Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Sand Gnats and Sunflowers

So here we are, after months of tablescapes with a failure to launch, back again with a second table in as many weeks. Lest you think this means we've gotten it all together, think again.  We've just gotten it together enough to join the tablescape challenge at Cuisine Kathleen.

This month's challenge is called 
Farewell Summer.  

Something we'd be more than happy to do around here.  

Unfortunately, we probably won't be able to officially bid summer farewell for about two more months. We have, however, already bid a sad farewell to summer's favorite flower. We're using that flower for our tablescape inspiration.




I had two measly contributions to the whole table this week. First, I offered up this happy yellow tablecloth from my mother-in-law.  Not to be confused  in any way with her harvest gold table cloth from last week., this one is definitely sunflower yellow, and happy, happy, happy.



It matches the inspiration dishes, sunflower salad plates 
which belong to the Duchess.  

In fact, the entire place setting belongs to her, from the burlap charger to the bold blue dinner plate, to the completely unnecessary white one we stacked between the two. 

We just put it in there because the rim kind of looks like a paper plate. 
We happen to think paper plates are very summery.  



See? Not actually paper...

She contributed just about everything else on the table, too.  
(Well, not the sunflowers. God contributed the sunflowers.)



We took the farmer gourd and little red wagon right off her summer mantel. 
 He has a little sunflower hat. Not that any farmer I know
 would walk around  with a sunflower stuck to his hat. 


The napkins came off her kitchen table.   


I had to put them at the top of the plate 
because the place card church fans took up all the other space. 


And there was no way we were leaving those church fans off the table. 


Because it's  summer and this is south Georgia, folks.
People aren't the only invisible guests at an outdoor table.  

The gnats are sure to show up as well.  If you've never experienced a south Georgia sand gnat, consider yourself blessed. Old timers used to call them Noseeums...

...because you no see um until you feel um.

They bite. 

Of course, church fans aren't going to keep the sand gnats at bay.
 Nothing short of running in the house whilst screaming will do that.  
  
They will, however, keep their slightly bigger first cousins from becoming 
 no see ums until you taste ums.  


And they might just keep a little summer breeze blowing at the table too, especially when we all start waving them in concert.   Back and forth... betcha think we're sipping on some sweet tea while we're at it, too. 

Well we're not. 
Need I remind you that I don't know how to make sweet tea?

Plus, I was setting this table  in 100 degree weather. 
I needed a little Power Aid to replenish what I was losing in sweat balls. 



Oh who am I kidding...

We picked the Power Aid because it's red, and we thought red would look pretty on the table. 



The fact that I guzzled most of it down
 when I came back inside is just a happy coincidence. 


Yes, indeed, I felt very refreshed, so refreshed 
that I almost... almost...  forgot 
that it's still August, this is still south Georgia,
 and we still have some time to go before we can truly say,

Farewell summer! 

Sharing with  Cuisine Kathleen
 and the good folks over on The Porch as well. 

50 comments:

xinex said...

Hi Debbie! I hope the difficult time you are experiencing is not as difficult as ours but we will all get through it and I am so grateful to God that it gets better every now and then. I love your table, really speaks summer to me, especially those sun flowers. What lovely colors you all put together too!...Christine

Creations By Cindy said...

Love thew tablescape and I REALLY love those burlap chargers! It all is so pretty. Just love it! YES, I know too well what you mean about not missing summer weather! I am sooooooo ready for some cooler weather. Only in Florida is the weather wack on crack! LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
P.S. Noticed those pesty love bugs too!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Debbie!!!!!

Not only is it good to see you, but this tablescape is super cute. I love it. Love the colors, the patterns, the sunflowers, all. Girl, you rocked it!

I am finally back after months of being AWOL, and I decided to do Kathleen's challenge, too. I think this is a good way to put my feet back in the blogging water.

Hope you have been doing well. I have so much to share, but it would be a book!

xo,

Sheila

Chatty Crone said...

This was one of my all time favorite tablescapes you have ever done - could it be I LOVE sunflowers? Don't they make you happy? Love the sunflower plates and the colors on your table!

Debbie said...

LOVE the table! Soo cute. Yes, we are FAR from being through summer over here in So. California. We're lucky if Fall rolls in at all, lol. Hope your weeks a good one!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I always love your tablescapes. Now, what time is supper?

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Wow another cute one! The red gingham and sunflowers is one of my favorite looks.

Lynn said...

What a fun happy table and I agree, the red drink does look great! Lovin' the cute gourd farmer:@)

Anonymous said...

Love the combination of the sunflowers and red checkered napkins. Beautiful tablescapes and a fond farewell to summertime.
Candace

Mary said...

Debbie, Thanks so much for providing the fan and setting a place for me at your cheery sunflower table! I love the punch of red color from your Poweraid. If you need your thirst quenched, it might as well color-coordinate at the table. Love the gourd farmer too :)

Elizabeth Dianne said...

This makes me happy just to look at it, Debbie. And I am so glad for people who can write with a sense of humor and literally make me laugh out loud which is what I did several times during this post--a gift you are--truly a gift!

Sharon said...

Love this one! I just love sunflowers - they're happy flowers. And mixing them with some touches of red is just so summery. I think the sunflower salad plates are cute - I want them. Mr. Farmer Gourd is also cute - I might want him, too.

Though I hate saying good-bye to the warm days of summer here in the mountains, I will not miss the bugs. We don't have noseeums - but we do have giant-sized beetles, ants on steroids, and mosquitos.

No-want-ums.

Bonnie said...

Such a happy and creative tablescape. You are right summer will be around for a while in our part of the country. Love the sunflower theme and your sunflower plates are so cute. I like the way you artfully used the primary colors to celebrate summer. The checked napkins and clever napkin fold with sunflower napkin rings pop along with the cute handpainted fan.

Tea in Texas said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vee said...

Yellow makes me happy so the tablescape is South Georgia sweet to me. We have noseeums and I have some nasty little thing that I am collecting in a small bottle of apple cider vinegar. It gives me a strange thrill to count how many are no longer flying through my house, though I do keep the little bottle tucked out of sight for obvious reasons. Do you not like sweet tea?

Tea in Texas said...

I absolutely love the farewell to summer table! Your theme of sunflowers is perfect for the centerpiece. The farmer gourd and little wagon are the perfect accent. The red checked napkins and stack of plates add so much to the red and yellow colors. Have a great week!

Pam

Debbiedoos said...

And a happy table at that! Oh how I love sunflowers and gingham! So happy and screams hello Fall.

Lulu said...

Your dialog is as entertaining as your table. While those of you for whom summer lasts longer are wishing for it to go away, some of us are regretting it passing so fast. Hard for us all to get our way!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

How cute- love the sunflowers and the farmer. Those napkins are so cute folded like that and are perfect with the colors of this table. I applaud you for doing your table in such heat! We had such a mild summer we didn't even hit 90 this year. I hope it cools down for you soon. Have a great holiday weekend!

thepaintedapron.com said...

Great effort in this brutal southern summer heat! I just love your gourd farmer and wagon full of sunflowers centerpiece! Very fun fun table, and the red powerade is perfect!
Jenna

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh my Debbie, this table is too cute!! I don't know what I love most...the farmer gourd, the wagon, the cheery sunflowers, the napkins, or the church fans. To top it off, you've coordinated the drink as a pop of color. I love this. Tell the Duchess that she has some neat stuff!

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Debbie,

Oh I LOVE your table; it truly is so cheerful and summery! I saw it earlier today, but could not find time to comment on ANYONE'S blogs today. It's been crazy busy around here all summer. :) We just drove to Greensboro to pick up my husband's new vehicle; we were pretty excited. It's the first time we've bought a car in about 12 years; we believe in getting our money's worth out of our cars. ;)

Well, I just love all the bright yellow, red, and blue on your table -- perfect for this time of year. You're right, those white plate rims look just like paper plates, which are definitely very summery. :-D I love your sunflower plates, your blue flatware, your mom's gingham napkins, and those church fans are the best of all. What a great idea!! I've never heard of "noseeums," but that is too cute. Now that you mention it, when we got to the beach, the gnats are pretty bad in the evening. Wonder if they're the same thing? I bet they are. :) The farmer gourd, cute wagon, and sunflowers make a perfect centerpiece for your table. Kathleen chose a good theme this week; I've seen a lot of great tables.

Thanks for your visit and sweet comments, Debbie; I hope you have a terrific week!

Big Hugs,

Denise

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

This is a fun tablescape! Love it all! The farmer gourd and wagon, just adorable! Colors are perfect! So happy to see TWO 'scapes from you this month! Keep 'em coming!

Katherine

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

So cute! I love the bright blue plates with the yellow sunflowers!

That Duchess has quite the collection of dishes. She is a kindred spirit though I only wish I had so many dishes!

Deanna

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I just love sunflowers! Your tablescape is fantastic. All of your photos are just so colorful and beautiful!

Unknown said...

What a great variety of features you chose this week, very pretty. Thanks for a lovely party!
Modern Apartment with a simple Design

Anonymous said...

Beautiful table. Love those sunflower plates. The farmer is great!

Denise said...

Your table is so colorful and summery. I especially love the centerpiece. The star, to me, is those big beautiful sunflowers! The farmer gourd and wagon compliment the flowers perfectly. And I don't think I've ever seen a farmer with a hat like that either. I know my farmer husband never has. Maybe I should sneak one on one of his hats...

LOVE the whole table. So long summer hello fall.

Scribbler said...

Soooooo cute! The church fans are the perfect touch.

We have quite a lot of summer left here, too, unless something unusual happens. Of course, the way the weather has been in the last few years, that is not outside the realm of possibility.

Thanks to The Duchess for all the eye candy!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Since I commented already, I will just leave some love!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

That's to be shared with the Duchess and the Sister. :-)

Jacqueline said...

The sunflowers are huge and gorgeous. I wondered at first if they were silk. What a fun table and that little wagon is so cute. It reminded me that I got one with hot cocoa and whatnot in it for Christmas and I saved it for a tablescape, now where is it?
Sounds hot, and actually I would love that as we have rained all of August and I am tired of that. Save the rain for September, please.
Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.

Kathleen said...

You nailed it! I just love those color combinations. The fans are adorable. No one could be unhappy at that table, even if the noseeums were attending! We serve up some Skin so Soft to keep them at bay!
Not only do I love looking at your tables, but your narrative is the best!
Thanks so much for taking the challenge!
Stay tuned for September's earth shattering theme! :)

Susan Freeman said...

This table just shouts Happiness! Love the yellows, reds and blues plus the sunflower theme. This is a table I would love to sit at for hours! Have a very happy Labor Day!!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Kathe said...

Oh Debbie, you had me laughing right along as you shared your wonderful table! Sweat balls! LOL! Enjoy the weather however you can for as long as you can. We are just about 6 weeks away from our first snow :-(

Marigene said...

What a happy table, it makes me smile! Love the sunflower plates.
I remember those danged gnats every year when camping years ago...makes me itch just thinking of them.

Rosie M. said...

Love, Love, Love this table!! The colors absolutely jump out at you, the dish stack is PERFECT and the "farmer gourd" made me hoot out loud!! Wherever did you find it? Or did you make it? What a wonderful way to start my day. Your blog post was humorous and and your photos brought joy and a smile to my face. Bravo!!!! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

Lady of the Manor said...

Love those sunflowers!! This table is so pretty! I love the bright colors and the farmer and wagon are perfect!

Sharlotte said...

What a great summer table! Those sunflowers are gorgeous, perfect! I like the little farmer too, he makes me smile!

Sharlotte said...

What a great table! I love the colors...perfect for summer. Those sunflowers are gorgeous and make such a statement.
I had my first experience with noseeums a couple of years ago in Florida. You're right, they do bite!!!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

You are the table scape queen!! I love the sunflowers and the center pieces...I know it is fall, but it is still hot here in Orlando too!

Carol

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Love sunflowers - and love what you've done. Gorgeous!!!! Love the creativity that went into this. Happy rest of the summer.

Rettabug said...

I laugh out loud at your witty prose, Debbie & your blunt honesty, too! ... "the completely unnecessary white one we stacked between the two."..."We picked the Power Aid because it's red, and we thought red would look pretty on the table." I do the same, but never admit it. LOL

This is a lovely table & is just PERFECT for the end of summer.
Very well done!!

Mevely317 said...

Those church fans are delightful! Did you make them?
(.... of course she did, silly Myra.)

It's been a decade since I left Florida, but can't forget those awful no-see-ums. (I always thought the only ones who called them gnats were from north - LOL!)

Hope you're enjoying a great holiday weekend!

Babs said...

What a fun summer tablescape! LOVE the church fans as place markers and the cute gourd farmer and his wagon. Where did you get the church fans? I used to have one with a picture of Jesus knocking at the door, and an ad for the local funeral home on the back. :)

Ann @ Corner of Plaid and Paisley said...

Very Cute!! So cheerful! OF course you have to match your drink to your table!! The back yard setting behind the table just sets your bright table off beautifully.

Sarah said...

Debbie, this table is adorable. Your little farmer, the sunny sunflowers, and the red gingham are perfect details. The personalized fans are a clever idea. I need to remember that idea!

Southern Gal said...

My son is getting married in October (on our anniversary) and his wife is using sunflowers and navy for her theme. Love this! She would love to have all these decorations for her wedding!

Anonymous said...

So cute! Yep, those church fans will come in handy in GA! I keep one in my car!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Love this bright and fun table. Those sunflower plates are perfect, and I love the way you pleated the napkins for the top of the place setting. The fans as place markers are such a great idea! I love that you are able to borrow from your mother and sister. So much inspiration in several different china collections! laurie

corners of my life said...

I am always sad to see summer end. You created such a nice way to celebrate.

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