spot on the tablecloth

My mom gave me a book in 1995 that has stayed one of my favorites (she knows me well).  One of the quotes in it says, 

"A good host puts the first stain on the tablecloth."  

                                                                               - anonymous

That quote has really stuck with me since I first read it.  I think it's so important for people to feel comfortable and never intimidated.  One of the ways I try to "live out" this quote is to use tablecloths that already have stains.  :)  Remember the vintage tablecloths I got two weekends ago for $3 each?  I used one tonight and even after good stain-treating and laundering, it has some stains.  Some "collectors" would shun this but to me it shows it's been used and loved and makes it so much easier to use and splash balsamic vinegar and drag blackberry juice across as we did tonight.  Not that we did on purpose at all but if you're going to eat and enjoy it sometimes messes happen.  We shared fellowship with a great friend and didn't worry one smidge about the tablecloth.  

The stain was already there.  

See it?

So, we don't worry about it, enjoy ourselves, enjoy catching up, share life, eat a good meal and then just throw the tablecloth in the wash. 

Have a good night.  Kelly

p.s. if you're curious about the book, the link will take you to amazon where you can see it.  In googling the author, Judie Byrd, I just learned that she lives nearby in Fort Worth and is the creator of Super Suppers.  How cool is that?  And Judie, if you ever google your name and run across my blog, thanks for writing this book!  I've received much encouragement and inspiration from it over the years.  Kelly

and the winner is . . .

Carolyn G.!!! 

Congrats!  i hope you will enjoy this tablecloth in your sunroom. 

Thanks to everyone for entering.  It was fun to see your comments.  Kelly

wedding Wednesday - the bouquet

hello and welcome to wedding Wednesday!  I got all of my professional pictures back and they are absolutely stunning!  I love them so much!  Rachel Wilks (now Rachel Debell) is our photographer.  She and her sister Abby actually.  These ladies are AMAZING and WONDERFUL and I am oh, oh so glad we had them.  

I used brooches that belonged to my mom, grandma, great-grandma and Adrian's mom and great-grandmother on the ribbon of my bouquet.  

ding ding ding ding ding

Tiffany was right!  The first one!    

And Deborah was double right!

(honestly, that's uncanny to me that Deborah even knew whose recipe I was using but then at the same time it doesn't surprise me at all because that is so like her.  She is a genius in the kitchen and very intuitive about cooking sorts of things AND she's going to be a mommy the third time over in just DAYS!!!  So exciting!!)

It should also come as no surprise that Tiffany guessed correctly since she is a baker extraordinaire!  She makes excellent cakes and in fact made two of my shower cakes.  

I *was* making cinnamon rolls and using my grandma (Sweetie's) recipe at that!  

I got the inspiration here and even though it was officially one day AFTER Valentine's, everyday is a good day to love on your sweet man, right?

This is my take on heart shaped cinnamon rolls placed unbaked into muffin tins with lids so that we could just pop one or two out to bake the mornings we want to eat them.  

(Any of you ever done this freezing thing with bread dough?  Does it work well for you?)  

YUM!  

don't forget about the giveaway

It's not too late!  Drawing is Thursday.  Comments will close at the end of Wednesday.  Kelly

baking clue #3

go ahead, just take a stab :)  

what do you think?  

Kelly

edited to add:  ha ha ha ha ha!  just to stop any rumors before they get started, it is not a bun in the oven!  That would be a fun way to tell though, wouldn't it?  

baking clue #2

happy Monday - my first giveaway!

Hi there and happy Monday morning to you.  

I've never had a giveaway on my blog before and today is the day!  

Remember all of those great vintage tablecloths I found on Saturday?

I would like to give this one away to a reader who would like it.  

I like the bright colors and cheerful flowers.  It would be fun on a kitchen table, on a picnic or displayed in some way.  

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment.  To make things a little more interesting, maybe just tell me how you think you'll use the tablecloth, something you like about my blog, how you found my blog or just something you're thankful for today.  

I will draw the winner on Thursday.  

All comments received through Wednesday will be entered in the drawing.  

You are eligible if you live in the U.S.  Also, please note that this is a vintage tablecloth.  There are some signs of use which I think show that it has been used and loved and given character.  It is in good condition and I would absolutely use it on my table but I don't want anyone expecting perfection and being disappointed.  :)  

Happy give away day!  Kelly

wanna guess?

what I'm baking?????    

Valentine's Day thrifting

I don't know about you but I really like to read blog posts where people show things they've found at thrift stores, garage sales, etc.  I'm not even really quite sure why I like it so much but if you think you might like it too, check out this, this, this, this and this and see if it's not fun!

So yesterday, one of the many things we did as we had a day of adventure together exploring our own city was to go into a thrift store that we stumbled upon.  I saw the rows of linens hanging pretty quickly and wandered over to take a look.  I found vintage tablecloths!!!  I have bought them at flea markets or antique stores but never have been the one to uncover such gems at a thrift store!  One was $2.49 and the others were $2.99!!!  How amazing!  I am used to seeing them for $20-$30 at antique stores and quietly admiring them and then just leaving them there.  This was a happy day!  

Aren't those pink and red roses above just wonderful for Valentine's Day?

Look at these sweet roses and ribbons?  So soft and feminine.  

I love the so sophistication of the gray.  :)  

And I walked by this 25th anniversary glass several times.  Why do I need a 25th anniversary glass?  We're only 4 months into our marriage.  Everyone I could think of is past the 25 year mark or is far from it.  hmmm . . . something about it though  just tugged at my heart strings and I finally put it in my basket.  

I also bought this plate for hanging on the wall and a few gifts but of course I can't show those finds in case the recipients read this.  :)  

Hope you're having a good weekend!  Kelly

clouds

Did anyone in the metroplex see these really cool cloud formations this early evening?  

We were in awe at the way they looked.  God does some really cool things.  Kelly

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you have a very happy Valentine's Day!  

It's delightful sharing this little online community with you!  

May God's richest blessings fall on you this day! 

Kelly

okay, I have to know . . .

are you wearing leggings?

Yes or No?

Please leave a comment and tell me. :)

So, wasn't it about two years ago that leggings started popping up on little girls. Oh so cute under skirts and dresses.

So then they start showing up for bigger people but still no one I know really wears them.

Well in the last week or two I've seen quite a handful of the teachers at my school in leggings.

As for my self, I have not yet been temped to get into the leggings fashion trend this time around but I did want to see what the rest of you are doing. Should I stick with no leggings? Join the trend? What do you think?

Hope everyone is having a good day! Happy Friday! Kelly

love

"Love gives itself; it is not bought."

                                         ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

wedding Wednesday - long rows of tables

When I thought of our reception and what I wanted it to be like, I really wanted the feel of a family gathering. I wanted it to be homey. I wanted everyone to feel comfortable. I wanted long rows of tables with different wooden chairs down either side. Well, where in the world to you get hundreds of different wooden chairs (even though they have pics like that in the magazines) and if the tables were all pushed together into really long tables then no one could move around them easily. So, since we had a real wedding, not one that only gets photographed for a magazine, this is what we came up with and I love the way it looks!

photo by Rachel Debell

photo by Rachel Debell

photo by my friend Jenni

photo by my friend Jenni

photo by my friend Jenni

Two of my aunts sewed the table runners that add to the illusion of length. My friends Emily, Rachel and Sarah decorated the tables with all my stuff and countless people helped iron & lay out tablecloths, light candles, etc. It was so much fun!

Travel Tuesdays - Miami

Oklahoma that is!  

Adrian and I took a road trip from Missouri to Texas a couple summers ago.  

I searched online before we went to see if I could find any "gems" that we could experience along the way.  I don't remember how I found this little place but the Kuku Burger is definitely worth a stop if you're driving through Miami, Oklahoma.  It is right off the turnpike I think and also on historic Route 66.  ("If you ever plan to motor west . . .")

Here you can get good burgers for good prices, handmade limeades and all manner of frozen ice cream treats. One time when Adrian stopped they even gave him keychains!

You can also stop in at the Coleman Theater while you're in town to hear their amazing pipe organ and see the beautiful grand theater.  

If you go through Miami, Oklahoma let me know.  

Do you have a favorite small town restaurant that's not the same variety you can find everywhere?  Adrian and I like food enough we just might make a road trip specifically to go there.  Stranger things have happened.  :)  Kelly

life lesson

"We can only learn to love by loving."  

                                                       

                                                              ~Iris Murdoch

photo by Rachel Debell

four months

Today we celebrate four months of being married. Praise God for the work He continually does in our lives. He is Good. Kelly

photo by Rachel Debell

loving

"If there is anything better than to be loved

it is loving."  

~ anonymous

Travel Tuesdays - road trip food

What is your favorite road trip food?  

Two of ours are red vines (or red Twizzlers) and pop rocks!  

Is it just me or are pop rocks becoming harder and harder to find at gas stations?  I've started stocking up before we leave home.  

photo taken on our honeymoon in our convertible in California :)  

Kelly

time

"The most important way to show love is with your time."

love

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."  

I Peter 4:8