Patriotic for sure!
Wow!
I do love me some red, white and blue!
I know!
Right?
I can hear the band playing “the Stars and Stripes Forever”!!
I hear it…
Don’t you?
As I gathered up my Patriotic tablescape “stuff”, I noticed the clouds were getting a little dark colored!
And you know, I don’t need an excuse to have a picnic, but the weather was playing a game of peek-a-boo with me.
Bright sunshine!
Then Overcast!
Bright Sunshine!
Overcast!
Should I?
Should I not?
I knew I couldn’t let my dear Friend Chloe down…she worked so hard organizing this Patriotic Blog Hop and besides, she, Benita and myself also host the link party, Celebrate Your Story.
I mean, she knows where I live…ya know what I mean? LOL
So ….Being the trooper that I am….
I decided to compromise and instead of going to a nearby park for my Patriotic Picnic…I decided to have it in my front yard.
I don’t usually show the front of my home…you are usually with me in the Secret Garden at the back of the house.
We have this huge shade tree called a Shady Lady no less, and she does give plenty of shade.
She also drips of Spanish Moss which I adore.
So, I put my “Stuff” in a little cart and headed out to the front yard.
I tossed down a blue blanket and topped it with the cutest, little, roll-up, slat table I found on-line.
(The table is for older folk you understand, as it sits about 12 inches off the ground and has a hard square surface.)
I suppose a pallet would do the same thing, but I don’t feel like dragging a 4 X 5 ft wood pallet all over the yard.
Why not just a blanket on the ground?
You know, there are those of us who don’t particularly like sitting on the ground, and balancing a plate on our laps, but we don’t want to tote a large table and chairs to a park or in this case, the garden.
You know who you are!!
I see you nodding.
I mean, I love romantic picnics… but there is nothing romantic when your chicken salad sandwich slips off your plate and ends up on the blanket, surrounded by the remains of the potato salad.
That is where this little table comes into play.
It is a hard surface for your table settings.
As far as actually sitting on the ground….I don’t care too much for that either.
It isn’t that I mind sitting on the ground, it is sometimes a little difficult to get back up……
I would be so embarrassed if I had to yell at one of my neighbors to come and help me back up.
(The Captain is flying, of course)
And most of my neighbors are snow birds, so they have already headed back up north.
No, I found these huge pillows…I mean really huge, that I can sorta lay back against and use as a brace to get up when needed.
At least that is/was my plan.
I no sooner set up the tablescape, and started taking photos, when the rumbles of thunder could be heard in the distance.
I tried to tell myself that it was the drums from the “Stars and Stripes Forever” that had been playing over and over in my head, as I did my set-up!
I knew I was sweating like a stuck hog…but I do believe a few of those “drips” were stray raindrops, even though the sun was still shining.
So, I gave the last photo a lick and a promise. (my mother’s description of cleaning the house, or doing something in a hurry)
I was able to get all the “stuff” loaded back in my cart and wheeled into the courtyard (which is also in the front of our home) just as it started pouring, not drizzling, but pouring down rain.
Notice the baseball?
You can’t have a picnic with out America’s favorite sport….so it seemed fitting to add it to the tablescape.
Whew!
Before I started putting everything away…I popped open a cream soda that was in the picnic basket, and sat down in a real chair, at a real table, on my lanai and marveled at the beautiful rain and the crisp, fresh, clean smell that permeated the air!
Sigh!!!!!
Sources below!
Blessings dear ones….
Leviticus 26:4
I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.
Patriotic Sources:
Wooden Roll up table…Amazon on-line, this year
1/2 pint Mason Jar holding red, white and blue flowers…had for several years when I canned jams and jellies.
Red wire candle holders…Target Dollar Spot
White tablecloth ….had for years
Red, white and blue bandana napkin over white tablecloth and in picnic basket….Michael’s, years ago, see them here in a Flag Day tablescape.
Rolled blue napkins with stars…I’ve had so long, I can’t remember where I got them
Patriotic Plate Stack:
Blue and white chargers…Michael’s several years ago
White Melamine dinner plates…Old Time Pottery, several years ago
Red, White and Blue Salad Plates…Home Goods, last year
Handmade Blue Denim napkin rings and blue denim flatware holders….Etsy, a couple years ago.
Red handled flatware, ….not sure as I have had them for years
Blue water glasses…Dollar store a couple years ago
Cheese board, Patriotic handled cutlery, and individual star bowls… Temp-TaTions, last year
Navy Blue lined Vintage Picnic Basket….EBAY two years ago
Round red fold-up table...Amazon, earlier this year
Blue Blanket…KC Royals Game earlier this year (where I was freezing cold) LOL
Baseball….bought it at the same game in KC
Large Pillows…Amazon, earlier this year
Blue hat…Target, on-line last month
Don’t ya just love the Red, White and Blue?
Aside from being a good color combination…it just makes me proud to be an American!
God Bless America!
Such a fun, festive picnic! I could hear the drums as I was enjoying your story and your beautiful yard! I love the colors and styling of your lovely patriotic picnic! Happy Fourth, my friend!
Thanks Lynne….have a safe and happy fourth of july
Yes, I definitely hear The Stars and Stripes Forever over and over in my head this time of year and I hear the thunder rolling too, we have had a lot of rain and storms this summer!
I love your pretty picnic with “accomodations” that I could use! After battling chronic Lyme disease for most of my adult life I don’t sit on the ground anymore with the critters but I could use a little stool or “pouf” with a table like yours.
All of your patriotic touches are pretty but the baseball is my favorite…truly an All-American summer accent!
So happy to join you for the hop. Happy Summer!
Thanks Amber! I am so sorry to hear about your lyme disease…I have a cousin who had it and it lasted a long long time and at first the doctor couldn’t identify it,..I understand not wanting to get on the ground for sure. I am a sports fanatic and I couldn’t resist adding the baseball!!! Thanks for stopping by.
Kari, I have never heard of a roll~up wood table. What an amazing invention. Love your styling with the dishes and flags and pillows. Glad you made it under cover with all the pretty tableware before the rain came. I know exactly how that is and I know what you mean about maybe not being able to get back up after you get down!
Oh Carol, that little table is perfect for a pick up and go picnic or anything you need a hard surface for. It has it’s own bag and everything fits in it much like those travel chairs people take to their kids’ ballgames. thanks for stopping by.
Kari
Kari what a delight your table is. I love that you set it up in your garden. I would gladly sit down with you , I may need help getting up ( wink). You captured Americana and Patriotism in such a fun way. I love it all. It’s a joy to be on the hop with you! Hugs
P.S. thank you for your encouraging comments they mean a lot to me
I’m back! I forgot to mention how much I liked the flatware pouches and napkin rings! I was just telling my husband about them and the how the hop went. Pinned it all of course! Your tablescapes are always inspiring xo
You are too kind Katherine…. hugs to you and blessings always.
Aren’t these blog hops so much fun? There is so much inspiration….and all the ladies are delightful. Thank you for your sweet comments.
Kari, I know I’m in for a treat and some witty dialogue or story whenever I visit! I can identify with your struggles to photograph outdoors, it’s not without its challenges from the either cloud cover, blazing sun / heat or rain. I’m always up for a picnic! Love your cute set up with your table and array of red, white of blue, especially the baseball! As always it’s a treat to blog hop with you this week! Happy 4th!
Thanks Mary, we never know what might happen when we start setting up a tablescape…as you know, we sometimes have to think on the fly. LOL
This has been a great blog hop…with so much inspiration…and I always look forward to your garden and tableescape and your potting shed ideas.
Thanks for stopping by.
Kari
Glad you did, Kari. I’m always up for a picnic, rain or shine. Just move it in under cover! Your styling is so pretty. Hooray for the red, white, and blue under gray skies!!!
thanks Sarah…so glad you stopped by. Have a great 4th of July holiday.
I love those oversized blue and white chargers! At least they look oversized to me! The first thing I thought was…how am I going to get up from the ground! Great minds think alike! Dodging the rain was worth it for your perfect little picnic setting! I do love the idea of sitting at a tiny table like that instead of just on a blanket! Your storytelling is always a joy to read! Enjoy the air conditioning! Hang in there and I look forward to seeing you in a short month’s time at Haven!! HUGS!!
thanks Chloe, my knees creak when I get up or down these days….and one good thing about those giant pillows is if all else fails, I can lay comfortably. LOL…It won’t be long til Haven….looking forward to seeing you again too. Hugs
Kari, that was so lucky that you made it back to the courtyard before it started to pour! I love the image of you sitting in the lanai, sipping a cream soda and enjoying the smell of the rain, pleased that you completed your tablescape in the nick of time. We can all relate to trying to photograph a table with less than ideal weather or lighting. I love how it came together on your front lawn under the dripping Spanish moss tree. It looks like such a cozy spot with the pillows to sit on. I love the firecracker plates, bowls and flatware! It’s always a pleasure to hop with you. Happy 4th of July!
Oh Rebecca….the things we do to get good photos….LOL! I am so looking forward to you joining us for our CYS Link Party…it will be such fun.
Kari, you have wowed us with another tablescape. Love your Patriotic picnic. You are such a trooper for creating a lovely picnic, when rain is so near. The red, white and blue is lovely. Your plates look vintage too with a wood grain look. The napkins look great with the bows. laughing Cow cheese is always a favorite. Love your attention to detail my friend.
Linda, I really enjoy the red, white and blue and decorating inside or out, but I have to admit a picnic or dining al fresco calls out my name every time!
And, if I have to dine ‘neath the old apple tree….oops! that is a song going through my head, the Shady Lady Black Olive tree (no olives, she is barren and for the better I must say, no olives to clean up) ….then I will grab a loaf of bread, a package of baloney, a coke and chips and I am off to a picnic.
It is always such fun at these blog hops because we see so much inspiration…and variety.
Hugs my friend.
I love how creative you are and such a good sport! You are so talented, you could decorate anywhere! Love the silverware holders and all the table layers!! It’s so much fun!
Thanks Kristin…you are too kind! These blog hops are so much fun. Thanks for stopping by.
What a lovely picnic style table setting! I can relate to your weather woes. It has been unseasonably wet here, in Texas, but I am also thankful for the rain. Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Cecilia I think all the states have had their share of rain this year….but I will never complain…we can always build an ark! LOL
thanks for stopping by…Blessings always
Kari, I love your writing and tablescaping my friend. Yes, I can identify it is much harder to get up from the ground than it use to be. I understand completely about rain, thunder, and sudden downpours in the middle of a tablescaping shoot, not to mention sweating and mosquitos in 90+ degree temps and 80% humidity. And carting everything outside is another problem, I dropped cupcakes on the porch last week…oh what we will go through just to do that perfect tablescape!!!
I am sorry the Captain wasn’t there to enjoy the lovely and patriotic table. I love the chargers and the Stars and Stripes salad plates…an absolutely perfect picnic under the beautiful tree with Spanish moss!
Thanks Pam….the Captain said we must do this again, only he will do all the tote-ing and help with the set-up! I can’t refuse an offer like that. Plus, he will be there to help me get up from the ground. LOL
So sorry about your cupcakes, I have had the drop-itus at times…(yes, I made that word up)….but we bloggers, go to plan B, don’t we?
This Patriotic Blog hop is showing us so much variety.
I love blog hopping with you my friend, as I get so much inspiration!
Happy Midweek to you and Butch and those sweet little girls and their parents.
Kari, thank you for braving the elements {torrential rain!} to delight us with this fun patriotic table setting. Oh, the things we do to get those “shots”….Red, white and blue is always beautiful, and cheerful. Love your tree with the moss, and all the details for your table. Hope you are having a beautiful week! xo Lidy
Thanks Lidy…we do all kinds of things for a good photo don’t we? LOL I should be better at editing so I could have edited out the fallen palm fronds at the neighbor’s curb. When we moved here (many moons ago) I thought there had been a storm when I saw all the lawn debris curbside….only to find out that it is a weekly process and pick-up by the lawn waste people. Depending on trash pick-up day, you will see “debris” every day of the week somewhere in the cape. LOL
Thanks for stopping by.
Kari, I am sitting here nodding my head, as yes, I can relate to the whole balancing the plate and calling a neighbor to help you up from the ground!!! Your picnic is adorable and such a perfect way to celebrate the 4th. I love those stars and striped salad plates, kind of crushing on those! I so wanted to do an outdoor table for this hop, but we have had nothing but rain everyday, flooding is starting to be a real issue around us. I feel your pain about getting all set up and then down it comes, it is as though that laughing cow knew what was coming. None the less, your post put a huge smile on my face and your patriotic picnic, although short lived, is wonderful!!! Have a fabulous 4th!! always a pleasure to hop with you!!
Ann, as you know, hurry up and wait applies to bloggers as well…LOL but I thank you for your kindness and I love the laughing cow comment. thanks for stopping by.
Such fun Kari, I’m sorry the Captain wasn’t there to help you cart that stuff around, not to mention enjoy the fruits of your labor! What a pretty setting under that magnificent tree, and I love the little table and pillows to plop on! So many cute elements and patriotic touches! Your description of the way you hurried to beat the rain was spot on, I know we can all relate, and I felt like I was right there with you 😂 Thanks for the summer fun this morning, I LOVE your plates and the red white and blue blooms!
Jenna
Jenna, I believe every one of us has had the ‘hurry before it rains’ situation, especially this year with all the unexpected rainfalls and flooding. 🙁
Thanks so much for your kind comments, enjoy your time at the beach.
Kari
You are a woman after my own heart using phrases such as ‘a lick and a a promise’ and ‘sweating like a stuck pig’. Those are signature phrases here in the south. Your pillows are indeed huge and I can just imagine myself using them to help me get up from the ground. Dining outdoors is so fun and your shady setting seems ideal even if they neighbors might stare! We would simply invite them over. I love your charger plates! Happy 4th of July!
Thank you so much Shirley for appreciating my way of talking. I mean to tell you that in order to beat the rain…I was busier than a one armed paper hanger. LOL
Our front door is like a revolving door as friends, relatives and neighbors all know they can drop in at any time.
Thanks for stopping by.
Kari, I KNEW you’d be full of fun words and presentation on this patriotic tablescape hop. It’s truly your signature style for all tablescaping. What a great layout you have here, and I can just see you packing it all up, both coming and going. Do tell, is there a Gladys Kravitz (Bewitched) type neighbor who sees it all, lol?? I am really loving those chargers and that cheese board and serving pieces, great patterns. The Etsy pockets and bows are super cute here too. I am curious about that peppermint bark cheese spread – good? And that table is really quite clever. I have a smaller version that I bought from Eddie Bauer in aluminum (they called it a camp table but we used it in the garden between our chaise lounges for lazy games of Scrabble, lol). Your KC ball is the perfect American pastime element added to the mix!
(and yes, I use the phrase a lick and a promise….it’s how I often clean my home, hehe!)
Actually Rita, there is a Gladys type….I think there is one in each neighborhood, isn’t there?
I am trying to be delicate here… (as my mother taught me)..if you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. LOL
So I will just say, if I ever need back-up information or data on when a repair was made or who visited when…I have it !!!
Thanks for stopping by dear friend.
Kari, thank you for your humor this morning. I laughed out loud several times! I am going to enjoy chuckling all day!
Your picnic was fun! I love your blue and white chargers from Michaels and the red, white and blue stars and stripe salad plates. Your plate stack is impressive! You have so many details on your small table that remembering all of them and where they came from is also impressive.
I am going to check out your table link. Thank goodness I didn’t click on the link first and loose my comment! I have done that so many times!
Love your mossy tree in your yard and your grass is so pretty and thick. Our grass has been invaded by moles and it is not a pretty sight!
Have a wonderful July 4th. I enjoyed your memorable picnic. Laughing cow cheese was appropriate! But the blessing of rain you acknowledged from Leviticus is so true!
Bonnie, I’m glad you had a good laugh….that is what keeps us young(er) !!! I did enjoy putting this table together as I love the red, white and blue…which is a good thing, because I have so much of it.
Kari