Christine's Home and Travel Adventures: July 2015

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Blue and White Toile

I decided to create this tablescape because of these flowers. Our German neighbors gave them to me when I invited them for dinner 2 evenings ago. I thought I better use them on a table setting before they start to wither. Aren't they pretty? Thanks, Chris and Natascha! I love them!

I started with a blue and white toile tablecloth. I purchased this a long time ago from a flea market, on the French side of St. Maarten in the Virgin Islands, many years ago.

This tablescape is also extra special for me because 2 of my precious grandkids helped me create it. They even helped me decide which napkins and flatware to use.

I used some white wooden plate chargers from Pier One, Pfaltzgraff white dinner plates in "Confetti" pattern and topped them with blue and white toile salad plates, pattern name "Blue Toile" by Home Essentials and Beyond, which I bought a long time ago from Ross. I think this is the first time I ever used them. Funny but because of the move, some of my stored plates have resurfaced.

I love this toile patterned pitcher/vase. I bought it from Homegoods here in Cape Coral, maybe last year. Have I told you we are only a 4 minute drive away from that favorite store of mine? My daughter and hubby joke about it that I can only find places in proximity to Homegoods, lol.

Fleur de Lis salt and pepper shakers.

The little tulips are made out of clay. I bought them from Plant City when we went to a Strawberry Festival.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I always enjoy your visits. I also appreciated all the hostesses throwing there fun parties. Please visit them too and be inspired.

Natasha's Weekly Sundays Down Under Linky Party

http://www.natashainoz.com/

Show and Share

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Sally's Blue Monday

http://smilingsally.blogspot.com

Christine's Table it Monday

http://www.rustic-refined.com/

Cindy's Amaze me Monday

http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/

Kathryn's Make it Pretty Monday

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

Marty's Inspire Me Tuesday

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Maria Elena's Tuesdays at Our Home

http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Paula's What's It Wed

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Show and Share Wednesday Link Party

http://www.mostlyhomemademom.com/

Sarah's Homemaking party

http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/

Idea Box Thursday Party

http://milaslittlethings.com

Kathy's Home and Garden Thursday

http://www.adelightsomelife.com/

Share your Style Thursday

http://northernnesting.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Home Sweet Home

The Charm of Home

Lorelai's Home Matters

http://lifewithlorelai.com/

Kate's Flaunt it Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com

Anything Blue Friday

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday

http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/

Friday, July 24, 2015

Happy 97th Birthday, Mama!

Happy Birthday, mama! We are so blessed to still have you around. We all love you very much!

Mama was born on July 24, 1918 and is still able to walk and move around.

Shown below is my mom with her 7 siblings and her mom. She has outlived them all. The other picture is when she was 18 and the one next to it was taken in New Orleans during one of John's seminars. She loves traveling and going places (pasyal) so we take her with us whenever possible.

My mom when my father was still alive with in laws. My mom is on the left in green and my dad is in his maroon silk pajamas. He loved his silk pj's and I hope he is wearing them in heaven right now, lol.

My mom treated me and my 2 brothers and 2 sisters to a Hawaiian cruise in 2000, when we cruised from one Hawaiian island to the next. It was so much fun!

Celebrating her 86th birthday at our old home in FL before we moved to Natchez, MS. and of course, we are back to Florida now.

She was 87 years old here.

Ma was 90 years old here.

We celebrated her 90th birthday in 2008 at the Reunion Resort in Orlando, FL. Everybody came all the way from California, except for a great grandson who is in the Marines and was on duty and was serving the country somewhere else at the time.

Mom with her 5 children. I am the one in moss green.

From L to R: Yours truly, youngest brother Okoy, eldest sister Fe, my mom, Henry and Tessie.

We had a birthday party for her in Natchez on her 93rd birthday. She was staying with us at that time. Right now she is with my sister Fe in Illinois and they are having a birthday party for her tomorrow. So sorry, I won't be able to attend this time, ma, but I hope to see you soon.

We had another big family reunion in our present Florida home here in 2013. Everybody came again and the family is growing bigger with 20 great grandkids and 1 great great granddaughter now.

We took her on a cruise last year or better yet, she took us on a cruise cause she paid for it, lol

I pray to God that she stays healthy and can be around for many more years. Thank you all for stopping by.

Happy Birthday, MAMA! Stay strong! I love you very much.

Monday, July 13, 2015

Santan Flowers and Teapots in the Dining Room

Our santan (aka: ixora coccinea) plants in the yard are in full bloom so I decided to cut some flowers to put in a blue and white vase to put on the dining room table.

I think they look so pretty against the dark furniture.

Since I am taking pictures in the dining room, I might as well show you around.

I moved my sterling silver tea and coffee set on the buffet, the pattern is Poole "Lancaster Rose". John's patient sold it to him when we first moved to Natchez. I know I have to polish it but I don't want to buy any more silver polisher cause I have some but they are still in MS.

On the left side of the buffet is my Lladro girl carrying a jar. She is too tall to go in our shelves where the other Lladro figures are right now, so she stays out in the open.

On the right side is a flatware rack inside a cloche. I also added various candle holders and a mercury silver based hurricane lamp on each side.

Inside the corner china cabinet, I displayed some antique Tirschenreuth plates (top shelf) and a souvenir plate and cup of Prince William and Princess Catherine's wedding. I like the initials on the cup (C & W) which are my initials and the date of April 29 written, which was their wedding day but also both mine and John's birthday.

The middle and bottom shelves display various Quimper plates, teapots and cups.

I bought this Quimper tea set from one of my visits here in Cape Coral, before we even moved here. So, it has traveled from here to Natchez and then back here again.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I always appreciate your visits and comments. I am finally slowing down opening boxes in the garage. I am almost done so I am ready for the next move, but our movers aren't, (my son and his friend) are still saving up vacations from work. But, there is no hurry since we have not sold our house in Natchez yet.

I appreciate the hostesses for the following parties.

Sally's Blue Monday

http://smilingsally.blogspot.com

Christine's Table it Monday

http://www.rustic-refined.com/

Cindy's Amaze me Monday

http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/

Kathryn's Make it Pretty Monday

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

Kathy's A Return To Loveliness

http://www.adelightsomelife.com/

Sandi's Teatime Tues