Table Setting Logic...Think: Who, What, When, Where and Why!

In early March, we received a rash of e-mails proposing the idea of a family reunion/birthday party for my now 87 year old mother-in-law (to be). We had, and still have, a great deal going on in our family this year...Babies have been born, family members are retiring and joining us as residents of Cape Cod, distantly located family hadn't seen loved ones in a while and, sadly, Wayne's 87 year old mother is battling tongue cancer. So, we decided to come together at the two houses on the Cape (the family farm house and a nearby, newly built house) to celebrate life and rally our healing powers and prayers.

I was cooking and freezing ahead for weeks because approximately 30 (give or take) people were coming to spend quality time together. In addition, Wayne and I are in "The Season" and shops don't run themselves. Food preparation aside, we also faced challenges with making changes in the house, so that we would be able to accommodate our guests for the party, and for future, expected summer visitors, in a somewhat organized and comfortable manner.

As we rolled up our sleeves to begin, I began to think of ways I could accomplish this creatively, economically, and without becoming too overwhelmed. I began with "who, what, when, where and why" and you wouldn't believe what thoughts and ideas easily came to mind.

Wayne's mom is extremely thrifty. I knew I was going to have to use things that were always in the house (like the blue and white dishes) and ease my compulsive need for a certain type of presentation (this has to match that, and that has to match this and it all has to be hand/home made), while sticking to a reasonable budget...Let me rephrase that...The cost had to be cheap, cheap, cheap! So, "who"?...Wayne's frugal Mom and lots of hungry people. "What"?...Birthday party/reunion (so, it had to be very special). "When"?...Summertime, heat, near 4th of July, and right in the height of our business time. "Where"...Cape Cod, beach, sand, etc. "Why"? Because we love each other and sometimes you just have to stop your busy lives and make the people you love feel special!

Even though we all pitched in and contributed for the 5 days full of meals and activities, Wayne and I were to host the "Lobster Reunion/Birthday Party". Below are some sample pictures of what and how I came up with the place settings:

Luckily, I had a large amount of these plates. I decided to go with summertime/traditional "lobster dinner" colors not only because of the time of year or the fact that we had the plates, but also because of a yard sale I had been to that offered up large amounts of coordinating fabrics, for cheap prices. Also, Lobster is a "sit down" dinner and can be quite messy, so I chose to help the environment and try to save on the use of paper products.

I made cloth napkins by simply ripping 2 of the coordinating fabrics into squares (View sample in my previous post to see the other napkin fabric. I set the table every-other). I made the napkin rings by cutting toilet paper roll centers into 4 pieces, wrapping them with torn, frayed strips of fabric and gluing them to the roll. I then ripped other fabric into strips and made bows, glued the bows onto the ring and glued an antique button on each bow center! After that, I folded and fanned the napkin, slipped the ring over it, slid the utensils and a plastic lobster bib into the center and we were good to go!

Close up of wrapping.

Yet another close up!

I used some fun paper napkins for the horsdeovres' table. I got these cement birds out of Wayne's dollar box outside his shop. They helped me keep the napkins from blowing away!

I found these cute tin pails at Christmas Tree Shops and put extra utensils in them. And shown in front of the pails, is a sample of the favors I made for each person.

People love to take home a little memento. This was so simple, but meant so much. I got little clay pots for each and filled them with a little red candle. I wrapped the rim with a fabric strip (to match the napkin rings), and added the bow and button. With a blue paint pen, I wrote: "Marge's 87th" on the back and "Family 2010" on the front. I filled each small cellophane bag with red and white confetti mixed with peppermint Cape Cod taffy. (Their wrappers were red, white and blue!)

All tied up with raffia and ready to go!

Here's a place setting for yet another party in another season. So you see, I haven't wasted anything. I have all my napkins laundered, my rings stored, and I am all set to entertain again, but perhaps with a different theme!

I made these arrangements for two of the food tables. Once again, Wayne's dollar bin came in handy. Isn't this aluminum tea pot cute with the geraniums and vinca? When Wayne saw the pots he said, "Hey! You owe me $2.00!" I said, "Well, I spent the rest of my money at the grocery, so I will have to pay you in grilled chicken!"

The eating tables had these sand candles on them. I used the dessert size blue and white plate as a candle dish and put the taffy and confetti around them. If you would like to make some of these candles for one of your parties, please refer to my previous post, "Come Play In the Sand", for the basic sand candle recipe.

Pictured here are the supplies for making the sand candles with dyed sand. I used 1/4 tsp. of tempera paint, per cup of sand. I added just enough water to spread and whisk the color throughout the sand.

I spread the sand on a cookie sheet to let it dry and later use it to roll the candles on.

Keep a good thought while waiting for the sand to dry! When it does, break it up fine and you are ready to roll!

When I post again, I will show you how to make the cushion covers! In the meanwhile, be happy!

Pieces of Dreams

The Family Farmhouse, Chatham, Cape Cod

It's Sunday night and a bit moist and chilly, here on Cape Cod. In a previous post, I wrote that Wayne and I live in our "home space" in the back of and above Wayne's Antiques, Brewster during the winter. Well, thank goodness it is no longer cold, so we have moved to the family farm house in Chatham. Since it is a "three season" house, we shall be staying here until the cold weather graces us with it's presence, once again. (I don't even want to think of that, right now!)

Our shops are open, and as Wayne would say, it's "full tilt rock 'n roll" for business on Cape Cod. Our days are long and exhausting as we treasure hunt for inventory, work on one project after another, and engage with our much appreciated customers. All is well and as it should be.

This time of year also brings on an overload of home improvement projects. The family farm house is like a dear old friend that has a rather persnickety side to it's personality. As much as it is very much appreciated and adored, in all honesty, I would have to classify it as one of our "needy" friends. Don't get me wrong, I really love tackling things around here, especially if I get to tap into something that brings out some sort of creativity. But, as with any old house, not every thing we take on can be called "a fun project". And, more often than not, there are unforeseen surprises in store and we end up opening a whole new can of worms. Our challenges can drag on and on, with the two of us muttering, "It will be nice when it's done!" (Trust me, repeating that over and over, seems to work better than cursing all over the place!)

Below are some pictures taken in early spring, last year. The house, at that time, was used to accommodate both renters and family, for their vacationing stay. But, now that it is no longer being rented, Wayne and I stay here so that we can share quality time with our visiting loved ones, after they spend the day beaching it, and we run our shops. The good news is that when we are here alone, we can decorate and equip the house with a bit more personality, making it more comfortable and efficient to our needs! So, I guess you could say, these are our "before" pictures, (keeping in mind that some of the "after" pictures are years away from being taken)....I wonder what kind of photo technology will be in use then?

Pieces of Dreams

Our family's wonderful Greek Revival. "Be it ever so humble, there's no place like HOME!"

We love cooking together in this kitchen.

The living room.

The dining room, with a little glimpse (thru the doorway) of the sun porch/family room.

Front entrance foyer.

Front bedroom with the crazy wallpaper...It has to go!

Upstairs nook.

One of the upstairs bedrooms. There is another room next to this and a bath, not pictured. There is also a downstairs bath and an outdoor shower.

The bedroom where Wayne and I stay. (Our little hide-a-way, when the rest of the house is noisy and we have to sleep to get up for work the next day.)

Outside view of the back of the house and sun porch.

This is an actual "scallop house", taken from one of the Chatham beaches. Wayne's Mom named it "Tiffy's". They still have scallop houses at some of the harbors. The fisherman would come in with their catch and some would go to the fish stores and restaurants and some would be sold directly out of these little houses. Talk about FRESH!