An “Ode to Summer & Strawberries” Tablescape

The Beginnings of the “Ode to Summer & Strawberries” Tablescape

A few years ago, I found adorable strawberry napkin rings, and they inspired my to keep my eyes open for other strawberry items. However, sometime during my gathering of strawberry items, I put my strawberry napkin rings away in my dishes cabinet, and later noticed they were likely to get knocked off the shelf when I was putting plates away, so I carefully moved them to a safer place – but unfortunately I can’t remember where that “safer place” is located. I think this is called “Murphy’s Law of Tablescapes“. This leads me to wonder, if it’s just me who loses tablescape items, holiday decorations, etc. I’d love it if you would share your experiences, and anything you have found that helps you keep track of your special things in the Comment Section at the very bottom of this post. .

But back to the tablescape…This year, I finally found some of the other things I wanted for my Strawberry Tablescape.

Rather than wait until I found the napkin rings, and because all my other strawberry items were ready and the weather was good – I decided to go ahead and do my outdoor table. Later, when I find the Strawberry Napkin Rings, I plan to do another version of this tablescape – with all my strawberry things together.

Catalysts for this Tablescape

Aside from my MIA Strawberry Napkin Rings, my catalysts for this tablescape were the Strawberry Appetizer/Dessert melamine plates by Primrose Vintage that I found at Homegoods and the adorable faux chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate/strawberry cupcakes that I found on Etsy. I originally planned to use the chocolate covered strawberries for a Valentine’s Tablescape (which is why I ordered some in a Valentine’s Day box) but later I decided they would be perfect for this summer tablescape too!

I felt that I really needed a strawberry plate to pull the whole tablescape together, and I was very happy to find these. Being melamine they were a perfect plate for outdoors. I love the “garden” feel of these with the strawberries still on the vine. I was also happy to see that the other plates I would need for my plate stack were plates I already had.

This is one of the two sets of faux chocolate strawberries I purchased from the SinCityStickersstore on Etsy. I did not use the heart shaped box, or the conversation heart candies on this table, but I did use the rest of the candies in this set as well as some from another set of chocolate strawberries with white piping.

These chocolate cupcakes with a strawberry on top are also from Etsy. They are from FairchildsCreations. Don’t they look real?

I chose to use faux chocolate for my tablescape, as well as faux cupcakes for a variety of reasons.

1. Faux food does not melt in the sun.
2. Faux food does not tempt Simba (my pup) to climb on the table, and eat the dessert.
3. Faux food does not get stale as it sits on the table to be photographed, nor does it get stale if I chose to leave my tablescape set for a week or so.
4. Last but not least, when I do a tablescape ahead, if I used real desserts, I’m afraid I would eat them all before having company for dinner. Making or purchasing the real desserts closer to the “party” day, gives me less time to keep myself from eating them all.

The Plate Stack and Place Setting

Before the first plate in the stack was placed, I put my Strawberry Tablecloth on the table. This was a last minute find for my table, and I was a little nervous about placing a square tablecloth on the round table, but I love the way it looks, and the way the crocheted border shows up so well. This tablecloth is by April Cornell (one of my favorite designers) and I found it at Homegoods.

The second picture above shows my Kate Spade Rutherford Circle Plate, that I use in many of my tablescapes. As it is 11″ in diameter, so I use is sometimes as a charger and sometimes as a dinner plate. For this tablescape, I used it as a charger and used my Bordallo Pinheiro “Geranium” Dinner Plate for my second plate in the stack.

The top plate is my appetizer/dessert strawberry plate by Primrose Vintage. I displayed the plate stack with a faux cupcake on top.

Also, in the place setting, I used my Oneida Golden Affection flatware, and a red cloth napkin I already had. In lieu of the Strawberry Napkin Rings that are MIA, I used some Red “Anthurium” Pia Napkin Rings from the Philippines. These napkin rings were made around 1990 and I purchased them on eBay in around 2020.

The final item in each place setting is an Acrylic Strawberry Goblet which was a “find” at Homegoods, and was very reasonably priced.

The Sunset

One of my favorite parts of doing a tablescape outside, is watching the sun set all around me as I photograph the table. I never get over the beauty of it all – the sky, the movement of the water, and the colors changing in the sky and on the water as the sky is reflected. I love the moments as the boaters and tubers get their last turns in before sunset, and watching the boats as they head home, or out to dinner on the lake. I love the view from the dock and from the yard – both of the lake, and of the windows on the house, reflecting the sunset on the lake. Welcome to the lake we call “home”, I hope you have a minute to enjoy the sunset with me.

And Last, but Not Least… The Centerpieces

I often use “Centerpieces” on both my table and on my “server” which in this case was a tea cart. I sometimes move the centerpieces around as I photograph the areas. This lets me see it the items in various places and let’s me consider where to move things during different parts of the meal (appetizer, main course, dessert).

I used many items from “The Strawberry Collection by Quarter Ruby” as centerpieces. On the table above, you can see the cookie jar, sugar bowl and creamer, and the strawberry tray with the chocolate covered strawberries. There are closeups of these items below.

On the server below I displayed the jam jar, and salt & pepper shakers which were from this same Strawberry Collection from Quarter Ruby. Also, displayed is a cake stand from Homegoods, two ruby candle holders from Hobby Lobby (1990’s) and a ruby depression glass covered dish.

Some close ups are below.

It is great to have you join us at the lake, for our “Ode to Summer Tablescape” I hope you can come back and visit soon!

We will be keeping a lookout for you!!!

Table Details and Origins

Strawberry Plates by Primrose Vintage – Homegoods 2024

Kate Spade “Rutherford Circle” Plates – Homegoods approx. 2017

Bordallo Pinheiro “Geranium” Dinner Plates

Strawberry Tablecloth by April Cornell – Homegoods 2024

The Strawberry Collection by Quarter Ruby – Homegoods 2024 – pieces include jam jar, Salt & Pepper Skakers, Cookie Jar, Sugar Bowl, Creamer, small tray

Acryllic Strawberry Goblets – Homegoods 2024

Seat Cushions – Chair King 2008

Red Cloth Napkins – Homegoods – approximately 2020

Red “Anthurium” Pia Napkin Rings – made in about 1990 – often for sale on eBay – search “Pia Napkin Rings” or Philippines Napkin Rings”

Faux Chocolate Cupcakes with frosting and a strawberry on top – Etsy 2024- Etsy Shop – FairchildsCreations

3 Faux chocolate covered strawberries in heart shaped box and chocolate covered strawberries with white piping – Etsy 2024 – Etsy shop – Sincitystickersstore

White Cake Stand – Homegoods around 2017 – similar items often available at Homegoods

Ruby Depression Glass Covered Dish – eBay, Etsy, or Vintage store

Red Glass Candle Holders – Hobby Lobby – 2012 approximately

Oneida “Golden Affection” flatware – now a discontinued pattern – this and other golden flatware is available often on eBay, and at antique/vintage stores and fairs

Moving Wick type battery operated Pillar Candles – Amazon – current item

Other Posts I Think You Will Like

Poolside Dining with Pink and Purple Posies

A Table for September, Some Skeleton Scenes for October, and My Scary Shoes!

Tablescape Celebrating the Paris Olympics

A Haunted Halloween for the Bride and Groom Bicycling Skeletons

Comments

Thank you so much for stopping by!! I treasure your comments! If you have time I would love it if you would scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post. I’d love to hear your comments about this post and I’d love it if you would share your own “Ode to Summer” – what is your favorite summer memory, activity, vacation or other favorite time with friends of family?

Link Parties

Following is a list of websites I really like!  They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Parties” aka “Blog Hops”.

If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas.  I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well!  Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!! 

You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 

Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party ! 

Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!

The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!

Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building. 

April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday

Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  

Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  

Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!! 

The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!

Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!

Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations! 

Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at  Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at  Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes. 

Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects. 

Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list. 

Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods. 

Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities. 

Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas! 

Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well. 

My Wee Abode (Julie) hosts the “Tuesday Turn About” Link Party. Julie is turning her small home into a charming coastal farmhouse home. Her website and link party include great home decorating, DIY, craft projects and recipes.

Wednesday

Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects. 

French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared. 

Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!

Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor. 

Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building. 

Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family! 

Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!

Lydia at  Pandora and Max hosts the “All Seasons” Link Party. Lydia’s recent blog entry was all about her trip – and the sunsets are a “must see” – fabulous!

Thursdays

I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 

Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here. 

Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party. 

Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters” and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!

Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph! 

Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas. 

Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links). 

Friday

Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group. 

Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts. 

Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc. 

Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations. 

Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions. 

At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas! 

Carol at Answer is Choco hosts BFF Link Party. Carol’s website contains lots of ideas about crafts, scrapbooking, recipes and many other things!

Saturday

Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!

Pam’s Party and Practical Tips hosts the “Dare to Share Saturday” Link party – which includes some great party ideas, recipes and crafts!

Wishing you a very happy fall – full of great

adventures and happy times with

family and friends!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!