Showering Blessings for Baby Beatrice

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

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The past months have been filled with the blessings of anticipation and joy at our house.  Our daughter and son-in-love are expecting their first baby mid-September.  We can hardly wait for sweet Beatrice Emmaline to make her entrance! My cherished grandsons are excited to have a new cousin.  Several weeks ago, some of my dearest friends hosted a beautiful baby shower for KC and Beatrice.  I wanted to share some of the pictures that I took with you.

  We knew immediately that it was going to be a special day when we walked through the front door and encountered this magnificent tablescape.

Absolutely one of the most beautiful floral centerpieces that I've ever seen.  The container is an antique wicker baby doll bed that belongs to one of the hostesses.  Don't you love the tall pair of twisted iron candlesticks with the sculpted roses.  They make a gorgeous statement.  One of the hostesses asked to use our precious Nana's pink and white organdy cloth.  You see it here puddled under the centerpiece.  

Lovely goodies awaited the guests.

I think that I gained five pounds by the end of the party.  Sigh.  I loved every bite.

A mix of marvelous Limoges Luncheon Plates lent a touch of refinement.  The elegant antique Battenburg Lace tablecloth belonged to Barb's mother.  Tip:  Barb's table is custom made and actually too large for this cloth.  Her decision to use it anyway was a brilliant design choice.  I love the way that the scalloped edge kisses the edge of the table.  Do you have cloths that just don't fit...make it work to your advantage.  Be creative!  Tip #2:  Battenburg is a fine old lace, but it has been poorly translated in later years.  If you have a choice between the new and the old, when it comes to Battenburg, wait for one of the beautiful old ones to come along.

 See what I mean?  Magnificent!

The bar was set for guests to serve themselves a cool drink...

...perfect for a hot summer day.

Gifts were gathered in the library.  Entertaining Tip:  Two of the hostesses actually took charge of opening the gifts and displaying them to be viewed by the guests.  They also listed each gift...by whom it was given, and from which store it was purchased.  This makes it much easier for the new mom to write her thank you notes and exchange possible duplications if necessary and allowed KC more time to really visit with her friends who were in attendance at the shower.  Also, if you or one of yours is given a shower, I recommend that you toss three good size laundry baskets in the back of your car.  When the time comes, the baskets make it so much easier to collect the gifts for the trip home.

Barb's beautiful home provided some wonderful spaces for everyone to enjoy good fellowship...

  This is one of the best kitchens that I have ever known for working a party.  The butler's pantry is through those glass double doors.

We've spent wonderful times gathered in this amazing family room.

 The breakfast room...a good spot for some of our Bible studies.  See those wine stems in the hutch. I painted those for Barb many years ago.

From the left:  My beloved KC has always been blessed with a gaggle of "other mothers".  Two of them, my dear dear friends Cindy and Ann were two of the magnanimous hostesses for our glorious day. KC went home with so many lovely things for our sweet Beatrice.  The generosity of friends is always so overwhelming and humbling.  I can't imagine my life without my sisters in Christ.  I pray that you are also blessed with friends who will celebrate with you during the good times and come up underneath you to lift you in prayer during the hard times.  My friends, these mighty prayer warriors, make life so very sweet.

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of July this particular year, I think of my daughter as she awaits the arrival of her new baby girl, come September.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!

Wednesday evening is the seventeenth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  So excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  KC has just released her 5th studio CD project, "The Tag Hollow Sessions".  The sold out CD release concert was this past weekend.  "The Tag Hollow Sessions" is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!  

A Celebration of Friends

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.



Today we celebrated two August birthdays at Cindy's house.  We were a group of five, and Cindy laid a marvelous tablescape for us in her wonderful breakfast room and kitchen.

Cindy is a genius at using high color combinations...certainly sets the mood for a celebration!  They've recently made some changes to the breakfast room.  The custom narrow table, chairs and woven benches are perfect for casual entertaining.

I always like to sit facing this amazing hutch...so many fantastic treasures to spy inside the glassed cabinets.  Okay, you rooster devotees, did you notice the rooster tassle hanging on the right cabinet door?

Love the new pair of host and hostess chairs...great fabric!  

MacKenzie-Childs "Courtly Check" flower pots marched down the center of the table, filled with Alstromeria and Kermit Mums.  With a minimum of space available for a centerpiece, the pots were the perfect choice for maximum impact.  The lucite goblets with painted pink flowers added a festive, whimsical touch.

The loose-weave napkins were caught with tasseled napkin rings from Pier One that I gave Cindy when it was her birthday.

Cindy is a fan of placemats, and green is her favorite color.  The apple green boutis mats were charming as a foundation for each placesetting.  The Caspari rattan chargers added a nice texture beneath the Pottery Barn "PB Basic" buffet plate.  Our luncheon plate was the MacKenzie-Childs "Courtly Check".  Our first course was a homemade Avocado Cucumber chilled soup, served in the teal stoneware bowl.  The black and white toile accent plate was found at Hobby Lobby.

It's always a treat to be a guest at Cindy's table.  We sat long into the afternoon visiting and laughing with precious friends over a delicious lunch of Tortellini Pasta Salad, hot bread, homemade cherry sherbet, and chocolate cupcakes.  I can't think of a better way to spend a summer day.

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, "Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "Tablescape Thursday."   Hop on over HERE and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of summer, I think easy going afternoons shared with friends over a no fuss table.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her meme Seasonal Sundays.  Don't miss out on this marvelous blog party.  See you there!  

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!   

The Bungalow, Part V.

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. As the harvest season approaches I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

You've seen the before and after for the dining room, the living room, the kitchen, and the master bedroom. This week I want to share the bathroom in KC and David's bungalow. I apologize that I don't have the before picture. Suffice it to say, It. Was. Heinous. The tub and sink were badly peeled away and a hideous pink layer peaked through a dull and dirty white finish. The same condition revealed itself in the pedestal sink. Yuck! There was a nasty, large, ancient medicine cabinet, on an ugly tan wall, whose surface was corroded and rusted, and above the cabinet was an old, pitiful light fixture that had seen better days. Tiles were missing, and the tile towel bar was gone, leaving a gaping hole in the wall. That bathroom would have been a deal breaker for me....but not my KC! Once again, she had a vision, and she charged ahead to give this little bathroom a new life! I am amazed and impressed by her accomplishments.

KC replaced the awful medicine cabinet with a lovely, black mirror. It is a nice accent against the soft blue wall color that she added. Situated just to the right of the newly epoxied pedestal sink is a rattan trunk, used for laundry.

A simple glass shelf with a few well chosen appointments is a nice complement to the decor. I like the texture of the branches placed in a glass vase...just the right touch.

A black toile shower curtain works nicely with the black and white original tilework in the bathroom. The tub also has a new life with a bright white epoxy treatment.

The most phenomenal metamophosis in the bathroom has to be the light fixture. Working on an extremely limited budget, KC removed the cover from the old light. She bought a metal hoop and cut it into two equal half-circles, using a pipe cutter tool. She then then took two pieces of decorative paper, seamed/glued in the middle, and glued it to the metal pieces. She covered the ends with cream colored paper. Finally she attached her new handmade shade over the existing base for the old fixture. I was amazed at the originality and creativity that she used to solve her lighting dilemma.

The finishing touch in the newly renovated bathroom is a small white shabby chic stand from Hobby Lobby that KC placed by the door. The blue and white lamp was a $10.00 estate sale find. I think that a number of her friends have tried to commission her to come save their bathrooms, too. I know that I'll consult with her the next time that I take on a project.

There are a few more spots that I want to share with you in KC and David's bungalow. They are still works in progress, and as KC has time off the road from her touring with her music, they will be completed. As soon as I have more to share with you, I'll be back. I hope that you've enjoyed the tour to date.
You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube. I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen. You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site. The girl can really write! Her latest CD is called "Orchid."

I am linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her weekly meme, Metamorphosis Monday. On Sunday evening click the button below to link to all the wonderful bloggers who are participating in Susan's party this week. Thank you, Susan, for providing this marvelous forum.

The Bungalow, Part IV.

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship.  As the harvest season approaches I am mindful that many are not so fortunate.  My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank.  As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project.  Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video.  I've included a link in the side margin of my blog.  I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger. 

We've completed our tour of the public areas in KC and David's tiny bungalow, and this week I want to give you a peek at the Master Bedroom.  Small houses are far too often bereft of adequate storage. Even so, this compact Master bedroom presented KC with a little jewel in the form of an attached sitting room/office.

Because KC and David are both professional musicians, they have a plethora of musical and recording equipment.  KC immediately had a vision for how she wanted to transform this blessed, tiny extra space.

A soothing blue on the walls makes this a calm sanctuary for KC and David at the end of the day.  The Persian carpet came from KC's great-grandmother, Nana.  The vanity was also Nana's.  It used to live at our house; I gave it to KC when they moved into this little house.  KC gets ready here each day.  The European Pine armoire was in KC's room as a child.  Because it is a vertical piece, it gives her lots of storage and takes up a minimum of floor space.  Through the double entry, you can see the hub of David and KC's music business.

The French writing table came from her grandmother's childhood room.  KC has used this desk since she was a little girl, too.  The chair is one of the four that I painted for her when she lived in Nashville, Tennessee.  You'll notice the tote storage boxes from Michael's.  To either side of the door way and across the top of the entry, KC constructed wood shelves for storage.  They are filled with these precious tote containers, and they keep her office supplies and craft materials organized.  They are also out of sight when someone enters the room, making a crowded room appear a bit less crowded.  Tip:  When planning storage in a small space, always think vertically.  When floor space is inadequate, go up, up, up!  In the top right hand corner of the photo, you can catch a glimpse of another one of the light fixtures that KC carries with her whenever they move.  It is a wonderful fabric covered ceiling hugger that she found at The Lime Leopard in Oklahoma City.

Around the corner and to the right in the little office, you'll discover this comfy spot.  You'll often find KC curled up here writing music, reading, or napping while David works at the desk.  The minute KC spied this valuable little spot of real estate, she knew that she could use it to good effect.  She bought her wood, got busy with the power saw, and built this herself!  It is just the right size to hold a twin mattress.  I donated the matelasse European shams from a bed in one of our guest rooms, and the quilt was one of KC's Christmas gifts some years ago.  The silky peach comforter at the end of the daybed belonged to Nana.  It was made in the 1920's.  The floor lamp was also Nana's.  

The lace panels below were yet another find in that old box of Nana's things that KC's daddy gave her.  They are held in place using clip-on rings over extension rods.  The height of the bed was carefully determined for a very specific reason....

Because KC and David are full-time musicians, they have a multitude of guitars, mandolins, dulcimers, and other equipment.  It can become overwhelming if these instruments have to sit around in the house.  Those cases do a great job of keeping the instruments safe, but they don't have a great deal of decorative value.  KC built her daybed with enough space to accommodate all their instruments...such a great idea!  Out of sight, out of mind.

KC will always be a talented singer/songwriter, but I think that she might also have a second career as a custom furniture designer.  The girl is fearless!  I am in awe of the projects that she tackles.

The crewel duvet and bedding were purchased at Pottery Barn.  KC uses this ensemble to dress their bed for Fall and Winter.  The small secretary and chair in the corner are more of Nana's things that have found a home with KC and David. 

     KC and David bought the two framed posters on their honeymoon.  They are "Organic Geometry I" and "Organic Geometry II" by Aleah Koury.  I think that young couples who choose to use their vacation 'spending money' on art for their homes make an extremely wise choice.

KC and David have worked so hard to make their home what they want it to be.  I am thrilled for them.  Next week I want to give you a quick look at the results of KC's decorating efforts in the bathroom.  You're going to be amazed at the changes.  Hope you'll come back and visit again.

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."

I am linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her weekly meme, Metamorphosis Monday.  On Sunday evening click the button below to link to all the wonderful bloggers who are participating in Susan's party this week.  Thank you, Susan, for providing this marvelous forum.