gathering...

We were so lucky to have my sister and brother-in-law visit this weekend.  It called for a celebration.  The weather called for having it outside.  It was the perfect evening.  Dinner around this table always makes me happy.

We had our annual soup party.  Because we were a small group this year, we only had three kinds of soup, tortilla, albondigas, and chili (which I know is not officially a soup but it fit).

Unmatched vintage silverplate, a weathered crate, lanterns, plaid and pumpkins - these are a few of my favorite things.  Don't you love that one in the center?  All those bumps!

Leaves are from our oak trees that won't change color until January.  Other things just gathered from the grocery and ground.                                                                                                                                                                                 

Dessert (apple pie, brownies and roasted marshmallows) around the firepit with the stars in the sky.  Oh, how I love this time of year!  I hope you are enjoying your autumn too.

There are some beautiful fall tablescapes at Between Naps on the Porch. 

'something wicked this way comes"...

Our host would like to welcome you to a Halloween celebration.  You can see by that grin that he is happy to see you.

The table is set outside for this spooky night. The almost full moon illuminates our dinner.  Only the best china and silver will do.

Will there be eight brave enough to accept his kind invitation?

At twilight, the wind began to blow as the first guest arrived.  The light began to fade which meant the photographer needed to leave and let the party begin.

A good time was had by all.  Happy Halloween!


Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, Christine at Rustic and Refined

inspiration ...

I am so glad that there are glimpses of fall. It is a little cooler in the mornings, the light is changing. I wanted to bring a little fall to the house this week.

I know I have told you the story of my lavadera. We bought it at an antique store 11 years ago. It is a little different than a dough bowl so I still call it a lavadera which is how it was labeled. I have filled this with so many different things over the years. It spends most of the year on my dining room table filled with something seasonal. It wasn't until I saw this post from Anderson and Grant until I remembered I have oak leaves! I always think of them when they turn color but rarely this time of year. Autumn comes later to the desert.

I had the acorns, the gourds and today, while driving past Trader Joes, I saw the happy sight of pumpkins sitting out front. I had to buy 3 and a few squashes too. If I have pumpkins in the house it is officially autumn, no matter how hot it is outside. Now I am just waiting for the white and Cinderella pumpkins.

The blanket is dreaming on my part. We are at least a month away from needing it.
You know I like a simple table, not too much fuss so my lavadera and some candles is good enough for me.

White dinnerware always works for me.

I am so glad I saw Jamie's post or I would have gone with my standby, eucalyptus leaves. I am sure you will see them later in the year. I hope fall is finding you!

Thank you so much, Jamie, for the inspiration!


Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, the Table It Link Party, Home Sweet Home and Jamie at Your Turn to Shine.

finally, a tablescape ...

In my absence, I've still been having fun with my tables. Somehow they just haven't gotten photographed other than a quick shot or two with my phone. My dear friends joined me this week for our every two weeks gathering. This week was my turn. After I washed the linens, the flatware and the dishes, I stacked them on the dining room table to put them away. When I saw them this morning, I remembered that today is Tablescape Thursday. So, everything went back in it's place even though the actual gathering was on Tuesday.

We are so lucky. We have been friends for years and try to meet every other Tuesday. Sometimes life gets in the way, but it has been easier since our children are grown.

We are in the hottest part of the year. Although many of our meals here are eaten outside, this wasn't the day for it.

Blue and white always feels cool and calm to me but I did add the orange napkins.

There are lots of colors to pull from these dishes.

This group of women is so important to me. We have been through a lot together. There have been heartbreaking times and times of complete joy. Through it all, we keep meeting every other Tuesday.

They have wisdom and insight. They know when all another needs may be a nod of understanding or a hug. Other times, we talk and talk and talk it out.

Every Tuesday there is a lot of laughter. A lot of laughter.

There are Tuesdays that have been filled with tears but even on those days, we still laugh. It is so very healing.

Our opinions can be diverse but it doesn't matter. We solve the problems of the world. We debate the issues, all with respect and love.

I am so blessed to have these women in my life. So very blessed.

As you can tell, I set a simple table. Sometimes I like to fuss and make it more elaborate but for the most part, I am most comfortable with simple.


Joining Susan and everyone else (finally!) at Tablescape Thursday, with Sherry at Home Sweet Home, Southern Savvy Style, Rustic and Refined, The Scoop and Your Turn to Shine.

we gather together...

When I was a little girl, my favorite church hymn was "We Gather Together". There is some distant memory of standing with my family, next to my father, singing that song. Gathering the people I love around our table is one of the happiest things that I can do. This year has been difficult in many ways but oh, we have so much for which to be thankful.

Our celebration for Thanksgiving will be a little small this year but we have some big birthdays to celebrate a week later.

For those interested in the table, I was surprised to find myself putting my brown plates on a turquoise tablecloth. We had a big soup party last week. I used my turquoise cloths with pumpkins and bittersweet. I just couldn't get beyond how much I liked the turquoise and orange together.

This is just the kind of table I like, mixing styles and elements. I always like having some nature on my table. This time, pumpkins and bittersweet. We don't have bittersweet in the desert but etsy does.

I like having the linen tablecloth rumpled but mixing it with the Delamere china. I have used a haphazard collection of vintage silverplate flatware.

When I saw these "Gather Together" plates at West Elm, I could not resist. They brought back such wonderful memories. Shanna Murray, I am a fan.

The weather tomorrow is supposed to be perfect. There is nothing I like more than enjoying our Thanksgiving dinner outside.

I can't wait for a taste of the stuffing. We may have to get a fire started in the fire pit by dessert time.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I will be counting my many blessings and be grateful.

Joining Kathleen at "let's dish" and Susan at "between naps on the porch" for more holiday table inspiration.