Mixing Fruit and Flowers for an Inexpensive Tablescape
One thing about blogging is that you generally receive nice comments (99.9% of the time), and then an occasional comment that is really critical. If you’re a blogger, you know what I mean.
I so appreciate my faithful readers here at RE who know me and what my blog and message is about. Thank you!
Recently a reader said my “blog” and a “table post” was too bright and colorful, that my dishes were too-perfect, and she said I paid too much for my asparagus – which made me smile, because I bought it on sale right before Easter! (Ha! How did the reader know what I spent?)
Imperfect and inexpensive is what RE is about:
– I love a bright and cheery table.
– I most always use what I have in the house, this time, flowers from the yard (leftover roses from my daughter’s bouquet), and apples we are going to eat!
– If you notice, my son set the table and the silverware were placed in far from perfect order and spacing.
– I never pay too much for asparagus. I usually shop “what’s in season.”
– My white dishes are 20 years old in June this year (when my husband and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary).
– My tablecloth is from Wal Mart.
– Paper napkins were left over from last year’s Easter meal.
Should I add that I shop at the Dollar Store? I love my $1 goblets.
Enough said …
Beautiful is a must, but expensive rarely happens in my house.
Moving on to the centerpiece …
Whoever thought you could mix fruit and flowers?
How to Make a Fruit and Flower Centerpiece
– Decide which tablecloth and napkins you’ll be using
– Choose a fruit that matches your “setting.”
– Stack your fruit on a plate or bowl, into a tier.
– Look for flowers that will match your “setting.”
– Cut the stems short and place in the holes between the stacked fruit.
So beautiful and simple.
Do you have a Springy, simple and easy centerpiece that you’ve recently made for entertaining table?
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Dear Sandy, never you mind mean comments… they are usually caused by jealousy…perhaps s/he was in a moment of desperation about her own life, wanting to make things better, but just didn’t know how.. I’m sure your reply post will make her feel better about it.
I have always respected your work even though we lead totally different lives and share different opinions. I live on the other side of the world, I don’t have a strong faith as you do, I’m still thinking if my husband and I should have children, I believe every woman needs to have a career, I may never own a house as pretty as yours-basically because here, if you have a house like that, you must be a billionaire :)) ….etc etc… my point is; yes we are completely different, but still I can see the sincerity and love in your writing, and I allow it to help me in my life.
When I need to see the beauty of domestic life, I turn to your blog. When I need some encouragement about inviting my friends over, again I turn to your blog. Sometimes when I read your posts, it feels like I’m chatting with a lovely neighbor.
It is easy to say negative things, to find “faults”… but it is also toxic.
There is so much to be gained if we really look to see what we can learn from that “other” person…maybe her asparagus is too expensive but I may realize that it’s a good idea to use napkins with tulips on them…maybe her table looks too bright and beautiful, even if I cannot reach that kind of beauty, it might inspire me to give my house a thorough cleaning…
We can learn from everything and everyone. When we have love in our hearts, the world becomes larger and prettier..
Thank you for your inspiring work dear Sandy, please let us know if you ever come to Greece :)
Thank you for your loving comment, Athina, and for your loyalty to RE. I’ve always appreciated your insight and comments that you’ve shared here. For me, life is about loving God and People. :)
Finally the truth emerges about the goblets I’ve admired so much! You shop the same place I do. I always find it very sad when people forget their manners in the comment section. How very rude of them. constructive is okay, but prattling on about stuff just because is just plain rude. Sorry it happened to you. Love your cheery tables and your blog.. A whole lot. Good thing it wasn’t my Cinco de Mayo table that was so very very colorful – that person would have had a heyday! And a belated Happy mother’s day to you!
Thanks, Marlis.
I’ve written about my Dollar Store goblets for almost 5 years now. That’s why it’s the RE icon.
https://reluctantentertainer.com/meet-sandy/
Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Right. So, since I live in the south, let me say that the person that judged your blog post so harshly can KISS. YOUR. GRITS.
Whatever. Sounds like someone has an issue or two of her own to work on, with the primary one being jealousy! K. I should shut up now, because I’m going to be guilty of doing the exact same thing.
ha! thanks, girl.
You have nothing to explain to anyone! Go live it up and spend as much on asparagus as you want, sister! Love the centerpiece and the combo of the fruit and flowers.
I am always impressed with your tablescapes, the only thing “expensive” is that they make me want to go out and buy tablecloths! (which is a bad idea because I don’t even know the size of our table!)
As for the negative post, whatever happened to the old addage of “if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all”! I think the anonymity of the internet makes people say things that they’d never say in a face to face conversation.
Jen, check out Good Will on a weekly basis if you have the time. I have a beautiful La Sur Table tablecloth that I bought for $3.99. A bargain! You don’t have to buy brand new! :)
This setting of the table just makes me feel happy. Love the color choices! Frugal, too.
Love the rich jewel tones in your fruit and flower centerpiece!
Hi Sandy,
I think your blog posts are gorgeous, and they look like they are always “professionally done.” I loved your post about your chipped dishes, too. It was honest and encouraging for beginning entertainers.
I also think that some people like yourself are just natural with decorating and finding the right colors. And some of us, me included, have to work at it. Do I get jealous of that ability? Absolutely. But I have different giftings, too.
Comments that challenge us are great chances to check our motivation and then move on. You are such a gift to women who want to be more hospitable. Great post!
jan
Thank you, Jan. Positive and uplifting and I appreciate you and your blog, too!
I am always inspired by your blog & how you welcome us into your home & family like we are all your best friends. I would not change a thing about your style. Eliminate the negative & accentuate the positive!
Amen, Sis-tah! Thank you!
I read that comment, and I was surprised, too! I wanted to reply, but the comment was so off base from what I read on your blog that I didn’t know what to say. You were graceful in your response, though.
I will say that your blog and book have encouraged me to openly share all I have. In the past several months we’ve hosted a cookie decorating party, our son’s birthday party, my husband’s birthday party, dinners with a college student, two small dinner parties, and also dropped off several dinners as friends or others need them. Every week brings us an opportunity to share our lives with someone, and our lives have been richer for it. It is a joy for my entire family.
And I have a bowl of lemons and limes on my table right now ~ I’ll have to add some flowers if I can find the right ones in the yard. Gotta love free and beautiful! Thanks!
I love lemons or limes with flowers. I think I have a centerpiece in my post today with lemons (but didn’t point it out). Easy and affordable. Thanks for your encouragement, Laura!