Decking the Halls

I finished the tree yesterday and today I set our Christmas table. 

 I love leaving the dining table set during the Christmas season as it encourages us to eat more of our meals in the dining room.

I purchased this set of dishes years ago at Target and they are some of my very favorites.   Designed by Tracey Porter these dishes are heavy and great for my family.

A Tartan tablecloth cozies up the table and I placed some silks and a candle in my dough bowl for an easy centerpiece. 

The red goblets are my go to stemware this time of year.  We purchased them at an antique shop in Grapevine, although the goblets are not vintage. 

I still have a few more things to decorate but I was able to get so much done this weekend.

How's your decorating going?

Wishing you all a very

Merry Christmas!

Playing with Mud Pie

Mud Pie makes me think of  my childhood, that sinfully delicious chocolate desert, adorable baby clothes and my favorite dishes of all time!

I'm been gathering and playing with my Mud Pie holiday dishes
 and planning a tablescape which I 
finally finished.

The hospital gift shop where I worked as a nurse until my recent retirement, stocked a line of Mud Pie baby clothes.  Thank goodness my kids were grown or I wouldn't have brought home a paycheck!  

When the gift shop eventually started stocking Mud Pie serving pieces
 and the Christmas collection and I knew I was a goner!

2011

The vibrant colors and fun graphics along with the three dimensional designs just melted my heart.   I was hooked!!  I started with a few pieces and ornaments and then the gift shop announced they were closing and everything was 50% to 80% off 
for employees!!  

You would have thought someone gave me a winning Powerball ticket!  

Santa Ornament

 I was able to purchase two of the black and white desert/cheese plates and the adorable loaf  pans...

FaLaLa

and Merry.

The large mugs also found their way into my shopping bag as well.

2011

Oh and lest I forget this adorable picture frame 

and these cute Halloween bowls.

  Oops... and this sea turtle cheese server that I purchased for me and my best friend who adores sea turtles. 

Who could really fault me for falling in love with such an adorable collection?   Especially since I purchased most of the collection for at least 50% off !

2011 
Snowman Ornament

I have bought some darling Mud Pie baby gifts for friends as 
Mud Pie has the cutest baby clothes I've ever seen!  

No I'm not a spokesperson for Mud Pie nor have I received any money or products from them...(although I'd be happy to take some off their hands) I just adore their products.



Each year they introduce new holiday pieces that are fun and festive!   Even though last year's pieces aren't available...the new pieces coordinate nicely from year to year and can be easily mixed and matched. 

 I love that because I mix patterns and plates all the time to get new looks!   I layered the black and white desert plates on my green majolica
and red chargers from Portugal.

This year since the hospital gift shop is no longer open I had to find another Mud Pie source.   Thankfully our local stationery shop,  Paper 'N More in Oklahoma City carries a large selection!  Here's  a photo of the gift department and their Mud Pie display!

I used great restraint and purchased two mugs that coordinate with my desert plates from last year's collection.

  Rudolf and Santa!

I also chose one of the new 
cookie plates with a black and white fluted edge.  
I wanted two more of the black
 and white checked desert plates but 
they were unavailable.  Maybe I can find them on ebay.

Many of you have inquired where to find the collection and online is probably your best bet.  Mud Pie has a great website!  A good number of  hospital and fine gift shops carry the collection so you may have to make a few phone calls to find them in 
your area.   

So finally I set my table for two at our breakfast table and added my favorite teapot "Mrs. Potts".

I used the placemats and napkins I purchased back in February while in Carmel and added a simple silver napkin ring.  

Mud Pie brings out the kid in me and I love playing with such pretty colorful dishes and adding them into the mix with things I 've had for years.   I can't wait to share this table with my best friend!

Topiary in a Mug

Merry Christmas and I hope you find time to be a kid again during the holiday season and do something you love!   Remember to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with your family and friends!

Glory to the Newborn King!

I'm linking

Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday 

Susan's Tablescape Thursday

 Marty's Tabletop Tuesday

Kathleen's Let Dish

Nita's Mod Mix Monday

http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/2012/12/mod-mix-monday-79.html

Sneak Peek

I've been up in the newly re-organized attic getting my Christmas decorations and putting away the fall bins.  I was stressing because the ONLY things I couldn't find were my favorite Christmas Mud Pie dishes!  Silly me I didn't put them there!  I found them safely in another part of the house and I had even labeled them so nicely.  So much for my memory!

When I found them I was so excited I had to stop right then and play with   my dishes!!  This is a preview of my next tablescape.

Now I can relax and go grocery shopping...but I'm definitely going to make a list since I can't seem to remember things!   

Hope you all find  your 

Christmas decorations!!

I'm linking with

Kathleen's Let Dish

Cindy's Show and Tell Friday