counter stats Januari 2014
"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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I'm probably going to disappear again for a few weeks.  Sweet Mister just learned this week that he'll undergo a total knee replacement next week.  I covet your prayers for him during the next month.  In the meantime, I wanted to take the opportunity to share the second table that I designed for the Theta Flaming Festival.

 My tablescaping partner, Barb, loves pink and green.  Works for me, too!  A white matelasse tablecloth tops a long green cloth that I made.

 This one definitely sets that "ladies who lunch" atmosphere.

 The Bormioli hot pink charger is always a winner.  Today it holds the Coalport Exotic Bird dinner plate, a colorful Copeland Spode accent plate, and the Glastonbury-Lotus chiller & under plate.  Stemware includes the Waterford Simply Lilac and the Glastonbury-Lotus Goldenrod goblets.  Did you spy the Mackenzie-Childs individual salt and pepper sets?

 A simple centerpiece comprised of a Hutschenreuther pink and white tureen, a quartet of pink Fenton coin dot bowls filled with green Hydrangeas, and two pair of Val St. Lambert crystal candlesticks only took moments to assemble.

 Gold tone flatware and lime green hemstitched napkins finished the place settings.  The individual rose posies at each place are placed in an assortment of small Waterford vases that I've collected over the years.

 Giving my design an exclamation point....the crystal decanters were great finds from Tuesday Morning.


I've saved this spot just for you.  We'll visit and laugh for hours!

This week I'm joining:


Oh the Places I've Been with The Tablescaper

Flaming Festival, Part III

          Pregnancy is an exciting time in every women’s life, but it can also be frightening. Finding the right tools and information to help you do the job correctly can be a daunting task. The CDC offers helpful information in order to assist women in staying healthy and protecting their baby from the time of conception to birth. The CDC suggests these easy to use cyber tools for pregnant women, those considering pregnancy, and even new moms. They offer tips on how to keep yourself and your baby safe and healthy.

Text4baby- A free text messaging service for pregnant women and new moms. You will receive automated texts three times a week with tips on how to have a healthy pregnancy, healthy baby, and how to care for your baby up to age one. The tips are synchronized around your expected due date or your baby’s date of birth. Text4baby Automated Messaging

Test Your Knowledge- How much do you know about your folic acid needs? About one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Test yourself with this quiz to know how much folic acid you should ingest before and during your pregnancy to prevent birth defects. This quiz also helps you find different ways to get the right amount daily. Folic Acid Quiz

Take this quiz to learn about Birth Defect Prevention:
·         Preventing birth Defects
·         Getting vaccinations during pregnancy
·         Using Medication during pregnancy
·         Diabetes and pregnancy, and much more.
Before, During, and After Pregnancy

Go to the CDC’s homepage for information on healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Be the healthiest version of you so you can give your baby a healthy start in life.
CDC Pregnancy Homepage
 
Health-E-Cards
Help your friends and family by sending CDC health-e-cards to let them know about health issues affecting pregnant women, new moms, and their children. Help them to take care of their health and the babies in their lives.

 Health-E-Cards

Podcasts
Listen in on the CDC’s podcast page, and in just a few minutes, learn reliable health and safety information to help you and your baby. Browse through the pregnancyand women’s health topics.

CDC Pregnancy Podcasts
CDC Women's Health Podcasts

Sources:  http://www.cdc.gov/features/pregnancytools/
 
 


 


5 Helpful Resources for Expecting Women, Pregnant Women, and New Mothers

"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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Haven't entertained this week, so I'm sharing  some more of the loveliness that was the Theta Flaming Festival, 2014.  Enjoy!


 Welcome to the Flaming Festival!  Come on in...

 I thought that this was a really clever idea, using a cluster of tall pub tables.

 A quartet of tablescapes presented by my favorite local jewelry/gift store.





 Each and everyone a luscious setting.



 Did  you notice the beautiful napkins?

 An easy, yet impressive centerpiece.

Perfect for Christmas or any winter day.


 This pair of dolls was magnificent.  Stunning!

 Love the tablecloth.

 The Simpich Carolers made a charming centerpiece.  I didn't quite get the use of the Hostess Snowballs on the crystal compote.

 I loved this centerpiece, but my photos didn't portray it adequately.

 It's made out of antlers!  Can you see them peeking out from the ornaments?

 The tree was used for years at the owner's vacation home on a ski mountain.  Be sure to notice the beautiful tablecloth.

 An assortment of individual soup tureens held floral arrangements at each place setting.


 A lobster boil...I've never been to a lobster boil.  Do you all really use newspapers on the table?

 A precious birthday party tablescape...

 Love the teacup stacks...

 ...for an Alice Through the Looking Glass tablescape.



 The tablecloth treatment was outstanding....and the dolls were beautiful.

 The Govenor's table...she's a Theta, too.

 I liked the runner on the round table.

So much inspiration...I always come away with ideas to save for another day.  Next week I'll share the second table that I set for the Flaming Festival.  Have a great week!

This week I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Oh, the Places I've Been with The Tablescaper

Theta Flaming Festival, 2014, Part II



 
As members of the church we are often encouraged to find our ancestors and help do work for those that have passed on. We often overlook that in doing their works, we are also lifting ourselves. By learning more about our ancestors, we can gain insights through their life experiences. We can find strength and courage through their struggles to overcome our own trials.

To some the task of finding family can be quite large. You might be the only one listed in your family tree. There’s a simple way to start, add your immediate family and then branch out from there. Soon you will have your grandparents and their children (your uncles and aunts). You can even add your cousins in from there. If you run out of relatives you’ve met in person start asking your family about other family they knew growing up. They might have stories that you will be surprised you never heard!

It’s also important to record stories that are happening today. You might get to an age where you wish you could tell the stories of your youth, but your memory may fail you. Prepare for that possibility by keeping a journal and taking photos (include a short description of what’s happening.) Photos create wonderful recollections and memories. Finding out more about your ancestors also helps you become more acquainted with your living family.  Spending quality time with your family brings peace to our homes.

 See how a grandfather influenced his granddaughters by talking about his experiences during Pearl Harbor.
 

 
To learn more about  Family History visit this site for more steps :
https://www.lds.org/topics/family-history/family-history-is-for-everyone?lang=eng

 

Finding Strength in Family History

"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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Missed all of you last week.  We lost a long-time, close friend, and the week was spent caring for his son and the funeral.  We hosted an evening for around 40 friends and extended family.  It was time well spent.  I didn't even try to take pics.  This week has continued to be a bit hectic, so I thought that this would be a good time to share some of my photos from the Theta Flaming Festival that took place in November.  Tonight I'm posting one of two tables that I did for the festival.

The morning of the Theta Flaming Festival found my table kissed by the sun...always a treat.

 A Coalport Blue Willow presentation bowl,  a fortunate find on eBay, held a bevy of fresh flowers...orchids, hydrangeas, and ranunculus...certainly some of my favorite blossoms.

 Cobalt depression glass candlesticks and a pair of Coalport blue and white decanters flanked the centerpiece.  Each place setting featured a stitchery that read, "A woman without her sisters is like a bird without wings."...pretty perfect for a sorority philanthropic event.

I found the brown flatware during a Horchow ClickTock sale...always a great deal.  The goblets are AJKA Arabella cobalt and Glastonbury Lotus Goldenrod.

 The foundation of the stack was composed of a duet of charger plates...the Steelite (by Royal Doulton) cobalt charger beneath the Maryland China Company Minuet charger plate.  The stars of the table were the Booth's Real Old Willow dinner plate and crescent salad plate.  The Booth's is a relative new member of my collection.  Have you ever been to the Randolph Hurst Castle?  This is the only pattern that Hurst used in his ranch house (really...that's what he called it!)  The silicon china had belonged to his beloved mother.  You'll remember the beaded napkin rings from Cuisine Kathleen.  They work in so many different situations.  Thanks again, Kathleen!

A simple champagne charmeuse tablecloth provided a nice backdrop for the setting.  I look forward to recreating this design at home one day.  I'll post more in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

This week I'll be joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch.

Oh, the Places I've Been with The Tablescaper

Theta Flaming Festival, 2014, Part I

The week or couple days before your menstrual period can be just as uncomfortable and annoying as during your period. However, this can be managed with some lifestyle changes, dietary supplements and perhaps medications.

The reason we are likely to retain water during the premenstrual time is not completely clear but many sources point the blame to hormonal changes, heredity, and diet, specifically a lack of vitamins or too much salt.

Some tips to help fend off bloating:

·         Participate in physical activity daily: Women who regularly participate in physical fitness activities have reported to have fewer PMS symptoms.

·         Reduce your SALT: Check the labels on prepackaged foods, a lot of the food industry uses salts to preserve meats and prolong shelf life in other products. Don’t add extra salt to foods at the table until you have tasted if first.

·         Eat Healthy: Include many fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and seeds while avoiding things like caffeine and alcohol.
 
What about supplements?

Not much research has gone into finding supplement cures for PMS symptoms but the ones that do show some positive effects from calcium, magnesium, thiamine & riboflavin, and vitamin E. Always consult your provider or pharmacist before you take any dietary supplements as some can be harmful to those with diabetes or heart disease.

Medication is another option that should be considered after diet and lifestyle changes have had no effect.  Diuretics can help to reduce the fluid buildup but do have an associated risk causing of kidney damage if taken with anti-inflammatory drugs or ibuprofen. Birth Control Pills have been shown to reduce many physical PMS symptoms and may aid you in your fight against bloating. But remember everyone is different and thus everyone’s body responds differently to medications.

 
http://blog.idera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/bloated.png

Bloating- Associated with PMS

"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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If you've been reading my blog for a while, you might remember that I celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts with two small groups of friends.  In 2012, I called my party A Cup of Christmas Tea.  A few weeks ago I shared the first luncheon for 2013, with you.  The two luncheons are similar because I give the same gifts to everyone.  This year I gave each friend a cranberry bell for Christmas.  I wanted to share the second party with you because I made a few changes...typical artist...I get bored if I have to repeat my designs too often...like twice.

 Bells Part Two:  I decided to add a bit more color.

 The centerpiece remained the same...but the stack changed slightly.


 The red Bormioli glass charger rang clear against the gold and cream toile tablecloth, an eBay find.

 New to the festivities was the Royal Sutherland gold encrusted dinner plate, one of our treasures from sweet Nana.
 
I continued to go to the Kings Crown ruby flash thumbprint accent plate.  It's pretty hard to beat during the Christmas season.

 ...and a new bell for each guest's place setting.

 The Waterford Simply Red remained, and I added the AJKA Arabella in green.


 A red hemstitched napkin was snuggled into the ceramic basket napkin ring, which belonged to my mama.

 The ruby flash pitcher was a $4.00 estate sale find.

 I repeated my menu of Quiche Lorraine, Simple Salad, Mixed Berries, and hot bread for brunch.  Three parties in one week; I was looking for ways to simplify the process each time.  Using the same menu helped.

Did you have a favorite between the two Bells are Ringing tablescape designs?  The monochromatic table or this one in clear colors?  Happy New Year!  I look forward to your tablescapes for 2014!  Let a new round of blogging begin!

This week I'm joining:

Let's Dish with Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch








































Bells are Still Ringing

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