A Berry Happy Valentine’s Day

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum have the “perfect pair”. Tablescape Thursdays and Foodie Fridays are a match made in heaven! Thank you ladies! I think I told you that Valentine’s Day is not one of my favorite holidays, but I just couldn’t let it pass without a little effort on my part. Since the big heart day falls on Sunday, I set a special table during the week.

I saw a picture several years ago using strawberries instead of red roses. Red roses are not my favorite and I like the idea of using fruit in a centerpiece. I really wanted to pair the strawberries with white roses, but pink is what I could find. I used the good old white Gibson serving bowl for the flower container—just filled it with wet oasis.

The strawberries were inserted with wooden skewers. One of the beauties of this arrangement is that you can decide on the number of roses and the number of strawberries…and strawberries are definitely cheaper than roses…even 1/2 price ones :).

For a Tuesday night we’re keeping it pretty casual with Big Lots No-name square plates and Target melamine salad plates and placemats. The stainless (what is left of it :) is Louisiana by Oneida. I picked it out as a bride-to-be and I think a lot of it is buried in sand boxes and dirt piles in two or three states. The cute little Dollar Tree marshmallow suckers dress up the napkins, but I don’t think they count as dessert.

In this last icy cold winter blast, I have learned something: 1.Cold weather makes me hungry and lazy. 2. This will not be attractive at the beach. SO we are having a lighter dessert-strawberries left over from the centerpiece. How economical is that? I’ll just jazz them up a little with the recipe below.

In case you missed it, Valentine’s Day is also my one year blogaversary Giveaway and your chance to own an original Fifi by Fifi Flowers. Just click here to enter for the drawing!

Stawberries Romanoff

1 orange, for zest

4 tablespoons sugar

6 tablespoons water

4 tablespoons Cointreau or any orange-flavored liqueur

2 cups strawberries, quartered or halved

Whipped cream or topping

Peel wide strips of orange zest and cut into very thin strips. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Add orange zest; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in liqueur and cool. Pour syrup over strawberries and let sit for 2 hours. Serve strawberries (looks cute in a martini glass) topped with whipped cream or topping.

You can click on the buttons on my sidebar for immediate transportation to our hostesses. Happy Heart Week—don’t forget to enter the drawing!

Met Monday Art, Blogaversary, and a Giveaway!

This post is all about art—art that even I can do and art for my blogaversary giveaway! First, let me show you a quick project I recently did for Sunshine’s birthday. We are slowly but surely turning the bachelor pad into a newlywed nest. I started out with a photo of her dear sweet Cooper.

The Coop is prone to bad hair days and looking pensive! :) I love the Photobucket options for editing. This one is called popart under effects. Cooper goes Warhol with just a few clicks!

I uploaded this picture to Walgreen’s. I could pick out the size I wanted . Just like magic the print was ready within the hour and cost under $3.

On a trip to Hobby Lobby I had a mat cut to fit a half price frame. There are often pre-cut mats, but I wanted a particular color to match the bedding and the print. Still a deal at $6. The whole project was less than $30 and Sunshine and the groom loved it! Now on to some REAL art!

My blogaversary is Valentines Day!!! I can hardly believe that almost one year ago I entered the Land of Blog after almost a year of lurking and visiting! I really want to thank each of you who visit and take the time to comment. You have taught me new things, shared your lives, and inspired me beyond my wildest imagination! I truly feel as if you have enriched my life. And so to thank you here is a chance for a giveaway and some real original art! Here is your chance to own a Fifi!

Fifi at Fifi Flowers has graciously offered to donate an original painting of your choice 6’’ X 8” on archival paper at a value of up to $100!! You can find her website here.

Here are the rules:

1. Make a comment on this post before midnight on February 14 for one entry.

2. If you are a follower or become one, you will get two entries. Mention it in your comment.

3. Include a link to this in a post or on your sidebar and get three entries. Please come back and let me know that you did.

Simple! I look forward to making new friends this year. The winner will be announced on Monday, February 15!

Please click on the Met Monday button on my sidebar to join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch!

Pink Saturday…..I’m Dreaming and a Giveaway

I know most of us (including me) haven’t gotten the last Halloween decoration put away and the Thanksgiving menu is still on the “to do” list, but I love Christmas. So I’m dreaming…What if Christmas looked like this?

And the tree was covered in these?

Or this?

And the mantel was hung with this?

And the front door greeted you with this?

And the table was set with this?

And this?

Wouldn’t it be fun?

I posted my 100th post this week. I have loved “meeting” so many of you and hope to meet so many more. You can read about and enter my Giveaway for some early Christmas decorations here. Also……

Starting on Tuesday, December 1, I will be hosting a “Deck the Halls” party every Tuesday through January 5. You can read the details here. I hope you will join me! I hope you will grab a button after you read the details and spread the word!

Thank you Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hosting Pink Saturday! I hope everyone has a great pink Saturday and a wonderful weekend!

Click here for a world of pink! Now --- GO REGISTER here!!!

p.s.—I am posting a little early…I will be painting on Friday and Saturday…and I don’t mean portraits or landscapes :)

A Giveaway, A Celebration Tablescape, and an Invitation

Welcome to Susan’s 63rd tablescape party! You can join her at Between Naps on the Porch by clicking the TT button on the sidebar. You know Susan. There’s no telling what she has dreamed up for this week! As for me, I’ve set the sideboard for a celebration for two—you and me. You see—this is my 100th post!

I almost never take you into the dining room—but this is special! I’ve pulled out the champagne bucket we received as a wedding gift. See how that tart reflects in the silver? I have actually used this much more as a centerpiece container than I ever have for champagne. It is elegant with roses. I’ll show you soon! These are two lone champagne flutes we received as a gift from the owner of an antique store. I know nothing about them—except that they are a little different and I like that. The linen wine bottle apron was also a gift from a friend. In honor of the celebration, I “gifted” us with these fruit tarts from Fresh Market. These “high end” markets have the most fabulous meat department, prepared food deli, and bakery I have ever seen anywhere. Shopping there is just an occasional guilty pleasure for me! And since we’re talking about gifts —I’ve got one for you!

You may know I love tea towels and guest towels. This is a beautiful linen hem stitched towel that says it all about the upcoming holiday season! There are glitter embossed candy cane ornaments and a cheese spreader ready for your festive appetizers. I know it’s just a little early….but I want you to get excited….I have an invitation for you too!

On Tuesdays between December 1 and January 5 I will be hosting a “Deck the Halls” party. You are invited to link your posts with your decorations, those you have visited, or just those that have inspired you. I will post Mr. Linky on Monday evenings. Get creative—the rules are casual. I know it will be fun and I can’t wait to visit you all! Don’t worry—I’ll remind you!

SO—here are the giveaway rules:

1. Leave a comment on this post for one entry.

2. If you are a follower, you are entitled to two entries

3. If you post about the giveaway, please come back and tell me. I will enter you three times .

4. I will announce the winner on Monday November 8th!

Thank you all so much. When I first hit that “publish” button, I could never have imagined the friends I would make. I do consider you that! :)

Don’t forget! Grab a “Deck the Halls” button! Spread the word!

I hope dear Michael doesn't mind if I cheat and post to Foodie Friday....I do have tarts :) Click on her button on my sidebar for food and fun!