This and That ~ Number 3

I am so thankful for all God's blessings. Thank you, dear readers, for reading my blog and for all the sweet comments. For those that haven't been able to comment I appreciate the texts and emails so much. I wish I could fix that problem.  Thanksgiving is a special holiday to reflect on our blessings. There is an old hymn named, Count Your Many Blessings. If I started listing my blessings I would be here all day as I sure you would also.  One blessing I have had is a wonderful mother-in-law. She made the sweet handmade Pilgrim dolls in the photo back in the 70's.

Hopefully, this post will catch you up on a few things that have been going on in my life.   Thankfully recently, I was one of four winners of a Royal Wessex plate by Churchill from Mary @Home is Where the Boat is. Thank you so much, Mary. I think I can see a collection starting in the future.

Also, I was also blessed recently on an Instagram giveaway to win an April Cornell sponsored giveaway assisted by Pam@Everyday Living Blog. The Christmas napkins are beautiful!

It is so much fun to meet bloggers in real life. Linda@Lulus' Musings and I enjoyed visiting last Saturday in Houston. We could have talked all day. 
How many bloggers have you met in real life? 

 The reason for our trip to Houston was to celebrate my husband's aunt and uncle's 60th wedding anniversary. I snapped this quick picture of them in front of the home they have lived in for 56 years. They now have downsized and moved to an assisted living facility.  

 

The venue for their anniversary party was a local restaurant where a lovely celebration was held. As is true on most occasions you don't want to interrupt to take pictures. I snapped some with my cell phone but could not capture the special couple well without spoiling their fun. It was such a happy and enjoyable occasion. 

And now, a totally different subject. I know you are wondering what in the world is this a picture of? Again, this is a hurridly snapped cell phone photo at Rosemary Beach on the Gulf Coast.  It has been on my mind so much. The sculpture is made up entirely of single-use plastics. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the ever-growing problem of single-use plastics. I hope you will take the time to view this with your Ipad and zoom in for a closer look. It is convicting to see so many familiar things that we routinely throw away.

Help stop the invasion of single-use plastics: 5 simple steps you can take now.                   1. Use your own refillable water bottle  2. Decline the plastic straw                  3. Shop with a cloth or reusable bags, refuse the plastic ones.                   4. Take your own reusable cup to the coffee shop.                  5. Commit to reducing, reusing and refusing single-use plastics.  This sculpture was very convicting to me. It has given me much to ponder and habits to change in my life.

Since I posted pics of my two grandgirls recently here, I wanted to share my grandsons. I am so happy anticipating all of our family together this year for Christmas at my house.

Thanks for reading a little of "This and That " going on at Living With Thanksgiving. Wishing all of you a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving Day!  

We have a winner!

The giveaway winner of this lovely book is Sarah@Hyacinth's for the soul.  Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful comments. I appreciate your support so much. 

Ten Year Blog Anniversary and a Giveaway

In 2013, I published this post titled, "Have you ever picked cotton?" Recently, I remembered this post (because in the back of my mind I thought I had a quilt that worked for fall) and found it in the archives. I used it in my last post.  Reading the comments not only warmed my heart but made me realize all the more how much I have enjoyed the relationships with other bloggers over the years. 

One of my friends from Ireland asked me in her comment, "Bonnie, did you really take everything out to a cotton field and photograph it? Yes, Linda@Flowersonmytable and on Instagram linda_okane_I did!!! I hope all of you will read the comments on this post and others I am going to mention and you may see your name or others you know. 

 Another outdoor tablescape done on location so to speak can be viewed here. Since I am reminiscing, I am going to mention the names of people that have influenced and encouraged me over the last ten years. Susan Herrin@BNOTP was one of my first encouragers.

Despite terrible humidity in July and temps in the 90's, I have fond memories of this post. I believe Chloe@ Celebrate and Decorate viewed this post on BNOTP and asked me to join her tablescape blog hop after that. I have enjoyed all I have learned from this group. Chloe Crabtree, you are an encourager!
Time to Nest
This post was easy and fun to do in my backyard on a beautiful spring day. I remember being flattered Marty@A Stroll Thru Life featured this post on her blog. Marty is another encourager!
Grateful Giveaway Recipient Mary@Home is where the Boat is, started blogging around the same time as I did. In the above post, I won her lovely giveaway. Mary's encouragement began a lot earlier. I'm sure she doesn't remember but she suggested I link my July 4th table to a linky party her friend, Cuisine Kathleen sponsored. Many of you will remember Cuisine Kathleen's blog party was called Let's Dish Wednesday but sadly Kathleen has retired from blogging now.  Mary is still going strong blogging and still inspires and encourages me today. Mary is an encourager!

Butterflies in the Garden Two of the most exciting and gratifying posts I have done were the two posts on the development of swallowtail butterflies. 

Finally, I'm a beautiful butterfly My excitement was hard to contain during this time and everyone that knows me knows I have a passion for butterflies. Even today, as I write this I thought I saw a monarch but it flew away quickly. It seemed smaller and I decided it might have been a Viceroy. I've been writing this on the porch hoping it would come back but no luck. These two butterfly posts were linked to Pam @Everyday Living's linky party titled, Garden Party. Pam featured these posts and other gardening posts. Pam is a great encourager. 

Sunrises and Sunsets Sunrises and sunsets are glorious to me and I am in awe of each one I view. I'm sharing a collection of sunrises and sunsets today that was a thrill to photograph from different places I've traveled. Shown here are sunset at Natchez, Mississippi, and sunrise in Montpazier, France. You can view the blog post to view others by clicking on the title above. Montpazier, France sunrise.



Enchanted by the Moon post features several phases of the moon from some of our travels. Since I was a little girl I have always been enchanted by the moon. This picture, Moon Rising over Paris is a favorite as is the moon rising over Sorrento, Italy. Full Moon over Sorrento, Italy.  Sunrises and Sunsets were featured by Foodie Friday and Coastal Charm. Appetizers Galore I was thrilled to be featured on Foodie Friday by Micheal Lee West for this post on appetizers and a number of other posts. I miss Rattlebridge Farm but enjoy Michael Lee's Instagram account now that she is not blogging. Micheal Lee is an encourager.
This post, Gardens in France is one of my favorite travel posts. Thank you, Shelley@ Calypso in the Country for featuring a number of my travel posts. Shelley is an encourager.
Dessert in the Garden This post was inspired by Rita@Panoply's purge where she gifted me with this lovely vintage tablecloth and the beautiful milk glass cake stand. Rita is an encourager.

Spring and Summer Garden I used the beautiful tablecloth again in this post. It was featured at Life and Linda, Pam @Everyday Living, and by Victoria Magazine on Instagram. Linda, Pam, and Victoria Magazine are encouragers.
This is my first blog post titled," Our Thanksgiving Table"( view here) published on November 26, 2009! There were five little pictures and no commentary.  I had no idea what I was doing but I was very excited to begin this journey.  My first comments were from my daughter's friends. The first blog I discovered was Susan Herrin's blog, "Between Naps on the Porch."  I was as excited as when I first discovered the new HGTV channel back in its beginning. At last, I had access to reading and viewing things I was interested in.  It took me forever to learn how to link up to blog parties but thanks to Susan's tutorials about how to do this I finally got it. Then the fun began and I have made so many nice friends over the years.   
Over the years I have been encouraged by each comment I have received. I could not possibly list every person over the last ten years but I must name a few that have been so faithful in no certain order: Emily@The French Hutch, Jenna@The Painted Apron, Linda@Lulu's Musings, Kitty@ Kitty's Cozy Kitchen, Cindy@Creations by Cindy, Laura@Decor to Adore, Sandra@ Maison De Jarden, Dianne@Inspired by Joy, Sarah@Hyacinth for the Soul, Mona@Hidden Art of Homemaking, Denise @Forest Major, At Home with Amalia, Louca por porcelana, Heritage Hall, Art and Sand, Jeanie@Marmelade Gypsy, Ricki@ The Sketchy Reader, Jacqueline@Purple Chocolat Home, Shannon@ Belle Bleu Interiors, Laura@White Spray Paint, Shelley@ Calypso in the Country, Stephanie@The Enchanting Rose, Debbie@She Graces her Home in God's Beauty, Liz@Home and Gardening with Liz, Stacy@Poofing the Pillows, Jemma@At Home with Jemma, Judith@Botanic Bleu, Linda@More Fun Less Laundry, Shirley@Hospitality Designs, Kari@Me and My Captain, Lidy@ French Garden House, Ann@Corner of Plaid and Paisley, Debee@ Debbees Buzz, Carole@ From My Carolina Home, Tanna@Brick Street Bungalow, Patti@Pandora's Box, Cherry Kay @ Entertaining Women, Jann@Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, Judy@Life in Kentucky, Karen@Back Road Journal, Sandra@Sweet Sensations, Carol@Blue Sky Home, Cecilia@My Thrift Store Addiction, Amber@Follow the Yellow Brick Road, Marsha@ The Little Yellow Country Store, Lea@ Cici's Corner, Maureen@Red Cottage Chronicles, Katherine@Katherine's Corner and Michelle@My Crafty Mom ,Kim@Savvy Southern Style along with the others that had linky parties I mentioned earlier. I must mention Alma@ The Tablescaper, Honey @2805 and Kelly@The Essence of Home although they are no longer blogging they were encouragers to me also.  I would also like to thank those friends and family that do not blog but faithfully read my blog and support my efforts.  I especially thank my daughter for starting my blog so long ago. It has been an adventure. You are encouragers!

Now, for the giveaway, I am excited to share the new book by Ronda Carman," Entertaining At Home." Entertaining at Home presents gatherings in the homes of leading tastemakers from the worlds of interior design, architecture, culinary arts, and society-including Lynn Wyatt, Suzanne Kasler, Julia Reed, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Carla McDonald, and Danielle Rollins, among others-who show readers how best to entertain with flair and finesse.
 To enter this giveaway leave a comment telling why you started blogging and when you started blogging for one entry.  For the second entry follow me on Instagram and leave me an additional comment that you did. For a third entry pin photos from this post. For a fourth entry become a follower through email and leave a comment that you did. This giveaway is open to those living in the continental U.S. through midnight, November 20. I will notify the winner by email.

Fall Snacks with Granddaughter

Our Alabama granddaughter spent five days with us recently during her fall break. Since she was a little girl she and I have cooked something, decorated a table, and had a nice visit eating the fruit of our labors. We call these times " having a tea party". Our menus do not meet the standards of Tea Time magazine but we have a great time.
This is a flashback to our first tea party in 2013. It really warms my heart.

You can read the entire post here.

Leftover pumpkin roll from my Garden Club and candy corn came in handy. 

A copper pitcher holds orange Alstromeria surrounded by several snacks. My granddaughter made the festive franks and puppy chow mix from recipes from her Home Economics class.

 My grandmother's quilt that I had forgotten I had provided the perfect tablecloth for us.

The weather cooperated and we enjoyed hot apple cider and all the snacks on the patio. 

We also baked peanut butter cookies but they didn't last long! This tea party is from October 2017. Click here to view the entire post. 
Tea Party with Sophie 2017 This post started out only about fall snacks with our Alabama granddaughter but then I started reminiscing. Looking back at former tea parties is fun. Our hearts are full that God willing we will have all our grandchildren at our house this year for Christmas. The parties aren't elaborate but they enjoy them.
This party was the day after Thanksgiving 2017 and they wanted to decorate for Christmas.  Frequently I hear, " Oh, I remember that." 

Texas tea party in November 2018. It can be viewed here.

And this tea party was held recently in Texas in early October. We started outside but it was 98 degrees so we moved inside. Her brother was playing golf with his granddaddy and Dad. We shopped for ingredients, baked, and decorated the cupcakes, and barely had time to eat them before everyone was home. 

I almost forgot Leesy Loo( her nickname from her granddaddy) picked and arranged the flowers all by herself. I posted this party on Instagram but haven't blogged about it.
I'm a child at heart that remembers making tea cakes with my grandmother and her serving Russian tea from a quaint inexpensive teapot. Memories are special!   What memories have you been making lately?

Welcome Fall Tablescape

"I can smell the autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin, and crisp sunburnt leaves." Ann Drake
I am looking forward to real fall weather because we are still in the high nineties. To jumpstart fall decorating join me and a myriad of tablescapers sponsored by our talented leader, Chloe Crabtree @ Celebrate and Decorate for a welcome fall tablescape blog hop. There are no real pumpkins anywhere in our area yet so, to begin the fall mood, velvet pumpkins are the best way to decorate.

To begin my tablescape, I placed a  ruffled burlap runner on top of a matelasse cloth. Deer antler sheds, silk fall leaves, and mercury glass votives are at each end of the table runner. Candlelight always adds a special ambience.

Fresh yellow roses in mercury glass votives and dried bittersweet are interspersed among the various colored pumpkins.

  The table runner is filled with velvet pumpkins of various shades of green velvet, a butternut squash shade and a darker russet shade along with burlap fabric pumpkin all in different sizes.  The velvet and burlap pumpkins were sourced locally at " Initially Yours." Love our local shops!

Dried limelights add softness and another shade of lighter green for contrast.

"Autumn that year painted the countryside in vivid shades of scarlet, saffron, and russet, and the days were clear and crisp under the harvest skies." Sharon Kay Penman

I loved using the vintage floral napkins with mini grapevine wreath napkin rings and vintage nubby striped placemats. Is this a blast from the past or what? Orange, green, and gold were very popular in the seventies!

I was so happy how well my vintage game set china with its dressy gold border and shiny gold chargers worked with this table as did the amber Fostoria swirl glasses and gold flatware. I like rustic and glam elements together!  It is hard to believe I have been participating in Chloe's tablescape blog hops since 2016! It is even harder to believe this is my 10th year of blogging. 

You could add pilgrims and this table would also work for Thanksgiving.

🍁It has been a great week of inspiration for fall tables and there is more to come. Please enjoy viewing the tablescapes listed below. I am always impressed with the variety of styles and creativity.

Monday

The Little Yellow Corner Store | A casa di Bianca | Corner of Plaid and Paisley 
My Thrift Store Addiction

Tuesday

Life and Linda | Home is Where the Boat Is | Sweet Pea | Panoply | Everyday Living

Wednesday

Bluesky at Home | Debbee's Buzz | The Painted Apron | Celebrate & Decorate 

Thursday

Living With Thanksgiving | White Arrows Home | Intelligent Domestications
Our Crafty Mom 

Friday

Follow the Yellow Brick Home | Red Cottage Chronicles | Zucchini Sisters   | Katherine's Corner
My Family Thyme