WELCOME TO TEXAS!!

I am here to tell you it is a long drive from Atlanta, GA to Houston, TX but it was fun!  I crossed the state line into Texas on Tuesday afternoon.  I was so excited after all these hours of  driving that I was at last in Texas! 

I stopped at the Texas Welcome Center.  The sun was shining and I was ready to stretch my legs, get a cup of coffee and gather up some info!   They had a deck out back and this was my first 'welcome to Texas'

 He wasn't all that friendly so I went in search of other more welcoming sights...

I

 This large metal sculpture was just beautiful to me...of course being a natural born Texan this great big ole Texas Star called to me!

  

 Beneath a big beautiful blue Texas sky...

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And a beautiful Texas State flag...

This guy was friendly or just looking for a handout??

 Nevertheless It is good to be back in Texas

Now if I can just figure out all the things I want to see and do this trip!  I know I will have a wonderful time!

 SIGH....still two more hours of driving to my Mothers house...

TEXAS is a very large state...
(Got to my Mom's just fine and having a good time...will post more soon!!!) 

Always,

 Linda

ST PATRICK'S DAY TABLE

Today I am joining Susan over at

BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH for Tablescape Thursday.

I wanted to do a St. Patrick's Day Table.  I shopped my home and except for some ribbon I had most everything already.

I started with a lace tablecloth (so Irish don't you think?) and
layered green placemats over that.

I used my white ivy charger plates

then added these vintage green plates

Next I added a white milk glass plate with a decorated cut out edge.  To blend the colors of green I found this ribbon and threaded it through the edge of the plates.

 Added a small milk glass plate with a green edge

Each place setting had a ceramic clover decoration added

I used my parents wedding silverware

The napkins are fine linen with a lace embellishment

For a napkin ring I tied them with green ribbon and added this bow which was a hair clip (2 for $1 at Target).

A green glass for water or wine

The centerpiece was some 'pretend' flowers in an old green planter

Cute little St. Patrick's bears sit on a small cake plate with green beads and shamrocks

A little magical fairly looks at her reflection

I added a green cup & saucer for Mister to have coffee

I will have the 'good' stuff...Irish coffee!

A few milk glass serving pieces

More vintage green serving pieces

Lots of Green for Good Luck

Add some yummy Corned Beef & Cabbage and I'm all set.

Hope you enjoyed this St. Patrick's Day Tablescape.

Don't forget to visit Susan and see all the other lovely table settings.

Always,

Linda

H IS FOR HARLEQUIN

I am joining Jenny for Alphabe-Thursday 
and Suzanne for Vintage Thingy Thursday

This week we have moved on to the letter H
I have chosen to share with you some Homer Laughlin Harlequin China

After the popularity of Fiesta, F. W. Woolworth, the nation-wide dime-store chain wanted an inexpensive china they could offer in their stores. Harlequin dishes were then produced by The Homer Laughlin China Company exclusively for F. W. Woolworth stores. Originally Harlequin was produced from 1936 until 1964. Harlequin dinnerware were later put back into production from 1979 until 1982. Harlequin was Woolworth's top selling dinnerware of all time.

The original 1930's Harlequin colors were Mauve Blue, Yellow, Spruce Green, and Maroon. In the 1940's Light Green, Turquoise, and Red Rose were added. The 1950's brought Chartreuse, Medium Green, Gray, and Forest Green to the collection.

If you are a novice collector, it is easy to confuse the two lines. But, if you know where to look, there are distinctive design differences. Unlike Fiesta, with its round curves and concentric circles, Harlequin is angular in shape.  Notice the handle on the above creamer. 

I have found most of these items at thrift stores.  I 'think' the plates are also Harlequin but I am not sure.  The plates were bought in an antique mall in Myrtle Beach, SC 10 years ago.  I fell in love with the color and the shape.  Since then I have found these teacups, saucers and two creamers.  

Check out the prices in this old ad for Harlequin

On the way to Texas I made a little pit stop and well it just happened to be at this Antique Mall...what can I say?  It was just a lucky coincidence ummm Really it was...really.  I didn't have much time so did a quick pass through and saw lots of nice things but priced to high for this thrifty girl's purse.  I then saw this item...the price was low because of the poor condition, but I still fell in love with it.

Again not much information on this piece, but it looks like it might be Harlequin.  At any rate I love the color and the shape.

I love the detail of this edge

and the knob on the top...as you can see I did not have a chance to clean this up before taking photos.  I wanted to include it in this post.  So this is my H post for Homer Laughlin and the Harlequin pattern.  

Be sure to stop by Jenny's & Suzanne's and check out the other fun post's for these two parties.

Always a Texan,

Linda

TEXAS

Hi All!  Just a quick update to let you know I have arrived safe and sound in Houston, TX.  So good to see my Mom.  I am tired as that is one long drive from good Ole Atlanta.  I did have a couple of adventures on the way here and will blog about them later in the week.  So now it's off to bed!

Always,

Linda

YOU MUST KNOW PAULA!!

I am joining in these two fun Tuesday parties...Tuesday Trivia Tie-in and Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays.

I found these two great cookbooks at my local Goodwill, priced right and 25% off as it was Senior Day.   I have wanted to buy some of her cookbooks for awhile now but finding them at the thrift was even better.

 

Paula Deen (born Paula Ann Hiers) on January 19, 1947 in Albany GA. 
She is an American cook, restaurateur, author, and Emmy award-winning television personality.

Paula has an smile that you can spot a mile away and an infectious southern accent that makes you feel right at home.  She resides in Savannah, Ga where she owns and operates The Lady & Sons restaurant with her two sons, Jamie & Bobby Deen.  She has published five cookbooks.  

 The Lady & Sons Just Desserts was published in 2002 brings more then 120 Yummy sweets including the "Gooey Butter Cake" and one of the restaurants favorites "Turtle Cake".  I have yet to bake anything from this recent find, but I'm sure the calories will be worth every bite.

 Sharing a delicious meal is everyone's favorite way of bringing together friends and loved ones. In this cookbook, Paula Deen & Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style, Paula Deen -- author, restaurateur, and Food Network star -- turns to her friends to share their stories, ideas for entertaining Southern style, and, most important, more than 150 of the prized recipes they serve to their family and friends.  This was published in 2005.  


Many of you may know of the early hardships that Paula endured and overcame.  She suffered from panic attacks and agoraphobia, eventually becoming virtually housebound during her 20's.  

In 2009 Paula published a book about her life, struggles and successes.  I have not read this yet, but it is on my TBR list.  This woman makes me think that anything is possible.  

I hope you will go and visit Trey for Tuesday Trivia Tie-In and Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday.  So as Paula would say
"Hey Y'all" thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again real soon.

Always,

Linda