A Little Ingenuity & Another Party

A Birthday Party at the Beach!

Welcome back to Hyacinths For The Soul

and Tablescape Thursday.

It's another party!

Last week was spent enjoying the pleasures of the seashore with my friend, Kay. It was five days of summer seaside simplicity: just us girls sharing, stitching, and savoring the delights of leisure time.

The trip happened to coincide with Kay's birthday. So a birthday celebration was definitely in order! I wanted to do a special tablescape, but I certainly hadn't packed my china and silver, nor anything that I would normally use on a table. So I had to rely on ingenuity. I began to scruntize the lovely beach house that was to be our home for the next few days. The dishes were a simple creamy white. Excellent! Food always looks best on white dishes, and white would be an easy color with which to work.

I rummaged through the closet to see what else might be useful. Wow! Ocean blue placemats and coordinating napkins. The napkins were lovely with a seashell print on one side and stripes on the reverse. I couldn't have selected anything more appropriate if I'd gone shopping myself!

So now the theme was set!

(As if it might be something other than a beach theme?)

Oh, just look at this group of enchanting birthday hats in one of the local shops!

Can you guess which one was just made for our party?

Yes, the perfect party hat modeled by the adorable young shopkeeper.

The house was a treasure trove of wonderful beach themed goodies. The centerpiece would definitely include fish! No problem here! I rounded up a few of my favorites.

This was one of a pair. It has a little tea light holder on the reverse so that candle light glows through the blue glass.

And this stunning guy was truly a work of art. Can you see the miniature scene within the glass fish? Sorry, the photo does not do this one justice.

My favorite was this handmade pottery fishy. His vivid colors, big eyes, and wide open mouth made me smile each time I looked his way.

A vibrant yellow Gerber Daisy bouquet was the perfect choice for flowers.

They were stunning in this blue stoneware vase.

I added a large pillar candle pulled in from one of the baths and colorful curled ribbon tossed about to give a festive touch in honor of the birthday celebration.

I think we're ready!

Dinner ~ a light, simple salad with fresh, boiled shrimp.

Nothing better than fresh Gulf shrimp when you are at the coast!

And what is a birthday celebration without a birthday cake?

Winn-Dixie makes a terrific lemon sour cream goodie that was perfect for two on a diet. Yummy key lime pecans were scattered around the sides. The musical candle plays "Happy Birthday" continuously. Another Winn-Dixie find!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAY!

Not bad for an impromptu party table? What do your think?

If you missed the celebration at HFTS last Thursday, click here.

To view a few photos from the Florida Gulf Coast posted yesterday for

Outdoor Wednesday, click here.

I like to read your comments. Please leave one!

Then click here to join Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday and a list of participants with tablescapes to share.