4th of July Tablescape - 2013

Hi Friends! I am very happy to say I was able to create a beautifully festive tablescape for the 4th this year.    I say this because the last few years I was working I had been so pressed for time at family gatherings that I often resorted to paper plates. I know shame on me right?  Let me assure you there were no paper plates here this year!

We had a very small gathering with only one son, my mother, my brother and his girlfriend and the Mr. and myself.  It was a small crowd but a wonderful afternoon!  We were even able to get in a quick dip in the pool in between afternoon showers which have become an everyday event lately.

I love creating a 4th of July tablescape because for me it's like enjoying the fireworks.  It's when I let my go of the matchy-matchy look and go for the element of pure surprise.  I get such a kick out of combing different patterns, colors and textures this time of year.  I discovered how much I enjoyed mixing it all up several years ago when I created one of my most favorite tablescapes after the 4th.  I called that one American Country because of the elements I used.  Click HERE or on the name to see it.  This year I wanted to stay focused more on the 4th but still mix it up.  Since I have so many pictures to share the rest of my post will be minus the chit chat with a few comments towards the end.  I hope you enjoy!

We enjoyed all our favorites; BBQ, rice and hash, green beans, rolls and sweet tea.  The menu was fairly light because there were so few of us and I wanted to make sure we saved room for the dessert my  brothers girlfriend brought.  

Oh boy, am I glad we did!  This is what is left of what she brought, Strawberry Upside Down Cake.  It was positively delish!  She got the recipe off of AllRecipes.com.  

Because we were going to be outside for a bit I wanted to also provide a little extra refreshments.  I got this very simple recipe off of Pinterest and decided it was the perfect solution.  It's called Spa Water, doesn't that just sound refreshing to you?  I thought so too! 

All you do for this water is mix in fresh strawberrys, pineapple, ice cubes and water.  That's it!  It eventually has a pinkish tint and taste ever so slightly of the fruit.  It's very refreshing to say the least.  I chose this because you could easily add in a bit of wine for a spritzer if you'd like.

I really enjoyed the 4th this year because I didn't get stuffed and had a very nice time visiting with the family, catching up and relaxing.

How about you?  I hope you had a great 4th of July too.  I'd love to hear all about yours!

Here's a list of the accouterments from above to the best of my recollections... 

Lady Bug Dinnerware; Hausenware designed by Libby Wilke - Ross Stores

Lady Bug Cream and Sugar; Hausenware - Ross Stores

Blue Calico Dinnerware and Salad Plates; Queens - TJ Maxx

Burgandy Salad Plates; Toscana Burgundy - Pier 1

Star Shaped Melamine Dishes - Michaels

Hammered Flatware - Gibson - Stein Mart

Green Goblets - Walmart

Star Shaped Salt and Pepper ; Dollar General???

White Placemats with striped borders; Dollar Tree

Yellow Tablerunner; Pottery Barn

Hurricane Vase; Merino's Furniture

Bread Basket w/Fabric Insert; recent thrift store find

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

  Have a wonderful weekend!

Summer Living Room

There is no other time of year that I love more then summer!  I am a summer gal through and through.  I have been know to go outside and sit for short intervals on the porch even when it is 100 degrees or more outside. That's how much I love summer!  

I also adore decorating and changing up things around the house for summer.  I just returned from a long awaited week of vacation at the beach during which I was able to do a little thrifty shopping with my sister in laws.  Since I was chomping at the bit to change up a few things inside, I was thrilled to find out I had today off and was able to get started.  So, if you'd like to take a little tour of my den during one of "my" best times of the year....then come on in!  You are so welcomed!

Our den is quite large and long!  It's taken me years to accept that this is the best furniture layout for this space without breaking it up too much.  

The reason it's taken me years to accept this is that I love to rearrange furniture.  Try as I might and believe me I have, there is no other layout that I like better then what we have shown here.

Here is one of those thrifty finds that I picked up down at the beach last week.

Even the Mr. seems to like this boat.

I decided it would look great front on center on the mantle sitting on top of a few of the Mr's. old sailing books.

My old bamboo mirror always looks great this time of year.

I finally made some headway with the coffee table vignette again.

I liked this set up so much last year that I decided to just put it back the same way again this year.  So much for being unique, huh?

Honestly though, you really cannot beat a tray full of shells...

...and a large hurricane candle with sand and shells can you?

Personally, I would prefer to have a real fern here but I am sure it would not survive.  Most of my inside plants have been suffering greatly since I went back to work.  My ferns outside in the back yard are looking beautiful though.  That's where I've been spending most of my free time lately.  I've always thought of ferns as summer plants.  I love them!

My new lantern is all set and ready for the holidays now too!

How do you like my festive little Longaberger basket?  I've never owned one of those before.  My dept. manager at work gave this to me a few weeks ago.  Isn't it so cute?  I think so!

Thanks for taking the time to stop in for my most favorite time of the year.

I hope you enjoyed your visit.  What about you?  What is your favorite season?

I am joining; 

Tabletop Tuesday

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Have a wonderful week!