Fun on the Fourth

When dear MIL and FIL joined our family for dinner on the evening of the 4th of July this year, the occasion called for a patriotic display.

My Fiesta dishes (in scarlet, cobalt, lapis, and periwinkle) were once again called into service.

I love this little red disk pitcher.  It served as a flag holder in this setting.

Each place setting was topped with U.S.-themed wooden ornament (purchased shortly after 9-11-2001).

A flag-themed place mat anchored the centerpiece which consisted of various patriotic pieces.

As I am the lucky owner of 12 flag napkins, I was able to adorn the six chairs with a little Independence Day color.

Not wanting to be left out, the adjoining living room also took on a patriotic theme.  I discovered that these barn stars could double as candle holders.

Let Freedom Ring!

Many of these items decorated my middle son's bedroom which had a red, white and blue color scheme.  The bedroom has since been redecorated.  I love giving things a new purpose.

Here's a shot of the table and adjoining living room.  Don't know if you can tell, but the TV is showing that all-American past time of baseball - MN Twins vs. New York Yankees.

Red, White and Blue Dessert

Here is a simple dessert for the July 4th Holiday:

(This would be easier to see if I'd used clear glasses, but I wanted to use the red goblets.)

Bottom layer:  Berry Blue Jello  (Prepared with half the amount of water indicated on the package)  Pour it into plastic containers which have a flat bottom.
Let Jello firm up and then cut into squares.  (The Jello will firm up in an hour or less if you boil 1/2 C water, stir the Jello powder into it and then add about 5 ice cubes.  Place the Jello into the refrigerator once the ice cubes have melted.

Next layer:  Cut purchased angel food cake into small cubes.

Then:  Prepare any red colored Jello flavor using half the amount of water indicated on the package directions.  Let Jello firm up and cut into squares or cubes.

Top with Cool Whip.  Keep in refrigerator until time to serve.

(This dessert could be served at Christmas time by substituting lime flavored Jello for the Berry Blue.)

Americana Tablescape

My last blog entry showed a more formal table setting in honor of our country's birthday.

This one features informal place settings and rustic patriotic decorations.

The centerpiece is grounded by a flag table runner and includes a vintage book entitled "The Story of the Thirteen Colonies".


Table decorations also include three painted barn stars which I discovered can serve as candle holders for red and blue tapers.

 My Fiesta dinnerware was once again pressed into service for this tablescape.


Dinner plates, bread and butter plates, small bowls and bullion cups in cinnabar and cobalt worked perfectly with the rustic patriotic theme.





Note the wooden patriotic symbol ornaments atop each place setting.  These were sold as Christmas decorations but for several years they were used to decorate my son's room which had a patriotic theme.   The barn stars were on the wall above his bed.


I enjoy using things I already own and repurposing them to create tablescapes.

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!

The founding fathers would surely endorse this patriotic tablescape.
The large white dinner plates which I have used rather than chargers are the Shannon china pattern by Montgomery Ward.
The red water goblets were purchased from Herberger's at an after-Christmas sale as were the red bowls.

The blue and white pieces are Historic Liberty Blue china.  More information about this china pattern follows.

The centerpiece consists of daisies and America flags in cobalt blue vases.









Dinner plate featuring picture of Independence Hall

Vegetable bowl featuring picture of Fraunces Tavern

Wine goblet in the Cape Cod pattern from Avon

Information sheet from Tour of Tables event held in the late 1990s

For more information about Historic Liberty Blue dishes, go to this site:
http://www.countryconsultant.com/blogspot/?p=731.  It's an article that quotes information I authored for the Associated Content website in 2008.

Happy birthday, America!


This photo is from a family gathering around the Fourth of July.  I believe the year was 1994.

The red, white and blue color scheme is carried out through my Shannon white china, a white table cloth, blue placemats and red glasses.  The paper napkins feature a flag theme.

Note the dessert parfaits in the Longchamps crystal goblets which also echo the patriotic theme.  I made blueberry and strawberry finger jello and cut it into small squares.  I also cut angel food cake into squares.  I layered the blue jello, cake and red jello squares in the glasses and then topped each parfait with whipped cream.