Ruby Red Christmas

Welcome to this week's Christmas table,

it features Avon's Cape Cod.

If you haven't seen them before, they are a dark ruby colored glass.

They are most beautiful with light illuminating them.

Without light, they can pass for a very dark burgundy or even black.

Adding fresh greens to an artificial garland keeps the table simple.

Using LED candles makes decorating so easy and much safer too.

With the sun shining through the windows, the dishes are showing their colors.

The set has so many different pieces...

I don't have them all 

but featured in this picture 

is the tall vase.

I don't believe these napkin rings are "officially" part of the Avon collection

but

they sure could be...

the colors match perfectly.

They were a lucky find!

I'm joining these parties this week:

Tablescape Thursday

Let's Dish

Thanks so much for visiting!

In case you're interested:

chargers - Hobby Lobby

dishes - found in various locations (antique stores)

napkin rings - Tuesday Morning

napkins - handmade

flatware - Onieda "Michelangelo"

Holly and Berries.

Merry Christmas everyone!

My table today was inspired by a set of vintage candle holders,

they belonged to my grandmother,

I don't remember her ever using them.

They are from Japan, prewar era.

Honestly, I haven't used them very much until this year...

because last year, 

while I was shopping Hobby Lobby, 

(during their after Christmas sale), 

I saw these plates.

And as I was going through my things,

I remembered these little dishes:

My mother gave them to me 

and actually made them in a kiln,

I'm thinking that's a lost craft.

Before I knew it, a new collection began...

The sugar and creamer was found at Cracker Barrel.

And a set of matching cardinal salt and pepper shakers as well.

My sister and mother found these at an estate sale:

vintage bells...aren't they cute?

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday.

Drop by for loads of inspiration! 

In case you're interested:

chargers - Pier 1

flatware - antique shop

dishes - Hobby Lobby

napkin rings - handmade

napkins - Marshalls

stemware - thrifted

sugar/creamer - Cracker Barrel

salt/pepper shakers - Cracker Barrel

bells - estate sale

NOEL candle holders - vintage

centerpiece - craft show

Jingle Bells...

I admit it,

I have a thing for dishes...

they catch my eye.

In fact, I have been watching a set, but they're in rough shape.

Kinda chippy, kinda stained...

but....

every time I see them, I kinda melt.

And I kinda made an agreement with myself, 

if they ever go on sale, 

I just might have to get them!

Now, I don't need any more dishes.

really.

 I just like to consider myself as transitioning over to the 

"collector" category.

(smile)

So, one day I saw these at a little shop 

and knew they'd be perfect for the holidays.

There's something special about white and gold for the holidays, 

don't you think?

Add a little crystal and whimsy to the table and it's a fun setting.

Enjoy!

I'm joining the following parties:

Let's Dish

Tablescape Thursday

As always,

thanks for dropping by!

In case you're interested:

peacock chargers - Z Gallerie

gold chargers - Hobby Lobby

peacock centerpiece - Norma's

plates, stemware - thrifted

flatware - Ebay

napkin rings - Home Goods

candle holders - antique shop

Transitions...

If you've been following for a while,

you know that recently,

we built a new home and moved across town.

..."recently" means

7 months ago...

Now for the Houston area,

across town is approx an hours drive

from our old address

to our new address.

We traded in suburbia

for

rural living.

I won't kid you

it's been quite an adjustment.

An adjustment that I knew I would be making.

However,

saying it 

and 

living it

are very different things.

I hope I'm not coming across negatively

because

that would imply that I'm

not happy.

And

that's not the case at all.

Life is just different.

For instance:

we see deer in our yard,

sweet little birds that love to visit,

and

a multitude of stars at night.

Guess what I saw today?

A cat being chased by three blackbirds.

That cat was running through the trails as fast as he could

and those birds were just a squawking!

I'm thinking they were all enjoying a game of tag.

Now, if my internet connections were consistent

I'd be set!

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

From our home to yours...

have a blessed day!

Spiritual Sunday...Have You Ever Wondered?

Thoughts and scriptures to share... 

Have you ever wondered what eternity will be like?

I have.

I've seen a lot of pictures and have an idea that's been forming in my head since childhood.

Today I thought I'd share a place in the Bible that gives a glorious description...

Revelation 21:11

"It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal."

Have you even seen jasper?

I'm not sure I have...

Here's a bit of background info:

In ancient times JASPER 

was a collective name for opaque stones but it is clear 

that in the New Testament the Jasper is a crystal clear 

transparent stone thought to be a high grade diamond. It is thus

 a fitting symbol to tell forth the glory of God.

http://www.christianshepherd.org/e_books/the_precious_stones_seen_in_the_word_of_god.pdf

Revelation 21:18-19a

"The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone."

The city walls are described in detail in verses Revelation 21:17, 19-20. The above site gives more information about the other precious jewels stated.

Revelation 21:22-23

"I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp."

Taken directly from my Life Application Bible...

"The Holy City, the new Jerusalem is described as the place where God will wipe every tear from our eyes...there will be no death, pain, sorrow, or crying."

Heaven.

I'm joining Spiritual Sundays

Quiet Times...Table for Two

In the hustle and bustle of the season, 

sometimes it's nice to relax and take a little break.

Welcome to my tablescape for this week.

As the morning sun filters in, it's a quiet place to begin our day.
Enjoy!

Table Information:

dishes: antique finds - Noritake "Embassy"

flatware: Ebay - "Shell"

napkins: handmade - re-purposed fabric

tablecloth: vintage

I'm joining the following parties:
Let's Dish
Tablescape Thursday