Sweet Chocolate Birthday Table

 

 

A couple of week’s ago, Savvy turned 16 years old!  I asked her how she wanted to celebrate and she chose to have a family dinner.  Can you imagine a teenager turning down a party?

 

 

She couldn’t even decide on a theme!  So I picked up a pretty bouquet of flowers and just kind of went from there!

 

 

I arranged them in this deep rose vase that I found at a yard sale last summer.  I placed it, along with the 4 votive holders, on an oblong silver tray for the centerpiece.

 

 

The place setting started out with a white round placemat from the Dollar Tree.  It’s topped with a silver tray, which is either from Goodwill or a yard sale.  I’ve been collecting this size to use as plate chargers.  The green dinner plate is from the Dollar Tree and the smaller white dinner plate is vintage Buffalo China, which was in a $3 box deal from the auction.  Topping it all off, are the “chocolate” salad plates.  I purchased them at a yard sale last summer but I have seen them, or one’s similar, at the Dollar General Store.  I used pink napkins to pick up the color of the dots on the plate.

 

 

I chose the 1960’s Danish Modern flatware because the details on it mimics the design on the salad plates.  To read more about that thrifty find, click here.

 

 

Well, maybe not exactly, but close enough!  The brown or “chocolate” handles fits in perfectly!

 

 

Clear iced tea glasses and pink wine glasses complete the table.  No, she isn’t getting any wine…maybe water!! 

 

 

What she is getting, is chicken pot pie!  Yep, that was this year’s request.  She loves it and wanted me to make 4 batches but I trimmed it down to 3!  She wanted to make sure we had leftovers!  To see the recipe, click here.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Sharing with:

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life
Thrifty & Vintage Finds @ Dagmar's Home

DIY Oyster Candle Holder

Hello, everyone!  I hope you had a wonderful Memorial  Day.  We had an impromptu fish fry and, boy, did we get some fantastic weather for it!

 

I  planned on having a different post for you today but I accidentally deleted my photos.  But never fear, I have a back up!  Awhile back when I was working on my oyster frame mirror, I used the leftover oyster shells for a candle holder.  I first saw a candle holder similar to this over at Uptown Acorn.  Ron is a big fan, too, and has lots of oyster décor in his home.  To see my oyster mirror post, click here.  To visit Ron at Uptown Acorn, click here.

 

 

Hunter purchased a box deal at the auction and there was a set of wooden beach ball paddles and I used one of them as the base.  I glued two rows of jute string around the base to have a finished edge and then started gluing the shells.  I set the vase I was using in the middle as I was gluing as a guide.  I wanted to make sure it would fit when finished!

 

 

I added some sand and inserted the candle!  Such a fast and easy project!

 

 

Here’s a quick peep at the Pottery Barn inspired lamp that I did last year.  For the summer season, I put in some sea glass and driftwood.  To see the PB inspired lamp, click here.

 

I love the blue!!  Don’t look at the messy room in the background!  That’s the screen porch that is currently being renovated into a sunroom.  I’ve been begging my husband to get back to working on it!  I promised him that if he would just get this room finished, I’ll never ask him to close in or add on another room, ever!

 

Have you been busy with any projects?

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Make it Pretty @ The Dedicated House

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST A Housewife

Project Inspired @ Artsy Chicks Rule

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Spring Party @ DIY by Design

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Share Your Creativity @ It's Overflowing

Sweet Pink Tulips

 

Do you ever feel a little down or a little sad and just don’t know why?  I feel like that every now and then!  The last time I had one of those days, my sweet husband bought me some pretty pink tulips to brighten my day!

 

 

I added some real greenery from the flowerbeds and some faux flowers!  I pulled out my little collection of milk glasses vases to arrange them in.  To break up the white on white, I used a silver platter.

 

 

The pink chargers, which are just some spray painted gold ones, are topped with Summer Chintz china by Johnson Brothers.  I purchased them a couple of months ago at a Goodwill store for a buck a piece! 

 

I used vintage yellow napkins to bring out the yellow in the flowers.  The napkin rings add another silver element to the table.  Both are yard sale finds!

 

 

 

The flatware is a vintage silver-plate that I found years ago.

 

 

The beautiful etched stemware was a recent thrifty find at Goodwill, 59 cents each!  Amethyst stemware is from Old Time Pottery.

 

 

Flowers are just a good pick me up!  I’m so blessed to have such a loving husband!

 

Sharing with:

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life
Thrifty & Vintage Finds @ Dagmar's Home

Summer Coastal Mantel

Well, we’re hitting the 90’s this week so I think Summer is here for us in South Louisiana!  The painting that I got last year is out of storage and back over the mantel.  It’s so much brighter in here since I repainted the walls in this grayish white color.  I think the name of the paint is Mineral Spirit from Behr. 

 

I used the mercury glass that I made awhile back.  To see that post, click here.  The glass cylinder is filled with sand, sea glass, rope and a starfish.  The sea glass is from Pottery Barn, I purchased it last year but they have it for this year as well!  The sand is from Home Depot.

 

 

I splurged this year and purchased the coral from Pottery Barn as well.  Last year while at the beach, I priced it at several different places and they all seem to run about the same price.

 

 

The tall lantern is a recent purchased from Hobby Lobby.  The driftwood filler is from Pottery Barn.  My husband almost had a fit when he heard I bought a bag of “sticks!”  I loved how they looked at the store but I’m still not satisfied with how I used mine so I know this lantern will be looking different soon!

 

 

Have you started your Summer decorating or still hanging on to Spring!

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Make it Pretty @ The Dedicated House

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST A Housewife

Project Inspired @ Artsy Chicks Rule

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Spring Party @ DIY by Design

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Cloche Party @ A Stroll thru Life
 





Deep Fried Okra as an Appetizer?

 

 

When I was younger I was not an okra fan!  You couldn’t pay me to eat it!  As I’ve gotten older, I have discovered the benefits of using okra to thicken gumbo’s and stews but the way I really love it, is fried!  Not only does it make a great side dish but an appetizer as well!

 

 

DEEP FRIED OKRA

 

cut okra

meal mixture (equal parts of corn meal and flour)

milk

salt

pepper

frying oil

 

Soak okra in milk for 30-60 minutes.  Roll in meal mixture.  Add salt and pepper.  Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown.

 

 

That’s it, a little messy but very easy and taste delicious!

 

Sharing with:

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen’s Country Cottage

Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
See Ya in the Gumbo @ Ms. enPlace

On the Menu Monday @ StoneGable

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Back for Seconds Social Part @ Back for Seconds

Spring Flowers

 

 

Hello, everyone!  Today’s tablescape was inspired  by the flowers in the centerpiece!  The purple flowers were a gift from some friends and I mixed in the yellow daises.  You can’t really tell in the picture but the tablecloth in a very pale pink in a vintage design.

 

 

The rattan chargers gives the table a little texture.  Purple dinner plates and green salad plates were topped with a pretty floral plate.  I love the details in this plate, from the ladybugs on the leaves to the bees and dragonflies circling around.

 

 

The cup and saucers are have the same design.

 

 

Amethyst stemware from Old Time Pottery.

 

 

 

I recently found the green napkin rings and white napkins at Goodwill.  I have been passing up white napkins because I have so many but there was no way I could pass up the Swiss Dot pattern.

 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Sharing with:

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

M*A*S*H 4077th Backyard Tour

 

Source

 

I love M*A*S*H, we have the complete series on dvd and watch it often.  However, I don’t think I’m their biggest fan by any means!  Check out this backyard from Rate My Space!

 

 

I believe this may be the ultimate fan!  This is his actual backyard!

 

 

This is a replica of the Swamp, where Hawkeye and the other surgeons bunked down!

 

 

Wow, check out the attention to detail!  The owner did include a mini fridge and cd player tucked away out of sight.  This is where he has his poker games with his friends.

 

 

 

Here is Colonel Potter’s tent.

 

 

This is just amazing to me!  The series premiered in the U.S. on September 17, 1972, and ended February 28, 1983, with the finale, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen", becoming the most watched television episode in U.S. television history at the time, with a record-breaking 125 million viewers.  The series, which covered a three-year military conflict, spanned 251 episodes and lasted eleven seasons.  Would you makeover your backyard like your favorite show?

 

All pictures are from Rate My Space.

 

SHARING WITH:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Make it Pretty @ The Dedicated House

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST A Housewife

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Spring Party @ DIY by Design

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

The Laura–A Creole Plantation Part 3

 

Here are some pictures of Laura though the years. Originally named after her great grandfather, the Duparc Plantation name was changed in 1874 to "The Laura." In 1872, Laura's grandmother, Elisabeth, divided the plantation, giving half to Laura's father, Emile, 3,000 acres plus the Big House, and, to his sister, Aimee, was given 3,000 acres and the sugar mill. The following year, Emile had a successful harvest but, his sister and mother, wanting to take back his half of the farm, refused him the use of Aimee's sugar mill. His entire crop spoiled, Emile found lenders in New Orleans and, in 1873, built his own sugar mill. To celebrate the mill's opening, Emile asked Laura to invite her teenage girl friends, instructing them to suggest a name for his new mill. Laura's best friend, Lily LeGendre, offered "the Laura Mill." Realizing the opportunity, Emile, in front of Elisabeth & Aimee, declared that his half of the plantation would be called "the Laura Plantation." When Laura sold the farm in 1891 to the Florian Waguespack family, she stipulated that from that sale forward, the name of the farm must be called "the Laura Plantation." Laura was born in 1861 and died in 1963 at the age of 102. After she sold the plantation in 1891, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to live with her husband.

This is a view from the back balcony. The building you see in the distance is the Maison de Reprise. It was built in 1829 by Laura’s great grandmother as a “retirement home.” If you did not work for the family business, you did not reside in the main home. So upon her retirement, she purchased a slot of land from the plantation and had this built. After retirement, she lived an additional 30-35 years!

I really hope that one day, before it’s too late, that funds will become available to where this beautiful old building can be restored!  This is what the house looked like in 1919.

 

 

I scanned it from this book, “Memories of the Old Plantation Home” by Laura Lecoul Gore.

 

 

It is an excellent resource for more information about the plantation and Laura’s life.  Before her death, she wrote down her memoirs for her children and held in safe keeping by a family friend. The manuscript was not found until restorers of the plantation were searching for old pictures and other documentation.  It is an amazing book that gives the reader a glimpse of her own life as well as stories passed down in her family.  I purchased the book and highly recommend it!  If you click on the picture, it will take you to Amazon, where it can be purchased.  Another resource is The Laura website.  It also has quite a bit of information, including this info that I’ve shared below!

 

Laura Plantation was rescued from demolition, not because of its Big House but, because of its remaining slave quarters and what happened in them many years ago. In the 1870s, Alcée Fortier, a young neighbor of Laura's, visited the workers' cabins at this site and at nearby plantations. On his visits, he wrote down stories that he heard the former slaves telling their children in French. Throughout his life, Fortier was known for the passion he had for his native Creole culture and for his special interest in recording folklore that he, as a child, had been exposed to on his family plantation on the River Road and in New Orleans.

 

Source

 

As a teenager, Fortier began to collect these stories from former slaves, all lively accounts of Compair Lapin and Compair Bouki, the clever rabbit and the stupid fool. In 1894, Fortier, the president of the American Folklore Society and Dean of Foreign Languages of Tulane University, published his stories, entitling them "Louisiana Folktales."

One year later, Fortier's friend and colleague in Georgia, Joel Chandler Harris, published stories that he had heard in English, tales told by former slaves (whose ancestors were from Senegal) in Georgia and the Carolinas. To great success, Harris published "Tales of Uncle Remus", including his "The Little Tar Baby." Ever since, English-speakers would know Compair Lapin as that rascal: Br'er Rabbit.

 

 

To purchase a copy, as written by Alcee Fortier in 1894, click on the picture above.  Below is an original slave cabin that remains at the plantation today.  It was in cabins, such as this, that the old stories were told!

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed this tour of The Laura Plantation.  If you missed any previous posts, I have them listed below:

 

Part 1

Part 2

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Make it Pretty @ The Dedicated House

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST A Housewife

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Spring Party @ DIY by Design

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Oh, the Places I've Been @ The Tablescaper