Home is … a Springy Tablescape and Memories around the Table!
Welcome to Home is … Day here at RE! This week we’re sharing a Springy Tablescape! I don’t know if you were a part of last week’s party, but I really enjoyed reading the posts about art and photography in our homes!
Today I’ll start with my story, and then you can link up and share yours, okay? And don’t forget my friend Susan, from Between Naps on the Porch, who weekly hosts Tablescape Thursday!
One thing I love about setting a table is the simplicity of it. It is not pleasant for me to look at a table that is piled high with centerpieces and so much clutter that you can’t even find a fork. Some people may say my style is too simple. But last night, I think we had so much fun around our table outside, no one would have noticed the simplicity.
The first thing I did was look around the yard to see what flowers were blooming. Rhodies, bright and beautiful.
Then I went to the closet where my tablecloths were hanging and I chose a plain cloth, one that would go with pink. Brown it was.
White dishes and ironed white napkins.
Simple Dollar Store goblets.
Wah-lah … the table was set!
It happened to be my son’s 16th birthday on Monday, so we invited a few extra guests. (Yes, I must be sleeping here, but it was the best pix of everyone else!)
We enjoyed a wonderful meal together. With some funny fishing stories (future post). My standard is pretty much simple – all the time. I’d rather put my energy into getting a tasty meal on the table, making sure that everyone has elbow room, although sometimes we’re pretty packed in around the table.
I’ve always said that you can have the most gorgeous tablescape and bad or boring conversation. What’s better? I know what I’d rather have.
Are you a simple tablescaper? Or do you get into the fancy stuff, and produce a more detail-oriented table?
Either way is great! We all know it’s really about the connection. Food is a conduit to amazing experiences!
Not it’s your turn … link up and share your springy tablescape!
About Home is …
Each Wednesday you can link up here at RE, to a different theme that I will share in advance … which may be something like a beautiful set table, fresh flowers in the kitchen, dishes in your hutch, a meal on the stove, a family heirloom, a yard sale find and how you put it to use, pictures on the walls, music being played in the background … a feeling, a smell, a touch.
Each week I will provide you (on my sidebar) the theme each week which will hopefully inspire you!
Let’s share our links and have some fun! Please link directly to Reluctant Entertainer by post (exact URL) …no home pages please! And please, link back to RE! And don’t forget to visit one another’s blogs!
Thank You for participating!
Well, I aspire to have cabinets full of dishes, and drawers full of linens and gardens full of flowers, but in my real life, we also struggle with elbow room when we are packed around the table. When my mother passed away, I invite my dad and my five kids and their “others” and my brothers, etc , to all come once a week for dinner. My first concern is enough food, second is enough chairs.
I think your table is lovely. Simple is always elegant!
.-= Miss Merry´s last blog ..Roosters in the Roost =-.
Simply elegant!
Well, jusssst great. I really don’t need another blog to love and add to the addiction pile, but I found this.
I love your simplicity. I’m a simplicity seeker myself. I also love the concept of a “home is” party. How fun. I will enjoy reading the posts.
I agree simplicity and good conversation can’t be beat!
.-= minkey and nannykim´s last blog ..Tablescape Thursday =-.
I have been reading your blog for quite sometime now, but just had to comment. I have always struggled with entertaining, feeling like things weren’t good enough, clean enough, whatever enough. Even hurt my sweet husband’s feelings a few times when he suggested having people over, because he feels (and rightly so) that we have a great house that he provided for me, and I should be proud to show it off. I couldn’t make him understand that it wasn’t our home, it was me… lacking self confidence. Anyway, fast forward several years. We have recently purchased a little place at a nearby lake… definitely a fixer up! We spent Memorial Day weekend there, and had 17 of our sons friends over to play and boat and swim!!! Without the fixing up part done yet! I could have never done this without having read your blog daily for about a year now…. you are truly a blessing to me and a giver of confidence!!!!! Thank you so much for your willingness to be real and your wonderful creativity! We will be hosting lots more informal get togethers, both at the lake and at home!!!
The table is lovely, but I was really smitten by the food. I just made baby roasted potatoes on the grill, but did mine in foil…I love the idea of using one of those pans. Must try soon! We love green beans too. Must get another pan! :)
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..The Hat Junkie =-.
If anything, it’s simple for us! I do love to look at pretty tables though, just doesn’t fit with our life right now!
.-= Gina´s last blog ..A Tablescape for Real Life =-.
I didn’t link up today (long story), but I’m a simple gal when it comes to just about everything in life, and especially cooking and setting a table. One of these days I’ll post how we do it in Texas (at least how we do it at my place). :) Love your simple and elegant table.
.-= Dayle´s last blog ..The Gift of Silence =-.
I think I will enlarge that beautiful pic of your salmon, potatoes and green beans on the grill , then frame it and hang it in my kitchen as art!
Gotta go, I am now very hungry! LOL
I love nothing more than a pretty tablescape, but lately seem to be going for a more casual approach.
Though I think I’m going to rev things up this Summer with my new Shabby Chic Dishes. Love your dollar store goblet, they would be perfect!
Your tables are always so beautiful and well done!
I have missed the last couple “home is” weeks and was glancing at the side bar to check out the topics for future weeks to get my thoughts going.
I now see it will not resume until the fall. *sigh* Guess I will have to do better at being prepared…
.-= Donnetta´s last blog ..The Recent Things of My Days =-.
THe food on the grill looks amazing!!! I didn’t get a chance to post this week, my internet was down and I just haven’t had time, but I’m going to browse everyone elses settings!!
This blog is just…beautiful. And inspiring.
Oh, I definitely love your simple tablescape!! It’s perfect. I love that you use real plates and glasses! That’s a quality kinda simple that is such a pleasure to bask in! So you know me…I mostly do quality simple….and love to reserve fancy for the biggest occasions. :)
And I just knew you had tablecloths that were hung up! I’ve got to get set up like that, too. I wish I had the space in my kitchen or pantry for something like that.
.-= ClassiclyAmber´s last blog ..Simple Celebrations – on The Reluctant Entertainer =-.
I go back and froth between simple and elaborate…depends on my mood and the occasion. We often have some very elaborate ones here when the kids decide to help!
.-= Holly L´s last blog ..I {heart} Pink and Green! =-.
My toenails are currently the color of those flowers. ; )
Or no tablescape! :) We were invited to a family’s brand new house they’d just finished building, and they have 8 children (the youngest 2 months). The cheery yellow plaid tablecloth that matched with the light yellow walls was just darling, and our paper plates and plastic cups didn’t detract from our memorable conversation :) I thought of your blog and how you’re always promoting the “it-doesn’t-have-to-be-perfect-to-be-awesome” mentality, and this family definitely hit the nail on the head. I will always remember their generosity, and thank you for helping me notice it!
Whoops! I don’t think I fit into the ‘simple’ category! :) Happy birthday to your son! It looks like a great time was had! I think the Rhodies are beautiful! Thanks for hosting!
Michelle
I am a very simple tablescaper. We use white dishes and real glasses at every meal, so it doesn’t take much to make the table look inviting! Fresh flowers and tea lights make my family feel like they are extra special {which they are} Nothing really changes when we have guests over unless it is for a celebration ie birthday, Christmas, graduation etc.
Beautiful my friend. Simply beautiful. Unfortunately my tablescape is being packed away. This move has got me pretty preoccupied.
I must say, I was drooling over the food on the grill. Yum!
HUGS!
.-= Kim @ Homesteader’s Heart´s last blog ..Word-Filled Wednesday! Moving! =-.