Setting the Table

Our Mending Club is one of my favorite groups because we do so many fun activities: antiquing, kayaking, soap making, and pottery making, to name a few. In between those activities, every other month, we take turns entertaining in our homes. We are a group of 12, many of us having shared space in the Pink Cupboard, a wonderful antique and decor store at one time located in The Prairie Street Brewhouse. 

Today I am focusing on our home entertaining and the table settings for those. I already shared the April gathering at our home which was also a surprise bridal shower. It was a bit more formal than usual, because I was trying to have a very "bridal" feeling (and use what I had, including the yellow roses, a wedding anniversary gift from John which helped set the yellow and bridal theme).







 I also picked up 12 of these mini cups and saucers to plant with succulents. They were 1/2 price at one of my favorite thrift haunts. They became the take-home favors and they introduced the pink to the setting.






 

In June, the gathering was at Julia's rustic/cottage decorated home. John and I had an out of town visitation to attend, so I arrived late, and I missed the opportunity to take a photo of the undisturbed table as set up in Julia's perfect and string-lit back yard. Consequently, you don't get to see the pristine table, but you get the idea - burlap table covering and aqua plates with Cath Kidston style signature red and aqua combination print napkins - AND you get to also see the girlfriends. I am so fortunate to be a part of that group. I am actually the senior of the group, and love that we have such a broad age range, from the 40's up to the 70's. By the way, the geraniums all wrapped in burlap and twine, marching down the center of the table, are the favors we took home.


 

  And, last, is sweet Robin's 50's floral tablecloth on top of an aqua tablecloth  adorned with aqua mason jars filled with flowers from her yard.  Add to that the square blue and green pottery plates with a bird and branch design paired with red and white gingham checked napkins. Her table reminded me again of Cath Kidston. Check out that link, and you will see what I mean and become an instant fan. The setting included hand made and stamped drawstring fabric pocket favors filled with rosemary and thyme sprigs. Did they smell heavenly! An enlarged photo of this little treasure is pictured hanging on my antique spice cabinet. I think you get the picture. Decor items in these styles and much more are on display at Stella & Notte  and in my Just A Second space at the store. The store is undergoing a bit of a transformation, so be sure to "like" our facebook pages: Just A Second and Stella & Notte so you don't miss our next big event with all the decor to go with it. We are looking forward to your visit!

B & B weekend plus a Baptism

Bed tray from store to add a B & B touch

 Just came off a fun and busy weekend. We were joined by four of our six children some with spouses and children, two of whom were home for class reunions, one attending a wedding, and one visiting to see his siblings. Three families stayed overnight, one for one night, one for two nights, and one for three nights. 

The snazzy icoffee machine made by Remington which accepts all 

different brands of coffee cups

To add to the B & B feel, on the top of a cupboard in the upstairs hallway, we added a coffee station using the coffee maker I purchased for the store, complete with a selection of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. I did it to be funny, but it was actually used and enjoyed. It is still there and was utilized by John and me Tuesday morning. We felt just a little self indulgent.

The "green room" with iron bed

The green room features an iron bed, an antique quilt at the foot of the bed, and a "Polly Hood" made pillow. I'm almost afraid to show all the bedrooms, because when I posted our bedroom before, one of the comments was that it looked like someone's grandmother's bedroom.  I suppose that it is correct, and after all, I am a grandmother, but I like to describe it as cottage style. 

The "blue room" with plaid comforter and newer iron bed

And the bedroom I just finished - the blue room. It has royal blue walls (as seen in Crate and Barrel's latest catalogue) white woodwork and white painted wood floors with a jute look indoor outdoor rug. I also used artwork from our children's high school artwork portfolios that had been stored in our attic, which had to be emptied for John's loft writing space.

Artwork from high school art classes formerly stored in attic

Fisher Price toys added to "Addy's room"

Papa added favorite vintage Fisher Price toys to "Addy's room".

Baby Betty all ready for her special day

Elizabeth Faith with godmother Faith

Dawn, DJ, Addy, and Betty

 

 

 

 

Nana and Papa with just baptized Elizabeth Faith

It was a wonderful and full weekend, including a family lunch and cousin fest on Saturday afternoon and culminating  Sunday morning with the baptism of Addy's little sister, Elizabeth Faith.  Now we will have to wait until Thanksgiving for our next full house.