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Showing posts with label Cracker Barrel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cracker Barrel. Show all posts

Sunday, April 17, 2011

How to Do Easter on the Cheap (When Easter arrives so soon after the April 18th tax deadline!)


The title of this blog is somewhat “tongue-in-cheek”, but I really did set out to create a great holiday table with just a little bit of money.
I can get totally carried away with beautiful, expensive things, but beauty can be bought cheaply, too.
I began my quest a couple of months ago looking for inexpensive purchases for my Easter tablescape. I wanted to set a table for the eight members of my family, so I had to be creative. My one not-so-cheap item is the beautiful Ralph Lauren tablecloth. However, white tablecloths can be found in any price range in those wonderful stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s or Tuesday Morning. I already had this one, so I did not try to find a less expensive one, just for the blog.





Now, let’s look at these great bargains! I found these egg-shaped placemats at Bed Bath and Beyond for only $1.99 apiece.



A discontinued J C Penney pink plate went on top of the placemat. These large plates were found on Replacements for $7.99 each. They work really well as chargers for most regular dinner plates, too.



Four of the Clay Art “Sunflower” plates were purchased at T J Maxx for almost nothing, but I did have to pay around $6.50 each for the other four. I bought them on Amazon.com from one of their online stores.


The robin’s egg blue napkins were found at Marshall’s. They were packaged four to a set for $4.99 and I actually found two matching sets!


I bought the cute napkin rings from Kohl’s for a sale price of $1.60 each. They were very similar to some that I had found at Dillard’s for $5.00 apiece. Quite a savings for eight of them!


I used white flatware from Walmart. It comes as a 20 piece set for $14.97. I bought two sets and used everything, except for the soup spoons. That means I got 40 pieces for $30.00 - less than a dollar each. What a deal!


The musical Rabbit was a previous Cracker Barrel find, but was not expensive, even then. He plays, “Here Come Peter Cottontail”. Of course!


He is placed on a glass pedestal cake plate. This is one of three that I found at TJ Maxx. They are different sizes and can be stacked in a tier. This is the middle size one of the three. I cannot remember exactly what I paid for them, but I think the largest one was $7.99. This one was probably around $6.00.



Egg shaped place card holders and the little bunny dish were bought at Michael’s. I cannot find the ticket for them, but they were quite inexpensive.


Mr. and Mrs. Bunny salt and pepper shakers have been around my house for years. They were not just inexpensive, they were cheap! However, our family still enjoys seeing them every Easter.


I have had the Schott-Zwiesel water goblets (they can, also, be used for red wine) for many years. However, they do fit into the theme of the table, because I purchased them at an outlet store, when I did buy them!


The cut glass ice bucket was the least expensive of all – a gift from my mother-in-law!

My favorite recent purchases are the Kaldun & Bogle egg cup/votive holders and pitcher. I found them on sale at One Kings Lane. The pitcher was only $19.00.






The egg cups were two for $7.99. I think they look much more expensive than $4.00 apiece!




The glittery eggs inside were a Pier I buy – 12 for $9.95.

I think I did pretty well in creating an inexpensive table for eight guests – with all of the money that I saved, maybe, I can afford to feed everyone!!

Now, let the Bunny Parade begin…




-Diane



http://www.thegypsyscorner.com/
http://www.atthepicketfence.com
http://www.504main.com
http://itsablogparty.com
http://iloveprettylittlethings.blogspot.com/





Wednesday, March 23, 2011

"Fiercer Than Fierceness Itself"


As I was posting my Saint Patrick’s Day blog and sharing my Scotch-Irish roots, I starting thinking about my Scottish Heritage. My great-grandmother was a Cameron. I have traced her family back to her grandfather, Ambrose Cameron, who was in Georgia in 1790s. I have no idea if he came directly from Scotland or his family immigrated to Ireland first. It really does not matter, because either way, I am a member of Clan Cameron!

I traveled to Scotland many years ago and visited several locations, including Edinburgh.
I was helping “stand guard” in front of Edinburgh Castle.




My big dream is to some day explore the Highlands of Scotland and see the Cameron lands and Archnacarry Castle, which is the home of the present day Chief of the Clan.

Through the years, I have collected many Scottish treasures and display them throughout my house.
They decorate my walls:

Here are Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace.




Crests of important cities



Laid of Grant and his son





My favorite is a painting of a member of Clan Cameron, which was a surprise Christmas gift from my husband many years ago.


Many treasures are on displayed on side tables:



This small box was purchased at a local antique store.






These charming figurines are reproductions, but I love them anyway!





The wee Edinburgh Castle came from Scotland.


Some treasures help educate me about all things Scottish – books and more books!





My Scottish treasures are sometimes used on my dining tables:

The “Cameron” tablecloth is from Crate and Barrel.





An Edinburgh crystal bowl – a much-loved gift from my husband.

Two Meakin plates:




One is from Alfred Meakin and is the “Edinburgh” pattern.







The other darling one is from J&G Meakin. It is the “Prince Charlie” pattern. I have seen only three others like it on the internet. One is in Australia, one is in New Zealand and the other one is in the US. I bought mine at an antique show in Leslie, Georgia. I would love to find a whole set of these!





The blanket keeps me warm on chilly days. I found it in a “Scottish Woollen” store on Princes Street in Edinburgh. It is the Cameron of Erracht pattern, which is the tartan of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders military regiment.







I wear this clan pin on my jackets and coats in the winter.





My son wore this tiny Cameron of Lochiel tartan bow tie, when he was very small.





Two of these Scottish Santas from Horchow guard my mantle at Christmas time. I love the details of his kilt, bagpipe and sporran!

I hope that my ancestors would be happy that I am trying to keep my Scottish heritage alive. The Cameron war cry is “Sons of the hounds, come here and get flesh”. They sound like serious warriors, don't they? I think I prefer the motto on my crest badge, “Aonaibh ri cheile” (Unite) to pass on to my children and grandchildren. What could be better than a united family!
Have you started researching your family heritage? A complete family history is a wonderful gift to leave to your descendants. Perhaps, you will find a “fierce” ancestor in your family tree. Happy hunting!





“Here’s tae the health, the hill and the heather
The bonnet, the plaid, the kilt and the feather”
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