Sunday, August 30, 2020

Celebrating My Chef



We celebrated my Chef's birthday recently.

76 Years!

With birthday celebrations limited during COVID,
the trend is to celebrate with a driveby parade.
I arranged one with 76 trombones.
Click the video to join in!


Within the house, the table was set for two.
We celebrated with a special birthday brunch.

In the Chef's honor, I thought it appropriate
to set the table with a foodie theme.

Fresh veggies on skewers were added
into the flowers for a centerpiece.

The table was set with dinner plates from our 
Rainbow Gate Fruit Series.
Cherries for me and figs for my guy.

We bought our plates in the 1990s, but they are still available.
Rainbow Gate in Santa Fe, NM.
Linens are new from my favorite linen source,
Crown Linen Designs.

 We've enjoyed our beautiful Arte Italica
petwer stemware for over 20 years.

This cute MacKenzie-Childs radish and bunny
are actually a salt and pepper.

Recently added MacKenzie-Childs 
napkin rings debuted for this special occasion.

I didn't hesitate to add these vintage handmade ceramic rings,
even though there was only one of each style available.
I'm all about a mix, so I placed the Argentina 
napkin ring at the chef's placesetting, and .   .   .

The Torquay patern in the Palm and Devon 
colorway was at my placesettinng.

We dined on a Chef original ~ a simple veal and veggie dish 
served in hashbrown potato nests.

I toasted the birthday guy with a mimosa.

 

German Chocolate Cake from Central Market Bakery. 

The cake was small, but more than enough for two
with extra to share with the neighbors.


Happy Birthday to my favorite guy!







Sunday, July 5, 2020

Independence Day 2020

~ July 4th ~ 
American Independence Day!
As we all have learned,
2020 is different.
I never miss the neighborhood 4th of July Parade,
though this year, there was no parade. 
Instead, neighbors were encouraged to decorate their
laws with a patriotic theme
I missed sitting on the curbside! 
It's always heart warming to see the hundreds of neighbors,
young and old, who come out on the 4th of July to 
participate in these little community parades.   
All parades were canceled because of COVID-19!
No large outdoor gatherings for family and friend meals!
No public parks open!
No Austin Symphony Orchestra concert along the 
grassy banks of Lady Bird Lake,
culminating with a spectacular fireworks display 
above the beautiful Austin skyline. 
None of the traditional festivities for the 4th this year!
Fortunately these two didn't let COVID-19 
dampen their patriotic spirit.
They had their own little solo parade!
There were no plans to join friends for a traditional gathering.
For us it was a quiet evening at home, dinner for two
with our sweet Sadie girl at our feet.
I kept the decor simple this July.  
Between our ongoing remodel and no entertaining 
at home, I hesitate to bring much out.
Though I am enjoying this new cachepot 
filled with summer blooms.
 A tray filled with flags and 
Uncle Sam figures sits on the buffet.
I couldn't resist these special 4th of July party crowns,
though admitedly they were strictly to add a festive touch.
These fun party crowns are by Bethany Lowe Designs.
They came in red and blue, each with a different sentiment.
Do you have a favorite?

They give a festive party feel to the stack of dishes,
Blue Pinstripe Chargers ~ Neiman Marcus
Royal Check Dinner ~ MacKenzie-Childs
Red Italian Salad ~ Spode
Royal Linens ~ Crown Linen Designs
Mother of Pearl Flatware ~ English Antique
I think a varried stack makes for an interesting table.
This one alternates the red and blue 
with a touch of black and white.
Love Letter Placemats ~ Hester and Cook
Black and White Ruffled Placemats ~ Crown Linen Designs
We are fans of colored glass, and these blue glass stemware and tumblers are pieces we have enjoyed for decades.
  What about you, do you like colored glass?
No fireworks here! 
Our finale was a Stars and Stripe 
cupcake with faux sparkler.
~ America the Beautiful ~
Happy 244th Birthday!

Monday, June 1, 2020

Tales of the Traveling Tote #23

Welcome, friends!
Like most, we are masked and in mandatory "stay at home" here.
Obviously there hasn't been any travel.

Our first major disappointment was this!
Round Top Antique Market
Canceled!!!
😢😢😢😢😢

That meant one of my besties who was 
scheduled to join me from Cape Cod
had to cancel her visit.

I've been shopping these 
bi-annual markets since the 1980s.

Grocery shopping is done online 
with curbside pickup.

 Then there was this!
Fresh cut flowers are difficult to find.

Fortunately, Mother Nature came to the rescue!
~Red Bud Blooms ~ 

 ~ Mountain Laurel ~

~ Bridal Wreath ~

 In May, Texas began to reopen, and I began to 
venture into the grocery stores on occasion.
Entries are timed to limit the number of shoppers inside 
a store, so shoppers line up waiting to enter.
Masks and strict social distancing are required, and store employees are stationed to monitor that rules are observed.

I only venture out for 
essential shopping!

Trader Joe's of course 
has very clever 6 foot stations.


 Our neighborhood streets are active with 
children and families out walking or biking.

Sadie doesn't think all this fuss about 
social distancing applies to canines.


In reality, Sadie has enjoyed the months of isolation.
She gets multiple walks, likes to stop and smell the flowers,
and always finds a comfy spot for napping.
Now that Austin has begun reopening, curbside drop-off for grooming means Sadie gets time with her favorite groomer, Joelle.

 Early on, someone in our neighborhood suggested that 
the neighbors set up a Bear Hunt based on the children's book,
I'M GOING ON A BEAR HUNT 
by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.


The idea was that families would place
a teddy bear in one of their front windows.

When families are out on their daily walks, 
the children look for bears, as they go on a Bear Hunt.
The idea was immediately embraced as you can see with
my sampling in the collage above.  It even expanded to an 
Easter Egg Hunt with some families adding eggs in their windows.

When Debbie @ Mountain Breaths convinced me to add
Olivia Owl to my nest, I decided to have a little fun with her too.
Olivia flitted about from one flower filled container to another.
Instead of WHERE'S WALDO, it was WHERE'S OLIVIA?

 Families have embraced this isolation time to reconnect.
The slower pace has families enjoying just being together.
No schools are open, so children are finishing the school year online from home with the assistance of their parents.
 Birthdays are celebrated with drive by parades or
gathering together for virtual parties on Zoom.
Our local schools organized graduation parades.
Last week high school seniors rode through the neighborhoods in cars and trucks decorated with balloons and flags and banners;
honking horns and the sound of cheers filled the streets.

One of my friends organized a couple of us to 
celebrate a friend's birthday with a tailgate party.
Four masked friends sitting six feet apart in a parking lot!
When life gives you lemons, 
make something sweet!

In addition to the isolation and lockdown orders, we are
in the throws of a remodel.  Meetings with our contractor and architect are held outside, masked, and distanced.

May 13th brought a special event to our city.
The US Air Force Thunderbirds conducted a flyover of 
Austin area hospitals to salute health care workers,
first responders, and other essential workers on the front lines.
A friend snapped this photo from her vantage point downtown.

Rabbit, Rabbit! ~ Today is June 1st
A new month, a new start!
Today, more than ever, our country must embrace the
oneness of humanity, to live with kindness and compassion.
"Through judging, we separate.  
Through understanding, we grow."
~ Doe Zantamata~

Linda is hosting our June giveaway, 
leave a comment on her blog to be entered.
Be sure to visit all the adventures below.
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 
Emily with Miss Courtney ChildsThe French Hutch
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Rita with Miss Luna C Panoply 
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul (You are here)
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader
Cherry Kay and Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women