An Evening at the Beach

I spent most of my childhood in Florida and Hawaii and near some of the most beautiful beaches in the world..I'm landlocked in Oklahoma now and miss the beautiful water colors of  Destin on the Gulf of Mexico as well as the deep blue waters of the Pacific.  

One of my best friends gave me this beautiful teapot  for my birthday..the colors remind of those gorgeous shades of blue at the beaches I used to

 live by.

I set a beached themed table this evening just to celebrate the last few days of summer.  Fall is just around the corner so I thought I'd enjoy an "evening at the beach" at my little kitchen table.

Deb also gave  me the matching plates and

I just love them!

I found that I already had a turquoise blue tablecloth in my mother-in-law's collection, this is my favorite color of water.  I used my round straw placemats in lime green I purchased on sale at Kohl's and started layering with my white

Pier One  plates.

My son gave me this cute little shell box for Mother's Day last year.   He attends college in Florida

It was perfect to put a variety of
teabags in.

    Deb also gave me these cute shell napkin rings and I just added my lime green napkins I bought on sale at Penney's several years ago.

Of course the accessories for this table were obvious..seashells and starfish!  I bought a small basket of shells at Dollar Tree and just added a voitive candle for a simple centerpiece.   I found the starfish in a little resale shop for a couple dollars.

I added more shells around the base of the tea warmer as well.

 I found a set of 4 "Bone white" Sheffield (made in the USA)  cups and saucers for $3.00 at Goodwill. 

I love the swirl design.  I also purchased six dinner plates that match for $2.50...but those I'm using on another table!  

I decided my new lime plates from TJ Max I used on my "hydrangea" table last week would also look wonderful layered under the beach plates.  

The tiny little seafood forks are from my mil's collection of sterling.  

A few more pictures of the completed table.

Hope you enjoyed our little "evening at the beach" and go join in all the parties!

Have a safe Labor Day!

I'm linking this week with:

Marty's Tabletop Tuesdays

Linda's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday

Susan's Tablescape Thursdays
Cindy's Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday
Laurie's Favortie Things 
Tablescaper's Summer Sundays
 Chari's Sunday Favorites
and
Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

Lime Green Hydrangea Inspired Table

Sizzling summer days are a challenge for my flowers and garden.

I am thankful for our sprinkler system this time of year,  but even still my hydrangeas just don't get enough moisture.  If  I want pretty blossoms for cutting I have to go out and hand water daily when temperatures are soaring.   I've even added an extra layer of mulch too.  They do however reward me with  beautiful lime green blossoms with hints of mauve and purple this time of year.   They look beautiful cut and dried in  fall arrangements and look great in wreaths..so they are worth the extra effort and care.  Their colors inspired my tablescape.  

  

One of my sweet friends  loves anything lime green and has been looking for dishes in her favorite color.  I was shopping last week at T.J. Maxx and found these beautiful plates and purchased them for her.  Well when I got home I realized how pretty this color would look with my lime green hydrangeas... 

so back I went a few days later to get two more
place settings for my table.   

The April Cornell placemats I purchased back in the spring coordinate so well with the dishes.  They are reversible and the pink and lime plaid pattern give an alternative look.  

   I started with a cream tablecloth from my mother-in-law's linen collection and just started layering and gathering accessories..such fun!

The dinner and salad plates have such beautiful edges and pretty raised design.  I completed layering with my small pink flower dishes.  They are actually soap dishes from Pier One that I purchased at Goodwill for $1.00.  
They make great saucers
for cups too!
I love these springlike colors and will have to set this table again when spring arrives.   

This cute little teacup was 99 cents at Goodwill...I just love the shape and pretty colors.  The lime green rim looks great with the dishes I think.  Wish I had a mate to this one...I'll have to keep
 my eyes open.  

The teapot belonged to my grandma and I have always loved the shape.  It has a matching creamer and sugar bowl too...so feminine and delicate looking. The raised design reminds me of the designs on the plates.  

I used my favorite pink petaled cake-stand to display my teapot and give the table some height.

I found this adorable teapot a few months ago for $6.99 in an antique mall.  I thought it would be perfect for an Easter table but couldn't wait to use it as the colors coordinate with this tablescape too! It's great having mix and match choices and getting different looks with a few basic pieces. 

The sterling silver pieces are from my mother-in-law's collection and are some of my favorites. 

The small teapot spoons were only $1.00

I layered a pink plaid and lime green napkin together with a simple white napkin ring I purchased for 49 cents.  I just tucked in a small hydrangea sprig to finish.

As summer is winding down and school is starting again I am looking forward to cooler days... lime green is such welcome fresh and cool color as fall is on the way.   

Hope you find inspiration this week!  

I'm linking with:

Marty's Tabletop Tuesdays
Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday
Linda's Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Susan's Tablescape Thursday
Cindy's Home Show and Tell Friday 
Pink Saturday
Sunday Favorites
Summer Sundays



I'm linking with 

Tablescaper's 

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Summer Bruschetta & Mozzarella Salad

The dog days of summer are here in Oklahoma and everyone is searching for ways to stay cool.  Cooking doesn't always top my list when it's over 100 degrees outside but I decided we needed a fast and easy summer salad/appetizer today.   With all this heat my basil plant desperately

needed a haircut anyway! 

Don't you just love fresh basil?

My favorite summer salad always includes sweet tomatoes, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  I just added fresh basil and buffalo mozzarella then layered all the ingredients for a cool and pretty salad.  I love using colorful ingredients.

I found these colorful Dansk plates...two salad and two dinner plates for a grand total of $4.oo at a thrift store.  I though they would be fun to use for  summer salads or Italian pasta dishes.  

My guys love bruschetta and it's such a delicious appetizer, easy to make and perfect if you have a surplus of basil.

I use a demi loaf of  asiago or sourdough bread.  I drizzle each slice with olive oil, cracked pepper and sea salt and then top with roasted garlic spread and a few pieces of minced fresh garlic.    Place in a 450 oven for 3-4 minutes until the

slices crisp up. 

Remove and layer the basil leaves and cover with a slice of mozzarella.  Top with halved sweet cherry and pear tomatoes that have been salted and peppered then drizzle with balsamic

 vinegar and olive oil.

Finally a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and fresh basil. 

Bake or broil until cheese is melted for a minute or two..I usually stand and keep an eye on them as they can burn so quickly. 

Tip: I also use non-stick foil so they don't stick as the cheese melts. 

They are so pretty and don't last long at my house....I barely had time to take a picture before the guys devoured them.

They are perfect with pasta or grilled steak!

Stay cool!

I'm linking with 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays,
Designs by Gollum's
Foodie Friday,
Chari's Sunday Favorites and
The Tablescaper's Summer Sundays