Spring Fever and Seedling Love

Happy Thursday All! Thanks for stopping by. I didn't get around to doing a tablescape this week because I was outside enjoying the weather and getting my garden ready. But the wacky Missouri weather and Mother Nature have decided winter can rear its ugly head once more. So, back to 40 degree temps for a another week or so.

I thought I would show you a few things popping up inside. I have ordered a few plants and started some seeds. I don't usually have much luck starting tomatoes from seed so I will have some plants for back up. These beauties are Cherokee Purple Heirloom tomatoes. I ordered them and shipment wasn't to be till April 8th. But they came 3 weeks ago! So, I had to repot them a few days ago. They are "curling" a bit but, I think its just from the shock.

Here are Some Poppy's just peeking out. They will be Oriental Red. I think they will be ready to thin soon.

These are Giant Scarlet Zinnia's reaching for the sun. I rotate them twice a day but they really want that sun. Can you blame them?

Last but not least are my Hale's Best Jumbo Cantaloupe. They popped up so fast. They are a early variety. But these guys have big plans. If they only knew whats in store for them!

What's going on with your garden? I would love to hear "What's Popping Up" in your world. Next week more plants will be arriving, all heirlooms of course. Bull Nose Peppers, San Marzano Tomatoes, Long Purple Egg Plant and Umpdalapet Egg Plant. I cant wait to share pics with you after they get over their shock. So come back for more.

I will be heading off to see every one's wonderful tablescapes with Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. I have dug up a wonderful vintage tablecloth and napkins that I cant wait to share! Hope to see you all soon!


garden sign photo credit: weblogs clipart about.com

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Dining With Leprechaun's!

Top O' the morn' to ya'! So glad you could stop by for a bit of St. Patrick's Day celebration. We will be dining on the usual Corned Beef and Cabbage with potatoes and onions. For dessert we will be topping it all off with Irish Creme cupcakes.



To get the table ready for the leprechauns to visit I seacrched high and low for a shamrock plant for them to take cover under.






These salad plates are my newest finds form good old EBay. The are Staffordshire Cloverdale pattern. I haven't been able to locate any other pieces or any information on them. Their description stated they were form the 30's or 40's.



I paired them with the usual Gibson Claremont dinner plates and napkin rings. My new Oneida Brooch pattern seemed to be the best fit for flatware.




























Here are a few coins for you to pay the leprechauns. Maybe they will leave you in peace to enjoy your traditional fare. They might even behave long enough to join us!

I am linking up with Kathleen for the 3rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl at Cuisine Kathleen. Also I cant miss Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. Thank you both ladies. I cant wait to see all the St. Paddy's Day finery. Have a wonderful celebration!!!

Belated Birthday For MOM

Happy Thursday all. It is that time again, Tablescape Thursday is upon us again. Please join Susan at the wonderful Between Naps on the Porch. Make sure to visit as many of the beautiful tablescapes as possible. There is some amazing talent out there!



My mom had a birthday recently and due to the weather it had to be canceled.This Sunday we will be finally having dinner for her. She has chosen Chicken Penne Pasta, salad and garlic bread. I am going to surprise her with sour cream cup cakes with raspberry filling and white chocolate icing.





Hang in there with me while I do one more green and white tablescape. I have had this vintage tablecloth and napkins for awhile and I thought they would be perfect for a Mom table. Of course you will not be shocked to find out I got it from EBay.










It only came with three napkins and I needed 6 so mixing and matching was the only option. At the ends of the table I used my old faithful dark sage napkins from efavormart.







This is my husbands grandmothers silver plate in the Moss Rose pattern. This is so beautiful, I am sure our young daughter will love using this on her table also. But I have asked her to stay 11 forever, so hopefully she will comply!




Here is a close up of the tablecloth, in some places it is stamped to look like it was embroidered. There are no markings or tags so I have no idea of its orgins.














I had six of these water goblets but I chipped one so i decided to mix in the clear Libby's to the end settings. I see mixing with higher end stemware so I hope I'm not breaking any rules with the everyday stuff!










There is is, a table simple and sweet. Perfect for Mom!




Have a wonderful Thursday, thank you so much for stopping by. I just love visitors. I am off to school for a lunch date with the kids. Dang, they grow up so fast!

Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne

Happy Monday all! So glad you could drop by. I thought I would share one of my favorite Italian recipes, actually it's one of my favorite chicken recipes too. It is a dish this entire family loves. Not easy to do in this house!


Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne

4 split Chicken breasts
4 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup Parmesan
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 stick or 1/2 cup butter
1 pound Penne pasta
1 can fire roasted or Italian diced tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste


Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place chicken breasts on a foil lined baking dish, and bake for 40 minutes or till juices run clear. Cool and remove skin. Chop chicken and sit aside.

Cook Penne according to directions. Drain and rinse pasta. Toss in chicken and tomatoes. In a large skillet or saute pan melt butter and stir in onions and garlic on medium heat till translucent. Add heavy cream in gradually. Once cream is warmed through stir in Parmesan, lower heat and simmer till thickened. Sauce can then be poured over chicken and pasta. Toss well and watch it dissappear.

This dish is great with a salad and crusty Italian bread. A crowd pleaser for sure. My husband loves it in his lunch the next day too.

Give it a try and let me know how you liked it! Have a wonderful day! Stop back soon and I will have pictures of my little seedlings to share with all you gardeners!


Also I will be linking up with Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for Tasty Tuesday. Make sure you drop by and see all the wonderful ideas for this week!

Spring Inspired Treasures

Happy Thursday tablescapers! Time to link up at Between Naps On The Porch with Susan. I'm sure everyone has been working very hard to create some beauty in dish land. With spring not to far off, we sure have plenty of inspiration.




I have also been inspired with some warm days to create another springy table. The green salad plates are a recent purchase from Ebay. They are marked, WM Hulme, Burslem England, pattern Maine. I don't know much about these but what I have found is this pattern at least came in one other color which is blue. If anyone knows more I would love to hear from you. I am on a hunt for 6 dinner plates.



To me this table is simple but elegant. I even managed to sneak in a chicken. See I am obsessed.



I just love the green and white together. These white plates of mine sure get the tablescaping mileage on my tables. I tried to start with a white base plate and add other colors and styles using salad plates till my collection grows. The rule is anything table related doesn't get to come home with me unless it can serve dual purposes.



I think silver chargers would be wonderful in this tablescape, don't you? I am currently kicking myself for not picking up any at the after Christmas sales.



The little hen soup tureen is courtesy of Ebay also. Are you noticing a theme here? It's turning to "Tables by Ebay" around here. I am really loving the hunt. Mixing and matching other pieces is a fun challenge for me.



Look at it all in it's "Ebay-ed" glory.




Last but not least is the last Ebay treasure on my table Oneida's Brooch pattern flatware. You will be seeing alot of these beauties, I just love the mix of mirror and frost on them.






Here is a close up of the salad plates. I just love them to pieces!

































I tried to get a few candlelight shots. Still too dark. Photography is a complete mystery to me. I need professional help. In phototography to! He He He!



I hope you enjoyed peeking at my treasures. I know I enjoyed creating it and having you wonderful tablescapers visit me. Happy Thursday and enjoy your blog visits! Thank you so much for stopping by!