Tea Time in the Gazebo

It's a shame not to take advantage of this beautiful weather that we have been having, 70's and sunny. So, I text my friend Debjani, to come over for an afternoon tea.

I set the table in the gazebo. The grass is just starting to grow around it.

Some almond cluster chocolates, various cookies, mini egg salad sandwiches and green grapes, arranged in a green with gold swirls tiered tray, completed the table. The tray is from Home Goods in Pensacola. I think I bought it for $12.99.



I used my green and white Bavarian Tirschenreuth tea set from Ebay, in a green bejeweled square tray that I bought from Z Galerie in Tampa about 2 years ago.

Doesn't my guest look lovely and happy? The table topper is sheer so you can see the iron table peeking through.

We bought this wrought iron patio set from Jimmy Pippen's estate. He was the pioneer of the antiques shop row in downtown Natchez. Sad to say, at a young age of 55, he was found dead in his garden, shears still in his hand.

I added a bird candle holder although I did not light it because it was really bright and sunny.

I love the finials on the teapot and sugar dish lids.

The cups and saucers are Noritake's Nippon Toki Hashi, another Ebay find. I had to outbid a lot of bidders on this set but I was determined to win. It came with a complete tea and dessert set for 6 but I only used the teacups and saucers this time. The napkins are colorful, to add some color on the table, shown here with a bunny napkin ring.

After a while, we started having company flying and hovering around us.

I think they were trying to get to the bird feeds that I have hanging around the gazebo but they were afraid to get too close to us. They should know by now that I would never hurt them. Why else would I feed them? And you know, those little creatures can really eat!

One moment please......a phone call!

You can see a view of the pool slide from here.

And here's another view from the other side, the arbor. The jasmines survived the winter.

I added the small jasmine plant my hubby gave me as part of his Valentine presents. The blooms smell wonderful.

We had a very relaxing afternoon just talking while sipping tea and eating. Can you tell?
I really should do more of this because it is good for the mind and well being.

I am linking with the following lovely ladies:

Marty for Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
Lady Katherine for TeatimeTuesday at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
Sandi for Teatime Tuesday at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
Martha and Terri for Teacup Tuesday at http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Wanda Lee and Pam for Tuesday and Wed. Teatime in Blogland and Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday at http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/ and http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much ladies, for hosting all these fun parties and I appreciate you all for coming over.

Antiquiing, Estate Sale Shopping and Awards!

John and I did a lot of antiquiing and shopping last week. First on Saturday, we went to visit my booth downtown to add a few more things to sell, and while there I had to check out what is new in the other vendors' booth. Of course, I picked a few items. I never come out of there empty handed.

The next day, we drove to St. Francisville, a town about an hour away, to check out the last of a 3 day estate sale. But we could not find it so we went dowtown and stumbled into these antique shops. I thought the cottages were so cute. Only doors A and B are shops owned by 1 person, the rests are private residences.

The shops weren't packed but she had quality stuff and hubby and I both enjoyed browsing around. That bird cage came home with us.

Look at how cute her sign is. The store owner said she goes to England to shop for her store so most of these that you see came from there. After a few negotiations on some items, we left to go to the estate sale. The store owner showed us how to get there. I will show you everything we bought below.

The driveway going to the house where the estate sale was is very long. In case, you are interested, the owner is downsizing so they are selling the property. It has 4 or 5 buildings including an antebellum house, all of which sit on 500 acres and I believe the asking price is about 8 million dollars. Look at the old oak trees, kinda spooky with all the hanging Spanish moss but very serene.

Below is everything we bought from all the shops and estate sale we went to. Everything was 50% off at the estate sale since it was the final day. On our way home, we went to another antique shop in Woodville and bought a few more things.

I bought the basket at Avondale Antiques for $3.

On the top right are a chicken for $2, a blue vase for $2 and smaller vase for $1, all from the same antique shop.

From the estate sale came the transferware bowls, marked $20 for the pair so we got them for $10.
The "Charms of Tea" book was $10 so we got it for $5.

The dolls we got for $15 each, the Victorian lamp for $12.50,

"500 Jokes for Doctors"book for 50 cents, blue ceramic crucifix for $3.75, slang books for $2 each, white embroidered napkins $6 for 6 I think, light brown linen napkins for $4 and a toile table topper for $1. They were all from the estate sale.

From the other vendors at my store came the picnic basket for $15. We left to go to church and I could not stop thinking about it so we went back after mass to buy it, lol. It is really heavy duty and big and I have a plan for it. The Bordallo Pinheiro bunny tray was also from there for $5.

The Mackenzie Childs vase was $5, the glass box was 50 cents. The contents were not included, I just placed them there to display them. The foot spa was $10, all from the estate sale.

The basket with tiles in front of it was $8 from the other vendor at the store.

The Staffordshire cup and saucer was $6 and the Hallmark green basket weave cup and saucer was $5. I like the flower and bee inside it.

The white and gold teapot was $11.

All came from the Estate sale.

Here is the glass box we got for 50 cents. It was really dirty but I knew all it needed was a good wash. I was going to sell it at the store but John wants to keep it. I placed some of our natural egg stone collection there along with some raw semi precious stones.

Below are some of my favorites. The big wooden hand painted box from Avondale Antiques was marked down to $65 but we got it discounted further to $50. I really like it. I think the chippiness gives it a lot more character.
the lion brass planter was marked down from $225 to $100 but I got it down further to $80. It's big and heavy and I like the lion head and feet. I plan to put ferns in it when they start selling them in stores.
This glass syrup server with a silver plated lion lid is my very favorite. It was marked $17 at the estate sale so we got it for half that.

And for the best price, this is my favorite. It is about a foot tall and it cost me $1 from the other vendor at the store. I love the cherubs and the pink roses. I placed it in the dishwasher and it looks really clean and pretty now.


We also bought this wooden bird house. It was marked down to $125 but she gave it to us for $100.

I have too many favorites, lol. Here's another one, an old hand painted English bowl with a Chelsea bird on it. I love the ruffly edge and the shape. It was marked $20 at the estate sale so we got it for $10.
It is already displayed in my new kitchen cabinet with my other plates with chelsea birds also.

Notice I changed my Sightseeing Sat. logo? I added events and shopping too since most of my travels involve shopping also.

I am linking with Linda for Junkin Finds at http://ljm-alacarte.blogspot.com/


and Beverly for Pink Saturday at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

and Laurie for a Few of My Favorite Things at A Few of My Favorite Things
http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/

Lastly, I would like to post about the latest 2 awards that I received from 2 lovely bloggers.
The Versatile Award was passed along to me by Jo of
http://lazyonloblolly.blogspot.com/

The Versatile Blogger Rules:
1.Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Answer 10 questions about yourself.
3. Pass the award on to 7 blogs you’ve recently discovered and enjoy.
4. Leave the award recipients a note, telling them about the award.

1. Why did you create your blog?

I used to post on Rate My Space but most of the friends I met there started blogging and they convinced me to do the same. While I was in Florida after one of my daughter's got married, I started blogging about the wedding and the rest is history.

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?

Mostly decorating and tablecaping, some crafting, traveling and renovating and a few family ones too.

3. Favorite brand of make-up?

Loreal

4. Favorite brand of clothing?

Coach, Soma and Esprit

5. Indispensable make-up product?

facial moisturizier and eye creams

6. Favorite perfume?

I don't use perfume but I use body lotion, any that smells good and not too strong, mostly floral and citrusy.

7. Favorite color?

blue, aqua, orange, yellow, green

8. Favorite movie?

The Sound of Music and Ten Commandments

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

France. I have been there at least 3 times but I want to go again just to visit flea markets and antique shops and visit the church where the body of St. Therese lies or is it St. Bernadette?.?

10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face.
Blush cause it does not stay on anyway so eventually, the cheeks will look even, lol.



The Stylish Blogger award was given to me by Kim, the Dreamgoddess of http://dreamgoddess-intothetwilight.blogspot.com/

One requirement for this award is for me to share 7 things about me, so here goes.

Maybe you should just read my answers above cause they somewhat tell about me, lol. But if I have to follow the rule, here are 7 more things about me.

1. I am originally from the Philippines but have immigrated to the US when I was 22.

2. My husband and I are born on the same day, 3 years apart.

3. I love watching scary movies.

4. I am a shopaholic and dishaholic and I am so lucky that my husband supports my vice.

5. I don't like cooking as much as I enjoy tablescaping.

6. I have not worked since we moved here but I used to work as a Medical Technologist for over 20 years.

7. Now, this is kinda funny. I burp on demand. If you even just press any part of my body, I burp. John even asked a gastroenterologist if he has ever seen anything like it and he has not, lol. So I guess I am one of a kind.

Thank you so much, Jo and Kim for thinking of me when you were passing these awards. I really appreciate it!

I know I am supposed to pass them along too but it is hard for me to pick who to give them too so please, if you are one of my followers, just grab 'em. I am passing them along to you!

I appreciate everyone who has visited and the ones who hosted. Come back again soon!

First Outdoor Tablescape, 2011

The weather here has been perfect, sunny and in the 70's, for almost 3 weeks now. I have been trying to clear the leaves out of the yard but after 8 big garbage full and not even showing any dent , I decided to hire a yard boy who is coming today to finish the job. Our daffodils, paper whites, camelias and rosemary are blooming and I see little leaves starting to pop out of the perennials. This inspired me to do a tablescape outside on the pool deck.


I am joining the ever gracious hostess for Tablescape Thursday, Susan. If you want to get inspired, go visit her at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

I am also linking with Michael, aka, Gollum at http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/ Everytime I want to try a new recipe, I visit her site. And then I find myself lingering longer because her photos are so fabulous and her decorating skills are amazing!

I picked the table on the deck that is closest to the kitchen. Easier for me to serve the food there.

You might have seen these plates displayed in the kitchen cabinet. I finally got to use them. I thought the butterflies would be perfect for an outdoor setting.

I set the table for 2, just for me and John.

I gathered a few plants and candles and took my 2 garden figures from the porch and created a centerpiece. I bought or rather snatched the figures from Vanna on Ebay. I say snatched because I got them for free. Both arrived with broken ankles, not Vanna's fault (because they were packed very well) but the delivery men weren't very careful. So she gave me a full refund and got her money back from the insurance company. She advised me to glue the legs with Elmer's wood glue and to just keep them and that's what I did. In spite of the fractured legs, I just love them and they are a good addition to the garden. I usually keep them by the fountain on the porch.

This was last Saturday and John decided to invite the part time anaesthesiologist, who is from out of town and is staying in a hotel. He must have felt guilty putting him to work for an emergency surgery late on a weekend. So, I quickly added another place setting.

I started cooking while they were working in the OR, working as fast as I can thinking I only had an hour and a half to prepare.

I bought the green straw placemats at TJ Maxx when I visited my daughter in Florida a few weeks ago. They were only 99 cents each. I love the grass green color.

I put on the rice steamer and thawed out the red snapper in the microwave oven.
I served the rice in this floral lidded dish.

I prepared a sweet and sour sauce and poured it over the fried fish. Then I mixed some salad greens for a Caesar salad.

and then I waited and waited and waited and nobody came. I finally called hubby and he said the patient needed extra care and the anaesthesiologist had to watch him for another half an hour more. He could come home but he had no ride since I dropped him off at the hospital earlier, so he would just wait and ride with him.

The pool water color changes from green to blue and then to red. My favorite color is the blue one.

The fish was served in a fish shaped dish.

I was expecting them to be home by 7 PM but they did not get here till 9 PM so we ate really late. Although bugs aren't around yet, I had to cover the food, just in case. We originally planned to watch a DVD after dinner but we had to skip it cause it got so late after we ate and chatted outside and our guest had to get up early for 2 cases the following morning.

One thing good about eating late was that we were all hungry so I did not have anything to store in the fridge, for there was no leftover. I served cookies for dessert because I thought I did not have enough time to make a special one. We all enjoyed the outdoor dinner and conversation regardless of how late it was.
Bumble bee napkin ring and Napoleon bee flatware.

I only have 2 bee rings so I used a lady bug for the third setting.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my outdoor tablescape as much as I enjoyed setting it up. Thanks a lot for coming and thanks to Susan and Michael for graciously hosting.