Fall Fruit Tablescape

Good Morning!  What a wonderful day it is here!  The sky's have opened up and it's raining a bountiful blessing all over our freshly planted sod.  That makes me very happy!

I  feel so thankful for quite a bit lately!  After finishing my setting for Tablescape Thursday today, I stood back and looked at it and couldn't help but think how much it reminds me about the fruits of the spirit. I think setting a pretty tablescape for those you love is definitely a reflection of the fruit of the spirit.  It's even more fun when you create one that actually reflects that message.  Now, I don't seriously think the Mr. will really pick up on all that y'all, but at least I can and maybe you too!

These photos are going to be a little dark because it's quite overcast today.

That's why I decided to make a centerpiece out of my electric candle.

I think it's kinda romantic too!

Here's my setting! I brought out quite a bit of layers for this one. 

I started with my brown crochet place mats.  

Then added a bamboo charger.

The dinner plates are from my everyday dishes.

 I  then added a burgundy salad plate to give this setting more contrast and add a touch of fall color.

That was topped off with one of my everyday salad/dessert dishes.

My dinner napkins have fruit on them also.  It's hard to see in these photos but they actually have a blackish brown background.

I couldn't help myself, I just had to bring this bamboo flatware back out.  I just love this set.  If you don't have any yet.  You really should get some!  They literally go well with so much!

I finally got a chance to bring out the green goblets I've been itching to use this time of year.

Here's how they all stacked up!

Here's a few closeups of the centerpiece I put together on our lazy susan.  

I added a fruit candle ring to the light then mixed in a a small fall garland of flowers...

...and surrounded that with several ceramic pumpkins to add to the mix.

A little cream and sugar...

...along with salt and pepper and we're all set!

Placemats; Tuesday Morning

Chargers; Thrift store

Dinner & Salad Plate; Ross, pattern: Market Basket

Burgundy Salad; Pier 1 (from Goodwill)

Napkin; Tomlinson's Warehouse

Napkin Ring; Lenox Outlet

Flatware; Home Goods

Goblets; Walmart (Better Homes & Garden)

Cream & Sugar; Yardsale

Salt & Pepper; Cracker Barrel

Fruit Candle Ring; Home Interiors

Floral Garland; Michaels

Ceramic Pumpkins; Hobby Lobby & Dollar Tree

Thanks for stopping by today!

I hope you have a wonderful afternoon, rain or shine!

Praising God's Blessings!

Isn't it wonderful how the arrival of fall brings a reminder to all of us to count our blessings and to be thankful.  That's one of the things I love about fall!  With our recent blast of cooler temperatures it was wonderful to see so many of my FB friends status's reflecting gratitude.  Along with that, it's interesting to read all about what everyone is looking forward to with the arrival of fall. 


 This change in season can also remind us of time and our own mortality.  It is a time to remember our maker and a time to give thanks to God. I generally give thanks to God daily for all sorts of things in my little conversations with God.  However, this time of year often brings about a deeper reflection for me of all that I am thankful for.  Does the arrival of fall also do this for you?

In my foyer I've set a warm welcome of fall for our guests and for our family, along with a gentle reminder.

I found this pumpkin a few years ago at Carolina Pottery.  I love the message on this pumpkin.  I can immediately even hear the church organ every time I read it.  My husband and I have been a member of a few different denominations over the years, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian.  It is a doxology we are well familiar with and enjoy singing heartily even though each denominations music is different.

"Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow"

Another doxology in widespread use in English, in some Protestant traditions commonly referred to simply as "The Doxology" and in others as “The Common Doxology”,^[3] is "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow". The words are thus:

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

(taken from Wikipedia)

These have been very trying times for many!  I myself was also a casualty of the downward spiral in the job market.   I worked in a small private owner gift and embroidery retail shop.  It was in this position that I realized my love of arranging decor through merchandise displays.   It was one of the things I enjoyed most next to getting to know our customers personally.  

Over the last few years I've been fortunate enough to enjoy being at home while looking for another job that would allow me to continue to work in an environment I enjoy.  It's been a long and tedious search with a few disappointments along the way.  I've come to terms with the fact that another position with a small private owner retailer in my area is very rare as most are still hanging on by a thread. 

After several prayers and answered blessings I am happy to say I am going back to work this fall.  I feel so blessed for the time I've been at home.  I am so thankful to have been available 100% for my husband and his family during his father's battle with terminal cancer.  That is a time God has given me that I will never forget.    It has also been very fun catching up on several decor projects, learning how to blog, taking and downloading pictures, and especially learning how to tablescape.  I have loved it all and am so thankful for each and every day.  I've learned much about myself these past few years.  I've also learned to appreciate how much I enjoy employment.  Working for me not only brings about an extra income but also a sense of personal fulfillment.  I've held so many various part time positions over the years and feel so blessed for the experience that each and every one has offered.  My resume is quite diverse to say the least.  I am very happy for this opportunity to return to work in retail again.

  I've accepted a position with Stein Mart.  They are building a new store in one of our busiest shopping areas located only 2o to 25 minutes from where I live.  I will soon be among several who will be stocking and setting up the store.   I've done this before many years ago when Kohls first came to our area as well.  It is hard work, but also lot's of fun. I know I'm weird that way!  I'm actually thrilled to have the opportunity to start out this way so my memory gets the chance to know each and every corner.  I am hopeful that all will go well and the doors will open on time, October 15th.  I know, wow, right?

I've got one more week of freedom before I start the schedule shuffle.  I am not sure how my blogging is going to play out but I'm planning to hang in there as much as I can.  I hope all of you who follow will hang in there as many of you have.  I've been putting up the fall decor as quick as possible lately, attending my yearly Dr.'s appointments, helping finish off the pool area, sailing, and so many other life events I don't blog about so I do hope you understand why things have slowed down from me.  

I plan to keep visiting you as often as possible but please feel free to drop by and remind me to stop in and say hello anytime.  I really do appreciate the reminders too!

I am linking this to The Tablescapers

Seasonal Sunday.

Please visit the link above for all things related to the Season.

Praising God from whom all Blessings Flow!

Have a Blessed Sunday!

Gratitude is an Attitude!

Good Monday Morning! It's been awhile since I've posted a Mary's Meditating Mind post so I hope you won't mind that I just had to share these thoughts with you today.  I thinking it's quite appropriate at the start of a new week as well!  

Late yesterday afternoon my husband and I were lounging around at the sailing club beach, when a family came up on their sailboat and unloaded.  Two small boys jumped out running down the docks as their father yelled, "Don't run on the docks!"  They were oblivious to him in their joy and conversation with each other.  As they neared us and walked by they were deep in conversation.  I overheard them as one boy said to the other, "Well, highlight number one today was that I woke up to enjoy a new day!  Because if you don't wake up your dead, so waking up is a highlight right?"  

Yes, dear sweet little one, we should count each new day as a highlight for sure!  How often do we trudge into a new day with the same old ho hum attitude?  We can either spend the day just muddling through or looking for highlights.   Being grateful is often a frame of mind though, isn't it?  Sometimes we are bursting forth with gratefulness then at other times have to work towards it.   One of my favorite quotes is on this plaque on my bathroom wall.  I see it everyday but I am not so sure I "really see it" everyday. 

Monday 7/18/2011

Highlight #1....waking up to a new day!

Hightlight#2...remembering a young boys conversation and attitude of gratitude!

Thanks for joining me today,

Hope you have a great day!

Mary