Summertime Tablescape

We are out of school here in the deep south and that means it is officially summer! I realize that the calendar may say that summer officially begins around June 23, but its been warm here for quite a while.  I also think everyone agrees that summer truly begins on Memorial Day weekend.  I have been enjoying the holiday weekend by hanging out in the pool, but I did create a simple summer tablescape to share. 

Seth and I went to an antique store on Friday and I picked up a precious milk glass vase and a really old Ball canning jar with the wonderful zinc lid.  I had several of these beauties before Katrina.  I just love how simple and sweet they are when filled with fresh flowers.  I had not bought any since Katrina but I saw these the other day and just had to have one - okay, I really wanted to buy three, but I didn't want to get carried away.  Anyway, here is my simple summer tablescape! I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.   

I started with fresh flowers in a jar as the centerpiece.  It didn't look like

quite right to me (I mean there is simple and then there is ......not enough :-) 

I looked around the house to see what I could come up with to enhance the arrangement.

I added a few pieces from my collection of McCarty and ended up with a simple

 centerpiece of fresh "country" flowers

surrounded by McCarty bunnies and birds.  

Bunnies and birds just say "summer" to me :-)

I have Longaberger Pottery in blue, green, red, yellow, orange and purple. 

For today's tablescape I utilized yellow and blue and just a

bit of red to tie in with the quilted placemats. 

I love the simple basket weave design on the Longaberger plates.

 

This colorful dinnerware is so cheerful!  We use it every day!

Gerber daisies are my favorite flowers ~ they are so simple and pretty! 

As always, thanks for visiting!!

This week I am joining the following:

Debbie's Newbie Party @ http://www.debbie-debbiedos.blogspot.com/

Tabletop Tuesday @ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

WOW @ http://www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Whassup Wednesdays at www.elements-interiors.net

Good Life Wednesdays @ http://www.abeachcottage.com/

Tablescape Thursday @ http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/



Vintage Pillowcases and an Apron!

I love the detail on these old pillowcases!

This past Friday I went by myself to see my sister and my dad because my newphew, Spencer, graduated from high school.  I decided not to take Seth because he didn't want to miss his baseball game on Friday evening.  (He is now the catcher and I agreed to let him stay with Jon and go to his game.)  I am rarely without Seth so it felt a little wierd driving three hours without him.  I took a book on cd and hit the road!  About half way there, I thought, hmmm, I could actually stop and look at an antique shop that I have always wanted to vist.  I am usually in a hurry, but this time, I decided I had time and I was alone so it was the time to check it out.   I haven't been to an antique store in several months.  I had the best time all by myself!

When I go to flea markets or antique shopping I am drawn toward crystal and silver pieces.  I also love old pillowcases that people have embroidered on by hand.  My sister and I used to buy these at flea markets when we were just out of college.  I still think they are so sweet!  As soon as I started looking I found one that was beautiful and knew I would add it to my collection.  Then I stumbled upon the cutest vintage apron.  It is a half apron (is that the appropriate title for a short apron?).  It was just the cutest thing!  A few months ago I was at my friend Diane's house and she loaned me the most darling half apron I had ever seen - she told me she had found it at a garage sale.  I have been thinking about that apron since that time!  Now I have my own!  I already have several aprons that hang in my pantry, but this is the first short one that I have ever owned.  I am smitten!!

I also found, but didn't buy, the most adorable vintage porcelain dog.  I am still thinking about it!!  I knew I should have gotten it! I didn't get it because it was a terrier and I really want a spaniel.   I have seen the most beautiful dogs on some of my favorite blogs recently.  I REALLY want one of these little cuties.  I am now watching one or two on ebay.  I just know that one is going to be mine soon. 

I had so much fun on my short visit to the antique store.  What do you look for when you go antiquing?

This is my "prissy" guest bedroom.  I hope to show you the entire room soon. 

 I love the vintage feel of the space!

How precious!!!

I am linking to the following:

Today's Thrifty Treasures @ http://www.southernhospitalityblog.com/

Debbie's Newbie Party @ www.debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com

Come join the fun!!

McCarty Pottery

McCarty Bunnies

I have been collecting McCarty Pottery for many years.  I wanted to share some of my favorite pieces with you.  My dear friend, Laurie, started my collection about 20 years ago when we were both young (really!) teachers.  I immediately fell in love with the simple style of this beautiful, earthy pottery.  I was even more smitten when I found out it was made in the Mississippi Delta.  If you have read my blog before, you may remember that my mother's family is from the Delta.  That made this pottery even more special. 

My camera is  not the greatest - in fact, I keep thinking that if I say that enough a wonderful, new camera with all the bells and whistles will make its way to my home.  I am so envious of the amazing pictures I see on some of my favorite blogs.  Nonetheless, I will share my McCarty pottery with you.  Believe me, once you see it, you will be in love.  In fact, I have known several brides who have had a "McCarty Shower".  Isn't that a hoot?

McCarty Pottery is made in Merigold, Mississippi.  You can see really great pics on their webite here.  Check it out!

It is such a treat to visit the McCarty store and restaurant (called The Gallery) in Merigold.  The food is fabulous!  All the food is served on McCarty pieces.  On a side note, this is where I first had Chocolate Cobbler.  It is unbelieveable!  I mean, really, chocolate and cobbler all in one?  Be still my heart!!

I think the hints of blue on the brown "nutmeg" bunny are just so pretty!

Some interesting "things" about McCarty:

All of the pieces are packaged in a brown paper bag signed by Lee McCarty.  You NEVER want to throw away a bag! 

The little brown line on the pieces signify the Mississippi River.

When you give a piece of McCarty as a gift, you always leave the price (written on masking tape) on the piece!  (GASP!)  Yes, you do!!!  It increases the value, significance - not sure really, I just know that you don't remove the price. 

Most of the pieces have names (mainly animals, I think).  I LOVE the bunnies.  Some of my favorite names are Lettuce, Tuppertime and Tupper's Mama.  I once bought a set of three small bunnies that were named Peter, Paul and Mary! 

I have lots of animals, but I do have serving and other "usable" pieces as well.  I am telling you, it is addictive!!

This fox just makes me happy!

The largest bunny in this picture was my last Christmas present from my mom.  I will treasure it always!

Please excuse the "blahness" of this picture, but I adore these birds that sit on the vanity in Seth's bathroom.

Two tiny birds and a small pitcher in the guest bedroom. 

As you can see, McCarty comes in brown, blue and a pale green.  I love them all!

My sweet Aunt Jane bought Anita and me McCarty angels shortly after my Mom passed away.  The "bunny bowl" was a baby shower gift to me! It went in Seth's nursery.

Bunnies on the mantle decorated for Easter. 

Square plate with sugar, creamer, and a tiny "cup" for Splenda!

I have shown you just a few of my favorite pieces.  I have them in every room of the house!  I hope to make a trip to Merigold soon.  I feel the need for a new item for my collection!  

This week I am linking to the following:

Debbie's Newbie Party @ http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

Amaze Me Monday @ http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays @ http://www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Tuesday's Treasures @ http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Whassup Wednesdays @ http://www.elements-interiors.net/

Easy but Fabulous Key Lime Pie!

Yesterday I made Key Lime Pie for dessert when my  husband cooked me dinner for Mother's Day.  I learned to make it a few years ago.  It is so easy and delicious I thought I would share the recipe with you. 

I always thought Key Lime Pie was hard to make - actually I never ate Key Lime Pie until around 5 years ago.  Then I was hooked!  I thought it was so rich and delicious that it had to be hard to make.  One day about three years ago I mentioned to my friend Jill and her mom that I sure wished I knew how to make it because I wanted to serve it as the finishing touch to my Easter menu.  Jill's mom laughed and said it was just about the easiest pie ever!!  She wasn't kidding!  There are just three ingredients!!!  So, here it is - Enjoy!!!

Key Lime Pie

2 cans of Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
3 egg yolks
1/2  to 2/3 cup Key lime juice 

(You can use the juice of fresh Key limes or you can do what I do.... I cheat and use this fabulous little item called Nellie and Joe's Famous Key West Lime Juice.)

Mix these items together until nice and creamy in your mixer.  Pour into a graham cracker crust.  (Again, I am into things being simple, so I buy this pre-made.)

Bake at 350 degrees for about 13 minutes. 

(Jill's mom said this step wasn't necessary because the lime juice "cooked" the egg yolks.  Now I wasn't too sure about this so I searched around for other recipes and decided I would bake my pie.  I played around with it for a bit and discovered that 13 minutes is just perfect!)

Remove from the oven and refrigerate.  Serve chilled and topped with whipped cream.  If I am really in a cooking mood, I will make fresh whipped cream.  To be honest though, most of the time I simply use canned from the grocery store. 

Yummy!!! 

I am linking to :
Wow Us Wednesdays @ http://www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

The Joys of Being a Mom

Seth with Granny, Papa and Nini - what a wonderful day!

Today is Mother's Day, a day that those of us who have lost our mother's do not particularly enjoy.  Truth be told, we hate to pass the Mother's Day cards in a store!  It just hurts a little too much.  I would give anything to hear my sweet mother's voice just one more time or to have one more hug from her or best of all, have her reassurance that I was just fine and everything was going to be ok! 


Yesterday at the ball field, however, I was talking to one of the other baseball moms and she mentioned that she had lost her mom to cancer also.  She understood exactly what I meant when I said that some days it hits me like a ton of bricks that my mother, my hero, is truly gone.  That some days you just need your mother.  She lost her mom when she was 27 and her oldest son was just three.  My sweet Seth was only two when his granny passed away.  As we continued talking I asked her how she handled Mother's Day and she very wisely told me that instead of focusing on missing her mom, instead they made a big deal of if being "Mommy's Day" and doing fun things with her two boys.  How precious! 


So this year I will certainly miss my mother and I will continue to avoid the card aisle at Target, but I will also celebrate my day as a mom with Seth and Jon.  Instead of focusing on the loss of my mom I will choose to dwell on the fact that God allowed me to BE a mom - this was my greatest desire in life. Being a mom has brought the greatest joy to me!  I thought I knew what love was before I had a child, but I never imagined the love I would feel from the moment I knew I was expecting!!  That feeling was only intensified the moment I saw his sweet face.    Being Seth's mom has changed me completely!  God blessed me with this precious child to raise and the joy that I find in this job is immeasurable.  I love his spirit, his wit, his talkative nature, his determination, his sweet, caring personality, his winsome smile and charming ways, his inquisitive mind, his ability to make friends with anyone, his optimism, and his singing ability - he is certainly taking after his daddy in that area.  Thank you God for the gift of motherhood. 

Seth's first portrait - two months old.

Seth at four months - such a happy baby!

Seth and me :-)