A Fall Table for Him...

Even though it's still in the 90s in Southern California, I know fall is right around the corner.  And that means pullin' out those fall dishes and amber colors and making it all warm and cozy.

I used to go crazy and decorate every nook and cranny when the kids were little, but now I just focus on the dining room and a few tables here and there.  But this fall means more to me because this dining room table is actually being used every month for His Flower Girls classes.  I used to have the table set every day as if I were always expecting company.  Now, we are!  I love it!

After I set the table this morning, I looked at it and realized pretty much every thing on this table was less than $10.  Probably less than $5.  Get to those thrift stores, girls!  Let me show you why...

I just found this soup tureen (it also came with a platter underneath) for $8.  And to think I walked by it twice, looked at it, admired it, saw the price tag, and still said, "No, don't need it."  What a fool.  I've actually never had one.  But given that I'm trying to learn (yes, I said learn) how to make soup this year, I know it will come in handy.

Several years ago while up in Mammoth, I found these cute little chrysanthemum urns at Rite Aid for $2 each.  Who needs skiing when you have sales at Rite Aid?  The etched glass vase holding the candle is from Cost Plus from many moons ago.  The brown "stuff" in the vase?  Hot cocoa mix!  I needed something brown to pick up on the brown transferware plates and since I don't drink coffee, I searched my pantry for something that would work.  Don't tell Ina Garten, but I used her hot cocoa mix that's probably been in the cupboard for 10 years.    

I found  a set of these floral napkins at HomeGoods ($14.99 for 8) during the summer.  I loved them even though I had no plans for them.  While setting the table this morning and looking through my drawers for napkins, I spotted these.  I forgot I had them.  Don't you love that?  It's great sometimes having a terrible memory.

And while Rachel and I were at Paper Source last weekend, I bought this spool of thread ($7.99) to wrap up our cancer books with.  I love the brown and cream colors and thought they'd look good tied around the napkins.  

 See here's the deal with all the plates:

The chargers were $2.99 for six!  Yes, you read that right!  

The swiss dot plates were $5.99 at Cost Plus.

The brown transferware salad plates were from Marshalls, $2.99 each.

And these amber salad plates were $1 each that I picked up yesterday at a thrift store.  I bought all 12.  How could I not?

Oh, and the silverware?  Found yesterday at a different thrift store.  The 6 knives were $8 and the forks were $10.  They have a beautiful "D" inscribed on the handles.  Do I have a "D" in our name?  Nope.  Don't care.  I love them!

And notice the runner?  I was going to grab 2 yards of burlap and lay it across our pine table.  But because they're both so similar in color, it wouldn't have worked.  Instead, I ran to Jo-Ann's and bought 2 yards of cream quilting fabric at $9.99 yard.  While standing in line, some nice woman behind me handed me her 50% off coupon.  (By the way - here's an awesome tip I learned from her.  Sign up for the free Jo-Ann's app on your iphone, and ALWAYS get 50% off every day when you show them your coupon on your iphone.  How great is that!?)  Now if only my 10-year-old daughter will show me how to do that...

So the table is set.  And our next class is scheduled for October 11th.  Can't wait.  I love that all of the things I love (pretty dishes, setting tables, girlfriends, etc.) are now being used to share my love for the Lord.  

It doesn't get any better than that.

So what if you love all these things too?  Well, how about inviting some girlfriends over and enjoying your pretty table together.  Why meet at Starbuck's in the morning?  Instead, gather around your table and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and all the warm accessories that say "come on in and stay awhile."  

Try it.  

I bet you they'll never want to leave.