2019

I first did this tablescape for the Fourth of July Weekend in 2019. Our good friends Michelle and Ash were having a family reunion and lots of their family were coming to Texas from Indiana and Michigan, as well as Texas. We offered to cohost so the families would have a home base on the lake, where they would be spending a lot of time putting Ash and Michelle’s new wakeboarding boat, “through its paces”. (Their beautiful new boat is pictured above). I wanted to have some Fourth of July decorations on display when they arrived, to add to the festivities, and I also wanted to have the dining room table ready for any guests who needed or wanted to eat inside and take a break from the outdoor heat.

I chose to do a “Regatta Tablescape” to celebrate the 4th and the family reunion of our guests . The dishes used are ones I fell in love with when I saw them on eBay and I have collected them for awhile. They are favorites of mine and also non-seasonal, and so I keep them at the house, to use at any time throughout the year. (Unfortunately, because there are no basements in this area (because the water table is so high) and because our attics here are more likely to “roast” dishes than to safely store them, I have many of my dishes stored at a storage unit. However, I really like having these dishes at the house because they work so well for any patriotic holidays, and also for any days spent eating while looking at the water. (which are most of our days!)

The Plate Stack

The Regatta Dishes are made by Omnibus (a division of Fitz and Floyd) and on the back of the plate it says -Habitat Americana – “Regatta” by Omnibus International – Dishwasher safe and Microwave safe.

The Chargers are 12 1/2″ in diameter and are made by Mikasa and sold as “Serving Platters”. I love their rich blue color.

The woven cloth placemats were found at Homegoods in approximately 2017.

The Plate Stack was begun with the woven blue and white placemat, and the Mikasa True Blue Platter was placed on top of that.

The “Regatta” plates have 4 different designs as each features a different colored sail and a different colored boat.

Yellow and white sails

Red and white sails

Green and white sails

Blue and white sails

When Michelle and Ash came over to help decorate and get ready for the reunion, we put U.S.A. flag swags up in the yard and nautical flags around the boat dock roof. Perhaps you can see them in the distance. They looked wonderful but unfortunately cotton fabric and the Texas sun don’t go well together so I soon knew I would have to replace them sometime with another fabric that fades less in the bright sunshine.

Update on Flags

This year I bought new nautical flags to replace the old faded cotton ones. These new flags are featured below.

The nautical flags I chose this year are from Amazon, and the “flag garland” contained A LOT of flags, so this year(2023) and in future years there will be flags around the light fixture as well.

The Silverware, Napkins, Napkin Rings, and Goblet The flatware is Towle Living “Anchor” and I purchased it on Amazon.

The napkin rings are anchors also.

The striped napkins above emphasize the nautical theme as well at the 4th of July Theme.

The blue goblets are from Frontgate. I was excited to find them on sale. I love how the sides of the goblets are “wavy” like the lake.

Centerpieces

I “shopped” my china cabinet and other areas of the house for nautical items I collected over the years. The three wooden sailboats are from target, I believe, and the two anchors were a gift from Michelle, the ceramic small sailboats are salt and pepper shakers and were made by Fitz and Floyd.

The three Regata trophies on the tablescape are actually a coffee pot, sugar bowl and creamer. They were made by Omnibus.

I chose these candle holders because the curves and swirls remind me of the waves in the lake.

I ended up with a mix of white and red candles (moving wick battery operated tapers) because I did not have 6 candles needed for the pair of holders in any one color, so instead I mixed the colors, which I do believe, I like better.

Decorations Around the Dining Room, and Around the House

I did a few little flower arrangements in the house for the holiday!

The North American Bear – Vanderbear family went for a boat ride on top of our wall unit.

I displayed my star tiered tray and some other 4th of July things near the back door.

I displayed flowers and candle holders on what window sill. (the candle holders held battery operated pillar candles for safety).

For our final night we had our meal and followed it up with chocolate fondue in my new chocolate fountain. All the strawberries, bananas and other fixings were a big hit! It had been a great time for getting to know all of Michelle’s extended family, and for spending time with Ash, Michelle their kids and their families.

Unfortunately all the guests couldn’t stay for the fireworks as some had a long drive to Indiana and some to Michigan, where they had to be back at work. However, those who could, enjoyed a fabulous fireworks show on the lake, which are shot off (coincidentally) right across the lake from us. What a wonderful treat for us!

Above is a video of the 4th of July fireworks from our dock. (click play to start the video) I love fireworks over the water!

Lake Scenes

As I looked back on this post, I realized I had no photographs of lake scenery, although we all enjoyed the scenery all weekend. However, at a reunion, the most important thing is celebrating the guests, so please pardon the lack of scenery shots. To make up for my omission, please enjoy the following memory video/slide show of “golden hour” in 2022, computer generated by Apple Photos (I believe) using my lake photos from 2022.

To see the slide show of various “Golden Hour” pictures and short video click on play. I hope you enjoy this compilation of various sunsets from 2022.

Wishing You a Wonderful 4th of July with your friends and family!!!!! May God Bless and guide our country!!!

 Link Parties and Blog Hops

I often participate in Tablescape Thursday at betweennapsontheporch.net, Please click on the link to see this website of one of my favorite bloggers – I especially love her “Tablescape Thursday posts” which is all about tablescapes and her tablescape post is followed by photos and links for many other wonderful tablescapers.  Her “Metamorphisis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters” – is another favorite of mine. 

I also often participate in Marty’s “Inspire me Tuesday” link party at “A Stroll Thru life” I hope you can check out her website and her Tuesday link party which is followed by photos and links for many other ideas from her followers.

Recently I started following Katherinescorner.com. I frequently join her TFT blog party. The TFT – Thursday Favorite Things blog hop contains links on many topics with lots of great ideas. To get there click on the preceding link and go to her website and they check out her most recent Thursday – TFT post, at the bottom of her post, you will find many of her followers’ ideas. 

Recently I discovered the Imparting Grace blog, and I am really enjoying it. To get to this website click the preceding link and look for the “Grace At Home Blog party” which begins each week on Thursdays.

I have also started following SouthernSunflowers.com and recently joined their “Home Matters Link Party”. It begins each week on Thursdays, I hope you can check it out.

Very Recently I started following KarinsKottage.com, and I am loving her blog as well, and can’t wait to see her Italian Castle remodel! I often participate in her Linky Party on Wednesdays . 

I have also started following EclecticRedBarn.com and am loving her “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” and am sharing on it on Wednesdays. 

In addition I really enjoy Lifeasaleowife.com and share on her “Crafty Creators Link Party” on Thursdays. 

Next Tuesday, for my first time, I will join the “Home Imagined Link Party” at Masterpiecesofmylife.com. I love this website, and the hostesses and other contributors have some great ideas! To get to the home page, use the above link and then scroll down to “Home Imagined Link Party” and click on it to get to the Link Party page. A new link party is posted every other week. 

I hope you will enjoy visiting these wonderful bloggers on the above websites as much as I do!

Thanks for joining me! I would love to hear your comments about the post (please scroll down for comment section). I would also love to hear about your best family reunion, and/or times spent celebrating the 4th (or for International visitors – Time spent on a patriotic holiday in your country!)

If you enjoyed the above post, you may enjoy the following 4th of July and/or lakeside posts:

Lighting Up The Night For “The 4th of July”!!!! as well as Memorial Day, Labor Day, Flag Day, etc.

Minnie and Mickey Mouse & Friends “Float” Along on the 4th of July “Boat Parade” Tablescape!!!

A Flamboyance of Flamingos – From Florida – Fly in for our Featured Feast

Whimsical Water Animals Tablescape Celebrates Summer at the Seashore

Table Details and Origins

Table Details and Origins for A Regatta Tablescape for Summer

Regatta Dishes – Omnibus (a division of Fitz and Floyd) a-Habitat Americana – “Regatta” 

Mikasa  “True Blue”– serving platters 12.5” diameter – used as chargers. 

anchor napkin rings – Amazon

Towle Living “Anchor” Flatware – Amazon

Blue and White Woven Cloth Placemats – Homegoods

DII – Nautical Cloth Napkins – DII or Amazon online.

Nautical Flags from 2019 Fouth of July Celebration – Target

Nautical Flags for 2023 Celebration – Amazon

Regatta Coffee Pot, sugar bowl and creamer, that look like Regatta trophies – Omnibus – eBay

Fondue Fountain – Amazon 

Star tiered tray – Homegoods – approximately 2017

3 Wooden sailboats – gifts – possibly from Target originally

Sailboat salt and pepper shakers 2 different sets – likely from eBay 

Cloth covered boat bin – likely from Target

Whale candle holder – Target

Patriotic signs – Homegoods

Red and White moving wick taper candles – battery operated – Amazon

Cambridge Blue Depression Glass “Rose Point Triple Candle Holders” Pair – eBay 

Bears – North American Bear Company Vanderbear Family – Cornelius, Alice, Fuzzy, Fluffy and Muffy – Muffy was purchased at a gift shop, but the other 4 bears are from eBay and Etsy. 

Boat used by the “Vanderbears” is from Homegoods, and is designed for serving cold beverages in cans or bottles.  

“Vanderbear” outfits are from the “Cruisewear Collection”.  Outfits are discontinued, but occasionally available from eBay, Etsy and other resale stores.