Lunch in the Country

Well, here I am celebrating with my friends again.  Three of us have birthdays within a month of each other so we have much celebrating going on at this time of the year.  It is time to say "Happy Birthday" to Ruth.   We took a little ride out in the country to our friend, Cindi's house.

After passing by oil fields full of oil derricks,
the green pastures at "Addis Acres" are a pleasant sight.

You travel along the drive and see horses grazing in the pastures.

The front walkway  is a refreshing respite from the heat with plants, ponds, waterfalls and creeks running through the area.

This would have been a beautiful spot to have lunch 

if the temperature wasn't around 100 degrees.

So, we had Ruth's birthday luncheon inside.

 The lovely parlor is the perfect setting for conversation while
Cindi and Ruth wait for guests to arrive.

 

We swooned over Cindi's lush tablescape of pink flowers  

with black accents and a touch of leopard print.

The pink candles are battery operated which is perfect for a hot day. Cindi said she purchased them at Tuesday Morning store. I hope you can see the beautiful etching on the vintage stemware.

This vintage pink and black set was going to go to a garage sale but lucky for us we got to enjoy them.  Cindi has the best garage sales so one of us would have purchased them I'm sure...lol

The black gloves have vintage rhinestone brooches to add some bling to this dazzling tablescape.  Most were given to Cindi  from her relatives.

The large dining room accommodates many guests.  

Cindi usually hosts our Christmas get-together with spouses.

  If you would like to see the past Holiday tablescape at her house click here. You will be in for a treat.  It may get you thinking of Christmas in July.

A black dinner plate with an embossed pink plate.
The pink cutwork design on the placemat is dainty and delicate.
The pink rose napkins with the pink wrapped chocolate tied with a cute ribbon is a yummy touch to this place setting.  Notice the black and white dot ribbon on the stemware.

There is "eye candy" every where you turn

Even though my picture didn't turn out so great,
I wanted to share this vignette with the Victorian boots and vintage stacked suitcases.

While on our way to the salad buffet we passed through the vibrant nook area.

We had a salad potluck lunch.  Many yummy salads to choose from.

You have to taste a sample of everything.
We all love to take a doggie bag  home (I should say husband bag).
We are all too full to make dinner so this works great.

I just ate this dessert last week and it was so good,
I had to make it for our birthday girl, Ruth.
After I  tasted it, I should have known it was a Paula Deen recipe.
It is called "Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding".
I hope to be sharing the recipe for Foodie Friday.

Happy Birthday Ruth

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.  ~Author Unknown

Ruth does a million things for each one of us with a kind, gentle spirit.
We are blessed to call her friend.

Thank you Cindi for hosting our Birthday celebration.

Take a ride out in the country with a friend, you never know what you might discover.

 I'm joining Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.   If you would like to see more creative tablescapes, click on the TT button on my sidebar or click here.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

My sister is a Congregational Care Pastor.  She recently wrote a post on her church website that got me thinking about how important it is where you place a mirror in your decor.  What does it reflect?  So I went around my home and took some pictures to share with you.

A black vintage mirror that reflects the black antique armoire across from it in my entry way.

Green plants are great to sit in front of an antique mirror. 

It adds depth and dimension to the vignette to see the greenery.

When you have an object like this antique urn, 

the mirror allows you to see more of the patina.

This vignette sits on top of my vintage armoire.

The mirror reflects the dropped crystals from an antique chandelier.
At night it reflects the dimmed lights.

I remember growing up with this mirror.  My Mom said that my Grandma worked as a Nanny during World War II. around 1942.  At the time, my Grandma lived in Stockton, California. The lady she worked for gave her a pair of these mirrors and my Mom gave me one of them about 15 years ago. 

In my mind, it reflects my childhood but in the mirror reflection it shows

vintage movie reels in the photo vignette in the hallway.

My sister, Pastor Jeanette, (Our family affectionately calls her "Rev Jet")

had this to say in her post:

How Does God See Me?

Many times we see a picture of ourselves and say, "I hate that picture!", and we try to get rid of it.  Recently, my brother-in-law made a video of me that my whole family enjoys laughing at and of course, I hate it.  I offered good money for him to discard it!

I am so glad to see that scripture in 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "...man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."  Have you ever wondered how God sees you?

I have two daughters in their 40's.  The other day I was thinking, "I can't remember anything that they did wrong!  Of course, I know that my daughters did do wrong things, but the older I get, I just remember the good things they did.  Jesus said he removes our sins as far as the east is from the west.  When we ask Him for forgiveness, He doesn't remember our sins any longer.  So, each morning I ask Him for forgiveness.

The staff of my church is so gifted.  Many times I say to the Lord, "Why am I sitting here among so much creativity and talent?"  Then the Lord reminds me of Gideon, who was "just a farmer."  When Gideon saw himself a scared child of God trying to get through life and feed his family, God saw him as a mighty warrior.

The things (circumstances) that are happening in your personal life have nothing to do with how God sees you from heaven, or the plans that He has for you today!  (Jeremiah 29:11)

When God sees you, He sees the mighty man or woman of God that He has plans for.  Try to see yourself as God sees you today.

Pastor Jeanette

How does your heart and home reflect who you really are?

Welcome Bloggerette Sorority Sisters

The rush was on today and I am officially a "Bloggerette Sorority Sister".  I have met the requirements for the initiation. It was to take the following photo of these lovely  ladies from Karen at  Some Days are Diamonds and make something with it.

I embellished the photo with scraps of Victorian-like trims and 

framed it in an antique stained ornate frame.

The photo is the focal point of this Victorian inspired vignette.

A vintage lace tablecloth is the base for the pair of  Victorian boots with a millinery flower

and ostrich feather nestled in their tops.

Crocheted gloves and vintage millinery flower accent the front of photo.

The backdrop is a vintage "Mr John" hatbox and 

lovely Victorian Hat.

One other requirement was to take my picture with the project I made. Only for a party would I wear that hat or maybe for tea.  I'm having fun joining you from sunny California.

If you would like to become a "Bloggerette Sorority Sister"

click on their button on my sidebar or
click here to visit Karen at Some Days Are Diamonds and

connect with many other creative blogs that are now in the Sorority.

This blogging experience is so FUN.  Come along and enjoy it too.

Have fun blogging!

How to put the " Victorian at Heart " Blog Button on your Blog

These instructions will put the
Victorian at Heart blog button on your blog.



NOTE: These instructions are specifically for blogger but could help with many other blogging applications.

1. From your Dashboard click on Design
2. Click Add a gadget
3. Click HTML/JavaScript Add
4. Type "Victorian at Heart" in the title
5. Copy and paste the following code into the Content section
   <span style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://victorianatheart.blogspot.com/"><img width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAUkuOaOLOvvQK5TQXihX15FKsaQ0K6wx-ldBdUFOr0ySQElTe8d170HtQQQY5QbGm5aEFNfHpol6YM82jMxZvqCne7P8HR6NRQiGDa1A_fv3NZpimarXddc_Tbwjzd0n4QaReFe_Ma4/s1600/victorianatheart.200x200.jpg" border="0" alt="Victorian at Heart blog" /></a></span><br />
   
   
6. Save (the gadget will then appear on your list of gadgets)
7. Drag it to where you want it
8. Save
9. View Blog!

It's Cherry Pickin' Time

It seems like on this blog lately, I'm either shopping or eating.....actually that sounds pretty good to me.  I have such kind and thoughtful friends that made my birthday so special.  When someone gives up their time to make you feel special, it means a whole lot.

My sweet friend, Linda, hosted a birthday luncheon for me at her house.

She made a special place setting just for me.
Those black-cutout place mats are darling.
She got them at Home Goods.

They made my favorite kind of food...Mexican

Enchilada pie, Mexican rice, salsa cream cheese dip, guacamole, chips, and salad with ranch dressing.  I guess I was so eager to eat the dessert, I just dove right in and ate it without taking a picture.
It was a berry truffle...yum.

I hope to post some of the recipes by Friday.

The tablescape was filled to the rim with cherry goodies.
She used cherry checked fabric, pinked and  knotted at the ends.
It was fun to sit at the table and look at many of her cherry pieces.
The cherry luncheon plates sat on a red dinner plate.
Our talented seamstress and friend, Beverly at My Sew Sweet Studio made the
very cute black fabric with a red dot napkins.

See the pristine vintage cherry printed milk glass Salt and Pepper shakers.

A vintage box of chocolate covered cherries

Red and white M&M's in that cute cherry dish.

See the faux hot fudge sundae with the cherry on top.  How cute is that?

Linda has been collecting cherries for quite some time and has built her kitchen around the cherry theme.
She is known as "Patriotic Grandma" and decorates patriotic also.
These themes work well together.


  I want to take you on a tour of her "Cherry Pickins".

Darling cherry stemware.  Purchased at a local gift store.
She would love to purchase more if she can find them.

Cherry Tea Set

Those cupcakes were edible.  We laugh and say  "In our houses, no one ever knows what is edible or not".

Sorry not edible...lol  But it sure looks good.

This is a cute cherry rug.

Cherry Tea Set

Down to the detail...cherry paper towels.

Sandi, Beverly, Me, Ruth, Linda

Thank you for all the yummy food, great fellowship, and lasting friendship we have shared over the years.
Sorry Cindi and Sally couldn't be there.  I missed you.

Also, thank you for including my beautiful daughter, Monica.


Have a Cherry of a Day!

I'm participating in the following blog parties just click on their name or their blog button on my sidebar:

Tea Cup Tuesday with Marthas Favorites

Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage
Lucky Linky Tuesday 

Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch