Christine's Home and Travel Adventures: 2015

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Annual Christmas Party at Home

It has been a very busy week. We had just arrived after hauling more furniture and stuff from Natchez so I was busy unloading, unpacking and organizing. We already scheduled a family Christmas party at home so I started decorating for Christmas, shopping and wrapping presents for over 40 people. Thank goodness for Amazon cause most of the presents were bought on line while we were in Natchez. Then the baking, cooking, setting the table came....so much work but so much fun and all worth it. It was wonderful to have everybody together. Aside from my daughter and her family who live next door, everybody came from out of town. Even my sister from Illinois made it.

I set the table ahead of time and labeled each serving pieces. It helps me and people assisting when chaos begins, of what to put where. My son in law laughed when he saw the sign 'Rice" thinking why wouldn't people know what it is when they see the rice, lol.

I used plastic cups here for the punch meant for the kids. You should try it, just 7 Up and vanilla ice cream. It is easy, good and pretty!

Lenox "Winter Greetings" was my china of choice this year because I have a big set, enough to serve more than 40 people. Good thing I was able to haul them from Natchez on our last trip in 3 trunks, which is where I always stored them. I did not even have to repack them and they got here safely. I found a corner in the family room to store the trunks permanently in our new home.

Spode "Christmas Tree" teapot, paired with Lenox "Winter Greetings" cups and saucers. Yes, I have complete sets but I like to mix and match.

The large Winter Greetings serving tray was perfect for my sister in law's egg rolls. Yum! Thanks, Girlie!

Fitz & Floyd "Bellacara" soup tureen for my gumbo.

I bought these square Mac Kenzie Childs paper plates from Horchow on line for the kids. They are really nice and sturdy.

I love these Winter Greetings blue bird luncheon plates.

The sleigh holds Santa and Snowman S & P shakers.

I just kept the centerpiece from my last tablescape and just tweaked it somewhat.

This little Winter Greetings elongated serving tray was perfect for my Blueberry loaf.

And now comes the food!

And here is the happy bunch! Not everybody made it to the picture cause you know it is a real challenge to gather everybody together in a big group.

The celebration has not ended yet. The next day, we celebrated my granddaughter, Reese's 4th birthday next door. It was a great decision since her cousins were already in town.

Aren't they just the cutest? I call them my quads. As you can see, Rea is doing very well. Thanks to all your prayers. Reese is the second from the left. The other 3 are all sisters. They are all so happy when they are together.

Thank you all for your visits. I would like to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a JOYFUL, PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS coming NEW YEAR!!!!

Linking with (thanks to the graceful hostesses!)

Kathy's Home and Garden Thursday

http://www.adelightsomelife.com/

Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden Blog Party!

http://blog.bernideens.com/

Share your Style Thursday

http://northernnesting.blogspot.com/

Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday

http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/

Beverly's Pink Saturday

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Chloe's Celebrate it Sunday

http://celebrateanddecorate.com/

Making Memories Monday www.threekidsandafish.com

Inspire Me Monday

http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Sally's Blue Monday

http://smilingsally.blogspot.com

Christine's Table it Monday

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

Show and Share

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Cindy's Amaze me Monday

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

Marty's Inspire Me Tuesday

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Sandi's Teatime Tues

http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.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/

Show and Share Wednesday Link Party

http://www.mostlyhomemademom.com/

Sarah's Homemaking party

http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/

Monday, December 14, 2015

Villeroy & Boch and Plaid Christmas Table

I hope you are all having an enjoyable Christmas season. I feel so bad for the people who were killed in Paris and in San Bernardino, CA. and the families they left behind. Let's all pray for them and for world peace!

This Christmas tablescape is staged and I have to take it down soon so I can set up for a buffet for our party on Saturday. But before I take it down, I might as well blog about it. I missed blogging and tablescaping and visiting all of you. We went to Natchez for almost a month to clean and organize and do more packing there. I have canceled the internet and cable when we left there last May so I could not blog.

We rented a trailer and brought a few furniture and a lot of my dinnerware and Lladro collection.

I finally got that oil painting from Natchez during our trip a few days ago.

Here is a close up. I love how the bucket was painted. It looks so real.

The plaid plate charger is from William Sonoma.

The dinner plates are made by Villeroy & Boch. Pattern is French Garden "Noel"

I love the salad plates, also from Villeroy & Boch "Toy's Delight". I really like the shape.

I had to mix my goblets because I could not find a complete set. I am still organizing the garage and so much more work now because we just brought more stuff from Natchez. The crystal wine stems are all the same though.

Even the flatware have sort of a plaid handles in gold and silver.

Burlap reindeer napkin rings from either Joss & Main or Zullily.

Snowman and Santa S&P shakers.

I used a plaid tablecloth and with satin quilted plain red with green edging placemats. They are reversible to green with red edging.

Cardinals S&P shakers. They are actually made by Pfaltzgraff.

I love these candle holders bought from Old Time Pottery a few years ago.

So much to do! After unloading the trailer and returning it. I started decorating for Christmas. I put up the tree and the Christmas Village. Tomorrow I will start baking in preparation for our party.