Welcome to Tablescape Thursday hosted by our friend, Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch.
Susan is one of the most gracious hostesses in Blogland. She faithfully hosts two blog events each week – rain, sleet, or snow. Thanks Susan! Please hop over to her beautiful blog to see all of this week’s Tablescapers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I found out a few weeks ago that I have a disfunctional gallbladder. It’s just plum tuckered out and ain’t gonna lift another finger to help me out. So, its gotta come out. But, because of my doctor’s caring, professional screw up, it is taking a while for me to see a surgeon. Tomorrow is my consult appointment so hopefully he will be able to schedule me for surgery soon.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because my life is pretty much on hold right now. So, I am going to share my very, first Tablescape which I ever posted. It was back when Tablescape Thursday used to be on Tuesdays. 🙂
I hope you don’t mind me sharing a re-post. Just some background info, this was written during the time when Mr Grits and I were keeping our grandson, Cole, while his Mommy and Daddy were deployed to Iraq.
BTW, I thought everyone would like to know that KD over at Southern Whimsy has severely injured her back and is basically bedridden. I’m sure she would love it if you hopped over to her blog and said hello.
Poor Southern Whimsy. 🙁
Okay….enjoy my very first Tablescape…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to My Very First Tablescape Tuesday…sponsored by Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch. Visit her blog to get a full list of all Tablescape Tuesday participants.
My tablescape actually began yesterday morning. No, I didn’t start pulling out dishes and such…the day that lead up to my tablescape started yesterday morning. It was my first day back at the office after the Holidays. I’m sure lots of you shared the “ugh!” moment with me at the thoughts of having to go back to work. But work I must – there are plates to buy! 🙂
It was as expected. Non-stop calls, emails up to my ears, the fax machine was working overtime – everybody needed everything and they needed it right then! After I decided that enough was enough, I picked up the baby from school and went home. I must have looked like a poor, bedraggled mess when we walked in yesterday afternoon. Bill greeted us at the door as he usually does to get his “Cole Kisses,”…then he kissed me and said “I won’t ask how your day was.” He then went on to tell me that he and the baby were going to have a “Guys Night Out” at Chucky Cheese. I cannot stress to you how much my husband dislikes The Chuckster. So for him to take Cole there – and go it alone – ladies, I can’t even begin to tell you the sense of giddiness that washed over me. A few hours alone – to do whatever I pleased! Now, this may not seem like much of a “gift” to you – but to me it was GOLD!
And so began my tablescape…. My mind was racing. What could I do in my few hours of quiet time? Paint my hutch? Nope, too time consuming and messy. Laundry? Yea, right – not a chance! Well… if I couldn’t decide what to do – I knew exactly what I would eat. It was a soup night! And not just any soup…Butternut Squash Soup with Sherry and Rosemary.
While I was preparing my soup, I remembered something I had not done in quite a while, and immediately knew how I would spend my quiet time. Reading letters….
But, not just any letters. You see, my husband saved a shoebox full of old letters from his grandmother and grandfather. These were letters of correspondence passed to each other during World War II. The time dates are between 1941-1944. I have spent years trying to get them in sequential order, and hours and hours reading them.
Some of them are happy and full of life’s happenings…”your son lost his first tooth today.” While others are sad and filled with longing…”its been 2 long months since I have last heard from you and I pray that God is by your side and is taking care of you. I miss you so much…”
I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to endure that kind of unknown separation. These letters are a glimpse into what this young couple was feeling and living through during this difficult time in our history.
I love the 3 cent stamps…..
It is my hope one day to put these love letters in book form…and share this wonderful love story with others through words. One day. But for the moment – I simply grabbed a handful of letters, fixed my soup, sat down at my favorite antique desk…and enjoyed a few minutes in a quiet home…with the sounds of Andrea Bocelli in the background. Ladies, it was one of these moments…
By the way, this is one of my porcelain name cards. I have a collection of about a dozen different kinds which I promise to blog about one of these days.
I steeped a cup of my favorite Earl Grey tea. I enjoy my tea in different ways depending on my mood. My “mood” was screaming for sugar and cream. The silver tea spoon with the tea pot on the end is part of a set. I collected several sets of tea spoons throughout my antiquing jaunts across England. The small silver tea diffuser was purchased in London. The teapot shaped teabag holder is part of a set purchased in a small shop in France, but I have since seen these online at at specialty tea shops. The Victorian glass creamer is one of my favorite. I have about a dozen of these lovelies.
I love these dainty silver tongs, generally used for sugar cubes – but perfect for selecting a yummy cookie, too.
My husband, my son and I spent 21 memorable days driving across the UK and Scotland. It was an experience of a lifetime. One of my husband’s wishes was to play “The Old Course” once again, as he had done with his father as a teenage boy. The “Old Course” is a golf course in St. Andrews, Scotland. So, while my husband was golfing – Blake and I ventured out into St. Andrews to do some exploring of our own. There was a Saturday morning flea market in town, and after some ice cream, a stop at a local video game store, and some pleading – Blake accompanied me to the flea market. (Poor child – its a wonder he is not scarred for life after being hauled around to see every cathedral and flea market in Europe!) Much to my surprise, in the middle of Scotland – I found a box load of the most gorgeous Irish linens I had ever seen. Most of them were tea napkins, but some were luncheon napkins and a few tablecloths, too.
I cannot remember the exact price I paid, but I do remember pulling out my money as fast as I could. The napkin seen above is one of the three I selected…
So, my “gift” may not have been materialistic in the sense that you would expect from a husband, but it was a gift from his heart – and filled with love and understanding.
After a few hours of letter reading, soup, tea and cookies – I greeted my two men at the door and was covered in “Cole Kisses”…and a few from my sweetheart, too.
May Your Life Be Filled with “Aaaah!” Moments … Barb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And just in case you missed the announcement yesterday, I introduced a new Meme.
Tabletops Tuesday!
Please join me every Tuesday, starting next week, for this weekly blog event where you can share your prettiest tabletop vignette or favorite accessories. McLinky will be up and running Monday night by 9pm.
I can’t wait to see all your posts. Have a lovely Thursday everyone….Barb
Jeanette says
I love those ahhhh moments. Very lovely table and the soup looks delicious.
View Commentsusan says
Barb-I was so glad to see this. I missed it the first time. Your linens and silver are lovely, but what enthralled me the most is the letters. We take for granted our instant communication and 24/7 news. The demanded a different type of sacrifice back then. What a treasure these letters are ( and what a sweet husband:) Hope you are feeling better and will pray that all goes well with the surgery for a quick recovery!
View Commentellen b says
So wonderful Barb! I love all your collected items. Looking forward to those place card holders.
View CommentI’ll have to come up with something for Tabletop Tuesday…
Blessings and Happy TT to you.
I resurrected one of my Tablescape Tuesdays before it was Tablescape Thursday, too!
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Barb, I love it when you fix a wonderful bowl of soup and just sit and relax at your desk with all your pretty things. All of your dishes and tea accessories are just stunning. What a sweet thing for Mr. to do and I know Cole loved it. He is growing up so big. I look at the post below and saw that you are going to do a new meme on Tuesdays. I will have to see what I can come up with. Loved the pictures of the family, they are just priceless. Hugs, Marty
View CommentSandy says
Barb,
View CommentI remember this post, this was way before I ever started Copper~N~Things. I think I went back and looked at it half a dozen times. Loved seeing it again tonight. Thanks for sharing again.
Sandy
Debbie says
Barb, I just love your blog! It’s kind of my new addiction, everytime I look at it, which is everyday, I see something new. OMG, your kitchen is gorgeous!!
View CommentKathryn @ Bonafide Southern says
What a pretty little setting you’ve made for yourself! After the holidays, we certainly need some time by ourselves surrounded by all our “pretties” Also, I’m super excited about you Tabletop Tuesdays, and I plan to participate. Thanks for sharing!
View CommentYvonne @ StoneGable says
What a lovely post, Did I read corretly that this was your first tablescape? It is gorgeous! I love where you chose to have tea!
I am sorry to hear about the tired gallbladder. I had one too, and recovery is pretty easy. I wish you a speedy recovery and I said a prayer for you.
View CommentYvonne
Crystal says
Hi Barb,
View CommentI sure hope you can get that gallbladder taken care of quickly.
Your tablescape just makes me think of a quiet and peaceful evening. Do whatever you want, with no guilt to be doing anything else. What great memories to share about your trip to Scotland.
Praying for a quick recovery for you.
Mid-Atlantic Martha says
ahhhhhh! This does seem like a perfect evening. I hope you’re feeling better soon.
View CommentLana K. W. Austin says
This vignette with the OH SO amazing WWII letters from the grandparents and the Irish linen are divine.
View CommentBlessings, Lana
The Tablescaper says
So hope you’re on the mend real soon. Thanks so much for sharing your first tablescape with us. I had never seen it and I love blue and white!
– The Tablescaper
View CommentKathleen says
Hi Barb,
Love your Irish linens!
I had emerg gb surgery 3 yrs ago..suffered with it for 8 yrs..shouldn’t have waited. I had to stay 4 days as I let it go too long..
View CommentGood luck with it..You will feel better soon!
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
What a treasure those letters must be. What a way to start the new year~ your tablescape looks fantastic.
View CommentSue (Someone's Mom) says
Well I didn’t see it the first time, so I loved seeing it this time. I had my gallbladder out a few years ago. They did it with 3 tiny incisions and I felt so much better after. I was one sick chick before surgery. I was a little sore for a few days, but that was so much better than all the pain before having it out! I hope you feel better soon.
Sue
View Commentbellacasa says
I’m truly sorry to hear about your impending surgery (possibility), but when that GB goes, it goes and seems to be a common occurance for women.
I love your desk, tea time, reading old letters theme. It just makes me want to go steep.
Jan
View CommentJessa Irene (Holiday-Haven) says
So nice. Comfy and beautiful and yummy!
View CommentPearl Maple says
You have woven together a beautiful table setting, with a darling theme.
Recently diagnosed with a faulty gall bladder myself, good luck with a quick resolution.
View CommentBarbara says
Barb, Love the AHHHH moment. It looked so inviting. Will check out Table Top Tuesday.
Barbara
View CommentLiz says
What a great way to wile away the afternoon! Beautiful!
~Liz
View CommentPat@Back Porch Musings says
This is beautiful, Barb!
View CommentLynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) says
Hi Barb, I so remember this quiet place to sit and reflect. I enjoyed seeing your collections.. feel better my friend..hugs ~lynne~
View CommentSoutherncook says
What a lovely and relaxing post at your desk. I did enjoy it.
Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook
View CommentKathysue says
Barb I remember this tablescape and thought then it looked soothing and on a cold day like today even in Calif. it still looks soothing. Kathysue
View CommentDining Delight says
So sorry to hear about your dysfunctional gallbladder and your need for a cholecystectomy. Hope all goes well and you will be feeling better in no time. Glad you re-posted this little ‘scape. I can relate to the little moments we have to relax after a hectic day at work and how much we appreciate them (thanks to great husbands!). It is hard to imagine what couples had to go through during the wars where they never heard from each other for ages – those letters must be very special to you.
DD
View CommentTootsie says
this sounds wonderful! will have to remember to join…hope you don’t mind if I put your logo in my sidebar!
View CommentMiss Janice says
Thanks for reposting this lovely setting! It’s just beautiful! Good luck with your gallbladder surgery. I love that you are having “tabletop Tuesday.” I’m into doing some decos right now and look forward to participating as soon as I get everything together! Happy New Year!
View Commentlaurie @ bargain hunting says
Ahhhh is right. What a beautiful post! laurie
View Commentjane says
useful tips i like this line May Your Life Be Filled with “Aaaah!” Moments. residence hall linens at the lowest prices. Quality linens to bring comfort to your dorm residence.
View Comment