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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Savoring America


It's not at all surprising that celebrations often center around food, and the Fourth of July is no exception. We all have the culinary traditions that just say Independence Day to us. But it's also a day to savor America.





My table includes a wonderful cookbook from the Williams-Sonoma collection highlighting recipes from all over the nation.





Our national holiday is a good time to appreciate both our history as a people, and as individual families. 




A perfect occasion for bringing out old family possessions. But then I'm always looking for an excuse to use my vintage stuff! 





We're outside for the festivities, so the table service is set buffet style. An old enamel bin collects vintage flatware. Each service is bundled in colorful cartons a la World Market. 






A old milk can anchors the table and elevates the plates.











One of the stars at the table is a volume from a set of American History books handed down through the family. Besides being a wonderful vintage leather edition of fifteen volumes from 1925, it still has all the family bookplates intact.



A linen pheasant toile from Italy is layered over a cotton twin bed skirt.




Red stripe paper straws and plain white cupcake papers are from Williams Sonoma.









Vintage ironstone pitchers are bright and white for our red, white, and blue!







A vintage birdcage decorates the table with a couple of pots. A sheet of music is placed inside to make the items inside more visible.




All back lit by dawn's early light.







We use any excuse to pile on the handy vintage linens. But these decorate the table too with their lively red linen stripes. 












Mugs are Williams Sonoma from 2009.















Wishing you a wonderfully festive Fourth of July holiday!
Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline



Join me for Tablescape Thursday at
and Debra's Patriotic Party at

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

A White Farewell to June


Summer flies so quickly away, and it's time to bid farewell to JUNE.




 I love the white softness of the first month of the season. The gearing up, the celebrations, the fullness that the growing season brings. But summer marches on, and the softness turns bright and hot. There are just a few last days to appreciate the letting go and gathering up that was the beautiful white month of June.












My summer hearth.











Santa Fe Fleamarket.




















Fresh air laundry.








Lawn Party.











June morning coffee in the garden.






























Wishing you a wonderful end to the beautiful white days of June!
Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline




Join me at
for White Wednesday!