Table #9: Pink With Promise

Just got back from the city, 

HOT 'lanta!

I'm telling you, 

I was country come to town

but that's another post!

Table #9 is

Pink with Promise

I guess you know who's table this is.

Does this look familiar?

Of course, it does.

I chose Pink Georgia transfer ware 

made in England.

The stemware is Pink Swirl by Noritake, 

both compliments of a couple of my friends. 

I added some silver with the pink.

I filled my milkglass baskets with silver bells. 

Each guest at my table got hugs and kisses:)

I bought this ornament at the end-of-the-season sale. 

It is one of my favorites this year.

My shop, my blog, my table is always about PROMISE!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders,

and He will be called Wonderful, Counselor,

Mighty God, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace, 

there will be no end."

Isaiah 9:6-7

Jesus, yes Promise...

For His government and peace will never end!

Bonnie:)

A last look at the tables tomorrow.  

I will announce the winner of the Giveaway tomorrow evening. 

Table #7: A Black Tie Night Table #8: Red Berries and Balls

The week of the giveaway is almost over. 

I have three more tables to feature.

Tomorrow, the whole town is headed to the dome,

including me and I don't even do football.

Our local football team is playing for the 

Region 3A state championship 

so I need to get these in before Saturday.

Please allow me to do a quick post.

Table #7

Black Tie Night

Tables #7 and #8 were class and elegance at their finest.

The designer of these tables is one of the most positive people I know. 

She sees the glass as half full.  

She decorates likes she lives, beautifully care-free and with class.

While decorating, we were all fussing over this and that.

"My table is not as pretty as hers......"

You know how we women are about worry

and comparison.

Teena said, 

"I don't worry about anything. I know God is going to take care of it."

She is the coodinator of the church soup kitchen.

She is a giver.  She will give you the shirt off her back

so quietly that no one will notice that she's missing a sleeve.

Table #8

Red Berries and Balls

I like the idea of using beads

in displays, and

making candle holders out of stemware. 

Don't be surprised if you see something like this on a future post.

We all steal share each other's ideas anyway, right?

I will post my table on Saturday

and I'll pick a winner of The Giveaway.

Bonnie:)

Table #5: The Sand and the Sea

The beach is my favorite place in the world to be.  It is at the beach that my mind is clear and I am able to hear God speak. Far from the distractions of the world, my soul is quiet and I am at peace.

The idea of the giveaway came from the next table.  Table number 5 was displayed by several women who have known suffering.  Three of the ladies suffer quietly with Rheumatoid Arthritis and another finished treatments this year for breast cancer. All suffer without complaint and continue to serve the Lord.

It is comforting to know that in the midst of the storm, Jesus offers peace.  When faced with uncertainly, he whispers, "It is I; do not be afraid." (John 6:20)  In another Gospel, the disciples were amazed that even the winds and the seas obeyed Him.

Table #5:  The Sand and the Sea

When I am asked to speak to women, I always remind them that they are beautifully and wonderfully made.  My favorite chapter in the Bible is Psalm 139.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (v. 14)

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you." (v. 17-18)

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."  (v. 23-24)

On the first table post, I mentioned a guy named Bob Benson.  His writings are somewhat like parables using this and that, things we can relate to to tell a story.  Please allow me again to share some of His words.

At our home, we have a lovely Nativity set of wood carvings of the Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the angels, and the shepherds.  It also includes some sheep, lambs, horses, cows, calves, ponies and even a sleeping rooster.

Peg is really the decorator in our house, and she has a knack for displaying things at their best and making places look special.  But she agreed to let me set up the manger scene the first season.  

I have accumulated a box or two of materials that I use along with the carvings. There are some pieces of driftwood I picked up on our various vacations on the coast.  I take them out of the box each year like old friends.  I know each one of them for its special size and shape and smoothness.  I wish that I could ask them questions and hear them answer back. "Where did you begin your journey?  What kind of tree were you?  What brought you crashing down? How did you get washed up on that lonely stretch of beach? Did you once hold up a little girl's swing or a boy's tree house?  Were you part of a house or a boat or a packing box?"  For I believe that everything has a story; it has been somewhere, and it is going somewhere.

In early December, I get out all these manger things.  With the stones, I make a rocky hillside, and with the wood, I build a barn and a stall.  I carefully place the manger, the Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and all the rest of the figures (right down to the sleeping rooster on the roof).  Then I light a candle, sit down before the scene again, and try to imagine how this holy story could ever have happened at all.  

Admittedly, I have gathered up this materials for this scene from lots of places.  But always I am impressed to remember that everything needed to make this sacred tableau can be found in anybody's neighborhood.  Sticks and stones, straw and foliage, dogs and cats, neighbors and a virgin girl.  All of them can be touched with the meaning that only Christ can bring, meaning that obliterates the lines that separate the divine and the commonplace, meaning that changes a stall into a holy place and a manger into an altar. 

I consider this story and I ask you the same questions, "Where did your journey begin? Is it painful even to think about? Was there something that happened to cause you to come crashing down or have you been down so long that you can't even remember where it all began?  Do you feel washed up like shells on a sea shore? Has the stretch been lonely? Have you held dreams in your hand, as the song-writer wrote, and watched them drift like sifted sand?"

The same God who is constant in the ebb and flow of the tide, consistently loves you and draws you Himself. May you be aware of His presence this Christmas season.

Don't forget to post a comment, follow my blog, or share with a friend.  See the following link to particiate in the giveaway, 

http://vintagegirl901.blogspot.com/2014/12/lift-banquet-and-give-away-everyone.html

Tables #3 and #4: The Christmas Bird and Silver and Snow

There is much that we can learn from watching the birds. The old saying, "Birds of a feather flock together," may not be a Proverb from the Bible, nontheless, there is truth in it.  I'll let you think about that.  Table #3: The Christmas Bird I have a charm of a sparrow in my locket.  My husband bought it for me at a time in my life when I was anxious about many things.  I needed to be reminded that if God takes care of the birds how much more will he take care of me. Isn't that great to know? "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet you heavenly Father feeds them.  And you are more valuable than the birds." Matthew 6:25-27 Table #4: Silver and Snow The hostess for #3 and #4 was also one of the hostesses for the entire event including planning, decorating and implementing activities. Along with another group of ladies, she spent several days running here and there while working full-time and maintaining the affairs of a household. I like the idea of using stemware as a candle holder.  There's not anything in God's creation that can't be applied to our lives.  The Bible says that though our sins are as scarlet the blood of Jesus washes us whiter than snow.  Please remember to comment on facebook or White Lace and Promises to enter the giveaway and/or share with a friend.

Happy Birthday Jesus and a Giveaway

I can't pick a favorite table. I loved them all, 

but this one made me smile.

I'm so excited to look at Christmas once again 

through the eyes of my three year old grandson.

When he gets excited, it's like seeing Christmas for the first time.  

Jesus said that our faith should be like that of a child.

Children know how to celebrate birthdays

and so it is easy for them to sing 

"Happy Birthday" to Jesus. 

There's no way I would ever leave Jesus out of Christmas.

He IS Christmas!

I hate to see X-mas.  It even makes me mad.

However, I think Jesus enjoys our joy-

whether we are telling His story or Santa's story.

Can't we all remember when visions of sugar plums danced in our heads?

I know The Star "shined brightly" but I just imagine 

Jesus likes sparkles too. I kinda think the star sparkled.

Let me tell you, I believe Jesus lives even in the heart of Santa.

Read another less familiar Christmas story.

The sleigh was all packed,
The reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt
By the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed,
"Be with me tonight,
There's much work to do,
And my schedule is tight."

"I must jump in my sleigh
And streak through the sky,
Knowing full well
That a reindeer can't fly."

"I will visit each household,
Before the first light,
I'll cover the world,
And all in one night."

"With sleigh bells a-ringing,
I'll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter
Of each little hoof."

"To get in the house
Is the difficult part,
So I'll slide down the chimney
Of each child's heart."

"My sack will hold toys
To grant all their wishes,
The supply will be endless,
Like the loaves and the fishes."

"I will fill all the stockings
And not leave a track,
I'll eat every cookie
That is left for my snack."

"I can do all these things Lord,
Only through You,
I just need your blessing,
Then it's easy to do."

"All this is to honor
The birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us ...
Your most Holy Son."

"So to all of my friends,
Least Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them
Who gave me this job."

~ Warren D. Jennings ~

 Don't forget to leave a comment for the Giveaway,

follow and tell a friend.

Read here.

I'm looking forward to seeing Jesus and Santa.

I Believe, 

Bonnie:)

Adding a Little Color to My Fall

Today I added a little color to my Fall.

I picked up the place mats at Dollar General.

They were more than flea market price, 

but less than Walmart, and the quality 

was very nice.

I couldn't find matching napkins 

but I found two tans and two fall greens.

They were 25 cents each. 

She said, "Just take 'em."

Yes, FREEBIES!!!

I work with small space.

The centerpiece is a compote and a pumpkin

between two small pumpkins on ironstone. 

I added a pop of color to the ordinarily white vignette.

Ugh..the flowers.

I paid $2 for the lantern.

I have since pulled the silk flowers.

I just can't handle fake in any form or fashion.

I added some burlap and an 

embellishment to a $1 candle. I made two.

I will use these to add some fall to my booth.  

I hung a fall canvas.  

This is the look from the den.

Ughhh. I really need to paint.

Maybe that will be the next project.

Can you tell what I did today?

Bonnie:)

Ya"ll Come Back Now

The sweet little home 

in the country

hosted a cook out for the 

college and career youth.

We drank Southern sweet tea and pink lemonade

out of jars and  

ate wild plums with our hands. 

Everything had a vintage feel to it.

Of course, I was right at home. 

Hydrangeas in blue Ball jars is always a go!

Gotta have lots of red and a little white and blue.
Wire baskets are pretty practicals.

The guys cooked and talked hunting and fishing,

or texted and talked.

See the yellow chair that goes with the glider?
I want, I want, I want.
I think I envy, envy, envy.

Some of the girls talked softball, 

and everyone got a shot at cornhole.

"Now, where do you say the bag was supposed to go???"

We played wiffle ball???

Yes, I got a few hits, but I can't do the run-thing anymore.
(It's a woman-after-fifty thang)
I pitched.  I am sore tooooooooooooday!

No more playing, when it came time to eat. 

Some sat in the other rooms and some enjoyed their meal outside.

The menu:

Grilled Chicken
Creole Shrimp (Big Ones!)
Mac and Cheese
Green Beans
Pasta Salad
Fresh Pineapple
Cake and Brownies

YUMMY!

Take your shoes off.
Ya'll Come Back Now,
Ya Here,

Bonnie:)

Today I Pay Tribute to our Vietnam Veterans

Happy Memorial Day!

I'm sharing a few photos from 

a blog post a couple of years ago.

The singing of our National Anthem and watching 

our flag wave in the wind always gives me chills,

and THE Red, White and Blue always brings tears to my eyes. 

A child of the 60's and 70's, I was not allowed to watch

the black and white TV past 9 o'clock.

Daddy made sure that we were in bed before the 11:00 news.

The nightly news showed the graphic, horrific results 

of the Vietnam War.  I heard it all from the confines of my bedroom

and couldn't go to sleep long after.

I admit to praying that God would not take my

brother or my boyfriend or any of my friends to fight in the war. 

As a child of the 70's I never will forget.

I live beside a man who fought and was without honor for many years. 

I am thankful that our flag still stands.

I am thankful for the men and women who have served 

and who continue to serve our great nation. 

And yes, I am thankful that our nation finally

paid tribute and gave honor for those 

who gave their lives, their minds and their bodies 

to a war that some deemed unnecessary.

Thank you Vietnam Vets. 

Yes, we honor you today. 

Bonnie:)

One of my favorite linen towels. 

Awesome tribute to our Veterans in the Braves Pre-Game Show.

Honoring all branches of service.

Chills and tears.