Updates On & Around The Kitchen Table

Happy Friday!  

I got so excited a little earlier when I noticed I had 15 comments on yesterday's post.  I rarely see comments in the double digits.  My excitement soon turned to disappointment when I saw that the 8 new comments were spam from someone in Australia trying to peddle insurance & a bunch of other stuff.  I deleted them.  Hope that doesn't happen again.  

Now, for today's post.

Updates on & around the kitchen table.

My sister helped me remove the shades from the chandelier.

It's a brighter look & I like it.

This set of place mats came from Target.  The price was right at less than $8.00.

I also bought the napkins that match.  I'll show those off later.

These faux flowers go well with the sunny colors of the place mats.

This little lamp had been in the utility room for years.  The original shade was faded & needed to go.

Susan & I found the new burlap shade at Target.  Love it!

Susan bought this sweet little reading gnome for me. 

It looks like the rabbit is listening to him read.

The kitchen is ready for sunny, warm weather.

Changes On The Mantel

A few weeks ago I ordered some birdie items from 

Stone Gable.

She sells products from a collection called 

At Home.

This candle holder & little bird caught my eye.

They were priced very reasonably 

I added some faux geraniums to the urns.

 I think I need to add a banner.

I'll have to give that idea some thought.

I need to troll Pinterest.

Any suggestions?

I'm linking with . . .

Ashley & Robert's Wedding

The reason our Houston family came home to Oklahoma was to attend the wedding of my brother-in-law's niece.

We started celebrating on Thursday evening when Ashley's mom, Sharon, hosted a casual family supper.

Sharon & I are classmates.  Ashley has always called me, Aunt Carol.  

I was so busy hugging babies & eating I forgot to take pictures!  

Ashley & Robert's wedding was Saturday afternoon in our hometown.

Photos courtesy,
Picturesque Photos by Amanda
Tulsa, OK

Mother & daughter before the ceremony.

My brother-in-law escorted Ashley down the aisle.

Pictures of the couple hung from each sconce in the sanctuary.

After the ceremony.
The reception was held at the Country Club.

What a pleasant surprise that the meal was breakfast!  So delicious!

Elegant cake.

Best wishes Robert & Ashley!

Table For Two

A few weeks ago my sister, Susan & I were on the lookout for a children's table for the reading corner in my living room.  We were unsuccessful.  When Susan & Mike headed back home they found the perfect table in Springfield, MO.  Susan refinished the top.  It's beautiful!

Emma had a great time coloring at the table last Friday.

It's the perfect place to work on puzzles.

I went a little crazy at Target this morning.

I bought some super cute plates, flatware, cups, napkins & placemats.

Emma's placesetting.

Ethan's placesetting.

The table has drop leaves so it can be used as an end table when the grandkids aren't here.

Thank you, Susan & Mike for gifting us with a table for two!

I'm linking with . . .

A Cup Of Sunshine

I have a lot to share about our 3 days of whirlwind activities that started last Thursday & ended on Saturday.  We enjoyed being with family & friends during those days. 

I've already told you about our mini family reunion here.

After lunch my daughter-in-law, nephew & his wife made a quick visit to River City Trading Co. in Jenks.  When they came back, Grant's wife, Kate, gave me a surprise.

She gifted me with 4 adorable cups.

A cup of sunshine.

Cheerful yellow.

Perfect for a tea or coffee break.

Thank you, Kate, for the surprise!

Come back tomorrow for "Table For Two".

I'm linking with . . . 

Words That Inspire

source 

Ephesians 2: 8-9

 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Wishing you a day of rest & renewal . . . 

Family Fun

Friday we had a wonderful time hosting a family get together.

17 of us enjoyed eating lunch & visiting.

It was a mini version of a family reunion.

Some of us hadn't seen each other in several years.

Niece, April, Nephew, Grant & our son, Bobby

The cousins with their spouses & children.

Jason & Elise

Iris, Kate & Grant

Emma & Uncle Mike

Bobby, Ethan & Emma

April, Madison in motion, Emma & Kari.

Here's a better picture of Madison with April.

She is a carbon copy of her mommy.

I wished that my Texas & Missouri family lived closer.

We need to plan more family gatherings.

I loved every minute of our time together.

Thank you Susan, Mike & Bob for all your help with the meal preparation.

Frigid Friday

We're off to a frigid start this morning, 37 degrees.

 We escaped a freeze last night.  The cold rain mixed with snowflakes on Thursday was so strange for May.

I'm up early getting ready for a family lunch.

Hubby has been up since 3:00 am smoking pork loin & chicken.

It should be a fun day of conversation between cousins who haven't seen each other in several years.

We'll have 5 little cousins in the house.  I can't wait to get some great pictures to share with you.

Crazy Weather

The weather in our neck of the woods does not match the date on the calendar.

These pictures show just how crazy the weather is.

A roller coaster ride.

This is one record we don't want to break.

We may see some snow, yikes!

We'll have to cover our newly planted flowers tonight.

Take care Okie friends.

Happy May Day

Happy May Day!

Did you ever do the May pole dance in school?

source 

I have a vague memory of the activity.

Did you ever hang a May Day flower basket on someone's door knob?

source

I remember doing this when I was very young.

Hubby & I planted flowers Tuesday evening.

Flowers & ferns are on the deck.

We won't hang the ferns until the danger of a freeze on Thursday night is behind us.

We'll probably have to cover the flowers in the front flowerbed.

Crazy weather!