Homecoming Dinner

My favorite tablescapes are the

 ones that can be enjoyed

by friends and family.

And this tablescape was lovingly done

for my beautiful daughter Madison 

and 4 of her most excellent friends

for dinner prior to Homecoming.

Madison helped pick the colors.

White... Pink...Blue

And for this evening we pulled out 

our rose china and "wedding" flatware.

A few dollars of grocery store clearance flowers

and two mini teapots became

sweet flower arrangements. 

Chocolate cover strawberries so fresh

that they steamed the glass!

The mudroom counter transferred to a perfect place

to stage drinks and dessert!

Homemade Mocha/ Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

Twizzlers- they make mouths happy! 

And did everyone have a good evening?????

These beautiful faces don't lie!

I am linking to Tablescape Thursday

over at Between Naps on the Porch!

Thank God for Girl Friends

This past week I was busy

getting ready for our Ladies' Spring Outreach at 

my church.

I was in charge of the gathering and assembling 

the give-a-way baskets,

 decorating the information and registration tables,

and was assistant to Kelly, who was in charge of all the food!

How else better to get women to the information table....

candy and gift baskets!

Aren't these shoes the cutest!

I made them to use for table decorations

and table numbers place cards.

The ladies loved the orange segments and Twizzlers.

We had 33 dessert tables and each table

had a hostess who had the freedom

to decorate at will!

All the tables were so unique and beautiful!

Here are a few of my favorites!

We asked for skilled bakers to bring a variety of goodies!

And these were served on tiers at each table!

Men from the church came and served the tables

filling and refilling glasses with water, tea and coffee!

This table was perfect for spring!

The table number shoe!

We served Chex Mix in white cupcake holders

surrounded by lovely paper surrounds.

I loved these clear square plastic plates

with a bright napkin underneath!

This table was decorated by my dear art teacher friend, Gail!

Each tier was topped with fresh fruit!

Our speaker was a local Christian comedian!

All in all

 the evening was a huge success!

And I can breath sigh of relief that it is over...

...till next year!

I am linking to Tablescape Thursday

over at Between Naps on the Porch!

A Midnight Snack

Yesterday my daughter, Madison, and I made cupcakes!

I love a good coffee cupcake

and came across the following Paula Dean recipe

Chocolate Cupcakes with Coffee Cream Filling.

Since I had most of the ingredients

I decided to give it a try!

Of course, I had all the needed ingredients for

everything except the filling!

Oh Well...

Even without the filling the cup cakes were

YUMMY!

(next time we will make the filling too!)

The homemade butter cream icing was the perfect topping!

Madison enjoyed using her creative skills

to frost each cake!

We halved the recipe,

making 12 large cupcakes

and

12 mini ones, too!

These were just too good to pass up on a midnight snack!

I love my  Grandma's candlewick plates!

Should I save you one?

I am joining Susan for

Tablescape Thursday

over at

Between Naps On the Porch!

What it could have been...

Have you ever tried starting a new tradition?

Maybe alittle something different for the holidays?

This could have been my Thanksgiving Tablescape

Simple silver, white and cream...

Some dried grass for the centerpiece...

If this would have been my table...

I would have added my best silverware!

Even have wrapped a napkin

 in the handmade tassels!

If this had been my Thanksgiving table 

the glasses would have been filled...

The plates would have been filled...

and refilled

and in our family...

refilled again!

Eventually, the table would have been cleared..

A puzzle put in it place...

And someone would have been stuck

hand washing all those dishes.

So our new tradition...

paper plates

plastic cups

plastic silverware

and I gain an extra hour with my family!

I am posting with Tablescape Thursday

At Between Naps on the Porch.