Tuesday, September 30, 2008

A Birthday Party ... Southern Style


This is my first time to participate in "Tablescape Tuesday,"
which is hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.

If you are a Rate My Space fan, I'm sure you've seen
Susan's gracious southern home featured
under her RMS name, "Moonlight and Magnolias."

I know you will enjoy her blog and
will love "touring" her beautiful home.

For my first "Tablescape Tuesday," I'd like to share a birthday party we hosted for my mother-in-law in honor of her 86th birthday in February of this year.

The party preparations were a family affair and I had help from my husband, of course, my mother and daddy, my daughter Whitney, and granddaughter Avery Grace.

We decorated two tables, with the birthday cake and "sweets" in the dining room, and sandwiches, appetizers, and punch bowl set up on the breakfast table.

[You can click on the pictures to enlarge them, if you'd like]

The coffee service was placed on a kitchen counter and included a set of very old cups and saucers which belong to my mother ...

Relish trays were on the island in the kitchen, with my mother's set of "tumbling angels" tumbling through them ...

I asked the bakery to put 86 candles on the cake,
and it looked like the cake was on fire when we lit them ...

My sweet mother-in-law had to huff and puff
to blow them out, bless her heart, but it was fun.
She doesn't look 86, does she! ...

This is the breakfast room table. The rose bushes were real and I bought the little baskets with rosebud fabric liners at Big Lots ...

The vegetable dip tray holds my mother's "Curry Dip," for which I recently posted the recipe.


It was a pleasure giving this party for my mother-in-law. She is a beautiful lady, both inside and out, and raised five wonderful children, one of whom I thank her and the good Lord for every day ... my husband.

Sincerely,

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Janie,
This is two days in a row your blog has made me tear up! LOL

Guess I'm feeling a little sentimental today since it's Connor's bday, and I'm really tired...those two together get me every time!

You mother in law looks great! I bet she is so pleased to know she is featured on your blog.

Everything in your pictures is beautiful...you did a wonderful job with the party.

Thanks for sharing!
diane

Bo said...

What a beautiful party for an exceptionally young looking 86 year old... ;-) Bo

Southerner said...

Go, right now! Interview this woman and let us all know how to look this good when we are 86. I picture 86 year olds needing helpers to blow out that fire hazard, but it looks like she did a great job on her own. Your table was beautiful and I hope she felt honored and loved. God bless.

santamaker said...

Beautiful table scape, I love the way you used the roses in their natural state as the centerpiece. Everything looked so pretty. Your MIL looks AMAZING! Are you kiddin? What is her secret? Thanks for sharing this special occasion with us.

Picket said...

Morning girl! Ohhhh you are the true Southern Lady...the way you decorate and the way you see to every detail..it is just so beautiful it makes you tear up to look at it.....and lordy...we all should look so good when we are 86!!! lol I am sure she adores you and will remember this forever..have a great day sweetie!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Janie, what a great looking display for the party. Your MIL does look great! I'm sure she really appreciated all the hardwork. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Good Morning,

What a lovely post, everything looks great. Oh I bet your MIL had a great time. She looks fantastic :)

Thanks for sharing,
Kathy :)

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Everything looks lovely...those cups are beautiful...but I want those tumbling angels. How cute is that???

Neabear said...

Beautiful tables!! What a special thing to do for your Mother-in-law. She looks wonderful for 86. I can't believe you light all those candles! I love those tumbling angels. Those are so precious!

Anonymous said...

Morning Janie! So pretty! I only hope at 86 I look as well cared for as your Mother-in-law! I have trouble blowing out a few candles let alone 86! Bravo to her!lol Your party settings all look elegant. (just a note - I adore that black tole tray in the background!!!) I am in such a slump right now I'm not getting anything done so I have no new posts! Have a great day - Sincerely, Jeannette

Susie Q said...

What a beautiful table! Everything looks wonderful. Happy birthday to a lovely lady too!

Salmagundi said...

I love it when someone goes to the trouble to use their silver serving pieces with beautiful crystal and china on a lace tablecloth! It just can't be beat for elegance. Your MIL looks wonderful and full of elegance herself. Thanks for sharing. Sally

Blogger said...

What a beautiful party you put on, so fancy and so elegant, I love it! Your MIL looks younger than most 60 year olds! What is her secret, wow!!! Good for her:)

Everything looks yummy, too :)

Bella

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

What a sweet party for your MIL ~ don't know who is the luckiest, you or her! Both, I'd imagine. Truly such a beautiful setting for the party, too! I've got those very same Fitz & Floyd tumbling angels ~ they belonged to my dear MIL.

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Anonymous said...

What a sweet and lovely b'day party. I know your m-i-l feels very special after having this lovely tribute to her. Love the little rose bushes. What a great idea. Did you plant them in the yard after? laurie (bargainhunr on RMS)

Julie @ Sweet Chaos said...

I could take a lesson from you for sure! I adore your home & your things. What a beautiful touch you have in decorating. I can't seem to do such nice things--maybe something to do with having 3 little ones underneath me constantly? I enjoyed the pictures & hope to immitate you at my next party!

Julie @ Sweet Chaos said...

Also, do you mind sharing your menu & the number of guests you served? My parties never seem to look this uncluttered!

imjacobsmom said...

Welcome to Tablescape Tuesday! What a wonderful party! The food looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe, BTW. The tumbling angels, the rosebush centerpieces, the precious coffee cups. Your MIL looks like she was having a wonderful time! ~ Robyn

StitchinByTheLake said...

Janie this is just beautiful. What a wonderful tribute you paid to your sweet mother-in-law. I know she must have loved it. blessings, marlene

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Everything looked so elegant...love it! I love the lace tablecloth...gorgeous! Susan

Glenda said...

This is much more than a lagniappe. This is way over the top. Everything looks spectacular. Amazing tribute to a beautiful lady.
Sorry I'm so late for the party; time got away from me yesterday.