Simple Country Table

This table is from several weeks ago and I just now got around to uploading the pictures from my phone.  I have been disappointed in the quality of pictures from my high-dollar camera and was hoping the iphone would do better.  Meh, not much unfortunately.

 I paid just $1/place setting at a local thrift store for these cute rooster dishes.  Two of the dinner plates had a small chip, but for the most part, these looked new.

 Blurry rim shot:)

 My husband had brought me a bouquet of flowers that went perfectly with this table.  The wire candle holders came from K-mart.

 The checked table cloth is one I've had a long time and was probably bought new.

Water glasses are dollar tree, napkins came from a yard sale.

With the hot, hot summer this year, we haven't been sitting down to formal dinners as much as I'd like.  We don't have central air because we don't usually need it.  This year has been a real shock for us, and we have been avoiding running the oven whenever possible.  Can't wait for fall.  Not something I normally wish for up here;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenni

Linking to:

Between Naps on The Porch

Pizza Night

 Simple meal, simple table

 My favorite pizza:)

This table brought to you by Dollar Tree and clearance sales all the way;)

Homemade chicken, broccoli alfredo.  Awesome!

I know it's been awhile since I posted a table, but in my defense it's been really, really hot this summer and we have been doing a lot of finger foods and sandwiches instead of full dinners.  We still try for a full setting on Saturdays, dessert and all.  I even remember to take pics on occasion:)

Thanks for stopping by!
Jenni

Grocery Store Bedding

When I think about buying new sheets I don't usually think of looking at the grocery store.  Who does?  So imagine my surprise when I walked into the grocery store last night and found a cart inside the door full of clearance housewares.  It's been several years since I bought new sheets, they tend to be quite pricey for anything over 250 thread count and I refuse to spend money on cheap, scratchy sheets.

I prefer cotton, but these are 400 thread count and have a lovely feel to them, buttery soft.  I was more than happy to grab the two remaining queen sets.  No choice in colors, but it's not like I display my sheets on the front lawn or anything;)

 Each set comes with 4 pillowcases rather than the normal 2.  From now on I'll have to pay more attention to the non-food isle when shopping for groceries.  Who knows what else I might find.

What odd bargains does your grocery store surprise you with?

Thanks for stopping!

Jenni

Linking up with the following:

Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove
Bees Rental Designs for Frugal Treasures Tuesday
Apron Thrift Girl for Thrift Share Monday
Caps Creations for some Thrifty Love

A Pink Saturday

My favorite color is pink and I've been dreaming of acquiring some pretty, pink dishes for quite some time now.  I haven't found the right ones just yet, mostly because I'm too cheap to buy new;)  For now I just have to settle for adding touches of pink wherever I can.

Tonight I am using a vintage sheet with a soft, pink, floral print for my tablecloth.

 I'm using one of my vintage Knowles china plates and a modern dessert plate.  I love dishes that have a texture or pattern to the edge.

 The napkins are a very soft pink damask.

 Beautiful crystal and a close-up of the tablecloth/sheet.

 I have been using the potted azalea a lot lately.  I'm still waiting on things to start blooming around here:)

 A lot of pink and shades of white make a lovely setting.

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenni

Linking up with:

A Stroll Through Life for Tabletop Tuesdays
Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays

Another Good Score

I've been a bit under the weather all this week and it's made me cranky.  I was determined to get out and go to some yard sales this morning no matter how I felt.  Hunting for bargains always makes me feel better.

There were only a handful of sales posted and of course it was snowing as we left, so I didn't have high expectations.  It is April in North Dakota, so this is not surprising.  Lucky for me they toughed it out and opened as planned:)  Gotta love the people up here, they are quite hardy and stubborn.

 The first sale we stopped at was a good one, great prices and super friendly people.  I found a few linens and these great vintage calenders.  They had several different years, but not 1973, my birth year.  Oh well, still cool:)  My husband also found several books on tape for just .25 each.  In fact, I think everything we bought there was just .25 each.  Love those kind of sales!

 Then we had several dud sales that had nothing good and were for the most part, overpriced.  We did find one more decent sale where we found the fun southwest glasses for just .50 for all.  After that we hit up a couple thrift stores where I found the emerald dessert plates and dug through the silverware bins and pulled out some silver plate and vintage stainless.

 This covered casserole was a fun find.  I was hoping it was something special, but it turns out to be somewhat common.  Made in the 40's but going pretty cheap on E-bay.  I like it though and I only gave $5 for it.

Now for my find of the day.

This Villeroy & Boch tureen in the French Garden, Fleurence pattern.  It is in perfect condition, doesn't look used at all.  French garden is a current pattern and this tureen can be bought at Macy's for $451 or if you shop around there are several online retailers advertising it for around $225.  I paid $7.  I feel a lot better;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenni

Linking up with the following:

Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove
Bees Rental Designs for Frugal Treasures Tuesday
Apron Thrift Girl for Thrift Share Monday
Caps Creations for some Thrifty Love

Thrifty Storage Solution

One thing this house lacks is storage.  It makes it very hard to pursue my love of tablescapes since I have no storage for the things that make a full table.  Over the years I have passed up bargains and purged my collection many times due to lack of space.  Once we remodel the kitchen and dining rooms this will change.  In the mean time I have to get creative with the space I have.

A few months back I found a mid-century dresser at a thrift store for just $45.  It was all wood, solid and very heavy.  It was also ugly.  I forgot to get pics before I started stripping it down, but it was that blonde wood often seen in the 50's furniture.

One of the best things about this dresser is the nine large drawers.  They are nice and deep with quality construction that I know will hold up for years.

 I actually painted this no less than 3 times before I got it painted a color that seemed to match the piece.  Sometimes my vision just doesn't match the style.  I finally settled on a soft grey with some light distressing.  The original handles were painted a glossy black.

 All my napkins fit beautifully in one of the large drawers.

Two drawers hold placemats and I love that they fit nicely without needing to be folded or rolled.

 Most of my tablecloths are on an open shelf in my 'pantry' area, but I was happy to be able to tuck the lace cloths and fancy runners away:)

I was even able to move some of the candles and holders out of my dining room hutch, making it easier to find things.

 I had to completely rearrange my living room for this, but am so happy to have all that storage.  Two of the drawers are still empty but I'm sure that's just a temporary condition;)

(please excuse the dirty fish tank, I need to clean that soon)

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenni

Linking up with the following:

Bees Rental Designs for Frugal Treasures Tuesday
Apron Thrift Girl for Thrift Share Monday
Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville
Caps Creations for some Thrifty Love
The Penny Worthy Project at Hey What's for Dinner Mom?

Sunday Snapshots - Everyday Normal

I try to set a nice table every day of the week.  Some days I do better than others, there are those days that I don't feel like cooking, let alone putting together a table, but I do my best.  Often I will set a fancy table intending to take photos and play around a bit, then when it becomes time to sit and eat, I remove elements and rearrange things.  Here are a sampling of my everyday tables, just as they are when we sit down to dinner.

Simple, just me and the kids.....

A little bit fancy, trying out new napkin arrangements....

 The tablecloth is a shower curtain;)  Shhh...

Using the vintage linens, one of my favorites.  I even have the napkins, though most have holes in them.

 The kids really enjoyed the floating candles with this one:)

So how does your every day table look?

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenni