Caleb's 25 Birthday~Tablescape

We were out of town on our son's,Caleb, actual birthday..but we made up for it with a belated birthday dinner!

It's always a challenge for me when thinking of a theme for a guy. I went into his room to look for inspiration. 'Twas thinking of doing the Rat Pack, as Frank Sinatra and his crew are Caleb's favorite singers. But then I saw his cigar collection and voila~and idea was born! Caleb smokes cigars only occasionally, with a few friends around the fire pit in the backyard.

In keeping with the masculine theme, I used the necktie napkin rings I had made for my dad's birthday tablescape.

Made a 'bouquet' of cigars in a pedestal glass...used my lighter collection and my own cigar boxes I use for storage in my studio.

Found a couple of vintage cigar advertisements images on the Internet...

Recognize this guy? Before he was Governor of California and President of the United States, he was an actor~Ronald Reagan! ;-)

Our good friends, Brian and Jenni joined us in the festivities..and after dinner the guys retired to the backyard to enjoy~what else? A cigar!! :-D

I am linking to Susan's blog, Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

Gracefully Vintage

Steve whisked me away for a romantic anniversary getaway this weekend. We played 'tourists' in Sacramento...visited the Governor's Mansion, the Railroad Museum, and noshed in Old Sacramento..and visited a few antique stores in the area. To my delight, we were able to visit a darling shop called Gracefully Vintage..located on Sutter Street in Old Folsom.

I 'met' the owner, Karryann, when she commented on my blog awhile back. She is just as sweet and adorable as her shop..not to mention talented! She refinishes and upholsters much of the furniture you see in her shop! Enjoy the tour!

Karryann made this darling ruffled tablecloth out of a vintage wedding dress.

I am so blessed to have a husband that likes to peruse these cute stores with me. After 33 years, he is STILL my favorite person to hang out with!

Foofed Up the Porch!

...So Blogger's acting up and not allowing to post pictures the normal way..I had to go into the 'edit' page and add pics,and from my point of view it only shows letters and numbers and no images. So I can't narrate the pictures.Please bear with me!

Just before our heat wave hit (100+), I managed to get out front and foof up the porch~and of course, Winston wanted to be in on the display!!

I am linking up to Faded Charm

And Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses for her Porch Party she's hosting!

I am spending the rest of the day trying to stay cool! Hope you are too! ;-)

Happy Anniversary to my Wonderful Husband!

A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment. [Jane Austen]

It certainly did for me when I first met Steve 34 years ago. Within 3 months after meeting, we were engaged and 6 months later we were married.  And it keeps getting better and better!! Happy Anniversary, Steve!

All I Ask Of You

(from Phantom of The Opera)

Steve:

No more talk of darkness

Forget these wide-eyed fears

I'm here, nothing can harm you

My words will warm and calm you

Let me be your freedom

Let daylight dry your tears

I'm here, with you, beside you

To guard you and to guide you

Myrna:

Say you'll love me every waking moment

Turn my head with talk of summertime

Say you'll need me with you now and always

Promise me, that all you say is true

That's all I ask of you

Steve:

Let me be your shelter

Let me be your light

You're safe, no one will find you

Your fears are far behind you

Myrna:

All I want is freedom

A world with no more night

And you, always beside me

To hold me and to hide me

Steve:

Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Let me lead you from your solitude

Say you'll need me with you here, beside you

Anywhere you go let me go too

Myrna, that's all I ask of you

Dining Al Fresco

We had a little dinner party the other night...there were 8 of us and our table only sat 6 comfortably.

So off to Home Depot where Steve nabbed a sheet of plywood, took it home, cut the corners and sanded them..slapped it on top of our patio table, and voila! Cover it with a huge white bedspread and no one was the wiser! ;-)

I scored on a bunch of burlap sacs that I used for place mats. I plan to make pillows out of some of them later..

Beverly's Crafts had a sale on their faux succulents and I found a bag of mossy rocks at the Dollar Store. Made an arrangement in a silver casserole container. 

Plan to set it on the coffee table later in the family room. No worries about it not getting enough sun..

The 'Ernst Cafe' cups are souvenirs from our trip a couple of years ago to New Orleans.

Napkins and cute holders are thrift store finds.

With Zac and Amy coming soon and the weather being beautiful, we'll be using this table quite a bit!!

I am linking up with Faded Charm for White Wednesday and

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to check them out..there are so many talented blogs listed there with fabulous ideas!

"For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don't enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you're not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn't going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness."

~Andy Rooney

Seal Beach

    After wonderful visits with my friends, Sue, Anita and Anne, and joining Steve on his business trip, Zac,Amy and Lindy motored down to San Diego to take me back to their place for 5 glorious days!!

The above pic is Seal Beach, taken by my very talented daughter-in-love, Amy!! The following pics are random pics with a common denominator~ Lindy!! ;-)

And joy of joys...they are coming up HERE in TWO DAYS!!! I am so excited!! I'm off to get the house in order!!

Have a lovely day!!