Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Something New~Something Old

One of the things I love about pulling out the Christmas decorations are the memories they evoke.
A handmade gift from your child, or something he saved up to buy just for you.  Maybe it is  gift from a friend, or something of your mom's that start the memories flowing!
The centerpiece I used for this table is a pine cone basket I made for my mom years ago when pinecone crafts were the rage.  Remember those cut fingers from trying to get the cones onto the form?  Ouch!
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I filled it with two small fresh poinsettias.  I hope they last till Christmas!
The new is the plate and salad plate I used.
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I have been wanting dark green plates for a long time.  Never could find any.  I finally gave in and ordered them from Pfaltzgraff  last week.  30% off the sale price, free shipping and 7% back from mrrebates.com.
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Come St. Patrick's Day they will be getting lots of use!
The salad plates are Better Homes and Gardens from  Walmart. 
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The covered crock is from World Market.  We don't have them here, but you can buy on line. Individual butter domes from WSonoma Outlet. 
Deep red charger is from Pottery Barn, as are the napkins with embroidered holly
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The napkin rings are little wreaths from Cmas Tree Shops last year, and were .69.
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I hung a tiny ornament on the ring to serve as a place card.  This is one I have used in past years.  We have a group of friends that we always socialize with, over 36 years now.  Our dear friend Don passed away suddenly last May, and finding this ornament with his name on it reminded me of the many holidays and good times we all shared.  I know it will be very hard for his family this year, and my prayers are with them.
I remember him commenting that I needed to get a bigger ornament as no one could read the names without their glasses!
December 2011 067  The glasses I have had for at least 20 years.  I bought them on Christmas Eve one year on the way to Mass.  They were marked down 50%, so I grabbed a few boxes.  I have the on the rocks size too, but we use them for juice!
The candle holder is an old cheapy one I sprayed with ORB.  Still looks black to me!  :)
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Flatware by Cambridge via CTS, and S and P were from a little closeout place Alma, The Tablescaper,  and I frequented, called Mace's.  Long gone, and they were .99 for the pair!  Always an adventure there, treasure amongst the junk.
When people used to ask where I got something, I would say Mace's.  They thought I said Macy's, and I let them think that!
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I am joining the Porch Party too.
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The little dots of light are the candles in the upstairs windows.December 2011 045
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I filled the plant stand with some faux holly garland and added a plaid bow.  The child's rocker holds a cutout fabric doll I made years ago, and since she is dressed in plaid, she is invited to the party!
December 2011 048 The side door is red too, and decked out for the season.
Thanks for visiting me, I know how busy everyone is!
I am also joining Beverly for Pink Saturday, but it is holiday decor this week.
Susan at BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for Holiday Tables
Diann for Thrifty Things Friday
At the Picket Fence for the Porch and Door Party
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday.
Natasha's Christmas Linky Party

60 comments:

  1. This is so beautiful! I miss my pavilion. Now my porch is just a little itty bitty thing with no room to put anything on. But will figure something out come spring.
    Brenda

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  2. Such a beautiful & festive table, Kathleen! Your porch is fantastic too. It looks cozy & inviting no matter how cold it might be outside.

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  3. I love all of your plates! Beautiful colors. Your porch is so cozy and welcoming! Love those plaid throws!

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  4. Everything is just beautiful, Kathleen! Merry Christmas!

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  5. Lovely porch decor. Isn't this time of year just magical? I chuckled when you said you found the glasses on the way to midnight Mass:-) I can no longer stay awake for midnight Mass:-)

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  6. WOW your porch is so cute... Nice job and your table is also very festive.. Happy Hoildays

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  7. Everything is, as always, beautiful and perfectly put together. I love your entry way. Growing up my mother had a complete dinner set of hunter green dishes with an off white scallop edge. We called them our Christmas Eve dishes. I loved them. We passed them on to a nephew. Why I don't know. I probably was bored at the time. :/

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  8. The table looks great K! I'm a sucker for plaid and those cute salad plates caught my eye too! Nice tribute to a friend, love his comment, made me smile:@)

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  9. I must make red cushions etc for Xmas..I have fall and summer..no winter!

    Looks perfect K..and I pulled out a few K ornaments:) max loved the little hats!

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  10. Everything looks soooo beautiful and festive :)

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  11. Lovin' the plaid and your dishes. Same crocks from Cost Plus :) The glasware is very pretty. I love your porch decor! Today was the first day we were above freezing since last week. No porch decor for me this year. Have a wonderful rest of the week friend.

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  12. Love your plaids and reds Kathleen. So fun and so very festive! Happy Holidays to you and your family.

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  13. The table looks so pretty, Kathleen! I love the salad plates from Wal Mart. I also love that flatware...I need to find some since I love red so much. I know you will miss your friend, but thanks for sharing your memory of him.

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  14. Oh I do love your inviting Christmas porch! It will be tough on Don's family this year. May God continue to comfort his friends and family. I love your Christmas collections Kathleen!

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  15. Beautiful as always, Kathleen. The mix of plates is really pretty, I am glad you gave into those green dinner plates. Gorgeous both table and porch....Christine

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  16. So many precious memories were used to create your beautiful tablescape. The accent plates are superb! I adore your front porch...the candy stripe touches with the plaids...perfection. Thank you for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  17. I love your plaid tablecloth, Kathleen. I've used a red and green plaid runner and napkins over a green tablecloth for years and years and never get tired of the look.

    It's sad to think about friends we've lost during the year, and all the more so at Christmas. I will keep Don's family in my prayers.

    Your porch looks so pretty at night all lit up! The new red door is gorgeous, and the candy stripe cushions on your chairs are very pretty!

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  18. Kathleen, both your table and your wonderful porch are so festive. You know I'm loving the plaids! I'm been searching for just the right plaid tablecloth for our table for two years now. Our oval table is difficult to fit. LOL
    One of my favorite parts of Christmas is pulling things out and enjoying all the memories that they bring to mind. ~ sarah

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  19. Kathleen I love to see all the wonderful little touches you add to your tables. This one is lovely. I also really love your porch. I only have a small walkway so I don't decorate it, but yours is so pretty and welcoming! hugs, Linda

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  20. Your table is beautiful Kathleen and I love your front porch!

    I bought red flatware the other day.:-)

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  21. Now you have me wanting (needing) red flatware too! I love the way your porch looks with the red door. Very festive!

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  22. I'm into plaid this Christmas, so loved your design! What great finds are the butter domes and World Market pots, just perfect on top of the red and green plates. Thanks for sharing. ~CJ

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  23. Gorgeous as always Kathleen! I love the plaid tabletopper and your pretty dishes. Love red and green, I too love traditional! Lovely,
    Merry Christmas from TT. FABBY

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  24. Oh so very pretty! I love all your old and new mixed together. Your walmart plates are great with your stemware from years ago. Your porch is so welcoming! I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

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  25. Your table looks beautiful, Kathleen, and I'm sorry you will be missing your friend this year who passed away. Seems like most of us have bittersweet holidays as the years pass and we lose our beloved friends and family.
    Your porch is just so pretty with all of the decorations.
    Best,
    Gloria

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  26. Everything looks so Christmas-y...love the pine cone basket, and yes, I do remember making one of them in grade school! Good luck with the poinsettias, I never have them live more than a week.
    Great tablecloth for the base of your lovely tablescape. I need to find some red handled flatware...

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  27. Love that plaid tablecloth! Beautiful tablescape! Your porch is very inviting too!

    Katherine

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  28. It's all good -- the table, the porch, but especially those RED doors. Love it all.

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  29. Your porch looks SO inviting, and that table! Lovely! I go crazy for small lidded dishes. I also have those butter domes, but seldom use them. Do you really use yours?

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  30. Oh my, Kathleen! It all just looks absolutely prefect, from the inside out. Great ideas all over the place. Love the flatware & the little red crocks. Seriously coveting those butter domes, too!!

    My DH covered my front porch bench with an ugly tarp...I'm going to take it off & make a pretty seat cushion for the holiday! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Hugs,
    Rett

    BTW, this post still hasn't come through via email. ??? What's up with that???? I never got a mention about your now canceled copy cat one either. ???

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  31. Love the plaids Kathleen and of course all your great deals!
    And that porch looks so festive and pretty, the reds just pop!
    Hugs,
    Cindy

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  32. Kathleen, I love visiting your house! Thanks for sharing your memories and your lovely decor!

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  33. I think it looks wonderful from the kitchen to the porch at your place. I do know what it feels like to unwrap a piece of Christmas past and be filled with memory. I'm sorry you lost your friend this year.

    I do love the idea of ornament for a place card. Simple and perfect.

    I'm trying to keep my poinsettias alive too. I put ice cubes in the soil every day.

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  34. This table is so beautiful with the red and green on the plaid cloth!! Adorable basket! And your porch looks stunning! Beautiful! Merry Christmas!

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  35. Pretty and festive! Is there any color plate you don't have???
    Love the new header too..

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  36. Your table is so warm and welcoming! Love the new green plates and I love the plaid. Your pinecone basket is a treasure!!!!
    Your porch is gorgeous! I would love to come up and sit a while with you!

    LASTLY, Thank you SO MUCH for the Cookie Exchange kit and the cupcake stencils! You are so thoughtful and I am so lucky to have won! I hope your Christmas is wonderful!

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  37. Oh, my...everything looks just beautiful.
    Your porch just takes my breath away.
    You do such a fine job...:)
    xo bj

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  38. Your tables are always so pretty, Kathleen! I love that you still have your mother's pine cone basket. The real show-stopper is your porch! How warm and inviting it looks. I'd even sit out there on a cold day ;)

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  39. Beautiful, Kathleen! Always so festive atyour house. I remember Mace's! On 110.

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  40. Oh Kathleen, everything looks delightful. You've been busier than a one armed paper hanger. Did your Mom use that one? LOL!

    I love the table. There is something about plaid. Yes, this season will be a rough one. Losing any friend is difficult, but an old one, all the more difficult.

    Great detail on the porch! Every little nook and cranny has something of interest. All you need now are some carolers!

    - The Tablescaper

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  41. Plaid and pine cones! My all time favorite way to decorate for Christmas. You have so many pretty things to use.. great shopping. Your porch is darling and so inviting. Are you getting snow yet?

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  42. Your table is beautiful. Love those salad plates. Your front porch is so inviting. Thanks for sharing your beautiful holiday decor.

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  43. I love it, Kathleen, and I love the “stories” behind it. It made me sad to read about Don—we just never know when people say something in the course of natural conversation that will long be remembered as one of the last memories. I love your green and red plates—they will be so useful for many tables. And I love your pinecone basket too. Your warm, cozy setting is lovely, and lives up to the promise evoked by your beautiful front porch!

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  44. If you can't keep those poinsettias alive at LEAST until Christmas....girl, what is wrong with you!??!?!! :-) Poinsettias are one of the easiest to keep alive. I had one this past year that lived through April when I finally tired of looking at it and tossed it. Just don't overwater, and make sure they get plenty of sunshine. I sniffled when I read about your friend, Don. Beautiful table!

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  45. I forgot to tell you how pretty your porch is decorated for the Christmas season! I sure wish we had a front porch. They're not realy prevalent in the suburbs here in the Midwest. Boo!!!

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  46. Kathleen, your table and your porch are gorgeous! I love those salad plates, and I know our Wal Mart did not have those. And yes, I can certainly see those green plates on a St. Pat's table, but they are perfect on this Christmas table too. Your porch looks so inviting in all it's holiday finery. If I wasn't sure it is really cold in your neck of the woods, I'd be saying I want to come sit in that rocker and enjoy the beauty. laurie

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  47. I agree with you, Kathleen, so many things associated with holiday decorating have years of memories attached. We should cherish each one.
    Glad you like the trash!

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  48. Kathleen...PERFECTION, as always!! Everything is just beautiful. Your table is gorgeous and I love hearing where everything came from. That makes it even more special! Love the plaid tablecloth inside and your porch is very inviting!

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  49. Your porch is so festive and welcoming, Kathleen. And I LOVE the red door. I have one too and my wreath always looks beautiful on it. My decorations hold so many memories and I got a lump in my throat as I hung my mom's ornaments on my tree.

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  50. Love your beautiful home! Love the red door and wreath looks beautiful.Thanks for saring,JoAnn

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  51. My goodness, you set a beautiful table Kathleeen! Everything is done so tastefully. It's hard to pick a favorite thing, but those salad plates are really pretty. Thanks so much for keeping my party button up. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  52. You are so right Kathleen; Chrismas and memories go hand in hand. As I age I now have so many memories coming back when I start decorating; love all your photos.
    Rita

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  53. Oh yes, I remember Mace's. I lived right near one in Commack years ago and was there frequently, and yes, everybody thought it was Macy's when they asked where I got stuff. In the beginning I would explain the difference but I got tired of it so just let them think whatever! Your table is so pretty and I love the plaid tablecloth.

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  54. I so wish I had a covered porch like that. Oh the possibilities, as you have shown us. Sigh. Love it. It looks so inviting.
    I have given up on poinsettias here. I can never keep them looking nice through Christmas.

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  55. Your dinner table is lovely as are all of the Christmas decorations in your home!

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  56. I love the memory lane of Christmas too. Your house looks extra beautiful at this time of the year. Love what you've done to the porch!

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  57. Great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays! Wish I could of seen you when you were in this way. We need to make a plan.

    - The Tablescaper

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  58. So pretty and festive, Kathleen! Love the porch! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

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  59. What a beautifully decorated home. So happy to have discovered your blog.

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  60. The table and the porch are so pretty Kathleen! And finding your friends ornament must have touched your heart. I hope you were able to enjoy some of the fond memories you had with him! Thank you for sharing at TTF and I hope you are having a wonderful week!

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