Cranberry Glass and Silver Tablescape

For Christmas, I decided to re-purpose my Cranberry Glassware that had traditionally been in one of my guest bedrooms, and bring it to the living room coffee table.

Then I decided to use the cranberry salad plates with my white pottery dishes on the dining table.  Unfortunately they really photo red for some reason.

When I removed the Christmas wreath, I decided to leave the rest and just do a new centerpiece.

I love the look of silver so this is what I came up with.

I pulled out my silver pitcher and a silver gravy boat and tray.  In the gravy boat is a collection of silver demitasse spoons.  There is also our children's first "silver spoon."

 I used a couple of my parent's old books to achieve the desired height for the flowers.  They carry out the "old" theme of the silver pieces, I think.

 I love the way the flowers repeat the color of the glassware.  Wouldn't rosy red roses be perfect on the table for Valentine?

Last weekend, a friend and I went to an antique show and I found these beautiful little Cranberry Glass candle holders.  So they now reside on my coffee table along with their taller siblings.

I also added a small strand of tiny lights.  We love their reflection in the mirror.

Recently, I acquired three additional pieces of the berry glass and decided the foyer table was the perfect place to use them.  I love the way the sunlight streaming in from the front door plays off this beautiful glass.

This glass also introduces the color that I use as an accessory color in almost every room of our home.  It may be a pillow, or an item on a table, or found in a painting or art work.  I love the continuity of color as it flows throughout.

I used a crystal cake plate to elevate the two bowls.  I love to stack pieces to create height and interest.

The crystal cake plate also ties in with all the crystal pieces on the bottom of the table and the berry is lovely against the wall color.

So this is my winter and probably spring decor.  So far I am very pleased with the way it looks.

Linking to Amaze Me Monday

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

Joyce is definitely in the sea-side mood today with her Antigua holiday.  I so appreciate her faithfulness to bring us all together around her well thought out questions week after busy week in her life.  Thank you Joyce.  So click HERE to see how the others have answered their questions.

1. "The cure for anything is salt water-tears, sweat, or the sea." (Isak Dinesan) Would you agree? Of the three, which has 'cured' you most recently?

The "cure for anything" part is in question, but the only one of the options applicable to me is "sweat".  We have a new Pilates instructor and she is really making us old ladies work hard. It is good to be challenged, but my muscles pay for the cure afterward.

2. What's something you can't eat without salt? Do you normally salt your food a lot, a little, or not at all? 

We do not eat much salt and when we do it is either Kosher or Sea Salt.  Last week Dick made a vegetable beef soup and I asked if he could add a little more salt to it.  Normally, we only use a tiny bit if at all on our food.  We do however, use a lot of spices.

3. Sands of time, bury your head in the sand, built on sand, or draw a line in the sand...which sandy phrase could best be applied to something in your life right now? 

I guess "sands of time" would most apply to me right now.  See my random thought in #8.

4. A favorite book, movie, or song with an island setting or theme?

Definitely the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "South Pacific."  Several of its songs have become popular standards, such as "Bali Ha'i", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair", "Some Enchanted Evening", "There Is Nothing Like a Dame", "Happy Talk", "Younger Than Springtime", and "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy."  But, one of our favorites is  "This Nearly Was Mine" sung by Rossano Brazzi in the 1958 movie.  But our favorite rendition was done by Brian Stokes Mitchell in a 2005 concert version of the show.

5. Yesterday-did you run your day or did it run you? How so?

I ran it and it was a good day.  I began the day by sitting with a good friend while she endured a treatment of chemo then drove her home.  I then met another good friend after her doctor appointment for lunch and some shopping.  Later in the day, Dick and I watched a pre-recording of the Notre Dame vs. Syracuse basketball game on ESPN in order to see Son John and Grandson Jackson who had court side seats.  It was so much fun to see them up close from so far away.
  
6. You're on an island holiday. Will I most likely find you parked in a beach chair, shopping in town, on the back of a jet ski, or snorkeling off the back of a catamaran?

Just to be clear, an island is not my first choice for a holiday.  However, should that ever be the case you would most likely find me shopping in town.  Reason?  I am all about protecting my aging skin at this point in my life after being a teenage sun worshiper.  Another reason?  I'm sure that my mental image of myself in a swim suit would not match with reality.  So why prove it.  Just say'n!

7. What do you think we humans most take for granted?

Time

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Several years ago, I joined Ancestry.com in hopes of tracking my dad's side of the family.  I inherited from my mom a book tracing the Colvin side back to the early 1700's, so I didn't feel as compelled to start with that line.  I haven't progressed that far back on the Lazenby line, but it has been a very interesting search.

My Great Grandfather, William Andrew Colvin

Along the way, I have compiled trees for both sides and I am amazed at the documentation available such as census and marriage/death records from the 1800's.  I have not upgraded my membership to enable my search to extend to the European linage, but I'm thinking about it.  I am also considering doing the DNA test.  Have any of you done that?  Anyway, this look back into the "sands of time" has been most enjoyable and has put me in touch with a long-lost cousin.  That was nice.

Introducing Hudson House

A year ago, as part of my "Love Your Home" series, I featured the home of Jan Hudson.  This has been the most viewed post on my blog, incidentally and can be found HERE.

Jan and her husband own a furniture store and clothing boutique appropriately called
Hudson House.

Jan and I have discussed doing a series of posts on wardrobe planning because she is a master at knowing how to put together clothing pieces to build a wardrobe.  That will be coming in the near future, but I first want to introduce you to Hudson House.

 Located in the Historic Highlands neighborhood, it is like
Turning back time.
 To a time when multiple lamps cast shadows across objects while highlighting others.

 To a time when stark lighting in a room was unheard of - creating harshness rather than warmth.

To a time when gilt and glamor were at home with touches of tapestry, fur, and velvet.

To a time of warmth instead of cold metal racks and shelving.

To a time of romantic clutter and little vignettes where the eye begs to linger a bit longer.

That is Hudson House!

A jewel box full of wearable art and neoclassical furniture and accessories.

Adjoining is a little taste of what can be found in the larger furniture store down the street.

We shall enter this home designer's showcase another time.

In the meantime, when you think of Hudson House, think of romance.

 Linking to Amaze Me Monday

A 50's Pretender?

It is good to be back in the groove with the other Wednesday Hodgepodgers this morning.

Click HERE to see how the others answered the following questions and meet our host, Joyce.

1. ASAP typically stands for 'as soon as possible'. What else could it stand for in your life right now? 

 "A Snap And Post"  This afternoon, I will be snapping pictures at a local boutique that will be the inspiration for some future posts on wardrobe planning.  So, snap and post it is right now.

2. Are you the last person to speak up in a group or the first to have an idea? Why do you suppose that is? Is it a good thing or no?

Normally, I am the last to speak up, but as I have aged I have become less inhibited and sometimes find it imperative that others know what I think.  I think it is because as I said, we lose some of our inhibitions as we get older and care less about what others think of us.  It can be both a good thing and not so good at times.  What people need to understand is that we older folks have all this wisdom stored up that just eventually must be shared.  (Laugh!)

3. What do you remember best about being 12? 

 Geez, that was 60 years ago!  What I do remember from that period was loving to be outside.  We lived in the country so there were no movies and other "places" to go for entertainment; therefore, we made our own.  I had a very vivid imagination, so spent days on end with my younger sister pretending to be teachers, cowboys, homemakers, artists, etc.  It was a great childhood.

4. January 18th is National Winnie the Pooh Day. Which character do you relate to the most, and why? If you're stumped go here for inspiration. 

Can you see a pattern of pretend and giving advice emerging here?

5. What's an app you use that helps simplify or make life easier for you in some way? 

Where do I start?

I use Siri for texting, especially while driving. 

I also rely on the Weather Channel app because in Louisiana the weather is always unpredictable this time of year.

My Kindle app for reading

My Essential Oil Reference app

My Capital One app for making deposits and checking statement

6. San Francisco (CA), San Diego (CA), San Juan (PR) San Antonio (TX) Sanibel (FL)...you have an all expenses paid long weekend to one of these destinations. Which one do you choose and why?

San Francisco (CA).  We have been there only once and really didn't have enough time to devote to that fascinating city.  But, for those of you who haven't visited San Antonio, I encourage you to do so.  It is a great place to spend some time.
 

7. Share with us a song that makes you feel nostalgic? For what?

Any song by the Platters will send me into a nostalgic mood, but especially "The Great Pretender."  (Are you seeing a theme continuing to develop here?)  I think these are some of my teenage favorites from a time when I was full of emotion and hormones.  But, let it be understood!  I do not wish to go back to that time in my life whatsoever so it is not a nostalgic feeling of longing!

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

This past Sunday night was the big social event at Penn H. S. in Mishawaka, IN where our granddaughters attend. SNOWBALL!

You may recall that while we were in Dallas for the Cotton Bowl, they did some dress shopping.  Savannah found hers right away, but Mary-Elizabeth did not.  However, a few days later she did find the perfect one and I love it on her.  It so suits her vivacious personality and Natural body style.  Also, Mom said they both had a field day shoe shopping while in the Big D.

Here are my Princesses in their perfect-for-them dresses, all ready for Snowball.

Big Brother was in from college to see his sisters on their special night.

Their distinct personalities are so evident in this picture.  Love it!!!

This was Savannah's last Snowball as she will be going off to college next year.  Making special memories can also be a bit sad.

Notice the gorgeous shoes that are the perfect accessory for the dress and highlight those gorgeous legs.  She is "Miss Elegance" for sure.

If I sound like a proud grandmother, then I must be one!