Christine's Home and Travel Adventures

Monday, July 16, 2012

Czar & Queen of Russia: A Tablescape

Today, Kathleen is having a "Destination Challenge" on Let's Dish.

I chose to go Russian.

I invited the Czar and the Queen to join us.

Before I show you more of my table, let's visit the palaces of Russia and see how they set their table.

Below is Catherine's Summer Palace in Pushkin.You should see this palace, it's huge! It's a mile long. I wouldn't mind having enemies as guests here cause all I have to do is put them at the other end of the wing and I would never see them, lol.

How about Peterhof, Peter the Great's Summer palace? The table settings are really elegant. I do have similar urns but I used the table in the breakfast nook and they won't fit there. The fountains outside the palace is really what is impressive in this place.

Next, let's see an ordinary Russian citizen's table. This is where we were served lunch when we went to St. Petersburg, Russia. Not bad but not as luxurious and elegant as in the palaces.

My table is somewhat in between but closer to the ordinary one, lol.

I brought the queen and czar vodka decanters there and they are still full of vodka because I wouldn't let anobody drink them, lol.

80% of known amber comes from the baltic area so there are a lot of them in Russia. They sell them all over. For that reason, I added an amber tree as part of my centerpiece. Note the little Russian children figurine on a carriage.

They have so much amber there that Catherine's summer palace even has an amber room. The room below is all made of amber. Even the walls were lined with amber. Sorry the picture is out of focus. We weren't allowed to take pictures in that room but my camera accidentally just clicked:-)

And of course, we can't think Russian without thinking Faberge eggs.

I decided to use blue and white dishes. I almost took this set to my booth to sell them but I am glad I kept them. I just have way too many blue and white dishes.

Below is a collection of blue and white china displayed at the palace in Tallinn, Estonia. I know Estonia is not part of Russia anymore but it used to be.

I got this set of S & P shakers from an antique store in Destin, FL.

And just like Faberge eggs, Russian nesting

dolls called matryoshka , though not as expensive, are also in abundance there.

I found my Russian hand painted lacquered

napkin rings from Ebay. I like the fact that they all have a different design. Isn't that a magnificent mosque? I have my little version on the table too, just not quite lavish.

I found this ceramic cloche from a resale shop in New Orleans.

The etched crystals came from an estate sale.

The blue tapered Bohemian
glasses are from Ebay. They will be perfect for our Vodka. Have you ever tasted Russian vodka? It is very strong
so you do not need big glasses.

The taller wine glasses are from Mikasa.

Russian laquered shot glasses.

Thanks so much for this challenge, Kathleen. I really enjoyed it. I hope you get to visit the Kathleen and the other "Let's Dish" participants at

http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

I would also like to link with

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop at

http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Susan's Tablesape Thursday at

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Kathy's Home and garden
http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Honey's Potpourri Friday at

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Thanks y'all for stopping by and many thanks to all the gracious hostesses.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

It's Cottagey But Elegant

A pair of antique Dresden candle sticks holder are my inspiration for this table. We just bought them during my reunion with my College classmates.

I always enjoy seeing the reflection of the pool in the background when I set the table here.

Faux African violet plant for my centerpiece, at least I think that's what it is.

We bought this pair of antique Dresden candlesticks holder from our favorite antique store downtown called Melancon. I am so glad that John and I like the same things (for most of the time anyway) so that when I show him some things I like, he usually agrees to buy them. We bought these when the Melancons cooked for me and my classmates while they were visiting. Paul is such a good cook and we enjoyed the special meal (shrimp cajun pasta, Southern bread pudding, wine and soda) he prepared especially for us and brought to the store.

I thought I would share a picture taken when we had that dinner there. Thanks, Paul and Linda, for welcoming my classmates and making us feel so important! We really enjoyed our dinner and the special treat.

I bought a set of ceramic roses from Richard of old historic house and used them for a name plate.

The plates are vintage "Cameo Floral". I have had them for a while.

Green goblets and pink wine glasses are a good combination.

I used a quilt throw for a table cover. It makes the tablescape cottagey, I think.

I got to use my green flatware that I bought from Horchow again.

I love both these Meissen napkin ring (from Ebay, John found a few and I found more) and vintage lace napkin, which I bought while antiquiing with Vanna in Seattle.

I bought that pink ceramic roses tea light candle holder from an estate sale in Brookhaven.

I hope you enjoyed viewing my tablescape. I appreciate you stopping by.

Linking with these gracious hostesses:

Thank you ladies!

Kathleen for Let's Dish

http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Susan's Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Honey's Potpourri Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Kathy's A Return to Loveliness Party

http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Sherry's Home Sweet Home Friday

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Beverly's Pink Saturday

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

Saturday, July 7, 2012

San Francisco, CA, 7-2012

My nephew (oldest sister's oldest kid) and his wife celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Stockton, CA. It was a big celebration with 350 guests. All my brothers and sisters and mom from all different states attended so we had some sort of a mini reunion which is always a lot of fun.

Two days after the big event, my niece Stephanie drove us around San Francisco. We crossed the Bay Bridge from Oakland.

I have been to San Francisco several times, but somehow, I am always fascinated by the city.

This almost reminded me of Florida because of the palms.

A toilet on a sidewalk of San Francisco.....I wonder if I could comfortably use that. I think I will be imagining all the passersby outside. It has a beautiful view though.

Cable car

The weather is always cool and the plants like it, keeping all their flowers just gorgeous looking.

We were fortunate to get a parking space right across Pier 39 on the Fisherman's Wharf and John was kind enough to offer to stay and take care of my mom so me, my sisters, brother and niece can walk around.

Here I am posing with my niece, Stephanie. People often mistake her for me, never mind that I am over 20 years older than her. Do we really look alike?

My sister, Tess from St. Louis, with me.

It was a lovely day with beautiful blue skies. I love the lamp posts and the hanging planters.

From L to R: My youngest brother Vic and his wife Che, niece Stephanie, my oldest sister Fe, sister Tess and me. I am the youngest girl, just 3 years older then my brother. We have one more brother from Florida who is not in the picture. He flew out earlier because he had to go back to work.

Here we are again!

Gorgeous healthy flowers!

My sister, Fe with her hubby, Kuya Johnny. Can you believe she will be 75 in December? She even outlasts me even when we go shopping, and you know I am a shopper, lol.