Butterflies & Flowers

The last two weeks for me have been crazy! I still am not Claritin D clear...lol. I went back to the doctors on Monday and still have an ear infection. I have not been able to hear out of my left ear for over a month now. It is getting very frustrating. Mr. Sweetladyelaine has been very patient, but soon he will find me a hearing aid of some sort! I won't even let myself go there....lol
I know all over the USA the weather isn't cooperating. If you are like me, I am freezing one day and the next day I am complaining I am wearing too many clothes! I am definitely a summer girl!  And nothing says summer like white! My inspiration this week comes from my white dishes and roses from Mother's Day!

This is not the table I started  to set this week. Have you ever done that? I was hoping to use another set of dishes but I couldn't put it together so that it satisfied me. I have to think on that one a little longer.
I hope you like my tablescape this week......
I love the little square plates on top. I mixed it up a little on this table. I used the same black & silver placemats but used red chargers and silver trays as chargers. 

 

You can see the white plate has a fold effect on the rim.

 

 I have used the yellow plates many times before. I have a place setting of four. They are made by "Sweet Olive Designs" and the pattern is the Fancy Scroll Collection by Janet Adams.

The square plates are all Nature's Journey by Marjolein Bastin. This one is called Poppy Black.

This one is called Monarch.......

This is Triumph Tulip......

A close up of Swallowtail......

I didn't like the red charger with the pink tulip. So I decided to use the red chargers for the butterflies. And the silver tray chargers for the flowered plates.

and the silver tray charger......What do you think?

I found I love to buy my glasses at Tuesday Morning. I bought these in Texas a year ago. They came in green & red too! I wish I had bought the red too.....Oh my afterthoughts!

Nothing says elegance like silver. I use it all the time!  It's just part of who I am. The salt & pepper came from my store. The butter dish I received as a present over thirty years ago. It's my bling!!!!!

 

 My six crystal votives set the mood.

The roses on the table are from my husband for Mother's Day. The past few years I have let the holidays slip by for whatever reason.  This year, we both think we need to celebrate them, again, since we are so far away from our family. I guess we need to make memories with each other. Awwwww.........


Thank you for visiting me. Please leave a message so I know you stopped by and I can come & visit you. I love seeing all your tablescapes, make overs, new creations and what you have been up too!

I will be joining:

Tablescape Thursday
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/warm-weather-dining-on-the-porch/

Let's Dish
http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/



Blessings My Friend,

Have you ever had a day when you planned it out in your head and then something happened and it all changed??????
Today was that day!

My husband left for an interview in Alabama this morning. With him gone, I thought it was the perfect day to wash the kitchen floor, clean the hardwood floors and do some laundry. Well, I washed the kitchen floor and decided to pray. I was praying in the morning, but with Mr. Sweetladyelaine home, I pray whenever I have time. 

 Today I  started out my prayer time with God's Way by Charles Stanley. Today the  scripture was Isaiah 55:9......
                                  
                                            "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
                                              so are my ways higher than your ways
                                               and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Charles Stanley said something like this...
Our earthly wisdom is a accustomed to everything being explained, rationalized or proven by science. There are things we will never be able to prove scientifically about God. Science can never prove what causes a person to fall in love. It can never prove what happens to a person after death.  None of the worlds information can answer those questions and nothing the world knows is going to be useful in eternity. The wisdom of this world will not carry a person from this life into the next.

I prayed for my husband, family, friends and myself. Then stopped.

I was a little confused why God was showing me this verse. I sat there quite a long time trying to hear the small voice I am so used to hearing......I was wondering how this fit with what I had just prayed. 

I know that God is larger than I can ever fathom. MUCH LARGER! I know that His timing is the perfect timing. I know that His thinking is very different from mine. I know He is God. I know it is according to His will not mine. I know He is in control of the universe. I know He sits on the throne. I know that I know......He loves me!

I thought back to what I prayed........then I heard that small voice tell me.....I got your back!
Can you imagine....I got your back!
He is way ahead of me. He has a plan, maybe not my plan...but a plan none the less. He has my back. He has my heart in the palm of His hand. He is faithful even when I am not. He never leaves me. He is my rock, my strength, my comforter and my redeemer. He listens and does repeat it to others! I can call on Him in the middle of the night! I have to admit I let out a sigh of relief!

He promised. "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you" (John 15:7). 

I see Him work in my life everyday. He is alive, bigger than life! I only have to look to Him and all my needs will be met. He doesn't promise a rose garden on earth but eternal life praising Him.

I will confess there have been many times in my life I have done nothing but cry out His name, Jesus! There have been times that's all I could do between sobs! You know what, He heard me! He changed my circumstances.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

So My Friend....
 "if you accept Jesus' words and store up his commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry loud for understanding and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God!" (Proverbs 2:2).

Blessings My Friend,

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Today my friend, Judy & I went to Swansea Farmer's Market. It is in its fifth season in front of Rural King on N. Illinois Street in Illinois. I was very excited to go because I had wanted to go last year but I had to work. It seems my shop kept me from doing alot! I wanted to check out the produce and prices.

When we first got there everyone was looking up at the sky...Of course, we had no idea why. We found out later they had let go some pigeons .....I'm still not sure why.

They were selling soaps. I had met this lady when she & her husband had visited my Consignment Shop.

               They had a tent with Jewelry, clothes and baby items.

                                      And a tiny food court.

   We thought it would be bigger but the produce is still growing.
So we wandered over to Rural Kings Outdoor Flower Garden.

     The flowers were so beautiful I had to take pictures.
     I guess since I can't plant any this year;pictures will have to do!

     This is my partner in crime, Judy!

    The flowers were so pretty!
    God's Bounty......

     After we visited the Farmers Market we decided to go to.......

         She has so many wonderful things to look at.....

       Lots of ideas for your garden and porch.
       I love the way the baskets are hanging all over!
       Imagine these hanging inside your front porch........

        or these in your garden.....

      Judy and I kept wandering around & around. 
      I love the cobalt blue pottery!

       I did this one year in Buffalo, New York.

Doesn't this look so inviting.....Love the doors and little sign above.

       How about a rose tree hiding in your garden?

   Hanging baskets were everywhere!
   This place just got my juices flowing! I loved all the ideas I        came home with.....not to mention the blooms were beautiful!
Spring fever has got me going.......

I am hoping that I inspired you to do alot of planting for me!
You see, I have to live through my blogging friends since I am moving soon and can't plant. Sooooooo plant away and then let me know so I can come & visit your blog.



Have a Blooming Day!

Blessings My Friend,


           Help me, Lord, to see your beauty all around me.
 May my gratitude spill over from a cup full of thanks to you.

Happy May 1st!


It is so beautiful outside today that I thought I'd send you flowers & a prayer. Everyone needs prayer whether you are going through a crisis or just living day to day. I find that I constantly seek after God. It quiets my spirit. I am in the process of teaching my soul that its satisfaction is in God, alone. I was  made to know my Creator. I am not going to find complete satisfaction in this world. I am not going to understand my life until I see Jesus' face. On that day I will be complete.

Heavenly Father,
  Direct our hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. That we will dwell in the shelter of the Most High and will rest in His shadow. Cover us with your feathers so that under your wings we will find refuge. Let your faithfulness will be our shield.
Be close to us Lord and direct our paths. Show us your ways, guide us in your truths and give us an undivided heart that we may fear your name.
Help us to glorify you in everything we do. Open our eyes & our ears to listen and hear you speak to us. Be our constant companion, our stronghold, our rock and our comforter. Help us to  praise your holy name now & forever.
 In Jesus' name we pray.......


My Sweet Blogger,
Know that God loves you. Know He is with you everyday, through your storms and beautiful days. Pray fervently to Him who created you. Bless His holy name always.

I hope this post lifts your spirits.


Blessings My Friend,

Dinner & a Movie

Now that I feel human again, I decided it was time to entertain some very special people. I wanted to do something a little less stressful for me and fun for each of us. The two couples I invited knew each other, but really never sat down and broke bread together.

An Italian feast & a movie seemed just perfect........I'm Italian and I could cook Italian! So my menu was easy..... Ziti, meatballs, sausage, homemade bread & a green salad. I made a pound cake, sliced strawberries & pineapple boats for dessert.  I even remembered the whipped cream!  Picking out a movie was simple, "The Life of Pi". I hadn't seen it and I wanted too!

Now to pick out the DISHES! Anyone that has been a blogger for a few weeks knows that is the hard part! lol So many to choose from and so little time to get it all looking good! My husband solved my problem after a few days of indecision. He is so good at making up my mind! Everything went according to plans and we had a wonderful time! BUT.....

Long story short.....I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES!!!!

So today I reset set my table for you to see!

I decided on a cream tablecloth and a red runner for my Italian feast.
 I wanted it elegant but comfortable, nothing to fussy!

The dishes are American Cafe. They were given to me by my friend Shelly from Buffalo, New York. My husband chose these dishes because he said,"They looked like gangsters"! lol

 The grape & leaf motif on my wine glasses carry my Italian theme. The wine glass next to it, I used for  water & soda. I love wine glasses and use them a lot. It makes me feel classy drinking ice tea out of a large wine glass.

This is the American Cafe bowl. I used it for salad. Notice the bowl is oval.....

 I am all about bling, so I had to use a hint of  silver for elegance. Wedding presents from long ago.

                           I love my Princess House salt & pepper shakers!

I really like this picture taken in the mirror.....you can see my front door & hall closet.

 I thought I would share some basic tricks to teach your children/grandchildren how to remember what goes where on a table. My mom taught us very young and I have been forever grateful! I have been in situations where adults looked around anxiously at everyone, to see what silverware they should use.

Trick #1 - If you hold your hands in front of you, touch the tips of your thumbs to the tips of your forefingers to make a lowercase "b" with your left hand and a lower case "d" with your right hand. This reminds you that "bread & butter" go on the left and "drinks" go on the right. Once I remember on what side the bread & butter plates go on, then I remember salad plates too!

Trick #2 - Knife blades alway face the plate.

Trick #3 -Don't get thrown by all the silverware!  Silverware is used from the outside to the inside. The dinner fork is placed at the left of the plate. If a salad/appetizer fork is used it is placed to the left of the dinner fork. Your first course will be a salad/appetizer.

Trick #4 - Napkins can go in several places...They can go to the left of the fork, under the fork, on the plate or under the plate hanging down slightly. Always put the napkin in your lap.

We are causal in our house but I do set a proper basic table every time we eat even when we are using paper plates! I believe manners should be taught at home and used at home, then they become habit.

Thank you for visiting me. I am sure it will take me awhile to get back to posting on a regular basis.

Please leave a comment so I can visit you too! I need to catch up on everyone's activities.
I will be participating in Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/navy-and-white-perfect-for-a-beach-or-nautical-themed-table-setting/
 Please visit as many tablescapes you can and be sure to leave a comment. We love comments!


Blessings My Friend,

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty".  Psalm 91:1

Sweetladyelaine's is Closed!

Hi All,
I am back to being a blogger.....
I closed "Sweetladyelaine's Consignment Shop" on March 16th and finally emptied it this weekend. I have mixed feelings closing the shop.

So much has happened and I'm not sure where to start so here goes........
I closed the shop for several reasons but the biggest reason is because my husband lost his job in February. When he gets another job,we will be moving out of state! Moving AGAIN!!! Anyone that knows me, knows I just moved here January 20th of 2012. It came a little fast for me but then again everything does. I decided March 1st to close the shop on March16th. FAST!!!! I did a great job with closing, if I do say so myself. I guess being a teacher helped me stay organized. Now that's its all over, I am ready to get my house in order to sell.
Along the way I will share some great stuff that happened while I owned the shop. 

I loved being a shop owner but it was hard work! I had little...I mean LITTLE time to myself! Every waking moment there were things I had to do for the shop. I got up early to clean house. I worked 6 days a week, 10 to 5 and one night a week until 7:00pm. Sunday was my only day off and it wasn't really a day off. I usually painted furniture or helped my husband with a project for the shop.  From Thanksgiving to New Years I worked 10 to 7:00pm everyday. I was sooooo tired! But the ladies and gentlemen I met....... it was all worth it! God stood by me every inch of the way! I knew He would! The purpose of my shop was to glorify Him! I have to tell you, it did......more stories later.

I hope you will come back and read me again. I will be around and visit your blogs to let you know I am back....

Blessings,

Have a Blessed Easter! Our Savior has Risen........

AN INDOOR LOOK

I've been sitting here looking out the front windows of my shop and noticed the leaves changing.....I need to take a picture of the tree across the street. It is the most perfect beautiful tree! Of course its in a cemetery.....need I say more. PEACEFUL! I have been wanting to stroll through this lush green pasture but I haven't yet. I will, though and I WILL take my camera.

This morning I was up very early about 3am. I didn't feel well...allergies and no medicine. So I sat with Chloe on the couch and made some tea. Not sure what it is about tea, but it sure makes me feel better! I was looking at my mantle all decorated and decided to take a few pictures to share.
I have redone this mantle at least three times. I just couldn't get the look I wanted. I'm not sure this is it either! lol
Are you like me and look at dozens of mantles and love most of them? I then look at what I have to work with and say, NOPE! I just can't run out every season and buy more. I have to do with what I have especially now that I own a shop.
  Before you get all excited at the fact that you think I can buy anything I want in my shop, let me let you in on a little secret. There is good and bad to owning a shop! You want most of it. You can't have it because you wouldn't make any money! Your money would go to paying off your new items instead of for rent! So most of the time I say NO! It has been really hard. When I first started out, I would bring home a box of things and return them the next day realizing I couldn't afford to buy them. I will be honest and say I did bring home a silver pair of salt & pepper shakers. It is hard, extremely hard not to buy!


This is my fireplace in my living room.

Here is a close up.

This is a half of a bushel basket. I did have it hanging on a door and it fell off. I think I will put it on the front porch.

Chloe & my coffee table! I bought the iron candlestick holder at a garage sale for $5.00! I was going to sell it in the store but decided to keep it. lol See what I mean?
Both of the pedestals are from Goodwill.

This is on one side of my fireplace. I have indents.....I wish the builder thought like a woman and built bookcases. Men should not be designing houses! (If we designed them maybe we couldn't afford them afterwards. lol)
Sorry, but you can see the kitchen light in the Thomas Kincaid Picture.

I forgot to take the other side so I guess you'll have to wait until I get home to see the rest!


I am so happy you stopped by....come again to see what's up at Sweetladyelaine's!



Blessings My Friend,