The Gazebo @ Keystone College

 It must be that I am very aware summer is quickly coming to a close that I see the sun as brighter, the days as shorter, and thus the time spent outdoors more precious.
It was with this in mind that The Gazebo in the heart of Keystone College campus , located in LaPlume, Pennsylvania,seems the perfect spot for a late summer luncheon. I did not have to look far for dishes since my sister in law had a closet full of green cabbage dishes. She was willing to share and I now am keeping my eye peeled  for the same when I am in TJ Max's.A trip to the local Farmers Market provided all the vegetables I needed to fill an Adirondacks basket. I love this idea for a centerpiece. I would like to hear  about other unique centerpiece ideas. Brass silverware, a wedding gift from a friend who lived in Vietnam for awhile, was just the ticket to capture sunlight and the reflection of the gazebo's ceiling.
It always amazes me when I find something that I had forgotten about, like the silverware, and    suddenly I find a new use for it.
I am left wondering what else do I have in the attic and how can I use it.
Better yet, I start to wonder what might be my friends' attics!
Please feel free to share any treasures. I promise to return everything.
Mary Ellen from Scranton, thanks for the idea of jello in a glass vase with seasonal flowers.
There are so many grasses and fall flowers that I think you could take this idea into Thanksgiving!

Our House for Dinner: Table of the Month: Table of the Month August

Our House for Dinner: Table of the Month: Table of the Month August: The lazy days of summer are quickly turning into the dog days of summer. Side walks are steaming, flowers are wilting, and we long for th...

Table of the Month August

The lazy days of summer are quickly turning into the dog days of summer.
Side walks are steaming, flowers are wilting, and we long for the cool of  shady trees, or shelter of  air conditioned kitchens.
Two good friends, who know me well, gave me the wonderful  sunflower tin, that they found in the Long Wood Gardens gift shop.
As soon as I saw it, I felt sure it would be one of my favorite things and that I would  put it to good use.
A simple piece like this can make an ordinary table more inviting.
A summer luncheon if a perfect time to fill it with flowers, in this case sun flowers, place on the table, then listen to the complements.

Mouth watering juicy tomatoes are not only good to use to make tomato sandwiches, but can serve as a
seasonal centerpiece. Last year a woman, with whom I was doing physical therapy, introduced me to the earth box . This year I now have all the tomatoes I want! What a great invention. I am sure many of you are using them. I would love to hear what  vegetables you are growing and what month watering ways you are putting them into your dishes.

August 5
How nice to hear from Ellen in New Hampshire who told me that her sister also loved the Earth Box.
She uses it on her deck to grow fresh herbs. What a great idea. I might just have to get another one next year!

 lillies.jpg

Our House for Dinner: Table of the Month: July

Our House for Dinner: Table of the Month: July: In anticipation of one of my favorite holidays, I look longingly at this picture of a July table and I envision myself cooling off by swi...

July

In anticipation of one of my favorite holidays, I look longingly at this picture of a July table and I envision myself cooling off by swimming back and fourth across the lake, then returning to enjoy Fourth of July fare sitting at this table. I am so glad I saved the red, white and blue twine from a long ago gift. Whoever knew how happy I would be that I went to Kohl's a few years ago when they were having the summer white sale. Where else would I have found navy napkins decorated with stars! And of couse the TJ Max tablecloth says it all.
What a perfect spot to watch the sun go down, the stars come out, and the fireworks fill the sky.
I would love to have you share your memories. Mary Louise from upper Montclair New Jersey told me that her adult children still love to grab their blankets and head to the local high school for the fire works display.
They spend time catching up with seldom seen friends...but now the blankets they are bring are for their children to sit on the grass!
what great memories!
Happy fourth of July
judy.sweeney@keystone.edu

Table of the Month

July

Welcome to the July table of the month of ourhousefordinnerblog. First, I want to thank those of you who sent comments. As I suspected many of you have memories and are happy to share. I especially enjoyed Susan's from Pennsylvania story about her family's trip to Pallman's Farm. In June, they spent the day picking strawberries, taking them home, making jelly, and then serving the home made jam for dinner. What a wonderful story and a testimony to the warmth of family dinners.

I am certain after reading this blog  on July and seeing this month's table, my comment box will be filled with similar thoughts.

For who can forget the fun of summer's first holiday!

The day that  begins with the raising of many flags,  the sound of drums beating out the excitement of  recognition of freedom and independence. Store fronts display plenty of red, white, and blue,  and Main Street is covered with bunting of all shapes and sizes . Stoves are cold, grills are hot, and backyards fill up with family and friends. Before setting the table for this special occasion, I roamed the isles of such stores as the Christmas Tree Shoppe. and TJ Max looking for the perfect tablecloth. I knew I wanted one that had a patriotic look, evoked happy memories of a Fourth of July spent at a lake, watching fireworks at local football fields, or the people who made those special foods we associate with summer and fun, like my Aunt Clair's chocolate cake! The patchwork quilt seen on the table another TJ Max find, is it, and the first thing I reach for when I was ready to set the stage. 

One can almost feel the cool breeze coming off the lake when we see the rise of the cloth!

A simple thing like red, white, and blue stars attached to twine that ties navy and white napkins together adds a festive touch.

The twine was saved from a birthday present a few years ago.

Remember, never throw anything away!

The best seats in the house.If we can hold on to them long enough, the sun will fade, the stars will come out and the fireworks will begin!

The silver bowl, a gift from a very dear friend, proved not to be too formal for the lake. Rather, the perfect touch to add to the festive mood.