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Saturday, March 9, 2013

Family Secrets




People who have a finger in every pie usually have messy houses. If you know someone like this who doesn't, they are an exception to this hard and fast rule. Crafters, moms, shop owners, creative types--they all collect stuff everywhere either out of habit or necessity. 




I like order. I hate looking at clutter. But I always have something working in a few places in the house. It just goes with the territory. I'm messy. I'm always messing with stuff. So when I have people coming to stay, I always have work to do.




I was working at my table all this week pricing and tinkering, so I took a few pictures of my cleared off table today as a reward to myself. It won't stay this way long. As soon as folks arrive, the action takes on a life of its own. Especially where children are concerned. 




Things at least start out nice. And I usually like to have fresh flowers on the table. Since I have managed to keep a few azaleas blooming, I don't have to pick up anything extra. 




I try to keep a few things right on the table. Place mats and napkins in a basket are at one end. A few glasses, bowls, and snack plates are set out. No one has to go searching. 




Since I like a tablecloth on the table at all times, there are layers of cloths underneath ready for a change when necessary. I like white on top, but if we have a sauce or berries to worry about then I whisk off a layer to my low risk cloth underneath. Seems like kids are eating all the time. (We only eat at the table at grandma's house.)



There are five layers here. We probably won't need them all. And as you can see, they're not all ironed! I'm only indulging myself here, nobody else cares in the least. But it actually makes for less work for me, not more, in the long run. More time to play!




The eye of the storm.




I love my 40's station on satellite radio (you subscribe), so that's also what you see at the end of the table. It keeps me singing and dancing all day when I'm working at home. And there's always a perfect jazz or classical station for dinner time.




But if you think I'm ever going to give any real secrets away . . . .

Well, I never say never either!

Springing forward!
(Set those clocks . . .)

It's back to work for me . . .

(Hope you're taking it easy.)

Jacqueline







34 comments:

  1. I love the big white vintage frame. It's beautiful. Your dining room looks warm and welcoming.

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  2. Everything looks so warm and lovely. I bet your family just loves to sit together at that table!

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  3. You have some great organizational ideas and I think, from following your blog for awhile, that you are actually a lot neater than you give yourself credit for! A lot of "creative types" simply push things to the side and say, "Here it is!". You, my friend, have a great eye for detail and a gift for hospitality!

    XO,
    Jane

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  4. I can't imagine that your home ever looks anything but spectacular. Seeing that angle food crock makes me want to rush off to Anthro tomorrow. Is that one of their candles?
    Enjoy your company.......Sarah

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  5. Love your family friendly table and attitude.....I also have a finger in every pie, and a mess comes with it, creative types are like that, the wheels are always turning....and its all okay.....its not dirt!!!

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  6. Jacqueline,
    I never thought of layering tablecloths! I also have a cloth on the table at all times. What a great idea! You have a beautiful kitchen, and if that is your version of a mess, I will not even show you mine! I do feel better knowing that I am not alone in my messiness....my brain goes far faster than my body keeps up with.
    Love your dining area and I'll bet your com pany loves to come eat there. We only eat at the table at our house too.!
    Hearts,
    Betsy

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  7. Ohhh everything looks so pristine and beautiful! Im like you though, give me a project and 30 minutes and Its tornado time! :)

    Hugs,

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  8. Oh my goodness, you've just hit the nail on the head! That's sooo me. Guests, while I love to see them = lots of work hiding all my mess. My Easter projects have been occuping one end of the dining table for several weeks now. Your dining room looks beautiful by the way, no-one would ever know! Great tip with the table cloths!!

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  9. Jacqueline, I can only imagine that your messiness is the most beautiful kind of messy!! Looks like a real treat to go to grandma's house!
    Mary Alice

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  10. Great idea to layer your tablecloths! Lovely photos, as always!

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  11. So so true. I used to be a neat freak, now I like to create and collect!! Love the layered tablecloths! So smart!! That candle is so pretty! Angel food cake...yum. Want one!
    Karen

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  12. My rule is that if someone opens one of my closet doors, they're off the guest list. I'm a piler and stacker. When entertaining, I do put my piles away out of sight. I've even been know, at the last minute, to grab a couple of piles and put them in my car in the garage. After company leaves, I retrieve my stacks and continue with my bohemian life style. Cherry Kay

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  13. Great idea of keeping things semi-set up for when guests pop in! Of course, when you're in the middle of a project and have things strewn all about is usually when they say "we'll be right over" That's when we go into what we refer to as "panic cleaning" LOL! Always fun! Hugs, Leena

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  14. Jacqueline, I am catching up the past week on your blogs. There is so so much beauty!! My absolute favorite was Tuesday's post on cabinandcottage with the absolutely gorgeous printed matelasse coverlet!! What a sweet and fabulous find! Love it! And congratulations on your new shop space. It looks amazing, as only you could make it! I have loved your blog since the beginning and you still and always make it a highlight of my days!
    Kay

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  15. YOu're so right. It's hard to keep it all in order when there is so much going on in life.

    I'd love to have you link to Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  16. Darling Jaqueline your tablescape is stunning. I especially love the tablecloth, so romantic and elegant!
    The name of the boulangerie in the tag is stunning... Angel food...
    Hugs darling
    Silvia

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  17. Jacqueline,
    Your table looks so inviting!!!
    Adore the basket with placemats and linens along with plates and glasses at the ready on the table!
    (I'm the guest who would want to help you preparing for our dinner!)
    Glad someone has been busily working this week. The past two days I've been curled up like the cat...waiting for Spring and warmer temperatures to arrive on the Prairie!!!
    Have a productive week...and enJOY your company!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  18. I am new to your site and love it! I can't wait to see more! I am your newest follower
    I hope you pop over and see me sometime! I have a lot of garden stuff and decorating going on!

    (¯`v´¯)
    `*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
    ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
    (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•

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  19. Well, I'm glad I'm not the only messy one lol! I do love it neat, but with all the family goings on, well...let's just say things don't stay that way! Your room looks beautiful!

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  20. I am so glad to hear someone else out there that is a neat freak also has small busy messy places. Your dining room is beautiful. Love that candle too I bet that smells amazing.
    Kris

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  21. Everything is so pretty and inviting. I like the idea of layering your pretty tablecloths.

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  22. Always so interesting to read your post and admire your lovely pics.
    Hugs Olympia

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  23. I think you and I are living the same life Jacqueline. I love order, but not more than the comfort of my family so I have messes all the time. I do try and keep them under control because I have people stopping by all the time and want things to look pretty and neat. I love to have all my pretty things around me and don't just bring them out for special times.
    I love your pretty photos of all the beauty you keep around you. I always feel totally at home when I came by here to visit.
    many hugs from me...

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  24. I wish I had something blooming. I love your idea about the layers of table cloths!
    Brenda

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  25. Your home looks so fresh and inviting! Thanks for sharing such beautiful photos. Best wishes, Lynn

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  26. Love this beautiful post!
    I also love having satellite radio (in my car) and love the Sinatra station and the Broadway station. At home I have my iphone on Pandora shuffle and am currently favoring Diana Krall...my painting music!

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  27. Hi Jacqueline,
    I love your ready set and enjoy table with the essentials handy. The layered tablecloth is a great idea.
    I don't like clutter either, but sometimes have to get messy to get something done.

    Wishing you lots of dancin' to the 40's
    Have a great week.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  28. Hi Jacqueline,
    I love your ready set and enjoy table with the essentials handy. The layered tablecloth is a great idea.
    I don't like clutter either, but sometimes have to get messy to get something done.

    Wishing you lots of dancin' to the 40's
    Have a great week.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  29. Always beautiful. And I love your idea of multiple tablecloths! :)

    There is always a project sitting under the table lamp on our farm table, but I cannot stand a messy home, so I am constantly putting things away. Not that I'm not messy while creating. :)

    Hope you are enjoying a beautiful day, Jacqueline!

    Hugs,
    Zuzu

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  30. You're blog is one of my favorites. Just wanted you to know. :) Be blessed. Have a good week.

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  31. The cut-work table cloth is so lovly, Jacqueline, and your table looks so welcoming. I like using "silence" cloths beneath the one I have out for show... it feels so nice under one's hands and gives a nice comforting 'thud' to glassware and cutlery as people eat. (And, as you say, it lets you be a quick-change artist when there's an accident!) Enjoy your guests!

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  32. Just found your blog and thought I was reading about myself. I also have several projects on the go at once and every possible piece of surface is covered with the mess I make. when I know visitors are arriving I shove everything in a box, hoping I can carry on where I left off !!! we all know the answer to that. hmmm. Your lace clothes are lovely and I love your brilliant idea of having table clothes stacked on the table ready for the occasion. I'll definitely be back to read some of your older posts. Best wishes from an English lady living in France.

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