4th of July

Once again it was time to pay tribute to that Grand Old Flag, the Red, White and Blue and to this wonderful country that we hold true. Friends and family gathered all over this great country and paid tribute and such was the case on Mulberry Street.

This display of flags and colorful pin wheels set the mood for sure.

At each place setting there was a pail of goodies for everyone to take home to remember the celebration. Each pail contained a "popper" and everyone was instructed to take it in hand, pull the string and let the celebration begin. This was followed with a glass of champagne and there was a toast to our great country's birthday.

Uncle Sam must have been here too for sure, as there is his hat to show proof.

On down the line there was plenty of Red, White and Blue to celebrate.

These wonderful Red, White and Blue plates and parfaits are from the Stars & Stripes pattern from Pfaltzgraff and were the inspiration that started this year's 4th of July table for me.

Flags and more flags. There just could not be enough flags for a day like this.

The table was set for eight.

By the time I had finished setting the table the explosion of Red, White and Blue was everywhere.

This little fella was the final touch and his sparkle said it all . . . . .

God Bless America.


Resources for 4th of July Table:


Runner ~ Pier One
Red Place Mats ~ Home Goods
Blue Place Mats ~ Kohl's
Gold Chargers ~ JCPenney
White Plates ~ Italian Countryside ~ Mikasa
Salad Plates ~ Stars & Stripes ~ Pfaltzgraff
Parfaits ~ Stars & Stripes ~ Pfaltzgraff
Flatware ~ A find from a friend while helping clean out an out of business shop.
Napkins ~ On loan from another friend.
Blue Star Napkin Rings ~ Pfaltzgraff.
Blue Goblets ~ Dollar Tree
Red Bubble Goblets ~ Target
Blue Pails ~ Sur la Table
Red Jar for Flags in Centerpiece ~ World Market
Red, White and Blue Star Ball(s) ~ Pier One
Red Tea Lights ~ Michael's
Red, White and Blue Star Bursts ~ Dollar Tree

Shade of Green

Isn't it nice how certain shades of certain colors can bring pure unadulterated relaxation into your day. That is how I feel about the cool shades of summer green and I am sure that is what made me go to my dish closet and pull the items I did for a quick lunch with a friend a few days ago.

Ferns are one of my favorite things to have as many of as I can during the summer months. It is to cold where I live to have them all year but in the Spring, Summer and Fall months we really enjoy them.

I found this little guy at Home Goods in early Spring and he seems to be making his way on to a lot of my tables this season. He is almost green for green right along with the big gorgeous fern.

And yet more layers of green with the peonies bushes and more ferns that are hanging in my potting shed in the distance.

These pretty dishes that go so well with all of the beautiful greens are Chelsea from 222 Fifth PTS International and I found them last year at Home Goods. 

The playful Chelsea goes so nicely with my April Cornell table cloth and napkins, almost like they were designed for each other. The charger is the Leaves and Berries pattern made so famous to all who follow Stone Gable on Yvonne's wonderful tables. I happened to be at the right place (Home Goods) on the right day, when eight of them were headed toward a shelf.

So come and sit with my friend and I while we have lunch and enjoy the beautiful shades of summer green before they all get away from us and turn to shades of white . . . . snow. 

Sunday Afternoon on Mulberry Street

It's a beautiful afternoon here on Mulberry Street. The temperature is in the high 80's and nobody seems to want to move around very much.

So, let's gather up everything we need for lunch and move out onto the back patio.

Perfect, I think we have everything that we are going to need.

The Tuscan flavor of the dinnerware fits right into the back patio setting. The lilacs are finished blooming but if you look real close you can see a couple of bright pink peonies   trying to make an appearance and there at the top of one of the napkins, you see my pansies too. I love my back yard this time of year.

Someone please pass the ice tea.

I purchased these dishes late last summer for a competition that is held at our County Fair each year called, "Best Dressed Table". One of the themes was, "Lunch in Tuscany for Two". I came in second and that yielded prize money. Bet you think I put it into . . . . more dishes. Yes, I did.

This is really what started the whole thing today. I stopped at the market to get some spinach for a salad and just inside the front door these beautiful flowers called to me. Went right home and the table on the patio followed.  I am sure this has happened to many of you out there in blogland too.

This sweet little bird fits right in with the sound effects out on the patio this afternoon.

Tablecloth, napkins and napkin rings from Bed, Bath and Beyond, place mats Pier One, flatware World Market, green bubbleware glasses Target, and the dishes and orange goblets Home Goods.

Good bye from Mulberry Street. Hope all of you are having a relaxing afternoon on your patio.

I am joining Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 

Happy Mother's Day

How better to start our special day than with breakfast in bed.

The breakfast try is set with a butter croissant, soft-boiled egg, juice and coffee. How special.

Oh look, there is a little present for "Mom".

The lilacs in the yard are just about finished. So glad that there were these pretty ones left to make the tray extra sweet.

This napkin ring is very special to me as it belonged to my Grandmother. She is a very formal lady, and it sat at her place at the table everyday. It was passed on to me by my Aunt. My first name, my middle name, my maiden name and my married name, all start with an "M".

This has got to be the best way to start the day.

Again, Happy Mother's Day.

Cinco de Mayo

Welcome everyone to Cinco de Mayo on Mulberry Street. Margaritas for everyone and the music will be starting any minute.

These serving pieces are on lend to me from a good friend but are so pottery appropriate they just had to come to the party and the lemons are a recent pick from another girlfriend's yard. Let the party begin.

The table is set for eight, my favorite number to entertain for. 

The bright reds, yellows, greens and cobalt blues in the Mexican tradition is so much fun to work with and embellish upon. 

Peeking through the cactus and goblets we see all the bright colors taking on a life of their own ~ ahh, the fun of Cinco de Mayo.

I can't remember where I found this little serving dish but knew that it would be perfect for salsa (and my family always requests the hottest that can be found please).

Found these two little serving dishes while "grazing" in Pier One this week.

Hope Ponchito doesn't step on these little cacti when he steps down from the little leather-covered box. 

The colors all seem to blend with each other no matter which direction you turn.

Little Ponchito here came to live on Mulberry Street a few months ago while I was shopping for a fountain for my front courtyard. I found him in a building tucked away with a lot of like Mexican pottery. I instantly knew that he would be the focal point for my 2012 Cinco de Mayo table. The fountain will be the making of a future post.

It is such fun when you can go to your dish room and pull all these different items that have been purchased at different times, and have them blend together so well. Viva Mexico.

Again, the bright colors of Mexico are so bright and colorful and even playful to look at.

I always think the little cactus margarita glasses are so cute on the occasion of Cinco de Mayo. They always bring a smile to everyone's face.

Adios Amigos. Thank you for stopping by.

Resources:

Runner ~ World Market

Rattan Mats ~ Pier One

Blue Place Mats ~ Kohl's

Dishes ~ Mexicali ~ Pier One

Red Accent Plates ~ Gourmet Basics ~ Mikasa

Napkins ~ Pier One

Napkin Rings ~ Tuesday Morning

Red Bowls ~ Pier One

Bamboo Flatware ~ Horchow

Green Bubble Goblets ~ Target

Cactus Margaritas ~ On lend from a friend.

Salsa Dishes ~ ??? Pier One

Cactus and Succulents ~ Home Goods

Votive Cactus Cups ~ On lend from a friend.

Red Pepper Salt and Pepper ~ Gift shop Avila Beach.

Red Pepper Dishes ~ Pier One

Ponchito ~ Palms and Fountains, Bakersfield, Calif.


I'm participating in Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life. 

Finally Spring

Here at 4,000 feet on the Southern edge of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Spring is starting to finally show itself with the blooming of our lilacs. The peonies are still hiding, but the lilacs are showing themselves.

Purple is my daughter's favorite color, so I have always gravitated towards it, and that makes lilacs one of my favorite blooms. They make the whole house smell wonderful.

The vignette was put together quickly and I am very new at this, but loving every learning moment.

This chocolate pot, plate, cup and saucer belonged to my grandmother and are approximately circa 1890's. I remember, when I was little, my mother used to keep extra pennies in the chocolate pot. 

The other sweet chocolate pot, with the pink roses on it, is from a collection of my mother's. I hope to be able to use some of the other pots in future posts. 

Here they are in all their glory, right from my back yard, lilacs. This time of year I fill the house with them.

Happy Spring everyone.

I am joining Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.