All posts in category Holidays

Memorial Day Tablescape

Memorial Day is coming!  It is the start of summer as far as many are concerned.  It means a day for picnics too.

BUT….. Most importantly it is a day to remember our great armed forces and the men and women who have given their blood, sweat, tears and their lives for our freedom and our wonderful country.  I am very fortunate to never have lost a loved one to war.  Still and all, I’m so terribly grateful to these wonderful people.

This is my tablescape in their memory.

I wanted to make a Red, White and Blue table, but since I’ve just begun tablescaping, I really didn’t have much in these colors.  I picked up some blue and red dishes at the local Goodwill for a song.  I used a full size white tablecloth on the bottom, with a smaller blue one on top.  I didn’t have a table runner so I folded a red table cloth and used it for one.   I had the white placemats and the red vase so I just needed some colorful flowers and some cute little decorations, flags and whatnot.

Of course no summer BBQ is complete without fresh lemonade. It tastes so good.

 Oh yes, my napkins came from the Goodwill store too.  I picked up my star napkin rings at either Kohl’s or Steinmart, I forget.  I think they go great on this table.

I was even fortunate enough to find this cute apron at the Goodwill (my new home away from home).

 Last night I learned the basketweave at my cake decorating class.  I had missed last week because I my face surgery.  Consequently, I don’t have any flowers made for the top of my cake.  I think I did a pretty good job for my first basketweave.  What do you think?

 

 Tonight I’m going to slice strawberries over the top of the cake.  I think it will be so yummy.

 I hope you all have a wonderful day on Memorial Day.

I will be celebrating with Let’s Dish at Cuisine Kathleen and Between Naps on the Porch

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26 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on May 23, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Holidays, Tablescaping

Posted by Ellen Beeton on May 23, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/memorial-day-tablescape/

Some Things That Make My Heart Smile

Just wanted to share a few more things that add joy to my life.

Backyard in summer time.  Ready for BBQing and swimming.

 

Backyard hibiscus

Roses in front yard of my son’s house.

 Next cake which is much much better than the last one.

 Flowers we learned in cake decorating class last week.

And my favorite.  This is my great-grandson, 2 year old Deegan and his Daddy, Ryan.

Deegan was misbehaving and is getting a serious talking to!  I love the look on his face, so serious, but listening to every word.

Hubby always tells me that it doesn’t take much to make me happy.  I think it’s because I’ve spent time in both “unhappiness” and “happiness” and  I must say,. happiness gets my vote.  It’s a choice I make each and every day.  Like I always say – Life is ALWAYS Good no matter what might be showing up at the moment.

Happy Mother’s Day!

11 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on May 12, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Food, Gratitude, Holidays, Inspiration, Joy, Uncategorized

Posted by Ellen Beeton on May 12, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/some-things-that-make-my-heart-smile/

Mother’s Day Tablescape

I’m very happy to make my Mother’s Day tablescape in honor of my mother.  She has been gone now 25 years, but I can still hear her voice and see her smile.  My mother was extraordinary.  Her life was devoted to her family.  She always tried to make things special for each of her children and grandchildren.  I remember her at the sewing machine for hours on end when I was a little girl, making all my school clothes and clothes for all my dolls.  She also loved the horses, racing that is.  She asked her minister if she could tithe her winnings.  He said yes, absolutely!  My mother was very lucky too, hm… interesting.

I am fortunate to have received her china.  I don’t know how old it is, but I remember it all my life and I’m 62.  It is plain, white with 24 carat gold rim.  Mother like to use color with her white china.  Today I’m using gold.  I picked it because gold is a treasure, just like my mom.

 

I chose a linen while table cloth to cover the table and then a delightful gold smaller table cloth that is so very beautiful.

It is one of my treasure I got from the Goodwill store along with the vase, the napkins,the gold chargers and the stemware.

You can’t really see the label on the dishes, but it says

Royal Continental from Germany.

 Of course I got both sets of my napkins at the Goodwill too.  The napkin rings are from Steinmart.

These gold napkins are simply gorgeous.  I couldn’t wait to use them.

Here is my Mother’s Day cake.  Not perfect by any means, it’s only my third cake since I’ve started cake decorating classes.

I enjoyed making it just the same.

I have been scouring the Goodwills for a beautiful cake plate and haven’t had any luck yet.

In the meantime, I have many beautiful crystal plates that were my mother’s so

of course I used this lovely plate for the cake.

I love fresh flowers on my table, but this time it’s just JoAnn’s fakery!

 They still are very beautiful.

 I’m very proud of my 5th tablescape.  I think I caught the bug!   I’m hooked on tablescapes!  I hope you enjoyed my very simple, but I think elegant table.

I will be celebrating with Let’s Dish at Cuisine Kathleen and

 Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Through Life 

21 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on May 9, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Inspiration, Joy, Tablescaping, Uncategorized

Posted by Ellen Beeton on May 9, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/mothers-day-tablescape/

Hobbies

Well, I promised pictures no matter what they looked like!

On Monday night I went to my first cake decorating class.  I took this same course about a year ago and didn’t do too well.  So I’m trying again.  Tonight there was a lot of instruction on making the proper icing for the cake, for the flowers and for other decorations.  We learned lots of little hints that I didn’t hear about last time, so I’m feeling good about this instructor.

We only used one decorator tip for making stars.  We practiced and then applied our “skill” on cookies.  We were told to bring six.  I bought 12 because I knew I needed a little extra help.  Yes, I said bought.  I wanted them to be round and not the strange shapes my “round” cookies turn into.  We also learned a tip for getting round cookies!

Anyway, here are my results.  I’m so glad I can’t hear you laughing at my mess!

Those top two are my attempt at bunny ears!!

 

 

I tried to make them pretty by putting them under glass. 

Next week we are to bring in a cake (which I will bake) to decorate.

 I might have bitten off more than I can chew though.  Hubby and I are in the midst of taking this great class on prosperity at church.  Since next week will be our 10th and final class, we were asked if any of us wanted to bring a treat for a little party.  I said I would bring my cake that I will be decorating.  Gosh I hope it looks okay.  I’m pretty sure it will taste good though and luckily there will be other yummy desserts too.

A few posts ago I showed you the fabric I got for my spring table runner. It went much faster on my second attempt at quilting. I cut out everything and I’ve completed two of the five squares. I have to sew the other three together. Here’s what they look like so far.

 

 

  It’s really going to be pretty I think.  I’ll take pictures when I finish it and post them.

Since my family is coming in tonight for the week,  I might be too busy to post for a few days.  So, I’m wishing you all a very joyous Easter filled with lots and lots of love, friendship and great food.

16 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on April 4, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Crafts, Family, Food, Holidays, Joy

Posted by Ellen Beeton on April 4, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/hobbies/

More Easter Stuff

Hubby and I volunteer at church every Thursday.  We are actually called “Service Angels.”  Generally we fold the handout for church the following Sunday.  We usually have about 10-15 people show up so it doesn’t take long.  We have to tri-fold 1500 handouts.  We also do anything else that might be needed in bulk.  We stuff envelopes, well, just all kinds of things.

This week we stuffed Easter eggs for the children’s Easter Egg hunt.

 Some of those darn little eggs wouldn’t close!

 We expect about 500 children so our little fingers were working as fast as they could.

We loaded container after container.  I can’t wait until Saturday to see how the kids do.

 So I already posted my Easter tablescape, but here are some of my little decorations around the house.

I got this cute little Easter tablecloth at the Goodwill (of course).

Actually, I got the basket, the crystal candy bowl and the beautiful  spring candle holder at the Goodwill too.

The Lennox vase we got as a wedding gift.  The little bunny came from Walmart.

 This cute little table is the first thing you see in my entry way coming into the front door.

This shelf below, which I just painted, holds some of my cute decorative plates.  It is just above this little table.

 

 I also wanted to show you my new candle holders I got, guess where from!!!

Yep you are right, the Goodwill!

These are on my counter by my table.

Aren’t they pretty!

 Well that’s about it as pictures go.

I’m so excited for tomorrow because my son and daughter in law, Brian and Linda, are coming for the week.  The Saturday before Easter, another of my sons, David, will be coming for the week.  Their visits are going to overlap so we can all get to spend Easter together.  They are bringing with them three granddogs for the visit.  Sugar and Meeka love it when their furfriends arrive.

 Life is certainly GOOD!

6 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on April 3, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Holidays, Joy

Posted by Ellen Beeton on April 3, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/more-easter-stuff/

Easter Table!!

I love decorating for Easter.  It’s so bright and cheery.  The pastels are my favorite.

Here is my Easter Tablescape.

 It all started when earlier this year I found this adorable table runner.  I loved it and decided to decorate around it.  I love the colors.

 

I finally found yellow, pink and purple candles.

 I found my gold chargers and dishes at the Goodwill store too.   The China is called Winley.   The smaller plate under the bowl which I will show in a bit is from my mother’s china.

Actually, I got the tablecloth, the pink basket (which I painted because it wasn’t pink),  the cute little bunnies, the napkins and the largest candlesticks at the Goodwill store too.    It’s my new home away from home.

 

I alread had the stemware and flatware along with the two other pairs of candlestick holders. 

 

 

 

 I couldn’t find any napkin rings that I liked within my budget, so I just tied bows around the napkins and I think they look so cute.

 

 

 

 

This was the most fun I’ve had creating a tablescape even though it’s only my third one.

I’m already planning more.  I think I’ve found my new hobby and I owe it all to you wonderful tablescapers out there in blogland.

27 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on March 31, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Crafts, Holidays, Joy

Posted by Ellen Beeton on March 31, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/easter-table/

St. Patrick’s Day Table

Posting my second tablescape!  I’m so new at this – I know my pictures could stand a little work and my table, well it could use some work too, but I’m having fun with what I have and that’s all that matters, right?

I set a table for four.  Yes, I know the picture could be better.  I can’t believe I didn’t get it centered.

 My bowls, napkins, candlesticks, crocheted table runner and tablecloth all came from the Goodwill store (and the prices were right.)

My little bucket, flowers, beads and chargers came from Michael’s.

I made my napkin rings from St. Pat’s garland I had.  I added the little buttons because we were having house guests that included two little boys who I thought might like to have them.

I thought the table looked cute.  I made the little bows on the orange candles because I had some St. Pat’s ribbon.

 I made some goodies for the kids, cake pops and candy which they LOVED so that made me happy.

Mmmm, yummy!

I hope you all have a great St. Patrick’s Day.

23 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on March 15, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Crafts, Family, Food, Holidays, Inspiration

Posted by Ellen Beeton on March 15, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/st-patricks-day-table/

Valentine’s Day Table

I love reading all sorts of blogs.  I read blogs on dogs, blogs on farms, blogs on beautiful homes, blogs on food and recipes, blogs on crafts and hobbies, and I have recently become interested in reading blogs on tablescapes.

  During the holidays, they are incredible.

So being the type of person I am (a bit copycat, a bit adventurous), I decided I needed to try this.

 First of all, the difficulty I found was that I only had a set of white dishes, besides my Spode Christmas dishes and my mother’s white china.  I noticed people  seemed to have a set not only for every occasion, but for almost every single week and in every color and pattern.  So being the type of person I am (a bit copycat and a bit thrifty) I headed down to my new favorite store, the Goodwill.

So, presenting my first tablescape!

Tea for Two Valentine style

I love candles.  I had to make and tie bows around the white candles because one had broken.  The bow holds it together nicely.

Oh, by the way, the red table cloth and the white lace table cloth were both wonderful finds at the Goodwill.  I also found the blue vase there.  I already had the cute little pink roses.   I had the red napkins, but I didn’t have any napkin rings that would go here.  I only had them for  Christmas and Thanksgiving.  I did, however, have these blue ones so I thought, why not put in some blue, hence the napkin rings and the blue vase.

 So now since I only had the white plates,  I realized I had to go to the Goodwill.  Look at these adorable blue-flowered bowls I found!  They were 99 cents each and they were beautiful!  I got six because you never know.

I had looked for some place mats but just couldn’t find anything I liked until I went to Walmart and found these lovely red wood chargers.  I loved them so here they are.

I guess I could have done a better job of showing my stemware.  They are from Princess House.  I used to sell it in the early 1980s.  I still have quite a bit left.

So pretty.

I’ve had this little tea set forever.  It is not complete, but I still love it.

I added this simply because I think it’s cute.  I put a red candle I had into my little crystal heart dish.  I collect these little figurines and thought that this one was the perfect Valentine’s Day piece.  Then I just pulled out my tin that sort of matches.  It makes me happy every time I look this!

 

 Well, that’s it!  My first (and very amateurish) tablescape.  I only hope they will get bigger and better and more beautiful as I learn this lovely craft.  I had fun.  I worried if you would like it.  Then I decided to just go for it and enjoy myself.

I already bought a cute tablecloth and place mats for Easter.  Yes, at the Goodwill store.  It’s going to be so much fun.

19 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on February 9, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Crafts, Holidays, Inspiration, Joy

Posted by Ellen Beeton on February 9, 2012

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/valentines-day-table/

The Girls Christmas Photos

I wanted to take the girls to get their Christmas pictures taken this year, but it’s not going to happen before we leave for the Christmas holidays. So we will have to make due with last year’s photos. They are pretty adorable if I do say so myself.

Sugar and Meeka wish you the very best

of Christmas holidays ever.

 We used this picture of the two of them for our Christmas card.

Sugar Plum born 9-11-01 Age 10

Look at that sweet face!

Meeka born 5-20-03  Age 8

The little imp!

Don’t you think they look so cute in their Christmas collars mama made them?

I’m pretty sure Santa is coming to bring them lots of treats and toys.


23 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on December 11, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Holidays, Joy, Pets, Uncategorized

Posted by Ellen Beeton on December 11, 2011

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/the-girls-christmas-photos/

Random Decorations

No tree this year because we will be out of town for Christmas.

But I still had to put out a little Christmas cheer.

Even my lovely village that I haven’t put up since 1999.

My table usually looks so beautiful when I have all my Spode Christmas dishes out.  I haven’t decided whether to take them out of not  – just for our enjoyment.  Not having Christmas here this year!

Maybe we will have company next year and I can go crazy with the decorations.

12 Comments
by Ellen Beeton on December 7, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Crafts, Holidays, Joy

Posted by Ellen Beeton on December 7, 2011

https://injoyinmylife.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/random-decorations-2/

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