A Memorial Day Inspiration

Inspiration

Today was a very emotional day! And I am feeling sentimental. I don't often post about very personal things, but thank you for indulging me tonight.

Today, our family went to Fort Indian Town Gap National Cemetary to pay tribute to our fallen soldiers and to my Dad. He is laid to rest there along with thousands of men and women who have served in the Armed Forces to defend and protect all Americans.

As we drove through the quiet gently rolling landscape of Pennsylvania draped with American flags and decorated with flowers marking the graves I was so struck with a sense of extreme pride. The pride of having a Dad who served his country for over one third of his life! A career man in the Army first then the Air Force. A man who loved his country and his family and his God.

My father came from a poor uneducated family in the Ozarks. With hard work, determination and a will to make a better life for himself and his family he worked tirelessly. And succeeded. His love for us was effusive and his devotion to my mother was something most women only can dream of. He was strong and dependable and private.

My father had a profound effect on my life. It was by his example and through his inspriation that I learned to love and feel such pride for this country. My America!  It was watching my Dad that helped me to understand the sacifice each military person and their families makes for all of us. I came to know the debt of gratitude owed to all serving!

So, on the Memorial Day I want to honor my Dad, my inspriation!

I am joining Maggie (my wonderful blogging friend) at The White Farmhouse for An Inspirational Party! Please join her and see all the inspiring people there! Click HERE to visit and be inspired!

I as so humbled by you kind and loving post, Maggie. Thank you!

StoneGable Weekly Menu

Menu Plan: May 31- June 6

Exciting news from StoneGable this week. Stop back on Wednesday evening for my very first GIVEAWAY!  I have teamed up with April Cornell and put together some fun and fabulous finds! 

This is an easy menu planning week. I have guests (family) and we are going out a couple of nights. And I  will be away in Virginia this weekend to see my niece go to her senior prom. I am also sneeking in a trip to Old Lucketts  Store-Lucky me!  Have a very Happy Memorial Day! Please take time to honor our soldiers and their families!

Monday- Memorial Day Picnic
Barbecued Chicken
Homemade Mac and Cheese
Coslaw
Broccoli Salad
Corn on the Cob
Tossed Salad
Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Watermellon

Recipe: Mac and Cheese
This is the best Mac and Cheese recipe! Given to me years ago by my sister-in-law Sue. This is my most requested family dish. Click HERE and look for the Saturday's recipes to find Mac and Cheese.

Tuesday
Girl's Dinner Out
Boy's- Homemade Stromboli
Ceaser Salad

Wednesday:Giveaway Kickoff!
Crab Cakes
Baked Potatoes
Roasted Broccoli with Garlic Oil
Leftover Coslaw from Monday

Recipe: Crab Cakes
I buy lump crab meat when it is on sale. These crab cakes have very little filler, so they are rich and very delicious.  Click HERE for recipe and look for Mondays menu.

Thursday:
Out to dinner

Friday:
Hamburgers on the Grill
Home fries
Salad Fixins' for Hamburgers

Saturday- Monday
Away To Virginia

Sunday Scritpture

Sunday Scripture: Memorial Day Weekend 2010

(Photo credit)

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his firends.   Jn 15:13

Pink Peony Tablescape And Birthday Party!

A PINK SATURDAY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION:

The peonies are in full bloom at StoneGable. Their big moppy heads are bent close to the ground, wet with last nights rain. Their glorious perfummy aroma wafting up onto the back porch.

I have been planning this table for months. Finding the few elements to go on the table in thrift shops, flea markets and antique shops. Simple, white and pink. Lace, starched linens and touches of silver. Letting the beauty of these magnificent flowers be the center of attention. I have been anxiously anticipating the arrival of the pale petal pink peonies.

The very best part about creating this table is that the blooming of the peonies also coincide with Pink Saturday's second birthday!  A meme hosted by Beverly at How Sweet The Sound, Pink Saturday is all about pink attitude!  So this tablescape becomes a birthday celebration! Just for you and Pink Saturday.

This small table on my porch is set for two. Silver utility serving trays hold a stack of white and pink dishes.

Pretty rose-like bowls (HomeGoods) top Limoges "Feme" salad/dessert plates.

The limoges plates are the fruit of a very productive shopping day at a rediscovered antique shop in Lancaster Pa. Rev Chi's Antiques proved to be a goldmine! The knowledgeable and amiable owner was so helpful. And I was able to find some lovely pieces at very reasonable prices!

The delicate rose design on the porcelain plates were created using a technique called "combination". The outline is a transfer and then they are hand tinted.  I swept them up to give them a loving home!

White damask and vintage pink napkins are gathered together in a silver napkin ring.

I love the pink ruffle of the peonies, the rose bowl and the scallop of the napkins..pink perfection!

The table linens were borrowed from my mother. A rose colored tablecloth peeks out from underneath  my great grandmothers heavy lace beauty.

The silverplate flatware is a recent purchase from Rev Chi's Antiques. It was manufactured by Harmony House and dated 1944. It has a monogrammed "D" on each piece. I am wild about monogrammed silver... even if it is not my initials. If you are interested in silver and silverware care you might want to see my post on collecting and care of silver. Click HERE for post.

The cake server is a particularly lovely piece.

Cups, saucers and dessert plates wait for those yummy strawberry birthday cupcakes!

These stately salt and pepper shakers were rescued from a flea market for $2.00. I shined them up and they have a new life now!

The real center of attention are these fabulous pink peonies! Full and lush and so beautiful. A soup tureen becomes a centerpiece for these captivating blooms.

The table is ready for a little pink birthday party!

Happy Birthday, Pink Saturday! Beverly you have brought so much fun, creativity and joy to many bloggers, followers and friends! Here's to many more!

I am participating in Pink Saturday's Second Birthday Celebration! Beverly, thank you so much for all of your hard work!

Please go and visit Beverly and and wish her a very happy birthday!

Click HERE for a pink visit!

StoneGable Granola

Granola:

We are having a house full of family for the long weekend. Nothing thrills me more! I often say our home is more like a hotel! 

So I made granola to have for my snackers. It also makes a great breakfast when we need to eat something quick. Sweet and crunchy, this granola is a real energy booster!

StoneGable Granola:

6 cups of oatmeal

1/2 cup wheat germ

1 1/2 cups slivered almonds

2 1/2 cups chopped pecans

1 cup coconut (flaked)

1/2 dark brown sugar ( I use a little more)

1/2 cup non flavored vegetable oil

1 tsp cinnamon

2 TBS vanilla

1-2 cups assorted dried fruit (I use dried cherries)

1-2 cups of add-in (mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, cereals)

Preheat oven to 225 degrees.

Mix all ingredients except dried fruit and add-ins in a large bowl. Mix well to coat evenly.  I omit the coconut, not all of us are fans. Distribute on 2 large rimmed baking sheets.

Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn every 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool completely. 

Stir in dried fruit and add-ins. I put dried fruit and  add ins in individual bowls and let everyone make their own customized blends if we have it for breakfast.

Store in air tight container.

Enjoy!

I am joining Michael Lee West at Designs By Gollum for Foodie Friday. Start your weekend right- go see all the wonderful recipes! Click HERE

I am joiniing Chari at Happy To Design for Sunday Favorites!

 

Memorial Day Table

Memorial Day was originally called Remembrance Day.  First established to honor and remember soldier's who had lost their lives in the Civil War. Their graves were decorated with flags and flowers to remember them and their ultimate sacrifice.

Remembrance Day was later changed to Memorial Day and remains a day to honor American men and women who have given their lives so we can be a free nation!

At StoneGable we will mark this day with a trip to a  beautiful National Cemetary where my father is laid to rest and honor his memory with prayers and flowers. And then back to our home for a family barbecue to live out his legacy.

The inspiration for this table is our wonderful "Old Glory"! My heart sings when I see our flag. Being raised in a military family made me keenly grateful to be an American!

The table is set on our small patio overlooking neighboring farmlands.

Each place setting is a mix of red, white and blue  mismatched dishes.

The square dishes have a wavy distressed border. The white plates are my very favorite leaf and berry plate I use in most tablescapes (both  HomeGoods).  The white salad plate has a pretty detailed rim, also slightly distressed. And the blue floral plates have a chintz look that dresses this table up a bit (both from Marshall's).

A textured bright red napkin is folded and placed on the blue chintz plate. Twiggy stars in blue and white rest on each napkin.

My mother's blue cups were lent to me for this table. I remember drinking coffee from them as a teenager!

Matching sugar and creamer, thanks Mom! I love to add colored sugar crystals to give a little punch to the sugar bowl...FUN!

Ice tea and lemonade will be served in my favorite bubble glasses.

Individual cobalt blue vases hold flowers and shooting stars!

This casual fun flatware adds more red to the table.

Isn't this the most patriotic tablecloth short of using a flag? I love how bright and cheery it makes the whole table.

I made the basket of geraniums several years ago and it sits on my family room coffee table all summer, sans the flags. But for this table I added the flags and  it became a tablescape centerpiece!

Memorial Day Menu

Barbecue Chicken

Homemade Coslaw

Macaroni And Cheese (my kids favorite)

Corn On The Cob

Angel Food Cake With Stawberries and Whipped Cream

Happy Memorial Day! Remember our men and women who serve and keep us safe! God Bless America!