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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

INDEPENDENCE DAY DINING

On the 4th of July, some of our guests (the younger crowd) eat outside, but some of us (the older folks) like air conditioning while we’re eating. So I’ll have a table set in the sunroom for us “older” folks (not yet old enough for assisted living, but too old to enjoy dining in the heat).  Excuse the angle of these photos.  I’m still trying to figure out how to take photos with all of that light coming into the sunroom.

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Our Lowe’s Store had these plastic, restaurant style baskets and liners marked 50% off recently, so of course, I had to buy 8 of them.  I will serve pieces of fresh fruit in the baskets, along with a dip in the little blue plastic bowl.

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with LaurieInstead of flowers in my flower holder napkin rings, I used toothpick flags.  We will be using those to pick up and dip our fruit, so I won’t have to wash a salad fork!  You can just call me Lazy Laurie.

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

When we finish our fruit, we can pile our food on the Moda Home patriotic plates, purchased several years ago at Tuesday Morning.

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Of course, we’ll be having corn on the cob.  I have no problem cooking it for a crowd, since I learned how to do it on Pinterest.  Do y’all cook your corn with husks on, in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes?  I just lay them on the racks in the oven, and when I take them out, it is sooo easy to remove the husks, and the corn is sooo moist.  I have so many great sounding recipes on my “Food Fun” Pinterest board, I’ll never get time to make them all!

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

 

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

 

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Can you tell who is waiting under a cloche on a nearby table?

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Shirley Temple is ready to provide after-dinner entertainment.  This little cutout was a $2.00 purchase at the recent auction I attended.  She was originally on the top of a box of Shirley Temple note cards, but she had fallen off the top of the box and was being kept inside.  I don’t think anyone else at the auction had looked inside the box.  They probably wondered why that crazy lady was buying a beat up, very plain old box.   (Of course, even if they had looked inside the box, they’d probably wonder why the crazy lady was buying a Shirley Temple cutout!)

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

4th of July-Bargain Hunting with Laurie

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I’ll be linking to Let’s Dish Wednesday at Cuisine Kathleen, Centerpiece Wednesdays at The Style Sisters, and Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.  Because I’m sharing my $2.00 Shirley Temple, I’ll also link to Thrifty and Vintage Finds at Dagmar’s Home. (To be honest, everything on the table was a thrifty purchase, because I “nevah” pay full price for anything!)

29 comments:

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

Oh my kind of 4th dining. Some plastic! Love your baskets Laurie.

Debbie said...

Oh how I love this! It makes me want to get going on a patriotic table. I haven't even started dinking with it yet.

My favorite part of all happens to be that Lazy Laurie part. I love the idea of the little toothpick flags in the napkin ring. I crafted some like that to use, but YOURS can actually be used. Very clever and cute!

Sarah said...

Laurie, it always makes me smile to see your patriotic plates. They are so different from most and add a special touch to a table. Great idea to use the flag toothpicks. Your clever girl! Not lazy at all, my friend.
I've yet to pull out the patriotic things here. We've had house guests since last week. Today is the first day I've had any time to sit at the computer. '-)
Happy 4th of July!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Lazy Laurie, ya right Missy.
Not the Laurie I know here.
Your centerpiece just astounds me, it's gorgeous!
And so are the plates and cute baskets, what an original and fun 4th of July table my dear.
Hugs,
Cindy

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Great job as usual!
Not "older folks", but more "mature adults". :D Don't ask what my "bod" has to say about all that today. :/
Stay cool!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

So cute I'm sure Shirley loves her invitation to your table....I know I would! I've loved your patriotic dishes ever since I first laid eyes on them! Thanks for all your inspiration for the 4th.

Marlis said...

I so love your plates, always have and always will. They are everything I love wrapped into one. The flag toothpicks are a wonderful idea. Oh, I'll be on the porch with you! It is already too hot. The flowers are perfect!!Loving your flatware and the runner too. happy fourth.. xo marlis

Alycia Nichols said...

You're not Lazy Laurie at all! More like Creative Laurie Who Has Better Things To Do Than Wash A Bunch Of Stinkin' Forks! :-)

I would be one of those "old folks" dining indoors! I can't take this intense heat! We already are experiencing heat index readings over 100 degrees...and it's not even July yet! Snow in May, and now this??!?!?

Your Shirley Temple cutout is cute. Don't worry about what the people at the auction might have thought. I'm sure they have made some questionable purchases in their day, too! ;-)

I haven't tried cooking my corn in the oven like that, but I have started cooking it in the husk in the microwave. Same results, less time & heat. I'm going to keep that method in mind, though, for winter months when I have the oven going full blast all day long cooking and slaving away in the kitchen!!!

Great centerpiece & fun table, Laurie!

Unknown said...

Very nice! I love all of it! I would love to have a 4th celebration here...maybe next year.

Ginger said...

I've said it so many times but it's worth repeating..your table decor is so beautiful. It makes me wish I could pop in for dinner with you. I love the colors and what a great idea for the toothpicks.

The Style Sisters said...

Wow this is awesome! Come link up to centerpiece wednesday http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/06/4th-of-july-decorations-and-centerpiece.html and share your post with us.
Karin

Anonymous said...

Your table is lovely. Your joke about not old enough for assisted living...that made me laugh, that's how I feel about the heat, and I'm only 43! Take care - Dawn

Jocelyn said...

What a very fun table! Love your patriotic theme. Great from Memorial Day through to the 4th of July!

Jocelyn @ http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Great looking table! I like the basket idea. We've grilled corn on the cob in the husks (after soaking them) and they do turn out great. I never thought of using an oven. I try to be outside (under an umbrella or in the shade) unless it's sweltering but I have to admit air conditioning is much more comfortable! That Shirley Temple cut out is adorable. Have a great 4th!

Betty Marie's said...

What a fun and adorable table! I vote for the A/C. Happy 4th.

Anonymous said...

I love your Independence Day dining, Laurie. Every time I see those flag plates, I want some of my own!

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Love your tables Laurie. Everything looks so pretty. I'm with you about eating with the A/C. If it's to hot outside I don't enjoy my meal.
Thanks so sharing your beautiful tables. Have a great weekend.
Mary

Holly said...

You knocked this out of the park. Great patriotic tablescape. Happy 4th to you and yours. Hugs, Holly
http://coconutheadsurvivalguide.com/blog/

The Tablescaper said...

Fantastic! Love those Moda patriotic plates. A table that swells with patriotic pride.

- The Tablescaper

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Laurie, what a beautiful patriotic table you've set! I'm crushing over those plates again. Love your toothpick flags, too! I have never tried cooking corn on the cob in the oven, but I will try it this weekend. Our corn in the garden is ready to eat!!!

Dewena said...

Laurie, this is a rush message to ask you to pray for and add to your prayer list, Connie & new baby, friends of our son. She had the baby this evening at 25 weeks and baby weighs 1.6. Both are stable and drs are optimistic. I told them about all the prayers for Cooper and that I knew you and your readers would pray for Connie's baby too. I'll keep you posted when I know more.

Thank you so much, Laurie.
Dewena

xinex said...

What a fun table, Laurie! Thanks for the corn cooking tip. I always just steam mine but yours sound easier and less pots to wash....Christine

Mimi said...

I have not tried the corn that way but will certainly do so now!

I have one question for you- what time should I be there??

Seriously- so much fun!!

Jewel Sauls said...

Great table! I agree with you - eat indoors in the AC in July!!! Love the idea of fruit and dip in the baskets and the flag toothpicks. Your Shirley Temple is cute. My mother had her portrait done when she was small and she looked just like Shirley Temple in it!

Kathe said...

I learned to do our corn that way from Pinterest too Laurie! I do it on the grill though. I love your vintage Shirley Temple cutout to pieces! Just as I do your whole table :-) Your Moda dishes are divine! Have a happy 4th!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh Laurie, I am in love with your patriotic plates!! Goodness but those are so pretty! Love the baskets from Lowes, too, and the Lazy Laurie tip! Looks like a great table for the 4th.

Marigene said...

Can I come sit at this beautifully festive table...love it, Laurie!
I can think of lots of things to serve in those cute little baskets.
I do my corn in the micro, easy, fast and doesn't heat the kitchen up.
Have a wonderful week...

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful table Laurie,

I love the way you go all out for each holiday. Set a place for me!

Happy 4th of July.

Karen

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful table Laurie,

I love the way you go all out for each holiday. Set a place for me!

Happy 4th of July.

Karen