Our 35th Anniversary

I decided to do a tablescape this year for our Wedding Anniversary. We were married in Ohio in June 1988. Therefore, this is our 35th Anniversary, which is rather hard to believe, because that would make me much older than I feel. This is a milestone year for us, and with Wayne retiring on May 31st, we are facing many changes this year and therefore I decided it would be extra fun to look back on life for us in 1988.

For this anniversary tablescape, I chose to use our Wedding China – Noritake China in the “Mandarin Garden Pattern”. We selected this china during our engagement, and we were so excited to be getting new dinnerware that would allow us to throw a more formal get together or formal family dinner. It was fun to think about those times as I set the table, from selecting the china together, to receiving our first wedding gift, (which was a beautiful covered vegetable bowl in our china patten. (pictured below) This china is much fancier than anything either of us had had previously. There was something extra exciting about that first gift, I think it let us know the wedding was getting closer and it also let us see a bit of the future, not that we had any answers regarding where life would take us, but at least we knew what many of our celebrations would look like, and what dishes we would be eating from on special occasions!

The vegetable bowl above and the Coffee pot, sugar and creamer below are some of the unique serving pieces that we have always enjoyed.

I put the table together at the “City House” because the wedding china is stored there due to the larger kitchen and dining room area in that house. It was especially significant to have the tablescape there because that has been “home” for most of our married life.

The above shows a close-up of the china pattern.

In the Dining Room

To add to the marriage and memories theme, I placed two Precious Moments Figurines in the Dining Room on the server, and one on the tea cart. I also added various pictures from our wedding to go with the theme.

The Precious Moments figurines are largely gifts we gave to each other when one of the figurines brought back a particular memory.

The above Precious Moments figurine celebrates the Houston Astros World Series 2017 win (the Astros have been Wayne’s team ever since they became a team). Precious Moments/MLB 0134 A

The above is “Making Memories on Main Street U.S.A.” 2018 Precious Moments/Disney and below that is, “A Smile Means Friendship to Everyone” 2008 Precious Moments/Disney. These two figurines bring back great memories of family times spent at Disney Land and Disney World.

I also decided to put various pictures of our wedding on the sofa table and tea cart. It is fun to look back!!

While looking back on the wedding, I just have to share one more picture for all the NCAA sports fans out there. (Please excuse the darkness in the photo-sure wish we had digital photos at the time of the wedding!!) The story behind the photo here is that my husband (who I met in Ohio) was a Texan and an Texas A&M Aggie, and also someone who had never owned a dog. I had made it clear from the beginning that Taffy and I were a package deal, but I decided to solidify that idea by having our friend, who made the dresses for the girls in the wedding party, also make an outfit for Taffy. Taffy was dressed as the Texas A&M mascot, Reveille.

I had learned that each year Reveille lives with a Squadron of guys in the “Corps of Cadets”, and is treated as a queen. As tradition goes, if one of these guys comes back to his room and finds Reveille on his bed, he ends up on the floor that night, and Reveille gets his bed. I wish I had a picture of how hard Wayne laughed when he saw Taffy dressed as Reveille because he instantly pictured her being the “queen” of our home.

I also want to share one more thing from the dining room, that I think fits well with the theme. The below picture shows the family Bible from my paternal Grandmother’s side of the family. I love the fact that a Bible holds the records of births, deaths and marriages, including some dating back to the 1800’s.

I love all the special details of this old Bible – the embossed cover, the silver latch, and the detail and artistry of many of the pages. I was glad that I had this to display with our Anniversary Tablescape.

Tablescape Details

The Plate Stack

On top of the pink tablecloth, I placed a shiny gold charger, and then a dinner plate. (My apologies for what looks like spots on the gold chargers – because the chargers are so shiny, they reflect everything- the chandelier, items from outside the window, and even me, as I took pictures of the table.) I love these gold understated chargers, (which are from Hobby Lobby) because they don’t overtake the table. I originally tried my gold glitter chargers that I love; but with this particular table they seemed too modern or too bold, if that makes any sense.

Next I placed a salad plate, and then a bread and butter plate and finally I added a cream soup bowl, (which is a small soup bowl that has two handles). This is one of my favorite things from our china, as we didn’t have these kind of bowls at home when I was growing up, they have always seemed extra special, and I’m always on the lookout for soups to serve in them.

Items Around the Plate Stack

Items surrounding the plate stack include, a vintage placecard holder, a bride and groom napkin ring, with napkin, a Waterford Shannon wine goblet, a china cup and saucer, and gold flatware. The flatware, china and the wine glasses were all wedding gifts.

Centerpieces

I used roses for my centerpiece because flowers just seem right for an Anniversary. I had both ivory and pink roses in my arrangement. For other “centerpieces” I decided to use serving pieces as shown in the above section and also some of our Precious Moments figurines. The bride and groom below are the figurines from our wedding cake, and the others are ones we have gotten because they meant something to us.

This Precious Moments figurine is marked “Jonathon & David The Lord Bless You And Keep You 1979 E3114”

This one is marked Jonathon & David “Jesus is the Answer” E-1381.

“I’ll Give Him My Heart” Jonathon & David – Precious Moments

“Loving is Sharing” Jonathon & David 1979 Precious Moments E 3110/G

Many thanks to my friend Susan who was visiting and helped me set the table so I could photograph it before sunset!

I hope you enjoyed looking back with me, as we celebrate get ready to celebrate our anniversary. Do you, like us, still have the dishes you received when you were married? Have you had a chance to use them lately? I would love to hear all about them and your last celebration with them. To Comment, please scroll all the way to the bottom of the post (past “Outside the Windows”, past “Posts I Hope You Will Like, past “Table Details and Origins” (which is coming soon) , and past the link parties section.

Outside the Windows

Last night when I was working on my post (at the lake house), quite the storm came in. I thought you would enjoy seeing the storm on the water. I could only take good pictures for a few moments before our power went out, and internet too of course, these things prevented me from finishing my post, and are the main reasons the “Table Details and Origins” section will be late once again.

Press play above to see the beginning of this storm, before the lights went out for 12 hours. Winds were 80-90 mph and it seemed to just scoop water out of the lake and on to the yards.

Posts I Hope You Will Enjoy

If you enjoyed this family holiday post, you may enjoy some others from the past year;

like this one from Mother’s Day,

A “Happy Mother’s Day Table” for Those Who “mother” with Love

and this one from Father’s Day.

A Harley-Davidson Table for a “Rad Dad” – Celebrating My Husband’s Trifecta of Special Days This Month – His 66th Birthday, His Retirement and Father’s Day!!

If you enjoyed the Precious Moments/Disney figurines, you may enjoy this Disney Tablescape Post for the 4th of July.

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

Table Details and Origins

for Happy Anniversary! – Happy Wedding! Tablescape

Noritake “Mandarin Garden” – discontinued pattern – occasionally available at Replacements.com, eBay, Etsy, and local vintage stores

Oneida Community Golden Affection – discontinued pattern sometimes available on eBay

Precious Moments figurines – names and items as denoted in post – most are discontinued items – Try eBay, and Etsy as well as local vintage or other resale shops 

Shandon by Waterford, special order at Waterford leaded crystal, – has some risks.  I mainly use other glasses for beverages and leaded glass for display

Bride and Groom Napkin Rings – by Lefton – Vintage but can often be found or eBay, and Etsy 

Saro lifestyle pink Tablecloth With Hemstitched Border Design – Overstock 

Saro Lifestyle Pink Napkins with Hemstiched Border Design – Overstock 

Lit Raz Imports Birch Tree with colored lights – Amazon

Ceramic place card holder – vintage from Japan – occasionally for sale on eBay 

Cut Glass Flower Vase –  possibly by Pitkin & Brooks – vintage – similar items available on eBay and Etsy 

Roses – Pink and Ivory – from H-E-B (Texas Grocery Store) 

Precious Moment figurines – for names of figurines, see photo descriptions in post – often available on eBay and Etsy. 

Vintage Candle Holders (on server) – Cambridge Rose Point Triple Candle Holders Pair – available at times on eBay and Etsy, glass shows, and some Vintage Shops

 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 below, and I would love to hear about your favorite wedding or anniversary celebrations!