Setting a beautiful table

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The ugly truth is that I don't usually set a pretty table unless I have company coming over but I really do love getting creative with it when I do!

Sometimes I keep it really simple so you notice things like a pretty tablecloth or the beautiful flowers.

When I'm serving seafood, I like to have a beach theme table!

A dinner in the garden with lots of lace!   Who says you have to use plastic and paper plates outside? Bring out the good stuff!

Sunday brunch with the focus on the flowers!

Beach themed tables are easy to set. Just add a few shells!

A Thanksgiving table doesn't always have to be set with the traditional autumn colors.

... and a Christmas table without any green and red can still be festive!

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Show and Tell Friday

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Happy Show and Tell Friday!  Today I'm sharing some of my plates that I have hanging all along the ceiling of my kitchen.  It took me awhile to collect enough of these to go all the way around.

In addition to the traditional transferware plates, I also have some souvenir plates.  I think I found both of these on eBay a few years ago.  One is from Boston and the other shows different covered bridges in New England.  I'm a California gal but I just love New England!  I don't think I could live there because I've only lived in the mild climate of California and I could never handle the humidity in the summer and the cold winters but it sure is a beautiful place to visit!

At Christmas I have to remove some of them to hang on my blue and white dining room Christmas tree....

If you are joining in on Show and Tell Friday, please remember that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden. Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate. If you would like to join in, please enter your name and leave your exact Show and Tell blog post link, not just your blog link and as a common courtesy link back to my blog. If your link has been removed, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting, or e-mail me with any questions. Thank you! I look forward to seeing everyone's posts...it may take me awhile to get around to visit everyone since I work full time but I'll do my best to get to your blog as soon as I can!

A little update

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I've been MIA here on my blog quite a bit this summer and I've been giving it a lot of thought lately.  My life has changed a lot in 2010 and it's all been really good except for the fact that I've been neglecting my blog! 

I've had more fun in these 8 months of 2010 than I've had in the past five years!  I've started doing more things with my girlfriends, working out and trying the online dating thing.  I feel alive again from all of that! At the same time, this blog has become such a huge part of my life for the past five years and I hate that I have suddenly neglected it.  I love blogging and I love all the friends I have made all over the world! I love how this has brought so many of us together!  It really is amazing when you think of it! 

Anyway...I've decided that I am not ready to give up my blog but I'm not happy with the content I've been posting lately so I'm going to do my best to get back to blogging the way I used to...with passion! I need to make time for this! It's just as important to me that I spend time with you, my online friends, as I do with my real friends (i know you are real...you know what I mean).

I'll have Show and Tell Friday posted tonight at 6:30 pm PDT for those of you that want to join in!!!

 

Seashell Wreath Giveaway!

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I'm giving away my seashell wreath that I made! If you would like a chance to win, please leave a comment below before Friday, August 27 at midnight Pacific Time. This is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only due to shipping costs.  If you do not have a blog, please be sure to include your email address so I have a way to contact you!

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Online dating update:  My 2nd date with Mr. Wonderful didn't happen yesterday. He was sick and had to cancel so we are supposed to go out later this week.

Show and Tell Friday

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It's Show and Tell Friday again! I've been really busy so I sort of took a little blogging break this week!

I have good news on the online dating thing. I finally have a second date with someone that I really liked (the guy on the white horse for those of you following along on Facebook). It's been almost a month since our first date and I had given up on him and then out-of-the-blue got a message from him today. He stopped by my work for a few minutes and asked me out for Sunday! That made my day today!

Anyway, today for Show and Tell I'm sharing lots of white around my house! Buttons, lace, birdcages, shells, bed, mirror frames...You already know I love white!

Beautiful Handmade Soaps for me and you!

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One of my blog readers, Dalene, sent me these gorgeous soaps that she makes!

The detail on them is just amazing!

She sent me so many so I'm going to share with one of you!

Please leave a comment before Saturday, August 21st a midnight if you would like to be entered to win!  I will choose a winner this Sunday, August 22nd! This is for U.S. and Canada residents only because of shipping costs.  Please remember to leave you email address if you do not have a blog so I have a way to contact you if you win!

Update: Dalene doesn't sell them online but you can contact her if you would like to purchase some. She sells them for $6 plus shipping. Her email is daleneruhe@hotmail.com

BlogHer $100 Question

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Would you like a chance to win $100? If so, hop on over to BlogHer and answer my question!  Click here to enter!

(Scroll down below for Show and Tell Friday!)

Show and Tell Friday!

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Welcome to another Show and Tell Friday!  I'm sharing my dining room chandelier today.  I bought this at a garage sale a few years ago for about $25 or $30 dollars. I had to rewire it but it was worth it!

It's not a really old one, I think it's from the 1970s.

During the holidays I enjoy decorating it with greenery...

If you are joining in on Show and Tell Friday, please remember that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden. Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate. If you would like to join in, please enter your name and leave your exact Show and Tell blog post link, not just your blog link and as a common courtesy link back to my blog. If your link has been removed, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting, or e-mail me with any questions. Thank you! I look forward to seeing everyone's posts...it may take me awhile to get around to visit everyone since I work full time but I'll do my best to get to your blog as soon as I can!

My Camera

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I often get asked what type of camera I use so since it's been awhile since I blogged about it I thought I would share this info again.  I have a Canon Rebel XSi.  I bought mine online through QVC so I could spread the payments out over 4 months.  I've had mine a few years now and have used it so much and I'm still thrilled with the quality of the photos!  It was well worth the money I spent on it!  If you are a blogger, a good camera can make all the difference!!!

Since just a photo of a camera would be very boring I thought I would share some photos that were taken with my camera...

Before I started blogging I was a horrible photographer. Taking photos almost every day for so many years (over 5 years blogging) has really improved my photography!  My best advice is to turn off the flash on your camera if you can.  I almost never use my flash!

Fruit Tart & Happy Birthday Dad!

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I'm reposting one of my favorite summer desserts today!  It's a fruit tart that is so yummy and so easy to make.  It always gets rave reviews and that's before they even taste it!!!  Trust me though, it tastes as good as it looks!

The recipe is from Paula Deen  Click here !

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Yesterday was my dad's birthday!  He reads my blog (and all the comments you leave) every day so can you all wish him a happy birthday! I know it will make his day!  Thanks! 

Show and Tell Friday!

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Yesterday I received a package in the mail from my dear mom. Inside was this beautiful and very old cameo.

My mom's sister received this cameo from a neighbor when my mom was about 14 years old.  Her sister didn't want it so she gave it t my mom.  My mom has kept it all these years and has now passed it on to me. 

Thank you mom! I love it!!!

It has a crack in it but it doesn't take away from the beauty of it...

If you are joining in on Show and Tell Friday, please remember that your Show and Tell needs to be something from your home or garden. Please read the Show and Tell Guidelines for step-by-step instructions on how to participate. If you would like to join in, please enter your name and leave your exact Show and Tell blog post link, not just your blog link and as a common courtesy link back to my blog. If your link has been removed, please re-read over the guidelines before re-posting, or e-mail me with any questions. Thank you! I look forward to seeing everyone's posts...it may take me awhile to get around to visit everyone since I work full time but I'll do my best to get to your blog as soon as I can!