Welcome Home - a tablescape for friends

Our dear friends came for a weekend stop after returning home from visiting their son and his family in Hawaii.

Gosh, it's so fun to spend time with friends, especially ones that have been our friends over 40 years. You know we were thrilled for them to come and visit us in Kentucky. 

I knew we would set at the table to enjoy our food and share stories about their trip. Their son is military and we are so proud of him.

I wanted the table to be casual but with small reminders of their Hawaiian trip. Placemats in soft colors designed with shells, starfish and coral were used. 

Aqua plates were stacked then topped with aqua and gold bowls.

Our friendship has continued over the years even though we now live nearly six hours apart. 

A coastal vignette was used on a nearby side table. The large shell platter and pineapple were reflective of their trip. Tradition says the pineapple is a symbol of social events and became the meaning of welcome, friendship and hospitality. 

I think we sat at the table for hours catching up. We were so happy to spend time with our friends and welcome them home from their trip.

Thanks for stopping by - Judy.

Linking to these fabulous parties:

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop @ Stone Gable Blog

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style on Tuesday evening
Simple & Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme on Wednesday

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson on Wed. evenings 

Share Your Style Link Party @ 21 Rosemary Lane on Wed. evenings
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life on Wednesday evening

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life
Foodie Friday & Everything Else @ Rattlebridge Farm on Thursday

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch on Thursday morning

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage on Thursday morning

Table It Link Party @ Life and Linda

Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home 

Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic & Refined on Sundays

Happy Independence Day and A Parade

Happy Independence Day from our town to ours. It's the 4th of July and we are celebrating our freedom. 

What a way to start the day, a parade through the town square. 

The Scouts are honoring our freedom. 

Murray is a town of a little less than 20,000 but we know how to celebrate freedom.

Celebrate this great day of independence!! - Judy

Linking to:

The Scoop

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style on Tuesday evening
Simple & Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme on Wednesday
My Thrift Store Addiction

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson on Wed. evenings 

Share Your Style Link Party @ 21 Rosemary Lane on Wed. evenings
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life on Wednesday evening

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson
Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Foodie Friday & Everything Else @ Rattlebridge Farm on Thursday

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch on Thursday morning

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage on Thursday morning

Table It Link Party @ Life and Linda

Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home 

Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic & Refined on Sundays

At the Feeders and in the Trees - Week 14

The hummers are at the feeders but not in great numbers. Hope to see more as the summer progresses. I hope you notice the added visitor in the first pic in the second row of the collage. Yes, the Downy is on the hummingbird feeder getting a drink. 

Now here is a photobomber in the next pic.  I was so busy trying to get the picture of the Downey and the hummer then a house finch flies by. Sorry, not a great pic but too amusing not to share. 

Even the Blue Jays are at the feeders. The jays are a pretty color of blue and have crests. This one is looking up at the upside down suet feeder, grabs a hunk then drops down on the railing to eat.

Love, love watching the goldfinches at the feeders. I never tire of watching them. 

Thanks for stopping in - Judy.

Linking to: 

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention Gallery

Watery Wednesday @ Watery Songlines

image-in-ing

Nature Notes @ Rambling Woods

Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life 

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson

Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Friday Photo Journal
Skywatch Friday

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen on Saturday

Camera Critters on Saturday

I'd Rather Be Birdin' on Saturday at noon

Patriotic Porch - Happy Fourth of July

It's the time of year that we celebrate our traditions. We bring out our red, white, and blue and show that we are proud to be Americans.

I'm displaying a small patriotic quilt that I recently made for my front porch.  

My begonias are adding to the patriotism with their beautiful red blooms and a small American flag.

The huge macho fern looks fabulous next to the begonias and flag. 

My roses to the right of the front porch, are flourishing with beautiful red flowers. 

I'm so thankful that my quilt is finished, and my flowers are blooming. 

Our back deck is also dressed for the Fourth with an Americana bunting and pots filled with patriotic colors.

I would love to hear how you show your patriotism - Judy.

Linking to these fabulous parties:

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop @ Stone Gable Blog

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style on Tuesday evening
Simple & Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme on Wednesday
My Thrift Store Addiction

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson on Wed. evenings 

Share Your Style Link Party @ 21 Rosemary Lane on Wed. evenings
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life on Wednesday evening

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson
Thankful Thursday @ It's a Small Town Life

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Foodie Friday & Everything Else @ Rattlebridge Farm on Thursday

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch on Thursday morning

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage on Thursday morning

Table It Link Party @ Life and Linda

Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home 

Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic & Refined on Sundays

Show Your Patriotism for the 4th of July

The 4th is just about here and we are ready to celebrate. The fireplace and mantel are dressed in patriotic colors of red, white and blue.  

The 4th is always a favorite time to decorate in many of our homes across America. 

We can show our patriotism in many ways around the house. 

Whether it's your mantel . . .

the entire fireplace . . .

or a vignette in the kitchen. Hope you can spend a few minutes decorating to show your patriotism. 

Take care and celebrate with your family and friends. - Judy.

Linking to these fabulous parties:

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop @ Stone Gable Blog

Sizzle into Summer@ DIY by Design on Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style on Tuesday evening
Simple & Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme on Wednesday
My Thrift Store Addiction

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson on Wed. evenings 

Share Your Style Link Party @ 21 Rosemary Lane on Wed. evenings
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life on Wednesday evening
Thoughts of Home on Thursday @ White Spray Paint

Favorite Things Thursday @ Katherine's Corner

Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace on Thursday

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Foodie Friday & Everything Else @ Rattlebridge Farm on Thursday

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch on Thursday morning

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage on Thursday morning

Table It Link Party @ Life and Linda

Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home 

Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic & Refined on Sundays