour by Cristal D'arques

Shelf number three.

 

• China pattern is Chaumont by Noritake

• Crystal pattern is Orchid Etched by Heisey

• The crystal bell was a gift from our son when he was a teenager
  

Shelf number four.

 

• China pattern is Coventry by Royal Doulton

 

• Cruet and creamer and sugar are by Heisey

 

• Gold rimmed goblets and flutes are vintage

 

Breakfast With Cousins

Today I am participating in Tablescape Thursday

with Susan

  at Between Naps On The Porch.

Thank you for all of the inspiration, Susan. 

 

I invited two of my cousins to breakfast

during the time I was off work for the holidays.

It was a great time to chat and visit,

and my mother enjoyed it, too.

We had a light breakfast in our breakfast room.

 

 

 

 

 

• Tablecloth purchased at Bed, Bath and Beyond a few years ago
• Wood chargers purchased at Pier One last year
• Plate is the Alice pattern of Fire King Jadite
• Lotus bowls purchased at World Bazaar over thirty years ago
• Juice glasses are Floragold Louisa
• Mugs are Italian Countryside by Mikasa
• Stainless flatware is Paul Revere Oneida
• Napkins are also over thirty years old
• The star of the day was my amaryllis
  

I served

• Apple Pudding
• Tropical Fruit Cup
• Sausage Balls
• Strawberry Santa Hats
• Kona Coffee
• Orange Juice

1 1/4 cup self-rising flour                                 1 cup sugar

1/3 cup of softened butter                                      One egg

One teaspoon vanilla                                     1 ½ cup diced apple

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 8x8 pan with non-stick spray.

 

Cream butter, vanilla and sugar.  Add egg and continue to cream.  Stir in flour and apple until well mixed.  Batter will be very thick.  Spoon into baking dish.  Bake for approximately 45 minutes until golden brown.  Serve warm.

 

Notes: 

• I almost always double this recipe because most people request a second serving.
• My mother first prepared this almost fifty years ago.
• I believe it is called pudding because the recipe came from England.

 

 

 

Christmas Day Dinner

Today I am participating in Tablescape Thursday

with Susan

  at Between Naps On The Porch.

Thank you for all of the inspiration, Susan. 

 

This photo was taken before I arranged the chairs to include the arm chairs.

 

 

The table color scheme was white, red and silver.

 

 

I added fresh cranberries and white roses to my cut glass rose bowl.

 

 

 

• White tablecloth purchased from Bed, Bath and Beyond many years ago
• Table runner purchased from etsy
• Mirror purchased from New River Pottery in Wilmington, North Carolina
• Red mercury glass votives and red beads purchased several years ago at Walgreen's after Christmas sale
• Cut glass rose bowl was a twenty-fifth anniversary gift
• White roses were purchased at Sam's Club
  
• Silver chargers from Dollar Store
• White plates Centura forty-one years ago
• Salad plates Christmas Tree by Johnson Brothers purchased at TJ Maxx several years ago
• Crystal Araglin by Waterford
• Silver flatware is Formality which my mother purchased over 6o years ago
• Red napkins  - who knows.  I have had them forever.
• Organza napkin covers purchased at Carolina Pottery several years ago.
• White satin ribbon used for bows purchased at Michael's.

It is our Christmas Day tradition to dine on lasagna, fresh bread, roasted garlic green beans and cheesecake.

 

Whites and Greens

Today I am participating in Tablescape Thursdays

with Susan

  at Between Naps On The Porch.

Thank you for all of the inspiration, Susan. 

 

This is our Easter Dinner table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Tablecloth - Bed, Bath and Beyond many years ago
  
• Table Runner - Etsy
• Silver Flatware - Towle Candlelight
• Green Chargers - Hobby Lobby many years ago
  
• China - Sango Debutante forty years ago
  
• Salad Plates - TJ Maxx
• White Lotus Bowls - World Bazaar many years ago
  
• Napkins - Linens 'n Things many years ago
  
• Ribbon - Michaels
• Iced Tea Glasses - Carolina Pottery and painted by my cousin many years ago
  
• Vases - collected over the years
  

 

Dining With Santa

Today I am participating in Tablescape Thursdays

with Susan

  at Between Naps On The Porch.

Thank you for all of the inspiration, Susan. 

 

Our casual Christmas Eve dinner of

Oyster Stew and Crabcakes.