Cardinals and Gifts From Friends, Tablescape Thursday

This week came around very quickly! I read something today where someone said that when she was a child, it seemed such a long time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now, she feels as if she is just finishing off the turkey soup as she is putting the first Christmas cookies in the oven. Why is that? Even when my children were small it did seem as if we had more time between the two holidays. I think the fact the stores start putting out Christmas things long before Halloween is probably a factor.

Our hostess for Tablescape Thursday is Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch. Click on her blog and follow the links to get some wonderful ideas for your holiday and winter tables.

This week I'm going to start with my salad plates. Aren't they beautiful? They are perfect for all winter long...not just for Christmas. They were a birthday gift from 3 very special friends who realize that I have become obsessed with setting my table. They also got me some fun Halloween plates, but you will have to wait a few months to see those.

I started this table setting with an antique quilt that belonged to my grandmother. I love to use it at Christmas. They just don't make new quilts the way the old ones were made.

The place settings start with a round mat from Kmart. They are actually vinyl, which I don't usually like, but I didn't want to use anything that might fade off red on the quilt. I also thought that these almost look like a charger. The dinner plates are my white Wal-Mart dishes, the crystal is antique, the flatware is the gold I've had for years. I added red napkins with a few berries wrapped around in place of napkin rings.

In the center of the table is an antique cut glass compote with a few green ornaments nested into some red and green trim (also from my girlfriends). The mercury glass ball is from Crate and Barrel. I added a few sparkly branches in green, with a little bird that came with my dishes. Those girls know what I need to set a table don't they?

I love antique cut glass. I was very lucky many years ago to come across a man who was selling his wife's lifelong collection. She had passed away and he only wanted to sell the pieces to people who would treasure it. I bought several pieces. It is well loved.

Of course we have to have a picture after dark. Everything looks better by candlelight. Thank you for visiting me!