I took a few weeks off from blogging while we hosted my husbands family in our home.
Although I took a few weeks off from writing, I still managed to take photos along the way (smile).
August is a wonderful time of year to dine al fresco . . . and so we did.
We enjoyed most of our meals outside on a long table covered with this vintage table cloth, as the morning and evening breezes were a welcome break from the heat.
I've become a big fan of easy entertaining.
For me, this means little fuss. Sometimes it can be as simple as adding a table cloth and a few flowers to your setting, which can make a casual gathering feel special.
a simple setting . . .
Shortly after I got married, my mom surprised me with several beautiful vintage tablecloths that she bought at an antique store.
I adore them . . . and love to find special occasions to use them.
When my husbands family was here, I chose to dress our dining table with this white one. Its golden yellow hem reminds me of August . . . and has the feel of Summer winding down into Fall.
I love its golden tones, as it pairs well with beautiful end-of-Summer flowers like sunflowers and black-eyed Susans (an all time favorite of mine).
I try to make hosting a little easier.
So I place a tall stack of white plates on the side table in our dining room . . . along with a tray of forks and a pile of napkins . . . for quick and easy use.
I also keep plenty of vintage pitchers filled with ice water, as well as a stack glasses nearby, so that our guests can easily enjoy a glass of water.
Flowers . . . I love them!
I'm a big fan of small bouquets like this one, especially for casual gatherings. They're quite pretty placed down the center of your table . . . and low enough that your guests aren't struggling to see one another across the table.
I love how simple touches like these can make casual gatherings feel special. Cheers!
LET'S STAY in touch!