Monday, September 23, 2013

An Apple A Day

Or so the saying goes......

When Kathleen of Cuisine Kathleen issued the challenge to set a table featuring apples, I immediately knew what I wanted to feature....well, of course apples......


But a very special apple....one that was a wedding present to my parents in 1948..I have carried it around all these years and it seems pretty fragile and beat up...and I love it because it has a story..Mama gave it to me a long time ago and it is perfect for this table......








The gold and red and green are just wonderful colors and represent fall in all of it's glory..layer upon layer of warm colors..that is what this table is all about...layers, colors, and texture....




There are so many ways to add interest on our tables...even the scratches on my beloved Paul Revere silverware adds a nostalgic touch..well used and well loved....









The flowers are  Jerusalem artichokes..They bloom in the fall and are tall and beautiful in the garden ..the flowers don't seem to last very long once they are cut..but they are pretty for a day or two..and they look like fall..


It's always a good day for me when I can find somewhere to use my Ballerina dishes..... both of the bowls are Ballerina...one is rust and one is cream...



The amber colored crystal is an old pattern by Lenox named Antique....










I hope you have enjoyed my apple table...it was so much fun to photograph after I put it together..I could have gone on and on...

And isn't that half of the purpose???  that we enjoy what we are doing?  and that it is filled with inspiration rather than duty?  It takes a bit of quiet time for me most of the time..but when the inspiration comes, it is wonderful...

I would dare to say that there is a huge difference in the tablescapes that are from duty and the ones that are from love and inspiration......Take the time to get inspiration....to slow down enough for it to float to the surface in your life....I had to take the week off last week because my inspiration tank had pretty much hit empty...Listen to your heart and follow it.......

I appreciate your visit and hope you will come again soon..If you follow me, I will be glad to follow you back..just let me know.....

I am joining the parties at  Let's Dish   on Wednesday evening for the apple inspired table challenge

Tablescape Thursday  on Thursday morning

Seasonal Sundays on Saturday evening

Come on over and see all the beauty...

Love,
Mona

25 comments:

  1. Just lovely, Mona! The golden sunlight you captured really adds a gorgeous element to your pretty table. How fun to get to bring in your parents' apple! I love your amber glasses, too. I don't have any that color -- yet! Yours is the second apple table I've seen, and they are both so different. It will be fun to see what our tablescaping sisters come up with for Let's Dish this week!

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  2. Mona, your apple story is one of the reasons that I love reading all of the different blogs. What a treasure you have in your family apple! I know you see your mother in it every time you put it on the table. Your photographs are beautiful, as always - love seeing them!!

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  3. This is a sweet post...loved the story of your family treasure. The tablescape is so perfectly September.

    The light is perfect for your photo session.

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  4. Hi Mona, I love that you have the treasured apple that was a wedding gift for your parents back in 1948. It is the true inspiration for your apple theme of Kathleen's. Blessings and hugs!

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  5. Mona,
    I just love this apple that your mother gave you, and how special that it's from their wedding in 1948. I have a gravy bowl that I use every year at Thanksgiving, and it belonged to my mother from the 1940's too. Your table looks very nice with all the Fall touches. I have a bowl that is similar to the one you have here holding the apples. It's always good to see your tables, and I get to see some great ideas.

    Have a nice Autumn week.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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  6. Mona, I agree that we must follow our heart and listen to it. I love the treasured apple from your mom! xo

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  7. I love the sentimental value of your apple bowl, so nice that you have kept it all these years. Your table is beautiful...Christine

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  8. I can feel the joy in your photos Mona, you are truly having fun exploring your camera, your dishes, your flowers and the moment. Your table sings with creativity and inspiration! Some times you just have to step back for a while! Your table is beautiful~the sunlight is magic!
    Jenna

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  9. Mona, your table is beautiful as always. Your bowl looks like a miniature Hull cookie jar...a sugar bowl, maybe? I love your photos this week, especially the one of the dishes with the blurred stemware and chair in the background.
    Have a great week...

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Marigene....it is Hull! thank you. I searched for it this morning and found one online..it originally had a top but I never had the lid......Thank you for helping find the maker...
      Love, Mona

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  10. Hi Mona, I am always surprised at where I find my inspiration! Sometimes it is fun to be challenged as I see things with new eyes. And I am really enjoying seeing all the related, yet so different, tables tonight! Your apple is very special, indeed. Thank you for sharing it! Linda

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  11. I so agree about your analysis that tables that come from duty are far below those that are made in creativity. I love to set a table and let it sit. To pass by it each day and ruminate over each addition and subtraction,

    - The Tablescaper

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  12. You have the right touch for table elegance – your presentation is always top notch and your pictures are excellent. You must have many dishes! I also enjoyed your visit to the restaurant with all the dahlias – they are exceptional. I tried to grow dahlias in our back yard, but since we have no sun I placed them in large planters and they all died…

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  13. Mona, I could go on and on about the incredible images you shared. Your post is stellar! Anyone of your images could be used as a beautiful card or turned into a lovely painting. Fabulous!

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  14. Mona, you have set a lovely table, with warm and cozy colours, textures and an amber autumnal ambiance. Beautiful.

    Poppy

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  15. Beautiful table and beautiful post, as well. You are so right about slowing down for inspiration. I can always tell (and probably others can, as well) when I've skipped my time alone with God that morning. Things just don't flow the same. He inspires me like to other and brings my emotions to a whole new level. Thank you for this lovely table and post!
    His blessings,
    Kim

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  16. I love your parents apple jar (maybe it had a lit and was a cookie jar?) What a great starting point! The apples in the basket and the flowers with the sunlight streaming in made such a great picture.

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  17. What a great apple jar to hold memories. the table looks lovely!

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  18. Your mothers large crazed apple is just perfectly vintage. I love the whole tablescape. I wish I had it together enough to do a scape. I sure do enjoy all of yours. big hugs , olive

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  19. Lovely photography and tablescape...I love it! Your parents Apple jar is great, I totally love it and it holds memories too. Great stack of dishes! Thank you for coming. Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  20. Such a beautiful and special apple you have from your mom! The entire table is gorgeous and so fitting for this time of year.

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  21. Such a warm and welcoming design...I could spend an entire afternoon lingering over good food and fellowship. The apple from your mom is truly a treasure. Thanks for inviting us for a peak.

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  22. Gorgeous! This table is just lovely, and the sunlight coming through the windows just accents it that much more...

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  23. I am a relative newcomer to blogging about tablescaping, but it seems as though I see inspiration everywhere! And I keep finding or remembering things that I have put away that I've forgotten about -- I'm having so much fun. Your photos are beautiful; using different focal lengths really helps to focus on small elements of your design. I loved everything about this post!

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  24. I loved your table and your words of wisdom. What a treasure your Mama's apple is! My neighbor has jerusalem artichokes and you taught me their name. I did not know what they were called. They are delightful on your table. Your photographs are so pretty.
    I have missed reading your blog and am enjoying your back posts. For others reading my comment I am looking forward to getting my blog back up soon and catching up on everyone in Blogland. Bonnie

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