Farewell To Summer Tablescape Challenge

 

Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen is having an end of summer tablescape challenge. I am still at  my daughter Rochelle's house but I did not want to miss a challenge. I decided to just create a table for one in the backyard, since both my time and tableware items here are very limited here. My granddaughter Rea is in the hospital right now so I am taking care of the other girls.

 

Its a very simple table and I decided to mix summer and fall colors to create a transition of the seasons. The napkin is actually brown and not black like it shows.

 

I started with a white crisp tablecloth, actually a new unused shower curtain I found in the utility room cabinet, while searching for a tablecloth.

I just bought the placemat at TJ Maxx a few days ago. I love the deep orange color and I like that it is square rather than rectangular, so I can use it on our round kitchen table in Natchez or on our square table in Cape Coral.

 The lake speaks summer to me and the grass is still really green and it has lately been very hot here in Florida. I do not foresee Fall in the near future yet.

 I just found the bumble bee in the kitchen drawer and I thought it would be fun to add it on the plate. I bought these plates a long time ago from Ross when I still lived in FL, one of the few everyday dinnerware set I left here when I moved.

 I could not even find a match to light the candles.

 I just borrowed the vase with a daisy from the fireplace mantel and I added another polka dotted orange vase I found in the kitchen cabinet, and stuck 3 more faux daisies in it.

And there it is! Looks like the other daisy I had on the plate have flown away. Thank you so much for hosting this table challenge, Kathleen. I hope I get a chance to visit the other participants. I will certainly try, especially because I have missed so many of you.

Thanks for your visits and comments!

I would like to link with the following too. (Thanks for hosting!!)
Kathryn's Make it Pretty Monday

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/
Christine's Table it Monday
http://www.rustic-refined.com/

Masterpiece Monday

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Marty's Inspire Me Tuesday

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Kathy's A Return To Loveliness

http://adelightsomelife.com

Maria Elena's Tuesdays at Our Home

http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Paula's What's It Wed

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Centerpiece Wed

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Homemaking Link Party
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/

Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

 

 

Minnie & Mickey Wedding Tea Party For the Twins

Last weekend, my granddaughter Rea was still home and she loves playing "tea parties". While their parents took her with her 2 sisters to an arcade in Ybor City, I thought I would prepare a real tea party for them and surprise them when they got home.

 

Mickey and Minnie are so sweet, all dressed up for a wedding! I bought them from the Disney Outlet Store in Orlando and they served as my centerpiece.

 I pulled out the black and white everyday dishes from my daughter's kitchen cabinets and they served as my plate chargers. I brought all the linens from our Cape Coral home. The tablecloth is actually a shower curtain. All other dishes and table accessories, except for the centerpiece, were all bought from Zulily on line.

 The girls decorated the cake balls and the cupcakes were gifts from a friend.

 Minnie Mouse salad plates, also from Zulily.

 I love this Minnie tea pot!

 We don't need an S & P shaker but I added them anyway cause they fit the theme.

 Minnie teapot is so cute, also from Zulily!

And here are my guests of honor, my twin granddaughters, Rea and Halle!

Thank for the visit! Really appreciate them especially your comments.

Thanks to the hostesses for the following links I am joining.

Christine's Table it Monday
http://www.rustic-refined.com/

Masterpiece Monday

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Marty's Inspire Me Tuesday

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Kathy's A Return To Loveliness

http://adelightsomelife.com

Sandi's Teatime Tues

http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com
Bernideen's Tea Time
http://blog.bernideens.com/

Ruth's Tuesday Cuppa Tea

http://www.antiquesandteacups.info

Martha and Terri's Teacup Tues

http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

Maria Elena's Tuesdays at Our Home

http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Paula's What's It Wed

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Centerpiece Wed

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Homemaking Link Party
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/

Share Your Cup Thursday

http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Buck? I think it's a Moose!

I have not done a tablescape for a few weeks because I have not been home. I drove to our home from Cape Coral so I thought I would take advantage and set up a table here before I leave today.

 

 

I have had these set of dinnerware. I think I bought them either from Joss & Main or Zulily on line and had them shipped directly here last year. Aside from the coffee mugs, I have not really used them until now.

I started with a twig plate charger, or is it a bird nest?

 and used twig napkin rings and blue napkins, which I bought from an antique store in Natchez a few years ago. I think they were 75 cents for a set of 8. If you noticed, the moose is blue.

When I bought this dinnerware set, I thought the animal on them is a buck. I intended to use them when my son Jed and DIL, Becky came over, since they are both avid hunters. But looking more closely now, I think it is a moose. Here is the salad plate.

 and here is the dinner plate

Here is the info written on the back of each one.

Salt and pepper shakers sitting on birds' nests

 The table was set on the kitchen breakfast nook.

 Both stem glasses are from the Dollar Store. Yes, you've guessed it right, they were a dollar each.

 The antler was given to me by Jed and Becky, my son and DIL.

 

 Thank you so much for stopping by and I thank the hostesses of the memes I am linking to. I appreciate and read all your comments too.

 

 

Sally's Blue Monday

http://smilingsally.blogspot.com 

Christine's Table It

http://www.rustic-refined.com

 Masterpiece Monday

 Boogieboard Cottage

Marty's Inspire Me Tuesday

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Kathy's A Return To Loveliness

Kathy's Home and garden Thursday

http://adelightsomelife.com

 Maria Elena's Tuesdays at Our Home 
  http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

 Paula's What's It Wed

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Centerpiece Wed

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/
Homemaking Link Party
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/

Tablescape Thursday

  http://betweennapsontheporch.net

Anything Blue Friday

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com

AJ Was a Semi Finalist for Miss Florida Junior Teen

We have just been through a very exciting and hectic weekend.

 

We do not know how NAM (National American Miss) got my eldest granddaughter, AJ's name but they said someone from school usually submits them. But anyway, AJ was asked to compete for Miss Florida Junior Teen. Her mom checked it out to make sure it was legit and it was, so they both decided she could try it out. Even if she does not win, it would be a very good experience for her.

 

 

The pageant was held at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel in Orlando. It was a 2-day event, Aug. 3 and 4.

 

 

We were welcomed by a glass champagne upon checking in, which was nice.

 

11 was AJ's official number.

 She was given participation ribbons and an official NAM star after registration.

 

 Even Baby Myla got to go.

 The outfit below was what AJ wore for the casual wear competition. Each category was assigned a certain percentage, the highest being 30% each, which were for the personal introduction, the long formal gown entry and interview by the judges.

Please watch the videos I loaded at the end of this post if you want to see how she performed. They are very short.

We were really all so pleased with how well AJ performed. It was her first experience and the preparations of the pageant was put in the back burner for a long time, after Rea's diagnosis. Thanks to my youngest daughter, Tina, daughter in law, Becky and Rochelle's friends, who took turns in assisting her in finding the pageant outfits and help with preparations, since Rochelle was always with Rea in the hospital and could not keep up with everything that had to be done.
 

 

This was the view from the hotel room. It was simply breathtaking!

 The pool was one of the nicest that we've ever been. We used to take AJ here when she was younger and she loved the water slide. This time however, she was unable to go swimming because of her tight schedule, but I got to enjoy the pool with the little girls.

 So nice to just lounge and relax after swimming.

 This was while waiting for their turn to go on stage for the personal introduction. They wore a business attire per instructions.

 I loved AJ's choice of outfit, It reminded me a retro 50'ish in a conservative style.

 She had to change fast into a long gown right after so her mom and best friend, Sierra, lent their helping hands.

 The final main event came on the second night.

 All the girls performed a group dance.

 AJ is right there in the center although only half of her body is visible.

 20 semi finalists were selected and AJ was one of them. We were all so excited when her name was called. This was all we could hope for for a first timer.

 

The one in blue in front of AJ won the pageant.

 There were 200 contestants, 100 in each division and 20 semi finalists were chosen from each division.

 Below was the reigning Miss Florida Jr. Teen who was to give up her throne that night. In her speech, she said it was on her 6th try when she finally won.

 I thought AJ really did great. I know I would never be able to do what she did, lol!

She came home with 3 trophies, one for a spirit award but I am not sure what the other 2 were for.

 

Rea's surgery was postponed for a week, which worked out well because we were able to bring all the kids to Orlando to watch the pageant. They were so excited every time they saw their big sister on stage. And all the adults got to go too, since no one had to stay in the hospital.

 

Below are 3 very short videos. Please feel free to watch them.

 

 

 

Congrats for a job well done. AJ!

 

Thank you all so much for your visits!