It's wonderful when inspiration hits twice! Initially, I intended to create just one tablescape, but while tidying up, I discovered another tablecloth and ended up creating two! So why is this blog titled "St. Patrick's Day: Ireland>India"? While decorating for St. Patrick's Day, I noticed a tablecloth gifted to me by a colleague who has become a friend (isn't it wonderful when that happens?). During my work trip to Bangalore, India last month, my friend gave me a beautiful t

The period between Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day marks winter to me. In Northern California, this time of year typically brings the "Pineapple Express" or "Tropical River" of storms from the Pacific Ocean, delivering rain and wind in succession. The origin of these storms—either Alaska or Hawaii—determines whether they are cold and wet or mild and wet. Although I enjoy staying indoors on rainy days to organize the house or relax on the couch, I prefer being outside, g

A longtime friend, aware of my love of Fiesta, recently gifted me a stunning and vibrant tablecloth accompanied by matching napkins and tea towels. She has a remarkable sense of style, as the tablecloth features many of the Fiesta hues, making me eager to set a table with it! The tablecloth is from Furbish and is crafted from high-quality cotton with multi-color banding around its edges. Furbish is renowned for its bright colors and playful needlepoint pillows. When I looked

Last spring, during our trip to London and Liverpool, we explored this pottery-rich area of England. I've had this in my drafts for quite some time! My husband, our friend Kissy, her husband, and I attended a Bruce Springsteen concert at Anfield in Liverpool, the home of the Liverpool Football Club, which both husbands are avid fans of. As we were preparing to leave our hotel in Liverpool, I noticed an ad for Wedgwood in the hotel guide. On a whim, I mapped out a route to vis

I love this tablecloth! The colors are beautiful and versatile, complementing any season and matching many of my dishes. A few years back, I used it for a late summer table setting with Franciscan Apple https://www.astheluckycrowflies.com/post/an-apple-a-day-1While . Although this table was arranged specifically for Valentine's Day, it is not overly cute or filled with hearts. I knew I wanted to use Fiesta for a Valentine's setting, so I checked my tablecloth cabinet for vint

Suprising to me, I own a large collection of red transferware dishes. While thrifting at my local Goodwill, I stumbled upon a set of Spode Archive Collection plates priced at $2 each, which I couldn't resist. After bringing them home and researching, I discovered they feature classic Spode patterns like Rome, Warwick Vase, Woodman, and Continental Views. Spode is well known for its beautiful prints, particularly the Blue Italian; however, these patterns are in a cranberry red

It's time for the annual Tablescape drawing in my "I Love Fiesta Ware" Facebook group. Every year after the new Fiesta is announced (more on that later!) an avid and talented tablescaper has a drawing and awards a prize in a raffle drawing. There are some rules: At least one place setting - I have 6 At least one piece of Fiesta in the Set Up - I have 2 Something Special to you on the table - give reason why it's special One or more of these items Incorporated on your Tablesc

Just a heads up, this is a personal post and isn't related to dishes, cooking, or decorating. It's about my passion for the Grateful Dead and the music they shared with countless fans over generations. My first experience seeing the Grateful Dead was in the 1980s at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, Wisconsin. Do I recall the exact date of that first show? No. It might have been 1986, 1987, or 1988. Back then, I didn't keep track of my concerts, set lists, or tickets.

Merry Christmas! I managed to set up a few more tables before the holiday ended! Although this blog focuses on Christmas table settings, it features as much food as it does tableware! Last Christmas Eve, we tried making cioppino for the first time, and it seems we've started a new tradition of preparing cioppino on Christmas Eve. Both of my sons asked if we could make it again for dinner this year, and we gladly agreed. It looks like a tradition has begun! On Christmas Eve, w

We're in the final days leading up to Christmas! I shared a meme with my best friend that read, "Just 273 little last-minute tasks to complete, and we'll finally be able to relax for the holidays." Although I haven't finished baking cookies yet—we've made 10 different types, along with peppermint bark and persimmon apple breads—we've boxed them up and sent them to friends and family. The Christmas cards are mailed, gifts are purchased and wrapped, the house is decorated, the

This year, I found it particularly difficult to take down the fall decorations. The trees are still full of colorful leaves, and the mums remain fresh and lovely. However, with only 25 days until Christmas and work-related travel scheduled before then, Kissy and I began decorating the inside of the house today. The interior is nearly finished; one tree is up but not yet decorated, and there's another tree to set up and decorate, which can be completed next weekend. Kissy and

For our family, Thanksgiving revolves around friends. Our relatives live far away, so we do occasionally travel to celebrate a second Thanksgiving with them. However, we consistently spend almost every Thanksgiving with two couples who have become like family. While other friends have joined us for the meal, these friends who feel like family are always there. Each year, I begin with a duplicate of the previous year's holiday planning spreadsheet. It includes five tabs: "Than

Whenever I upload pictures of my tables on Facebook or share my blog, friends frequently inquire, "Where do you keep all your dishes?" The simple answer is -- EVERYWHERE! I wish I could say I have a "dish room," but I don't. Instead, I have a Pinterest board dedicated to dream china storage. Ah, life goals. Our home has a lot of built-in cabinetry, and I make full use of every inch. After my "dish-saster," all my shelves have been reinforced, thanks to my youngest son's carpe

It's true, I love Christmas, who doesn't love it? My wedding china is Lenox Holiday, and my husband and I tied the knot during the Christmas season. I enjoy the decorating and baking, and my favorite table to set is the Christmas one after Thanksgiving. I'm a Christmas traditionalist, favoring reds, greens, and golds as my holiday colors. Vibrant reds and all shades of green resonate with me, especially since emerald green is my favorite color. That said, I have decorated a C

As the Mamas and the Papas famously sang, "All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray." "California Dreamin'" is among my favorite songs, and Franciscan's October ranks as one of my favorite dish patterns. Where has the time gone? There are only 45 days until Christmas and just 16 days until Thanksgiving! The good news is that I have my turkey ordered, my Thanksgiving table is planned in my mind, and I've made lists for Christmas cookie baking and shopping. Yet, here I am,

My youngest son asked, "Mom, why don't you share recipes on your blog? You bake every week..." So this post is dedicated to him. In our household, we love zucchini, or courgettes as the British say. They're the top overproducers in summer gardens, and we welcome them! We sauté zucchini with butter, garlic, onion, and peppers, stuff them with cheese, dip them in batter and deep fry them, chop them for soups, but my favorite way to enjoy zucchini is in a sweet bread! Nearly eve

Our oldest son glanced at the table and remarked, "Oh, a boo, rattle, and meow table!" It was both funny and accurate! He assisted in photographing this table, showcasing his skills as a talented photographer! I love setting Halloween tables! Fiesta makes it so easy and fun with their adorable Halloween decal patterns! If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know I am a huge Grateful Dead fan and, well, the dancing skeletons??? Of course! Every Halloween, Jack Straw

Recently, my bestie and her husband visited us, and we had an amazing time! During their stay, we dined at Roy's at Pebble Beach, watched the San Jose Sharks lose, enjoyed a Boz Scaggs concert, tasted delicious Pinot Noirs at a new winery, and while the husbands played golf, the best friends went shopping, baked, and set a table! My bestie is also a Fiesta collector, and during her visit, we used all the beautiful fall shades of Fiesta—Marigold, Paprika, Persimmon, Chocolate,

We've never had any specific traditions for the Fourth of July. When our sons were little, we would attend the fireworks display. Living...

We recently took a vacation in England, flying into London and driving to Liverpool. On our return to London, we made a stop in...