Friends, can you believe it’s already mid-July?! Not only that…it’s the second Wednesday of the month, so that means it’s already time for another round of “It’s All Set” — the monthly tablescape event featuring several of my favorite blog friends!
I am having so much fun with this monthly feature and I hope you are too!
This month, my inspiration came from a cheery vintage tablecloth I bought at Round Top a few years ago for just a few dollars.
It reminds me of my grandma — my mom’s mother. The colors are just so cheerful and the style reminds me of her. I’m not exactly sure why because I don’t recall her having a tablecloth like this one. Something about it made me think of her when I saw it. Maybe it’s the bits of yellow like the yellow floral wallpaper she had in her bathroom or the yellow chenille bedspread in her guest room. Or, maybe it’s the pops of red like the old red-rimmed white enamelware she had from her parents farmhouse. Or maybe it’s the cheerful floral pattern itself. Whatever the reason, it spoke to me and made me think of her so I bought it.
I had almost forgotten about it tucked away in a basket in my kitchen. So, when I was trying to come up with a theme for this month’s tablescape, I remembered the tablecloth. I decided it was the perfect backdrop for creating a small table in honor of my grandma, her wonderful baking and her welcoming style.
My grandma was the best at making desserts and her style was always simple and always welcoming! And, taking center stage was the food — it was the main attraction, no question.
No, she didn’t set the table for dessert only — but I thought it would be fun to do it in honor of her. Anyone who ate in her home couldn’t forget her wonderful desserts!
My grandma always had homemade cookies on hand. I cannot remember ever having any sweet treat from the store at her house.
She made pies, cookies, cakes – you name it. She was a wonderful cook.
We loved it all, but there was one dessert my grandpa always asked for — strawberry shortcake.
She didn’t always make angel food cake — she made several varieties. One was like a wonderful little biscuit — a little crunch on the outside and soft and yummy on the inside. Another was like a more traditional white cake. Each one was so good — I’m getting hungry just thinking about the flavors and aromas that came from her kitchen!
My grandma was also a wonderful hostess. My grandpa was very outgoing and loved talking to people. He’d meet someone new and before my grandma knew it, he had invited them to come to their home for a meal! (I often wonder how she really felt about that!)
I never once heard her complain. She seemed to enjoy the constant parade of guests — and believe me, there were many!
My grandma lived well in to her 90’s and has been gone for almost 10 years. I miss her and my grandpa. But, I am so happy to have some of her recipes that we all loved so much.
I am also grateful that I created this little tablescape in honor of her today. It was so wonderful to think of her and all the wonderful things she baked and made for us. What a blessing to have enjoyed such a kind and loving grandma!
I hope you’ll visit my friends today to see what kind of tablescape inspiration they are sharing!
I’m joining with 5 bloggers to bring you this monthly tablescape series.
I invite you to enjoy the wonderful posts below celebrating summer at the table…
Designthusiasm
The Enchanted Home
Stone Gable
Town and Country Living
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Julie, What a beautiful tribute to your Grandmother! I hope you have some of her recipes. I love your tablecloth too! It has that vintage, cozy feeling… like it should be in a kitchen that has an icebox and a big farm sink. Of course I am visiting before breakfast and you make me so hungry! Beautiful, as always! Are you going to Haven this year? xo
Thank you, Yvonne! Unfortunately, I will not be at Haven this year — I have a family commitment that same weekend. I will miss seeing you all!!
Angel food cake, hydrangeas, does it bet better? Love it..and the fact that it was inspired by your grandmother makes it very sweet:) Lovely!
Thank you, Tina!
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I’m with you Julie, my favorite summertime decore always starts with my vintage table cloth. Just beautiful !!
Thank you so much, Linda!
What a sweet story and wonderful tribute to your grandmother. My most treasured recipes are the ones that come from my grandmothers. When you are cooking the aromas feel your house, and you can close your eyes and feel like you are back in their kitchen. Your tablescape is beautiful and thanks for sharing your sweet story with us.
Julie, what a lovely table you’ve set to honor your grandmother! I love the vintage feel of so many of the elements and I love hearing you speak so lovingly about your grandma… 🙂 What a warm wonderful feeling you’ve shared with us. I, too, have some old linens tucked away and I think you’ve inspired me to pull some out and share them, so thanks for the great post idea!!
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What wonderful memories of your grandma. Love your vintage tablecloth!
I love that you had your grandmother in mind when you created this tablescape. This has such a great vintage feel and I enjoyed the story about your grandmother and grandfather and his social talents! Sounds like they were very generous and happy people. You presented the strawberry shortcake in such a fabulous way! The hydrangeas really say summer and work beautifully for this vintage styled setting.
What a pretty table! It reminds me of my aunt’s lunch table when I was a little girl. She lived on a farm and cooked daily lunches from the garden. Every morsel was delicious and the table was always simple but pretty. Usually with flowers from the yard. Thanks for reminding me of such a sweet memory.
What a beautiful tablescape on a lovely tablecloth. Your grandmother sounds delightful and you were lucky to get to know her. I only saw my grandmas a couple of times as a child since they lived in Ireland. I’m so glad my own kids know my mom so well. They love to hear her stories and eat her yummy cooking.
Beautiful. The vintage table cloth is just precious.
Dear Julie,
Your expressed memories ring true for me also,
In that my grandmother lived her pink kitchen
Where daily meals were served. As she was
Proud if her homemaking skills, I remember all too
Well, the love that surrounded us when we came to
Visit.
Thanks for sharing your lovely post!