Table is Finished

Before I delve into yard work and cleaning, I wanted to let you know that my Lady Lunch table for February is finally finished. Something went haywire with Blogger and I couldn't upload photos for awhile.

 

Catching Up

Thoughts and Quotes: I wonder if grumpiness is a side effect of Covid? I mean not only for those who contacted it, but also those of us who had to stay home because of it.  

Store clerks and wait staff are less friendly now, people don't smile and say "hello," though they're perfect strangers, like they used to do. The news is loaded with stories of road rage and shootings.

Or maybe it's because Socialists are mad because Republicans won't do as they say; and Republicans are afraid to open their mouths because the other guy might be a Socialist and if they say the wrong thing, they can be attacked, lose their jobs, get kicked out of school, etc. 

Covid didn't cause the divide between the parties, but I think it must have contributed to the overall ill feelings which seem to be our new norm. I realize too, that a lot of people are overworked because businesses are short of help due to the stimulus which pays more to stay home than some can make by working.

Whatever the cause, I hope it goes away soon, because I want to go back to the old ways. Enough said.

Tablescapes: Remember the candle lamps I referenced last time? My first attempt at lampshades for the Candlelights. Not bad, but I can do better. I learned that by using two templates to be sure of the placement, you can get two shades out of one 12" X 12" piece of scrapbook paper. You must be aware of the back side of two-sided paper; polka dots work, and so do stripes, but if the paper is words and such, it can end up partially upside down. I didn't have the proper wine glasses when I took this photo, but I've since picked up three pairs from a thrift store.

While we're on the subject of tablescapes, look at the pretty tablecloth I found at Aldi for $8. It's a perfect shade of green between sage and mint.

And I found pink roses yesterday, so tomorrow I can finish the Lady Lunch table.

Those Who Left Before Us: Yesterday was my mother's birthday, so it was time to eat ham and beans. I didn't have time to cook them, and besides, I didn't want a bunch of jars of beans in the freezer. Rosie Jo's always has ham and beans, so I went to Ozark. Should have cooked the beans. I did not have a great dining experience. Too busy, my order didn't get turned in, indifferent wait staff, I guess no dishwasher, because I ended up eating beans from a plastic bowl, and a girl threw a little cellophane pack with plastic flatware and a wimpy little napkin on my table as she rushed by. Fortunately I did get a metal soup spoon to eat the beans. They were good though and also the potatoes. The corn muffin must have been nuked too long or too many times because it was really hard and dry.

Tidbits: As I was driving to Rosie Jo's, I saw a lemonade stand where two young girls were waving me over. I pulled up to the curb and they ran out and showed me a small styrofoam cup with $2 written on the side. Wow, inflation really is rampant. It was a very small cup. They asked if I wanted regular or strawberry. I chose strawberry, they gave me the drink, and thanked me for stopping. I told them I was so happy to see young ladies becoming entrepreneurs at such an early age. They looked sort of blank, so I said, "Do you know what that means?" One said, "Is it like some kind of worker?" I told her, "No, it's more like owners of their own business." The smile I got was worth $2. 

Thrifting: I also stopped at a new thrift store; the one where I found the wine glasses for $4 for all three pairs. I also found a couple of kitty blankets for $2.75.

And four snack plates for $1 each.

A sweet little rose dish for $3. It's the perfect size for clotted cream, strawberry jam, and lemon curd.

Shell earrings for 50 cents per pair.

I also found a cute metal tray for $3.50. I haven't decided what color I'll paint it. Maybe I'll wait until I want to use it and choose a color then.

I also found five placemats for $2 total.

And four napkins for $1 total. The photo doesn't do them justice - they're a really great shade of gold, and shiny.

Tidbits: I want to tell you about something I found which I love. It's a little pricy, but worth it. The brand name is Merriton and it's scented paper for lining shelves and drawers. I ordered English Rose, which actually is peach colored and matches my bedroom. The fragrance is rose and very nice. It comes in sheets on a roll, in a nice box, tied with a pretty ribbon.

 

I put the box tops and bottoms in my grubbies drawers, and even the middle cardboard rolls are permeated with the scent. I ordered two boxes, which was enough to do all the drawers and shelves in this dresser.

Plus the four small drawers in this chest.

I have two more boxes on order which will finish this chest and my two night stands. My entire bedroom will cost $76, but every time I open a drawer, it will all be worth it. The fragrance is supposed to last two years. I hope I do.

Tidbits: Yes, again. I just wanted to tell you that if you haven't tried fried or grilled apples and onions with pork, you should. It's a really great combination.

Things that Grow: Still raining here, so I brought my peonies inside. I hope they last awhile. If it rains tomorrow, I'm going after the white ones.

That's what's going on at my house. I won't be back for awhile. Busy, busy.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY

MAKE A WISH ON THE FULL FLOWER MOON TOMORROW NIGHT

HOW ABOUT A COOKOUT OVER THE LONG WEEKEND

WITH A BIG SALAD

PUT GRAPES IN IT

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE

P.S. Well!

Seems some people don't follow rules, so you can check out Sight and Sound afterall.

Theater HERE.

Samson HERE

Moses HERE

Jesus HERE

The photos are all mixed up under the headings, but you can get the idea.

Tea Light

Thoughts and Quotes: You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.  Abraham Lincoln

So I'm going to hurry with this post, because I've been putting off my yardwork, and you'll see why.

Tips: How cute are these? It's a stemmed glass, a shade made from scrapbook paper, and a tealight. I've always wanted some little lamps for the table, but they're electric and how do you manage the cord? If you want to make some, click HERE. There's a template to print on 8-1/2 X 11 paper for the shade. The link is in the article.

I'm going to make the shades first, then take one to Dollar Tree to find the right glass. Obviously, I don't need to go shopping for scrapbook paper.

I've been organizing my Lady Lunch and Afternoon Tea recipes (most were stuffed folders of loose clippings), when I ran across the tea lamp article. It's from Good Housekeeping, 2011. Ten years ago, and it's still available on internet. And I still had the clipping and recipes clear back to 1940! Not kidding. I saved some things my mother-in-law had in her collection and there were several things from Family Circle 1940 and 1941. They were little tear-out extras.

Here's one of them:

Teas and Lady Lunches: Both notebooks are finally finished, and the banker's box is out of the middle of my closet. 

My supervisor was on the job.

 

The tea book is even thicker.

But fewer tabs.

Not all sheets are like this.

Most are like this; some have even more recipes per page.

Time for Enjoyment: If you ever get a chance to attend a performance at Sight and Sound Theater in Branson, Missouri, by all means go. The shows are not the usual touristy shows you would expect. All performances are based on the Bible. I went Saturday, and I was amazed. They're showing Jesus right now, and after seeing it, I'm so sorry I missed Jonah, Joseph, Noah, and others. 

The theater is not down in the hub-bub, but an offramp away, so that access is easy. I love the bulding, and to me looks like it could be from Biblical times.

It's symmetrical, with a left wing identical to the right which I couldn't include in the photo since I was too close.

A fountain out front.

The theme continues inside.

 

Trash cans.

No photos allowed during the performance, but I guarantee it will not disappoint. The sets are incredible, the special effects amazing, the costumes are perfect, the performers are talented, and the animals perfectly trained. There were birds flying across the stage, pigs running across the stage, camels walking across the stage, and sheep, goats, and horses going across the stage and up the aisles. I'll not miss a future performance. Jesus runs through the end of the year, so something to anticipate for 2022.

And then we got to go to lunch and eat dessert. We stopped at Gateway Cafe on Hwy 160, and I forgot photos of the meals (I'm out of practice since Covid), but not the desserts, and everything is made from scratch.

Pecan Pie

Coconut Cream Pie

Italian Cream Cake

Gee, I've missed being a foodie.

Nothing else to report. I just had to finish that recipe mess because I had things scattered all over the family room. But time waits for no man (nor woman) according to Chaucer, so I need to get with it. The pink Lady Lunch table is still just the same, except with more dust. Good thing no one will be eating off the dishes.

PLEASE DO THE NO RAIN DANCE FOR US  WE'RE SOAKED

GET OUT AND HAVE SOME FUN

EAT SALADS

DRINK SOME TEA OR TEA

CALL YOUR MOTHER (OR SOMEONE WHO LOVES YOU)

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE

Oh, no! More Thrifting

Thoughts and Quotes: Human happiness consists in having what you want, and wanting what you have.   Josh Bullings

Yes, I believe this. My problem is that I want too much, and I have too much. But that doesn't stop me. I went to Lowe's yesterday, and Goodwill is right across the street. The weather was perfect, and I was having so much fun being out of the house, how could I resist? Now I need to show you my finds. Red tag day - Prints, placemats, and plates were half price.

For my niece who loves topiary - $3 each. They're 11" x 23"

Coffee mugs for $1 each - I need tall ones so the coffee doesn't splash out.

Two little vases to go on either side of the one Audell gave me - $1 each.

The one Audell gave me is larger and has more little vases hooked together. I'll use it in the middle with the little ones on the sides. It's sitting in a footed bowl to give some height to the table.

A versatile plate for $2. Perfect for a cake, serving, or under a centerpiece. The ribbon is a bonus.

Pink beads for $2; mine scratches my neck. I don't think they're glass - just don't know.

A Russian doll for $2 in case I ever get around to the International Theme Dinner. I have a few things already. Food would be easy. Hundreds of recipes from all over the world.

New red placemats for 50 cents each. 

Four lunch-size plates for 50 cents each. My blue collection is rather sparse.

And $1 cute little angels for my Lil' Sis.

Tables: This is the table I'm working on for a Lady Lunch. No pink roses. I think they're in short supply because of Mother's Day. I could find two or three in a mixed bouquet, but I want all roses. Maybe by this weekend.

Thank You: To all who called me on Mother's Day. I didn't get a thing done, and I loved it. Seven phone calls - a wonderful day of feeling special. I'm truly blessed.

Got my half tree, three evergreens, and big boxwood removed this week. Dishwasher doctor came and will be back tomorrow with the parts to finish the job. Maybe my garage brick will get fixed next week. Now it's my turn to get busy. I just can't stop organizing and decluttering, and then I go buy more "stuff." What's wrong with this picture?

ENJOY THE SUNSHINE

MORE RAIN ON THE WAY

THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS AS WE CELEBRATE ARMED FORCES DAY ON SATURDAY

EAT SOME DARK CHOCOLATE

AND LEAFY GREENS

TAKE A WALK

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE