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July 2, 2012 By Shirley

4th of July Inspired Tablescape

It was my turn.

My turn to host the dinner group….the group of gourmet cooks.

The group who plans magnificent dinners a year in advance.

Ordering wonderful ingredients from France…having special chiles fedexed from New Mexico.

And then there is me….the plain Jane cook.

I love this group…..so I try and distract them from my “Plain Jane” food

And direct most of their attention to the table…and good times with wonderful friends.

So to begin…rather than placemats, I folded dish towels in half….worked well…great size..

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Then I gathered all my supplies.

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Loved the metal red, white and blue picnic basket

that I saw on Mary’s blog, Home is Where the Boat Is…

So I went to World Market, hoping that they had some left…I was lucky…they only had 2 left!!

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I bought red “take out containers” and filled them with goodies for my guests to take home.

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I love making up things so that my guests have an additional “treat”

Maybe  another way to detract from my “plain Jane” food.

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Talking about food…I was so busy cooking and serving that I forgot to take pictures!…

We served baby back ribs, wonderfully cooked by my hubby….

One of the appetizers I made was a Blueberry Salsa…

a recipe that I got from Mary (Home is Where the Boat Is)

and then, there was my very first attempt at Cheesecake!!

Will be posting about that “miracle” soon…and thanks to Laura from Top This Top That for the recipe!

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Love those little pinwheels

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So now…I shall leave you, as I am putting appetizers on the table

and getting ready to greet my wonderful friends, who I love so dearly

to enjoy the evening with great food, drink, conversation, and lots of laughter!!

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Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July everyone!!!

And I would like to give a big shout out to Susan from Between Naps on the Porch.

She is celebrating her 200th Tablescape Party…What an enormous accomplishment!

Her tablescapes are always gorgeous perfection!!

I am joining:

Cuisine Kathleen Let’s Dish

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Fourth of July, Patriotic tablescape, picnic basket, pinwheels, sunflowers 38 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cloches & Lavender says

    July 2, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    I love this!!! I just adore the centerpice and the place seating boxes. Such a great idea. Just love this I couldn’t say it enough.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  2. Laura at Top This Top That says

    July 2, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    I love all of your attention to the details. What a fabulous and festive table- I especially like your goodie boxes for your guests. Can you please invite me next time!! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  3. Jane says

    July 2, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    Shirley, there is nothing “Plain Jane” about this table and I’m sure your friends will absolutely love it! Can’t believe you didn’t put any Oreo cookies in those treat boxes!

    Reply
  4. Alycia Nichols says

    July 2, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    I KNEW your dinner party would be a success!!! I’ll bet they loved every morsel of your so-called “plain Jane” fare! When it comes right down to it, people want food that TASTES GOOD. Whether it is prepared with spices flown in from India or eggs pulled from under the chicken out back that morning doesn’t matter. It matters that it tastes good, is presented nicely (which you did WONDERFULLY with this table!!!), and that the conversation is flowing. Hooray! So happy it all went well!!! You had absolutely nothing to worry about! Congratulations!!! Have a great 4th!

    Reply
  5. Kathleen says

    July 2, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    It looks great, Shirley! Love that retro basket.
    I am sure your food was wonderful! Many people don’t like peppers, etc, so good food, plentiful and with several choices is the way to go!
    I am sure you were a wonderful hostess, and they enjoyed your beautiful table and delicious meal!

    Reply
  6. bonnie says

    July 2, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    A true salute to the Red, White and Blue!!

    Reply
  7. Martina says

    July 2, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    Everything looks great Shirley!! Nothing “plain jane” about it!! Have a Happy 4th!
    PS– LOVE your table and chairs!

    Reply
  8. Kelly says

    July 2, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    It all looks so good! I love the centerpiece. Good thing they had some left at the store! The take home boxes are so creative too. I’m sure your guests will love those. Why you should’ve just ordered a cheese cake from The Cheesecake Factory! (I’ve heard they’re really good! – ha!) Hope you have a great holiday week. I’ve got to get busy and put out some flags. I’m behind the ball this year!

    Reply
  9. linda miller says

    July 2, 2012 at 10:02 pm

    Another beautiful tablescape, Shirley. I wanted to put the sparklers on my table but thought it would send the wrong message to Jackson so I used confetti poppers. No fireworks this year in Colorado. That’s a good thing. Happy Fourth!

    Reply
  10. kim says

    July 2, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    Shirley, I love this table. So nice of you to send them home with those very cute gifts.

    Reply
  11. Mary says

    July 2, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    Hi Shirley~ I’m glad they had a picnic basket left at World Market and I love your little buckets sprouting sunflowers! Your folded dish towels make the perfect placemats~ so clever! I’m sure your guests were thrilled with your table and adorable take out containers of favors~ there is nothing plain jane about it! Baby Back Ribs are All-American in my book~ you can’t go wrong!

    Wishing you a Fabulous Fourth filled with fun, family & wonderful food!

    Reply
  12. Barbara Bussey says

    July 2, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Hi Shirley, lots of people love Plain Jane food! Including me! I love it all! Your table was fun and festive, thanks to the La Crema! πŸ™‚ wonderful metal basket too! We’re hosting a neighborhood BBQ with baby back ribs too!
    Cheers!,
    Barbara

    Reply
  13. Shenita says

    July 2, 2012 at 11:15 pm

    Shirley, what an amazing table! There is nothing plain Jane about it! You are just the “hostess with the mostest”! LOL! What a wonderful way to serve your guests!

    Reply
  14. Anne says

    July 3, 2012 at 12:17 am

    Look at you go! Wow, that’s fantastic!! You are amazing, ps where’s my invite??!! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  15. Linda says

    July 3, 2012 at 12:32 am

    Nothing wrong with “Plain Jane Food”!! Especially when served in such a festive way! It looks great!

    Reply
  16. Judy says

    July 3, 2012 at 1:43 am

    Love it Shirley, great centerpiece and lots of color for the 4th of July, certainly doesn’t look Plain Jane to me. Plain old hotdogs would work perfect on the table. Enjoy the 4th.

    Reply
  17. Savannah Granny says

    July 3, 2012 at 1:46 am

    Shirley, that table is beautiful. So colorful and festive. You did a fantastic job with the centerpiece. It is just beyond words. I couldn’t tell if that was tissue or ribbon in it. Love the idea of the dish towels for placemats. The takes are decorated to pretty. Am I too late for the ribs. Oh well, I will just get my party favor anyway! LOL!
    Hugs and have a blast on the 4th!
    Ginger

    Reply
  18. Rosemary says

    July 3, 2012 at 2:08 am

    How insanely festive is this! I love it. I like the folded towels as place mats, and the centerpiece is fabulous. Nice job.

    Reply
  19. pstandley says

    July 3, 2012 at 3:03 am

    Great presentation to celebrate our country. So festive and perfect, and I’ll bet the meal was second to none. You’re a great cook! Happy Fourth of July.

    Reply
  20. casteb says

    July 3, 2012 at 4:25 am

    Your table looks fantastic — so fun and festive!

    Reply
  21. Pam says

    July 3, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    I was one of the lucky guests that was treated to Shirley’s “plain Jane” dinner. Let me assure you that it was anything but ordinary. We enjoyed a wonderful All-American feast to celebrate the holiday and the festive table decorations added so much to the party. We’ll be lighting our sparklers tomorrow for the 4th.

    Reply
  22. Whitney @ drab to fab design says

    July 3, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    Beautifully done, and so festive! I love the pop of yellow from the sunflowers!

    Reply
  23. Lisa@budgetdesigngirl.blogspot.com says

    July 3, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    What a fun 4th of July tablescape! Thanks for sharing your awesome ideas!
    I love that you just folded those cute dish towels in half! How clever!

    Happy 4th, Shirley!
    xoxo-Lisa

    Reply
  24. tammylovesdishes says

    July 4, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    The little buckets with sunflowers and flags are such fun additions to your table. You did a great job with the centerpiece in the picnic tin, too! The treats for your guests look fun as well. Very festive and patriotic setting! Happy 4th of July!

    Reply
  25. Linda says

    July 5, 2012 at 1:04 am

    Hi Shirley, I was the lucky winner of Mary’s giveaway, and I agree that the basket is fabulous! Using it for the centerpiece is a great idea, and I love your tin buckets too. Have a wonderful week. Linda

    Reply
  26. Olive Cooper says

    July 5, 2012 at 2:39 am

    You are a master of distraction and plain Jane food such as ribs is always delicious. The centerpiece and gifts are wonderful and your attention to detail surely made your friend feel very special indeed. visiting from Let’s Dish. Olive from Olive Out

    Reply
  27. Tricia@The Dull and the Dutiful says

    July 5, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    Wow, the pressure was on, with such a group of gourmet cooks, but you rose to the occasion! Your table is fabulous — LOVE that centerpiece, and the little red takeout boxes are darling! I know your guests were delighted with the festive setting for what I’m sure was a delicious meal.

    Reply
  28. The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday says

    July 5, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    So darling!! I love all your ideas on here! The little metal pails and cute takeout boxes are just perfect! Come link up to Centerpiece Wednesday and share your ideas!

    Karin

    Reply
  29. Sarah says

    July 5, 2012 at 7:48 pm

    Fun, fun, fun! I rushed out and bought one of those baskets too. Mary has pointed me in the direction of some wonderful things. πŸ˜‰ Looks like you had a festive and delicious 4th.

    Reply
  30. Jordan@the2seasons says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    Love everything about this it is wonderful. I am ready to come over! I wish we had a world market that store has amazing finds. I will have to see where the closest one is located, I am guessing it is in another state. πŸ™

    Reply
  31. Bonnie Morgan says

    July 6, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Love the dish clothes as placemats! Great idea. We had baby back ribs too! I know what you mean about cooking and not having time to make pictures. Your guests were treated well with all the treats. Don’t we love getting ideas from other bloggers like fabulous “Mary at Home is Where the Boat is! ” I did one of her recipes also. It is so much fun to see everyone’s tablescapes. Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch has enriched all our lives with her talent and TT party.

    Reply
  32. Kim Hites says

    July 6, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    Don’t see anything plain Jane here. Everything looks fabulous. I would love to have attended!

    Reply
  33. Pam @ Simple Details says

    July 7, 2012 at 12:59 am

    What an absolutely fabulous patriotic setting, Shirley! I love every little detail, I’m sure they felt so special being treated to the fun favors. And, ribs are the perfect summer bbq entree!

    Reply
  34. Maysem says

    July 7, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    As always, AMAZING tablescape!! Loving the favors:D Can I have one:P

    Reply
  35. Pinky at designs by pinky says

    May 22, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    Fabulous!!! Love every detail!!! There is NOTHING plain Jane about this…or the food! Food that tastes good is all anyone wants. In our dinner group we don’t have any gourmet cooks but always enjoy every dinner. I am sure your guests loved every minute of the party. XO

    Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

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