Looking ahead at setting the holiday table

 We all know how much I love setting the table.  I like putting things out and actually using them not just have them for display.  I try to vary my table settings as much as possible.  I love to combine pieces of Mom's and Grandmother's with items that are mine.  For me, it brings a wonderful sense of history to the table.  I don't entertain a great deal these days because time and funds are limited.  Of course, I have learned and know that it's not about the meal as much as it is who is at the table!  Still, I like to share my table with others and that includes making it look good.  

Easter is the next big holiday coming up and that will probably be the next time I have people over for a meal.  Last year, there were four of us eating together.  I don't mind smaller groups like that but I always set my table for at least six.  This year, I've put the leaf back in my dining room table so I can comfortably seat eight.  That doesn't mean I'll have eight people, but you never know.  So, with that in mind, I have the wheels in my head already turning as to how I want to set my table.  It may seem silly to you, but it gives me a lot of pleasure to do that.  I found some pictures of last year's table.  It was simple but nice.  This year I will do something different; I just don't know what yet.  

Talking about combining family pieces, last year I used Mom's everyday china, Grandmother's sterling and my glasses.  The cutglass compote in the middle is a piece I treated myself to several years ago.  Grandmother painted the eggs.  The candlesticks were from my friend Frankie's estate.  And the salt and pepper shakers Mom and I bought at an auction at Lilly's Auction Gallery in Indian Trail, NC some 40 years ago.  I like talking about the pieces because it records where they came from.  Not that anyone necessarily wants or needs to know that, but I do think it's important to document these kinds of things.

Well, time for me to get some work done on other things.  In the meantime, I will be setting the table in my mind with all different combinations of pieces.  We'll see what I come up with come Easter. 

That is all.