Gold, Crystal and Vintage Bling

     Most of the time when I set a table, it is a bit fun and funky. I do however, like to get a little formal now and then. My tablescape today was inspired by the table runner, which was a gift from my dad for Christmas. You will see that not only is it beautiful...it has lights inside of it, how cool is that? 

     The runner is gold and cream, a perfect match for my mother's china pattern. Her beautiful Castleton China Carlton pattern is one of my treasures. My grandmother had the same pattern, so there were enough place settings for my sister and I to both have a full set.

I pulled out the my gold Farberware flatware

and gold napkins to complete the theme.

     You may be noticing my "napkin rings". My mother-in-law's vintage brooches add a little touch of whimsy and sparkle to the table. I actually wear them all the time on my jean jackets and coats. The vintage necklaces were my grandmother's.

     The stemware is Waterford Crystal. The centerpiece is the matching Waterford ice bucket. These pieces were given to my husband for his 35th anniversary at his job last year.

     The crystal candlesticks are garage sale finds and the rose bowls are antique cut glass. I put a crystal votive in each one.

I love white flowers, they are so simple and elegant.

The table runner in the daytime is pretty...at night, it is wonderful!

 

     I did learn a valuable lesson with this tablescape. Zoe (the puppy) was very attracted to the tassel on the table runner. I caughter her just before she grabbed it, which would have pulled the Waterford ice bucket to the hardwood floor. I was very lucky to avoid that disaster.

I am joining Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

for Tablescape Thursday.

I am also joining Kim @ Savvy Southern Style

for Wow Us Wednesdays

Please take time to visit our lovely hostesses.

Waterford and Quilts...A Unlikely Pairing

     I had every intention of creating a tablescape this week, but when my husband warned me "don't go to the basement" I decided to listen to him. My dish room is down there and this week, he is sorting through the many boxes of paperwork and photos that he brought in from his parent's house. After 36 years, he knows what will stress me out and piles of papers, pictures and trash...not great for me. So, I am sharing a bit of "show and tell" with you today. 

     June 7th was my husband's 35th anniversary at his job. He was given a catalog to pick an award gift. They were all wonderful choices. I encouraged him to go for the custom made golf clubs or the man's diamond ring. He said he didn't get to golf often enough and that he had just gotten his dad's ring. Personally, I would have chosen the iPod Touch with the Bose speakers, but I'm the techie in this house and he isn't. I didn't know what he had chosen until after the fact...and look what he got.

  

A Waterford Lismore ice bucket and

6 goblets recently took up residence in our china cabinet.

     It is a beautiful set although I'm still a bit shocked this is what he selected. He said he wanted something that would last for generations and this will if I don't break it first! We've decided after finding all the things his parents didn't use, that we are going to enjoy what we have rather than "save" it for some time in the future that never comes. So, if you come to my house...you may just have your Coke in Waterford while you eat your pizza!

Now for the quilts...

  

     My husband's grandmother made beautiful quilts. His mother made me promise when she got sick that I would make my husband and his sister split the quilts and not sell them. Of course, they never would have sold them anyway. They split them last week and I thought I'd share the ones that came to our house. The last two pictured we already had. I could really use some help with these pattern names if you know them. The above blue and white is going to live with my daughter.

I love how she must have run out of material and just "made do" with what she had.

I always love a basic old-fashioned quilt.

     This one was my husband's first choice. It is well loved and well worn. This was on his bed as he grew up. He had forgotten all about it and it brought back great memories for him. His bedroom had red shag carpet (ugh). Pattern???

This one is smaller than the rest and is going to my son

 because of the browns and darker colors.

We've had this yellow one a few years.

It lives at the foot of my guestroom bed.

     This one is my favorite. My husband's grandmother made it specifically for him. His mother finally let him take it home about 15 years ago. I remember at the time she told me that if we split up, he got the quilt. Uh...we had already been married 20 years. If we split up, the least of my worries would have been the quilt. It has a square for each of the 48 states (a clue to the age of the quilt). The name of the state and the state flower are shown in each square. I think of how much work must have gone into this beautiful piece.

I am joining Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

for Tablescape Thursday.

I know this isn't a tablescape,

but won't they make wonderful table coverings?

Please take a moment to visit Susan!