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PS - I Love You

(Pepper & Salt)

Setting the table was once a chore to collect an allowance. Today, I spend my allowance (paycheck) on elements to set amazing tables. I just LOVE themes, and my tablescapes are based on them. I’m not sure what I enjoy more, the hunt for the pieces or the assembling of them to complete the ensemble. 

 As someone with an addictive personality, once I get hooked on a theme, I tend to begin a collection. It all started when I found the most adorable Salt and Pepper shakers in Los Angeles, in the early 90's. Over time, that collection grew to close to 300 sets and within those sets, many themes began to emerge. Sets included themes the like of Nursery Rhymes, Travel and Hospitality, Music, Vintage Toys, Historical Figures, and Comic Strip notables to name a few. Heck there is a whole collection of I Love Lucy sets not even shown here as they are part of my I Love Lucy collection (but that’s another story).  These themes inspire me and the spiral begins.  

Decor8tive Tables

Father's Day ~ Scape

 


The foundation for this Father's Day table is a dark green table cloth, topped with a red and white checked overlay.  Atop that, I laid the lawn runner created as described 

on the Recre8tions  Page and placed some strands of ivy atop it for foliage dimension.


The inspiration for the table was a portable Hibachi I purchased from a thrift store for $10 a few years ago, as grilling is often associated with Father's Day.  A Grilling themed book, tea towel and mug filled with on BBQ utencils are randomly placed around the grill.  Because I had the chef hat, I decided to add other occupational chapeaux on each place setting to commemorate the various professions and hobbies associated with our dads. 


 So, off to the thrift stores I went until I could find 6 that provided the variety I wanted.  Included are an Army Garrison Hat that I also used in my Memorial Day Scape, a Police Hat, a Fisherman's Bucket Hat, a Vintage Tween Fedora, a Golfing Visor and a Baseball Cap.


The place settings consist of black and white buffalo checked charger plates, with red 10" dinner plates set atop them.  Both chargers and plates were purchased at the Dollar Tree.


Pilsner glasses are used for the drinkware and, inserted inside are double napkins of dark green inside red.


Scattered about the table are a tennis ball, golf tees and a wonderful pipe planter I found at a second-hand store.


 So HATS OFF to our Dads!  

Thank you for being our pillars of strength... 

Our Rocks Of Gibraltar...Our Sense of Complete Security

We hope we make you as proud of us, as we are of you!


Happy Father's Day!





 



 


Memorial Day ~ Scape

 


This table was created in a less opulent flare than the others I've designed, intentionally.

It is a revolving "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" set for those who fought in American battles, but were unable to share the any of the victories.  

      

Set in patriotic hues, the plates depict different wars that were fought to maintain our Amerian Freedoms.  The napkins represent flares that shoot up to the heavens.  

Candles are set to be lit in their memory and nestled beside them are place markers of camouflage picture frames that are purposely left hollow so that each fallen soldier's image can be inserted as he or she takes a seat. 


Menu items are not featured as we could not possibly comprehend the favorite meals each soul has chosen to consume.  Yet a Salute to the Cooks in the Military can be found in our Culinary Prepar8tions page.



 


Mother & Child Plates

Mother's Day ~ Scape

Published 5-6-21

.Lavender Blue, at the table ... Lavender Green ... 

(with warm Highlights of Yellow)!

That is the palette I choose for my Mother's Day table...

 The head vase, table runner, turquoise cake plate, crocheted doile, atomizer, napkins and brooches are items I own. They provided the inspiration to create my table...

1950's Elegance representing the era in which my mom had her first child...Me! 

Again, the objects seem to just present themselves to me while scouring through thrift stores. The hat, veil, gloves and vintage hankie, were purchased at for a collective $15 from The Plainville Flea Market.   Later on that same afternoon, I found the golden candlestick with crystals that support the hat and veil, the powder puff canister, the hydrangeas, the wooden placard of roses AND, the most amazing Mother & Child plates at

The Shops at Marlborough Barn.    As an homage to my mom, I added the "Mother" heart from her bureau, her photo even her bronzed baby shoes.


The chargers in dusty blue  are from Oriental Trading Company.  Their individual price of $3.60 a piece is offset by the cost per wear of the decoupaged floral plates that make their third appearance at the table, preceded by both the Spring and Easter tablescapes, respectively.


As Mother's Day is often synonymous with brunch, I am featuring 4 menu items that are as  delicious as they are aesthetically presented.  Three of them are variations on known dishes.  So much so that they could easily be featured on the Recre8tions page, but to stay true to form, I will place the detail on each meal on the Culinary Prepar8tions page.


The first is a Sicilian salad my paternal grandmother used to make.  I renamed it the

 Triple O Salad because its' a refreshing salad of Oranges, Onions and Olives.  Another is a Caprese Crostini.  The others are reconstructed classics the likes of Chicken and Waffles, Steak and Eggs, which I call Steak & Egg Volcanos and  Breakfast Kabobs skewering three breakfast items of blueberries, breakfast sausage and french toast...Each delivering combinations of full-flavored bites that are both savory and sweet.


 


 


 

 

 

 

 


   

  

  


 

 

 

 


 

 


 

Cinco De Mayo ~ Scape

Published 4-29-21

Muchacho Twins

The colors of the Mexican Flag are Green, White and Red... but the colors of a Mexic

an Fiesta are vibrant, brilliant and dynamic ... You've heard of Fiestaware, right?

Unfortunately, my plate collection does not include any,...Not Yet, Anyway.


The tablecloth was a steal at $5.99 from GW Linens

billed simply as yellow, it is true to the egg yolk shade I hoped it would be.

...The perfect foundation to bring out the colors that will adorn its' surface.

Draped through the center is a serape table runner, from Leo's Imports...


Atop, sits a  Taco Truck Chip Stand  from Party City.

I find it amazing that items seem to just present themselves to me during my shopping scavenger hunts at retail or thrift stores, as was the case with the placemats and napkins for this holiday.


Christmas Tree Shops had a placemat bin containing hundreds of colored woven orbs, yet among the fringeless majority, were 50 or so enhanced with pom-poms that lay there like flattened sombreros. AMAZING, I thought...These will act as both my charger & placemat.  A week later, at Flea 99 , a thrift store in Canaan, CT that I often frequent, I found a 6 pack of napkins for only $4.00 in the incredible saturated colors that harmonized so well with my table.


The plates...a thrift store find... $5 for each set of 6 (Orange and Light Blue) which I interspersed placing one color on the table sides and the other at the heads. The flower pots hit the deck for a third time (also part of the Spring and Easter Scapes) this time filled with tiny cacti for that southwest touch. The cutlery was purchased a few summers ago at a supermarket promoting summer entertainment pieces. The Maracas & Sombreros  from Oriental Trading Company, provided the authentic detail I wanted to bring to the setting...


And, from my treasured Salt & Pepper Shaker collection (which started me on my, passionate tablescape journey) I placed a set I endearingly refer to as my Muchacho Twins, in the center of the Taco Truck. A close-up image appears just below the tablescape above.


La comida del dia, begins with a 7 layer bean dip, in individual servings followed by juicy Shrimp & Slaw Tacos ... To end the meal, I made the cutest Sombrero Cookies I saw online. Though not a traditional dessert, they were tooooo cute and whimisical to pass up; adding the perfect amount of sweetness needed to conclude the meal.



 


Academy Award ~ Scape

Published 4-21-21


Tables, hosting guests celebrating the annual film awards, never know when there might be a talent scout searching for that AMAZING presentation that speaks to the camera so they, like celebrities, are sure to look their finest on Oscar Night as well.

Black and Gold reign as King and Queen and this royal couple expect the carpet rolled out for them which is never anything but Red.


Once again, the "little black dress" is draped and adorned with large gold chargers. Stacked above those golden baubles are black dinner plates from the Dollar Tree. Tiered just above those are white square plates, turned to reflect diamond shapes and black and white checked bread plates, both sets purchased at thrift stores a few years ago. Each place setting showcases a faux Oscar statuette at its core.


Place setting markers are clapboard photo-frame keychains and are cleverly scripted with Academy Award winning or nominated actors, actresses and directors. Each setting is also accompanied with an envelope depicting one of the 6 well known awards of the evening...Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress & Director.

Even the stemware comes to the table in proper attire...

Black Tie for the male guests...Pearls and Fur for the females.


Parting the table in two is a red crushed velvet runner flanked with stanchions that I made from narrow dowels, sink strainers and red cords. A camera, movie reels and clapboard take center stage.


While the table carries the Lead Role at this gathering, the menu most definitely carries the Supporting one. I chose an appetizer, entree and dessert to coincide with three of the nominated categories.


For my appetizer, I prepared a refreshing Octopus Salad in honor of My Octopus Teacher, nominated for Best Documentary Series (which I found fascinating and highly recommend).


Though a homonym, a light and delicate Baked Sole Fillet- The Mediterranean Way graced the table as a salute to Pixar's Soul, competing in 3 categories, one of which is Best Animated Series.


Finalizing the menu with a dessert consisting of two of my favorite ingredients, chocolate and cheesecake, I paid homage to Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, vying for 5 golden statues including Viola Davis for Best Actress and Chadwick Boseman, posthumously, for Best Actor with Black Bottom Cupcakes. I am so glad I gave this movie a second chance as both performances are incredibly worthy of the industry nods.


Besides the food creations spotlighted above, these stunt doubles can step in as menu options for the evening: #1 ~ Deep Dish Pizza , saluting the 6 categories honoring The Trial of the Chicago 7, including Best Picture, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay, Original Song, Cinematography and Film Editing. #2 ~ The sweet nutty, honey drizzled delight known as Baklava as a tribute to Best Supporting Actress contender, Maria Bakalova.


If you choose not to make any of these items and would prefer to purchase them instead, so be it...Don't waste too much of your time deciding.... The only decisions occurring on Oscar Night should be those made by the members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, when we become privy to following the phrase...

And The Oscar Goes To.......

~~The 93rd Academy Awards Air on ABC on Sunday, April 25th at 8:00pm EDT~~

 


Easter ~ Scape


Nowadays, instead of dressing myself in spring attire for Easter, I dress my table.  The tablecloth replaces the new dress that I would have purchased. This one is an aqua twin sheet found at a thrift store. The centerpiece acts as the bonnet I would have adorned…A bunny hutch I created that sits upon a square pedestal filled with whimsical rabbits from a secondhand store and Spanish moss that grows yarn carrots  purchased at Dollar Tree.

The napkin folds, plates, stemware and place markers are the various accessories that complete my ensemble. I purchased the drinking glasses in an antique mall in Berlin, Maryland a few years back. They caught my eye due to the mid-century vintage design. The spring chargers  were a recent purchase at Michaels, on sale.  I had to have them as it is rare to find chargers at such a low price ($1.99 each) with a design, especially ones so close to the dishes I had decoupaged for my Spring Scape, that make an encore appearance here.  The egg cups were a to-die-for find at an amazing thrift store in Canaan, CT called Flea 99 . Chocolate bunnies sit in mini terra cotta planters  from Dollar Tree and are filled with pastel-colored shreds. 

 I folded my napkins into the shapes of bunny ears.  The runner was purchased at Home Goods, and the cutlery at a local supermarket a few summers ago.

Where there are Italians, there is sure to be food...especially on holidays.  A family breakfast tradition, still carried on to this day, is a Ricotta & Herb Fritatta  ~ Made with Ricotta Cheese and fresh basil, parsley and mint.  

 The afternoon meal was just as filling.

  In years past, as many as 30-35 people would gather at a family member’s table.  The holiday marathon meal started with an antipasto of cured meats, various cheeses  roasted peppers, olives and fresh hot seeded Italian bread from the neighborhood bakery.


We still gather together, en masse, (before Covid) but with a decreased count of 20.  The antipasto, once on platters, now takes on a more creative form on skewers strategically placed on an open bed of Italian bread that I call Garden Antipasto.   A simple pasta and chicken dish ( chicken piccata  this year) have replaced the massive beef tenderloins or spiral hams that once followed the over-sized portions of lasagna. Side dishes still consist of stuffed mushrooms,  asparagus risotto  artichokes when medium or small size ones are lucky enough to be found.  Nowadays, I can only find large ones that are never as tender.

 

  


 



The Birth of Spring ~ Scape



The anticipation of Spring is only enhanced by its' actual arrival.  

Though it comes in like a Lion, we know all too well that March, with any luck, 

will exit like a Lamb.  

And in that exit, our days are transformed with budding blooms, melodies of birdsong

 and warmer, brighter palettes.


 How could I best convey that in my tablescape?  Choosing tones of rosy pinks, yellows, blues and greens would be easy enough, but the transformation from lonely barren trees to those morphing into limbs with life was the challenge I was faced with


...Until The Winds Came... 


And in my driveway I found 2 branches ...Without hesitation, I KNEW they would take center stage at my table.  Out came the white paint, the Spanish Moss, the glue gun, a few tiny birds and Voila...My budding tree was transformed!


The creation charger/placemats and plates are featured on my Re-Cre8tions  page.  

Some bath tissue rolls decoupaged with the same pattern as the dinner plates became the my napkin rings (kept elongated to feature the blue bird perching upon them).

Minature terra cotta flower pots in bloom are placed at each setting.


It is also the time of year that one of my favorite vegetables makes its' debut... Asparagus!

So I have featured a wonderful  Asparagus Au Gratin Tart  a recipe I got from a friend, but have seen it featured in various cooking magazines.




St. Patrick's Day ~ Scape

Slainte

 "May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come to your door."  

This blessing could not be more apropos as we begin to find ourselves, a full year later, emerging from the grips of the pandemic that paralyzed us all.


The traditional parades and gathering at pubs may still be cancelled; yet the Guinness still pours, and the Corned Beef and Cabbage accompanied with Irish Soda Bread still fills the plates and stomachs of most, as everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day.  If you are a Vegan, check out the Shamrock Pasta Salad, celebrating the colors of both the flags of Ireland and Italy.


The Leprechaun stands watch as the table is dressed in sufficient amounts of emerald green, so not to be pinched by anyone seated at it.   The oversized shamrocks from the Dollar Tree Store  are used as placemats.   Serving as chargers are Lenox 10" dinner plates, (pattern: Solitaire), that I found at a thrift store for $25 for the lot of 12...(amazing deal).  The green and white china (Victorian China - pattern: Cascade) was my mom's.  It also made an appearance in my Sleigh Ride Scape below.  Beside each setting are Pots of Gold (kettles and coins) from Oriental Trading Company​.  And, yes... if you look close enough, you will see, Ms. Katie Scarlett O'Hara making an appearance, donned in Carol Burnett's window attire.


 Eat, Drink and Be Merry...like Scarlett, we'll think about dieting, tomorrow!

Mardi Gras ~ Scape

 

Laissez Bon Temps Rouler ... 

 Mardi Gras, a celebration also known as Fat Tuesday, the last day to indulge before Lent begins.   And just as the term THE BIG EASY is associated with New Orleans, so was the preparation and assembly of this festive table.


As evident by this time, the "little black dress" for the table makes another appearance and was well worth its' investment of $7.99.  The oversized martini glass has also been repurposed, ringing in New Year's Eve, only this time it is filled with a garland of baubles donned in the colors du jour of purple, green and yellow/gold.  The lavendar material puddled in the center was only $2.99 at a second hand store.  


Truth be told, I have never tried my hand at Beignets.  The recipe posted is courtesy of Megan Splawn, Food Editor of The Kitchn.com .  You can see that I also provided the link for you to check out on your own,    If you find that you would rather take a simpler route, you can always go straight to 

Cafe Du Monde's Boxed version.

 



 

Valentine's Day ~ Scape



Valentines Day... a day designated for love and affection...

But it doesn't necessarily mean you need a signaficant other to celebrate... 

What IS important is that you let the people you love know it.  


I like to celebrate it as PAL-entines day and I either do so with a Brunch or Desserts.  Two dishes that are always a big hit are my

Strawberry Cheesecake Pancake Stacks and Poppers


The table is dressed in basic black and pearls.  The felt hearts, glass cylinder vases, and glitter roses are from Dollar Tree and the rose petals from Michaels.  The silverware is, again, mom's finest and the decorative pearls...my own jewelry!


The Polka Dot Parade of Plates and the Cherub...you guessed it...

All thrift store finds.

 

 


 

 

Chinese New Year ~ Scapes

Both this table and buffet were such a joy for me to design as I am addicted to both Asian decor and the culture's culinary delicasies...so much so that I like to create a menu of various Asian cuisine.  


 I own so many Asian pieces that the only difficulty in designing this scape was determining which of my pieces would NOT make the cut.  Most every piece in this ensemble was purchased, over time, at thrift stores and flea markets.  


The black pagoda in the center was only $5, and makes an appearance in two different locations, as the photos shown were taken at two different times.  After donning the right side of the buffet table, a few years ago,  I gave it another look by mounting it onto a styrofoam shadowbox and adding greenery to the outside and asian figurines to the inside where it took center stage on this year's tablescape. The eating utencils comes from my extensive collection of Chopsticks (surprise, surprise)! and the item on the bottom far left is a $5 desk fountain.


The fans inside the sake cups were christmas ornaments that I purchased to use as napkin rings over 15 years ago in Pier One.  The oversized banana leaves are another Oriental Trading Company treasure, only $5.50 for a 12 count and the napkin rings were purchased years ago in Los Angeles.  They are both so versatile and I've used them in multiple designs...


A tantalizing starter dish and my vegan selection for this table

 is my Seasoned Edamame which is inspired from

 a menu item offered at a Calabasas, CA sushi restaurant!

Trust me... you'll be sucking on those pods long after the soybeans have 

exited their little green cocoons!!

  My Asian Game Hens with Mushrooms and Sugar Snap Peas   is a great menu item for this themed event if you are a bit nervous about re-creating traditional Chinese Cuisine at home. 

 As far as MY attempt at this cuisine?  Have no fear... 

My fortune cookie assured me I would be featuring recipes in another

tablescape slotted to make an appearance this summer!


New Year's Eve ~ Scape

Should old acquaintance be forgot...?  Never!  I've always preferred having them close by, entertaining them in my home on New Year's Eve.  Never have I had the desire to brave the crowds or cold in Times Square or purchase inflated prix fixed menus at hotels or restaurants, worrying about those who might be driving under the influence.  As an added bonus, it gives me the opportunity to prepare a bevy of appetizers which I often prefer to a full cooked meal.   

The table is dressed in black, mourning the passing of the year that is soon to end. 

The gold accents represent the shimmer of the year to come.  This tablecloth will make appearances in other themed tablescapes, as will the chargers and martini glasses, which were inexpensively purchased for a dollar each at the Dollar Tree.  The focal point is an oversized Martini Glass purchased at a thrift store for only $6.00.  The bubbles are created from gold and silver christmas ornaments as well as white ping pong balls.   The runner was purchased at a church thrift store for $3.00 and matching coasters were discovered at Party Depot, where I also picked up the hat flanked beside the centepiece.  The clock faces were print outs from the computer simply placed upon some plates and beneath others.  

Sleigh Ride ~ Scape

After all the gifts have been wrapped and placed 'neath the tree, there is one more item needing wrapping and that is the table. 

 I came across the sleigh in a thrft store for just $3.00. Immediately, I knew it was going to be the focal point in my display. I wanted my sleigh to pop so I chose contrasting table colors. This green cloth is one of the many my mother used when she hosted the holiday. The china and silverware, her finest. The chargers were from Dollar Tree for $1.00 each, 

 

The snow is recycled faux snow from previous Christmases and the elements in the sleigh are repurposed year after year. The salt and pepper shakers... well you know that story. 

 The napkins were picked up at thrift stores and for the napkin rings, I combined ball ornaments and poinsettia blossoms and twisted them round the linen.

With regards to the menu, most Italians celebrate Christmas Eve with 7 fishes.  I'll share one with you now and that is my Dad's Calamari Salad

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