Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Tablescape Thursday and Foodie Friday


Today I am joining two of my favorite hostesses for a double post. Susan at Between Naps on the Porch has invited us to share our table scapes on Thursday and Michael at Designs by Gollum is the Foodie Friday Queen. I'm so glad these two host on back to back days. They just go together...like summer and lemonade, like summer and watermelon.


We've gotten a break here this week. After over a week of temperatures with heat indexes of over 105, we've gotten a little cooler weather--high of a "cool" 92, but much less humidity and that's what makes the difference. It's perfect for a late afternoon snack at our little bistro table on the deck! What's better than watermelon and lemonade?






I recently saw a Target ad featuring cute little blue bandana melamine plates. Melamine is technical talk for plastic! They used a beach towel in the same collection as the table cloth! I can do this! Plates at $1.49 each and the beach towel on sale for $5.99. Of course, everything goes with the Big Lots white dinner plates! Remember I told you about my napkin secret? These yellow bandanas are $.99 at Hobby Lobby!







These are so cute and priced just right. I know I will find lots of uses for them. They might even go tailgating this fall.





I'm using a small galvanized bucket left over from the gift buckets we made for the out of town wedding guests--once again from Target on the $1 aisle. I filled the bucket with two bunches of alstromoeria from Kroger. I got these for $1.69 each--the Manager's Special. I love these flowers. They seem to last forever. Does anyone out there grow them? I think I would like to try my hand at these.


I like lemonade-almost any kind. But there is something special about lemonade made from scratch with fresh mint from your own garden. Here is my favorite homemade lemonade recipe. You will need: thinly pared zest and freshly squeezed juice of 6 lemons, 1 cup of sugar, and chilled sparkling mineral water or club soda. I like to zap my lemons in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds to get a lot more juice. Put the lemon zest, sugar, and 2 1/2 cups of water (the regular kind :) in a non-aluminum saucepan and bring slowly to a simmer, stirring to disssolve the sugar. As soon as the sugar is dissolved, and the syrup begins to boil, remove the pan from the heat. Partially cover the pan and leave it until it is cold. Squeeze the lemons and add the juice to the cold syrup. Strain into a bowl or jug, cover, and chill. To serve, dilute with chilled sparking mineral water or club soda at a ration of about 1 part syrup to 1 part water. Add lots of ice cubes and fresh mint. Rumor has it that this makes a fine "adult beverage" with a splash of vodka! This serves about 6-8.



I hope you'll visit Susan and everyone else at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ and click on the Foodie Friday button on the sidebar sometime Friday morning to visit Designs by Gollum for a food fest!



One more thing--If you haven't clicked on Susan's Best Eye Candy Blog Nominee button, hurry on over and show her the love :)! I hope you all have a safe and happy 4th of July with friends and family!

52 comments:

  1. I love the blue and yellow, and there's nothing as wonderful and summery as lemonade and watermelon. The bandana plates are just too cute. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your table is lovely ... so summery! I love the tablecloth and the bandana plates and napkins. The lemonade looks yummy!

    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  3. Susan,

    This looks so summery (duh) set up by your pool. I love the Target plates. I have never seen the beach towel. And I do remember your bandana trick~in fact, I picked up some red and white scarves, not the "bandana" design, from the dollar bins at Target and I am going to use them for the 4th. The yellow and blue look great together.

    I never knew those flowers were named al..... can't even spell it!! I see them used all the time as fillers for bouquets because they go so well with everything. I would check Burpee.com

    Homemade lemonade! Wow. That would be a treat!! I am so used to Splenda I would probably have to go to the hospital!! Seriously, that and the watermelon sounds like a wonderful summer treat.

    Great tablescape. Hope you and your family have a wonderful 4th!! :-)

    xoxo
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy 4th! Love the yellow and blue and Tar-get! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful summertime table!

    Happy 4th of July!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a wonderful table, Susan!
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia :0

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Susan! What a fun summer table. Love that shade of blue with the lemon :0) It's all so refreshing...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Susan, your tablescape is lovely. Everything looks so refreshing and summery. Just wonderful!!

    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  9. That tablescape is so fresh and summery! I love the juicy colors with the watermelon, and of course the frugal prices on all these pieces. Have a happy 4th!

    Danelle Ice / Homemaker Barbi

    ReplyDelete
  10. oooh love blue and yellow, it all looks so summery and beautiful, nothing better than a summer table is there?

    happy tablescaping

    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  11. Now that looks like Summer! :-)
    Have a great 4th.
    Glenda

    ReplyDelete
  12. It has been hot but your table looks so COOL! I have been craving watermelon and I see we all would love to have some off your new dinnerware. You are just tempting us. Thanks for the fun tablescape.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a beautiful tablescape. Everything looks like summer. you did a great job,

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  14. Absolutely gorgeous! I love the blue and yellow and like the beach towel as a table cloth. I always love the Target Summer stuff and really don't need more!!! :D Jewel

    ReplyDelete
  15. How fun!! I didn't even realize that was a beach towel!! Have a great 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  16. those bandana melamine plates are awesome, even in blue, hee hee!

    I do think this shade of blue and yellow work very well together! It;s a good summer look!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That watermelon looks so good, and what a pretty tablescape it makes with the blue, and the yellow!

    Katherine

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a beautiful table topper and plates. Beautiful vivid colors and the watermelon looks so refreshing!...Christine

    ReplyDelete
  19. So ute -- wish I could come join you and sip some of your fresh lemonade and have a slice of watermelon too!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Blue and Yellow have always knocked me over! A beautifully done scape...Watermelon is so 4th of July don't you think? Have the best one ever, xoxo~Kathy@ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the touch of yellow!! Too cute... and that is my size slice of watermelon!! ;) Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh I wanna dive into that watermelon! Beautiful colors I love it...
    Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
    ~Really Rainey~

    ReplyDelete
  23. This looks SO cute. And I bought bandanas last year at Hobby Lobby and love them. Those yellow ones are darling! Love the whole look.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Susan - Amazing what you can do for so little $$ - I'll have to check out Target more often..great ideas!!
    My fav lemonade is raspberry!!
    Great post..

    ReplyDelete
  25. I just love the beach towel tablecloth! The color and pattern of the melamine plates a beautiful. I grew up with melamine, it's fun to see all the new patterns they're coming up with! Happy 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love your red, white and blue table! I saw those cute plates at Target. It's been really hot here too, but seeing your table, with the watermelon and lemonade, almost fools me into thinking it's not so hot outside.

    Hope you have a great 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a bright and festive tablescape! I love the colors you've used. Happy tablescaping to you!

    ReplyDelete
  28. You are so right about the alstromoeria--they do seem to last forever. Nothing says 4th of July to me like watermelon, and yours looks beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Good morning Susan! I love your tablescape! It's absolutely perfect! I'm gonna try that gourmet lemonade. It sounds fantastic! I might even try it once without the vodka! (LOL) You have a blessed day! Lauralu :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. FAB summertime table.. watermelon looks GREAT... oooh and I LOVE that Summertime song by Fantasia!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great ideas and thanks so much for the Lemonade recipe-- beenb looking for one.

    Have a great 4th

    TTFN~~ Claudia ♥

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh, I love the blue and white plates! So pretty. And the bandanas and the flowers and all your special creative touches! You're very good at this, and your lemonade sounds great right now in East Texas!
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  33. Such a cool and refreshing table setting.. The watermelon looks sooooo yummy. I hope this finds you and yours doing well.. Happy Fourth
    hugs ~lynne~

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love blue and yellow. What a great tablescape! Thanks for sharing... now I'm going to get myself a glass of ice cold lemonade!

    ReplyDelete
  35. This is so summery and looks like fun. I love watermelon and lemonade. Very nice table.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love a good bargain table that look so good. what a great idea to use the towel as a tablecloth and ofcourse I love the yellow bandanas as napkins...Have a great 4th. Sue in Atlanta

    ReplyDelete
  37. Lovely poolside setting! That watermellon looks so refreshing! Love the colors!! Happy 4th!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. One of the prettiest I've seen! You did a great job. The yellow really makes it all POP!

    Thank you for the nice comments you left on my new blog. Hope we'll visit each other often.

    Happy 4th!!!
    Bill @ Affordable Accoutrements

    ReplyDelete
  39. Susan, that is so pretty! I love that deep blue tablecloth/towel, and those plates are adorable. I also love the use of the bright yellow napkins with it. Have a wonderful holiday weekend. laurie

    ReplyDelete
  40. * STUNNING, stunning, stunning~~~~ Your FABULOUS choice of colors just CLICKS, and look sooooo beautifully INVITING!!!! ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! Many thanks~ am sooo glad I got to see this!

    Warmest wishes,
    Linda in AZ *

    ReplyDelete
  41. Your table is perfectly set for the holiday and I love your instructions for lemonade :-). Have a wonderful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Greetings womanhood! Thank you for welcoming me to Tablescape Thursday! Oh, my girls love your table and we'll likely be buying bandanas today! Happy Celebrating our incredible country this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Before I make lemonade I am going to zap my lemons in the microwave like you do...then I will use my lemon juicer and see if I get more juice. Thanks for the tip

    ReplyDelete
  44. Very fresh and pretty! Love the watermelon and lemonade against that brilliant blue! throw in some chocolate chip cookies and I'm good for the afternoon!
    Happy 4th! enjoy!
    ;-D

    ReplyDelete
  45. That's a beach towel? So smart! I love the big bold punch of color.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh, I LOVE this! Have a fun filled 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your table is just beautiful...so bright and summery. You'll have to check out my Foodie Friday post on mint and lemonade. I think you would like it. I hope you will join me beginning in August for Crock Pot Wednesdays at DiningwithDebbie.blogspot.com. I'd love to see you there.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I came back by to mention that I am hosting a Christmas in July Tablescape Party at my Playing Dishes blog. There will be one held each Saturday this month. Please come and participate or at least visit. A holiday tablecloth will be given away on the last Saturday, July 25. Info on signups is available by clicking my sidebar memes available on both my blogs.

    I am also having a weekly Christmas giveaway at my Christmas Memories in My Heart blog. Weekly entries are closed out a midnight on Wednesday for this.

    Hopefully some of you tablescape regulars will pull together a tablescape for CIJ or pull out some photos from last year to post.

    Happy CIJ!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Susan...this is stunning! I love how you've taken the ideas you found in the Target ad and totally improved on them. The yellow bandana napkins are genius! I've seen them in HL in Navy and Red but haven't seen the yellow...they are so bright and cheerful for summer. The beach towel across the table looks great! I'm copying this lemonade recipe down...sounds amazing! Awesome TT post! Susan

    ReplyDelete
  50. Well done, fantastic tablescape to celebrate the weekend. The colours and patterns all work so well together.

    ReplyDelete
  51. What a beautiful tablescape!! Simply stunning. I've had so much fun today catching up on all of your posts! Always enjoy my visits here.

    Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

    ReplyDelete