ITALY

I want to thank my followers for helping me celebrate my 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary. Now, I'm a little humming bird flying off to smell and taste the wonders of the Eastern Mediterranean's golden Greek islands and then explore the wonderful cities of Catania, Sicily, Naples, Rome, Pisa and Barcelona. 

I will return with new stories and photos.  What a joy it is to share with family and friends my journey thru life.
xoxo
Betty

Tablescape #5

50th Wedding Anniversary Party

July 17, 2010 I enjoyed the one of the most memorable days of my life.  OUR Children and Granddaughters with the help of my TWO fabulous sister-in-laws and their husbands and families surprised my sweetheart and I. They all planned a 50th Wedding Anniversary Party and I didn't have a clue.  We started the day  swimming at my son's house with snacks and soft drinks.

Our granddaughters played in the swimming pool.

 We toured a Craft Brewery and drove to my Sister-in-law's house.

SURPRISE

We arrived around seven in the evening and was surprised by the most elegant back yard dinner party.  The Menu had a Tuscan theme.  OH!!!!! didn't I tell you we are going on a 12 day Mediterranean Romance Cruise in celebration of our Golden Wedding Anniversary.  WOW I am so excited.

This utterly completely fabulous cake is 'Citron Framboise' translation:

Lime Mousse with Raspberries.

 The table was set with a rustic charm

 My talented sister-in-law Kim from Blue Heron Cottage made the beautiful table centerpieces and arranged the table place settings.  Thank you Kim.

 Oh the wonderful olives from the Mediterranean region.

We started off the evening with shrimp and gazpacho dip.

 

The sunflowers and all the other flowers and greens are from Kim's garden.

Ice Tea

Lemonade

and

Fruit flavored Water were served

Grilled Roast Beef and Chicken
Pasta Salad
Crusty Bread
Tomato Basil and Mozzarella Salad
Green Salad

The sweet little flower girl (7 years old) is the amazing women who prepared the beautiful dinner party and provided her home to help my sweetheart and I celebrate our special day.  Thank you Theresa.   

My  Mosaic

Thank you for joining my party.  I hope you had a great time.

I am joining

Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

A Stroll thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday

A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday

I hope you hop back to your favorite party.

Thank you for stopping by. 

Please leave a comment and become a follower

Betty

xoxo

Tablescape #4

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

Sunday,  July 17, 1960 at 2:00 p. m.  I was married.   Saturday,  July 17, 2010 is my  Golden Anniversary.   On this special occasion I wanted to share my wedding day memories with my Wonderful family and Great friends.  And, in celebration of my Golden Anniversary.  I would love to show you a few keepsakes I have saved for 50 years.  There is a Summer Cloche Party at A Stroll thru Life and I thought I would use cloches to show you my keepsakes. 

 Between Naps on the Porch is having Tablescape Thursday.  Golden Anniversary Tablescape is #4.  The soft white cupcakes with white sugar crystals and gold papers remind me of my beautiful wedding cake and the lemonade is very refreshing on a hot July day.

My thrifty find at a party store.  50 says it all.  

 This is my Bridal Headpiece.

 Golden Anniversary reminds me of GOLD.  I found this Limoges cup, saucer and dessert plate at an estate sale.  Just one. OK!!! $10.00 dollars. I love GOLD. 

OK. You're asking why salt and pepper shakers?  Well, our neighbor across the street from where I lived, gave me this pair of sterling silver salt and pepper shakers as a wedding gift.  And, she said "If you give the bride and groom a pair of silver salt and pepper shakers it will bring them luck all through their married life".  Oh my goodness, I think it worked.

 This pair sat on top of my wedding cake. And have moved around for 50 years in a shoe box.  I was very careful with the bottom, because it's just about to fall into a dozen pieces.  I'm so happy they made it to the party. 

I set the table with my 'good china' Style House, Fine China with a platinum edge trim. It was made in Japan and the pattern is called 'Rhythm'.  The silverware is 'First Love'. The salt cellar and spoon are vintage.  And the crystal was a wedding gift from a very dear friend. 

The crystal is called 'Shell Pearl' by Fostoria.  I received 12 Champagne, 12 Clarit wine glasses and 12 Water goblets. I registered for this pattern and I was so surprise when I opened the box and saw all the beautiful crystal.  I still remember the feeling of delight.  Thank you David for giving me this beautiful glassware.

  Group photo of cloches.  Golden Anniversary.  Bride and Groom 50 years ago. 

I know we look young.  Yes, we were young. 

Thank you for visiting me and I hope you enjoyed my romantic story. 

I think Marriage is a life long journey.  And, I am so blessed to have a husband who loves me and fabulous children and granddaughters who are my inspiration to live one day at a time and enjoy every moment.   

Please hop over to the fabulous blogs I am joining. 

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Tales of Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday

Miss Spenser's Blog for Tea Cup Thursday

Coloradolady for Vintage Thingie Thursday

A Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

A Stroll thru Life for a Summer Cloche Party

Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday

Bargain Hunting with Laurie for A Few of my Favorite Things Saturday

The Tablescaper for Summer Sunday

Please leave a comment and become a follower

Betty

xoxo

Wedding Gifts

 On July 17, 2010 I will be celebrating my 50th Wedding Anniversary.  I want to share some of my keepsakes.   Fifty years is a long time.  Yet, it feels like yesterday. A lot of water under the bridge as people would say.  Each gift has a special story and I hope you enjoy your visit.

 Some special things I have treasured for 50 years.  

Four china cups were a gift from my sweetheart's step-grandfather.

The crystal sugar and creamer I received from my father's brother and his wife.  

As a young bride I registered for China, Crystal and Silverware.  I received 4 demitasse spoons in the pattern of my choice.  'First Love'.  In the early 70's I asked an antique dealer to find a complete place setting for 12.  She found everything I needed to have a complete set. She also found beautiful dessert forks and serving pieces.  Today, when I'm in an antique store I love to find the unique pieces that are not usually included with a set. I just found a tomato serving spoon while visiting an antique show that was in town.  Very Fun.

'Cherry China'

Made in Japan

'Cherry China'

Made in Japan

'Lefton'

Made in Japan

'Cherry China'

Made in Japan

It wouldn't be a Wedding Anniversary without some flowers from my garden and the white roses are still blooming.  I love the lavender color of the 'Agapanthus' and they love hot weather. The shabby chic stool was a gift from my daughter.  It has the Faded Charm look.

The Alyssum is blooming.  It also does great in the hot summer sun.

Now for my favorite part.  I love to make a Mosaic.

Thank you for sharing my journey down memory lane.  I have more memories and keepsakes to share later this week.  So keep coming back.

I'm joining

 Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

Southern Hospitality for Thrifty Monday

Stroll thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday

Lady Katherine Tea Parlor for Tea Time Tuesday

Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday

Please leave a comment and become a follower

Betty

xoxo

Just One Lavender Plant

Today I'm excited about sharing with you another ONE of my true loves. 

I love Lavender.

I have one plant and last week it was harvest time.  Oh My Gosh!!!  What fun to pick and have a wonderful scent floating up as I clipped away.  I did have a visitor or two.  The BIG BLACK BEES.  

I would love to show you what I did with Just One Lavender Plant.

'Grosso' Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' A bushy and round plant with green foliage.  Long stems bear long dense spikes with flowers of violet blue and darker violet calyces.  An all purpose Lavender.  Full sun Zone 6 36"tallx32"wide. (I just copied this info from the tag when I bought this plant).

When the stems are wet I bundle them into 20 stem bundles. And, hang upside down on a rod in the plastic tub. As they dry some of the buds fall off into the bottom of the tub.   And, I save them for other uses.

When the bundles are dry, I tie the bundles with raffia, put in plastic bags and tie with a Lavender ribbon.  This basket is a great place to store them.  Even a small tap on the basket and the buds come falling down.

Yesterday was soooo beautiful in my garden.  I have a small children's picnic table the granddaughters use when we have family get togethers.  I love how it's getting a real aged look. And, the old wooden box  I've had forever. It was just a joy to showcase my Lavender projects in such a fun way.

 I love my Lavender books.  What great resources.  Ideas for uses of Lavender and also the other wonderful world of Herbs.  Great reading!!!!

I have only made a few Lavender Fire stick Bundles.  A big bag of stems is waiting for me to gather together and tie with raffia.  As I mentioned yesterday in my blog post, the Lavender Fire stick bundles can be thrown in the fireplace to make great aroma or put into the grill for a gourmet smoke that brings a whole new taste to your cooking.

 Lavender sachets are fun to make.  Do you recognize the Martha Stewart tablecloth pattern that was so popular a few years ago? I love to utilize fabric for another good purpose.

Tub Teas and small bags of Lavender are a great way to use Lavender buds.  The recipe for Tub Teas will be in a later post.  I give a bundle of Lavender, one small Lavender sachet and one Tub Tea as a hostess gift when invited as a guest.  The Tub Tea can hang from the faucet just like a tea bag.


Small Lavender sachets are a natural insect repellent.  Very natural.  Great to hang in a closet or put in a dresser drawer.

I love Tub Tea!!!!!

My Lavender eye mask is so relaxing to my eyes.

I was suprised when my daughter and granddaughters gave me this precious tea pot for my birthday in June.  The Lavender on the tea pot is a beautiful color. And, I love Lavender and Mint tea.  It can be made Hot or Cold.

Lavender Water

Designs by Gollum has a great recipe to make Lavender Water. Click HERE.

The loose Lavender buds I keep to use for more projects that I'm going to be posting about in the future.  FUN........

The Lavender wand is made with fresh picked Lavender.  It's a fun gift to give with some beautiful paper napkins as a hostess gift.

 Have you enjoyed your visit about the uses of

 Just One Lavender Plant? 

I'm so happy I could share with you and I'm also sharing with

Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday

Coloradolady for Vintage thingie Thursday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Bargain Hunting with Laurie for a few of my Favorite things Saturday

and

The Tablescaper for Summer Sundays

Please leave a comment and become a follower

Betty

xoxo