Thursday, May 23, 2013

Picnics, Poppies, and Patriots


I guess if I were going to claim an official holiday of 2013,
 it would have to be Memorial Day.

After all, my  color of the year this year
 is a pop of red,
 otherwise known as  poppy. 


And  the poppy, of course, 
is the traditional flower of Memorial Day. 

When I found these bowls earlier in the year to celebrate my
  poppy theme,
I also thought they would be perfect  Memorial Day dishes. 




So I was pretty excited when Cuisine Kathleen 
announced her May challenge for Let's Dish! 
to be a Memorial Day table.




We wanted the poppy bowls to the focal point
so we kept the rest of the place setting simple
 with red and blue stoneware
 and a white charger.  



A single piece of red Stemware on some
crafty decoupaged coasters. 


Casual red flatware
 and a blue checked cloth turn it into a picnic.  


The centerpiece is actually more of a backdrop on this one.
 We wanted it to tell a story.


It reflects the way we celebrated Memorial Day
in the little village where I spent my childhood.

Parades...
Picnics...
.
Pots of red geraniums and flags to decorate the graves of the fallen.


The laying of wreathes 


And the two poems which inspired the use of
poppies for remembrance.
  

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row...






And that's about it.

I don't really have much else to yak about where this table is concerned,
but maybe that's not such a bad thing.



Memorial Day isn't really a time for filling up the silence.


It's a time to reflect in the silence,
and to remember.


And to honor those patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice.


How will you be remembering them this year?


*****
Also sharing with Tablescape Thursday

52 comments:

Denise said...

The table is so colorful and beautiful. I absolutely love your poppy dishes. I'd love some for my kitchen. There's nothing like a patriotic table with all of the red, white, blue and old Glory.

Love the framed poems and geraniums. They set the table off perfectly.

Great table.

Babs said...

Your Memorial Day tablescape is a lovely tribute to our service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Love the poppy dishes,the geraniums and the framed copies of "In Flanders Fields". Really pretty.

Denise at Forest Manor said...

This is such a pretty table, Debbie, and so appropriate for Memorial Day. As you said, it's a time for reflection, and your poems are perfect for that. I've always liked "In Flanders Fields," even though it has such a sober subject. I think it's so important that we never forget those who fought and sacrificed for us.

Your new poppie bowls are just lovely, and your red napkins look perfect in them! I saw some tall red poppies growing in someone's cottage garden yesterday, and they were so pretty. I wish I had some for my table.

Thanks for sharing your table with us, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs,

Denise

Susan said...

I love your table. What a beautiful tribute to our fallen service men and women for you to include and have as your centerpiece such a moving poem. You're right, no more needs to be said.

Barbara F. said...

Such a perfect patriotic table, Debbie. Love the framed quotes. Enjoy the weekend. xo

Chatty Crone said...

I have to say that is beautiful. Not only in outward beauty but beauty in what you are remembering for Memorial Day.

I love the poppy color!

Sandie

Christine said...

I like how you have taken this outside. What a wonderful setting!
You make me want to push myself and do just a little bit more to add to my table setting.
Now, where did I put all my tiny flags?

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

What a lovely tribute table. Love those poppy dishes and the tablecloth.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Beautiful table, dishes, words....

My younger kids and my husband helped my dad put flags on the graves of veterans in a local cemetery. We keep wanting to go to a Memorial Day service, but my husbands schedule is always crazy....

Deanna

Gayle said...

The table is so lovely, and I so agree on the silence.

Unknown said...

Everything is beautiful on your table, especially what is an extension of your heart. Love the poppy theme and the framed poem. I've never heard that before. Love it all! Thank you for sharing it. :-)
His blessings,
Kim @ Curtain Queen

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Beautiful table and so perfect for a patriotic weekend. Such cute bowls with the poppies. Love the outdoor setting, I would love to set at this table.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

What a wonderful table, Debbie. I love the thoughtfulness you put into it -- and your new poppy bowls! I didn't do a patriotic table for Memorial Day, so I think I'll just relish the silence and enjoy yours.

Noelle the dreamer said...

Labour Day is 1 May, Memorial Day is 11 Novembre and so on for us so as 'transplants', we still tend to follow these (the benefit is I get to celebrate Mothering day twice!).
Your table is absolutely lovely and reflects the remembrance this special Holiday represents. Now more than ever, we should not forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice!
(I love the Poppy cups!)
Blessings,

Sharon said...

This is simply stunning. And what a beautiful memorial to those who have given their lives for our country and for the cause of freedom.

And I just have to say that POPPY is a perfect color for Memorial Day, and for a very cheery friend who always makes her tables perfect for every occasion.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Angel @ Finding The Inspiring said...

I love that you incorporated the meaning behind your use of the poppy. I'm a word girl so I thought the poems were a great addition to your already beautiful table!

Well done, Debbie (as usual). Positively patriotic!!!

Debbiedoos said...

You my dear do the most beautiful tablescapes. Your really do. So into every little detail and your pictures are so pretty!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

This may be my favorite table you've done so far. Those bowls are heavenly, and I love everything about Memorial Day, including poppies. I remember years ago, every Memorial Day I would see men wearing poppies on their lapels. I didn't know why then, but have since learned. Very moving.

Have a blessed weekend!

Anonymous said...

Your table is beautiful, and the words and poems even more so. Thank you, from a military wife! And thank you for your kind words you left on my site earlier, very much appreciated. Glad to have found your blog. Blessings to you! -Dawn @ We Call It Junkin

Lynn said...

You've set a very pretty table Debbie! Lovin' your new poppy bowls and the poems are very touching. Wishing you a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend:@)

Pat@BPM said...

Gorgeous table. I love those poppy bowls.

thepaintedapron.com said...

What a great table! I really love those poppy bowls, so over the top cute! Your framed words are such a wonderful touch. I am always a sucker for red geraniums, your table is perfect!
Jenna

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Great table...haven't even thought about the holiday...been thinking of the tornadoes around here. Thanks for the wonderful reminder.

corners of my life said...

Great photos! My "pop of color" this year is orange but I would have not nearly as many fun pictures as you . . .

Mary said...

Love your table and new poppy bowls Debbie! So appropriate and poignant with your poem. Wishing you a wonderful day of remembrance. Happy Memorial Day!

Unknown said...

I love the table! It is so beautiful! I've enjoyed looking through your blog. Check out Sunshine PenPals and join the fun, we'd love to have you!
http://sunshinepenpals.blogspot.com/

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Love this and with the backdrop of green bushes...the patriotic colors stand out even more.
Wishing you a beautiful safe fun weekend Debbie....

Anonymous said...

How absolutely special, Debbie. Every detail is beautiful and such a great tribute. I love it. I wish I could join in with a table every now and then but except for my wedding china and white Corelle, I got rid of ALL my dishes when I moved. I'll have to enjoy yours. :)
I didn't know about poppies. Thx for sharing.
Hope you come up with a movie/dish after all. Just a little group fun.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
xoxo's

Alycia Nichols said...

Is your house rattling right now? That's from the thunderous clapping I'm doing right now in celebration of and appreciation for your table!!! Hooray!!!! This is fantastic to the nth power!!!

I love that you included a "backdrop" as opposed to a mere centerpiece. That is so cool...and so appropriate! You may or may not know that Kansas City, MO has a WWI museum that includes a representation of the famed Flanders Field of poppies. I have visited that museum, and I was just in awe.

You are so right: Memorial Day really isn't a time about filling up the silence. It's more for taking that silence to heart and using it to fully reflect on the sacrifices made on our behalf. And there have been a LOT of sacrifices made!!!

Take care of yourself, and have a safe weekend!

Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside said...

Beautiful post! I love your poppy bowls, they go so well with the patriotic theme!

Scribbler said...

Thanks so much for stopping by and your kind words.

I have really enjoyed catching up with your blog this morning with my coffee. I used to hate turnips, too, and then I discovered the little bitty ones, and decided I rather like them as a change of pace. Maybe taste buds change as we age?

Your Mother's Day post was spot on. I think about the things I know my mother did without so that we could have and do -- and it makes me cringe because I am pretty sure I didn't measure up.

This table for Memorial Day is perfect -- I love everything about it.

Tanna said...

Yes, I will, Debbie. Yes, I will. Thank you for this beautiful post. And, your table is GORGEOUS! blessings ~ tanna

Unknown said...

Beautiful table and perfect for Memorial Day! I hope you have a nice one!!~~Angela

Jaybird said...

Perfect, and perfectly lovely!!
Have a wonderful weekend and many blessings to you. I will think of you as we make our rounds to put out flags and pretty flowers.
J

Anonymous said...

Yes - summer is on the way when the red, white, and blue come out to play! Lovely tablescape, my dear! And, nice to visit again - finally - way too much on my plate (no pun intended) that has kept me AWOL from Blogland. But, thinking of you often and looking forward to a soon return to posting - and visiting!!
Joy!
Kathy

Ann @ Corner of Plaid and Paisley said...

I love those poppy bowls. Your table looks beautiful. I used the Flanders Fields as my inspiration for last year's Memorial Day table - it is a beautiful poem, hits the heart. Nice job! I enjoyed your post.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a perfect poem for your Memorial Day inspirational table, Debbie! The checkered cloth with the pretty bowls , flatware and accessories is so patriotic. I love your outdoor setting, too.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

What a fabulous post!! Gorgeous pictures and perfect words!

Carol

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

I love poppies! How lovely that you found such a wonderful set with these gorgeous flowers. It's just perfect for the Memorial Day weekend.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

This is a beautiful way to remember Memorial Day....looks like a magazine shoot

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

I think this is the prettiest patriotic tablescape I've ever seen! I absolutely love those poppy bowls! It all makes me want to go out and buy red goblets, flatware, etc! But I won't :-(

Did you make the flag coasters? So neat!

Wonderful 'scape!

Katherine

Marigene said...

What a beautiful setting for a holiday meal, Debbie. I love your table with all the bright reds and blues...and those bowls are gorgeous.
Hope you are enjoying the week...

The Tablescaper said...

Great table. The bowls are quite beautiful.

- The Tablescaper

bj said...

ahhh, Deb...you outdid your sweet self on this one. Just beautiful. And, I am totally IN LUV with those bowls.
A very beautiful tribute.
xoxo

Marlis said...

Your sweet poppy red bowls are amazing pieces. Love them. They really look wonderful on your beautiful table. A lovely tribute. xo marlis

CailinMarie said...

Debbie. Loved this, love your beautiful table and love that you use your table, your colors, your blog and your poem to honor and remember-
I am from a military family though I married a civilian. On Memorial Day my brother, my college roommate who is an Army MD, my brother -in-law, and others list the names of those they remember. It helps to have them make that list so I can be grateful for those who sacrificed in years gone by and those who have sacrificed more recently.
As the daughter of a man who died in action I take comfort in knowing that there are people for whom the day is not only about good BBQ or yard work, but also about remembrance.
The crosses you posted in the previous post are such a lovely way to take note, and remember names, people, and families.
Blessings-

Anonymous said...

Hi Deb! Love your poppies. Always brings back memories of going down-town with my grandfather (WWI vet) in the late 1960's and selling poppies with him for Memorial Day festivities. Then, how proud I was to see him marching in the parade into our Memorial Park in his drum and bugle corps band. Halcyon days. I have been so busy with the play my house was still all Easter and bunnies til this past Saturday! All my red, white, and blue is out now, and I have a vintage banner swap project I'm preparing for the 4th - and since I'm taking a sabbatical for the summer - lots of blogs to plan and post - especially teatime blogs with patriotic themes! Bawled all the way through 1776 while I was decorating. I love John Adams . . .
Anyway - visit my newest post with cast photos and behind the scenes peeks and the link to watch me live online in our production this week! Proud of this one in a big way - hope it translates as powerfully online as it is in person! Hope you can watch one of the nights . . .
Joy!
Kathy
http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com/2013/05/opening-night.html

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Debbie, this is not only a beautiful table, but a table with so much meaning. I love your poppy bowls, and I love your framed Flanders Field poem and lines. Oh, and the wreaths with poppies and flags. All of it just so meaningful. Such a special way to recognize Memorial Day. laurie

Vee said...

Just a wonderful tablescape and such beautifully themed decorations center us and provide ways for us to discuss the reasons behind them.

Thank you, too, for the Memorial Day post...love it!

Anonymous said...

Hey Debbie - answering your question about the show re-running after the live performances - I really don't know. They tech crew uploads all the Wednesday and Sunday teachings onto something called "viemo" or something like that - and they are available to view online anytime after that. I don't know if they will do that with the show - have to ask. Will let you know. But, hope you can tune in!!
Joy!
Kathy

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

As you can see, I'm catching up with your posts :)

Your table was beautiful! Love the bowls and Geraniums (a personal favorite).

Kathleen said...

I love your table and I also love the sentiment behind it. And your poppy dishes? Just perfect. A great tribute.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails