Tuesday's Tablescape

It's back-to-school time! The teachers in my district returned August 1 and today they're welcoming their new classes. I'm sure there were some children with mixed emotions this morning. While it's exciting to begin a new school year, it's tough to say goodbye to the fun and freedom of summertime. Imagine all the new school supplies that are being transported to classrooms! Today's table is built around new supplies which will soon be making their way to school.

I just had to use my vintage glass apple plates and rested them on "placemats" I fashioned from boxes of colored pencils.

(I tucked the flatware in the napkins.)

Last summer I posted about the carousel animal glasses which had belonged to my grandparents. The brightly colored prints seemed a good fit for this tablescape!

Bowls and a vase of school supplies make an easy centerpiece.

These pencils, colored pencils, crayons, sharpeners, scissors and glue sticks will soon be going to a classroom in Haiti. As you know, extreme poverty exists there. The people live on less than a dollar a day and there isn't any financial assistance available. A local man here in town, Steven Smith,  founded H.I.M. (Haitian Island Ministries) and is completely committed to its operation. His ministry meets the physical and spiritual needs of the people by providing  medical care, feeding programs and education. A circle group of women at my parents' church generously donate cash. My mother then uses that money to purchase boxes and boxes (cases)of prenatal vitamins, children's vitamins and cold medicines which are dispensed in the H.I.M. clinics and schools. H.I.M. now has five schools and since more than 70% of the adults there are unable to read and write, the need for educating these children is crucial. It's been Randy's and my privilege to help some with their school program for several years and one of the ways we assist is through the gift of supplies. The next time Steve Smith goes to Haiti, he will take these items (and some not pictured) to one of the schools.  

If not today, all schools will soon begin. I pray that teachers and children, worldwide, have a smooth and happy first day of school!

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

In Eureka, MO is a little state park called Route 66. It highlights the famous stretch of highway which was established in 1926. Also known as Main Street of America or the Mother Road, Route 66 was one of the original highways and ran from Illinois to California. Mom and Pop diners and restaurants, drive-ins and little gas stations dotted the road for  travelers.

This small park sits along what was a stretch of the iconic road. The visitor center has a great little museum filled with display cases of Route 66 memorabilia and photos. There are also story boards and some original signage from establishments that used to line the Mother Road.

Here are some close-ups so that you can read the storyboard.

We're intrigued by Route 66  so we enjoyed seeing the contents of all of the display cases and reading the material. Learning about the Route 66 "highway hostesses" was especially interesting to me. Did you know that RNs were hired by Phillips 66 to serve as hostesses along Main Street of America? They assisted motorists who were in need by helping with mechanical issues, offering travel tips and even providing ice water. This team of women, equipped with tool chests and first aid boxes,  also answered questions about babies and children traveling by car with their families. One of the most important tasks of the hostesses was performing "white glove" inspections of the Phillips 66 restrooms. Since these facilities were frequented by so many, the gas company prided itself in offering "hospital clean bathrooms" to the public.

Imagine how exciting it was for motorists to use Route 66 and see the USA! At the time, it must have been like opening a new door.

Sing along...

Get your kicks on Route 66!

Olympic Candy Sundae

This red, white and blue candy sundae is in honor of opening day of the Olympics. Go USA!

I first became acquainted with this when I received a candy sundae from one of my families as an end-of-year surprise. That was many years ago and, since then, I have copied the cute idea  and taken these little sweet treats to people. It's easy to assemble.

Begin with a clear ice cream sundae cup. I have picked up several at yard sales over the years as they're usually a quarter. I am sure the dollar store sells them, too, however.

The base for the sundae portion is a Styrofoam ball (sold in any craft store or craft department).

Some straight pins and wrapped candy of your choice will complete your project. I happened to use mini Snickers for the red, white and blue wrappers, but anything that size is suitable. My mother uses wrapped salt water taffy, which is another good option.  Pin the corner of each wrapped candy, being cautious to keep your pin toward the edge of the wrapper. You don't want to pin through, or near, your candy!

Pin the candies in as closely together as possible without overlapping too much. You don't want them too far apart either, however, as you don't want to see those spaces. Begin at the bottom and work up to the top.

When taking this to others, I usually fill the empty sundae glass with shredded paper or a crunched colored snack napkin before resting the foam ball atop. As you can see, I left this one clear and that's fine, too.

Let the Olympic games (and candy eating) begin!

Keep Calm and Wear an Apron

Yesterday I attended a luncheon at my parents' church with my mother. It was a nice event for women. Before eating all of the delicious salads and desserts, there was a clever Old Testament apron style show. Various characters of the Bible modeled aprons specific to their character or associated to the story most closely related to them. For example, Noah modeled an apron made from raincoat material. This production with a twist made me think of some old aprons I have.

This is a Christmas childhood apron of mine.

These two childhood aprons were made for me by a grandmother and a great-grandmother. I used to have them hanging in my kitchen, so they remain in their display frames. See the one on the right? Yesterday we learned that aprons originally were pinafore style like this one. I actually remember wearing this one when I was four and I recall making tapioca pudding while sporting it!

Isn't this a pretty one? It's my mother's childhood apron crocheted for her by her grandma. Those blue lines running along the edges are ribbons. It's uniquely delicate.

I have three aprons that I sometimes currently wear. All three were gifts and are pinafore style. They work especially well when I am hosting a dinner or gathering and need to do last minute touches while protecting my outfit!

Do you have any family heirloom aprons which are special to you?

Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

This appetizer recipe is a good one, especially in the summertime when you're able to use fresh cherry tomatoes. Best of all, it goes together quickly.

Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

a pint of cherry tomatoes

bottled bleu cheese salad dressing
1/8 tsp. pepper

dill weed (I used dried)

Wash tomatoes and allow to dry. Cut off the tops and scoop out the pulp, leaving the shells intact. Invert tomatoes on paper towel to drain.

Pour dressing in a bowl and stir in pepper. Spoon cheese mixture evenly into tomatoes. Garnish with dill weed. Store, covered, in the refrigerator.

I'll leave you with a little schoolroom comedy. Since first graders often develop a sense of humor during the year, I know lots of silly jokes! The cherry tomatoes in this recipe remind me of baby tomatoes and that reminds me of this one...

What did the daddy tomato say to his baby tomato? He said, "Buddy, hurry and ketchup!"

Tuesday's Tablescape

Between showers, would you like to join me for some light snacks on the patio?

We could have cucumber bread, olive spread with crackers and stuffed cherry tomatoes on these adorable vintage patio snack sets.

These are on loan from my parents. My mother received the milk glass plates and cups as a wedding shower gift nearly 59 years ago.

This pattern, called "Atomic", was made by Federal Glass Company. Just for fun, I researched these pieces and found  this "mid century modern" pattern is available on eBay for $50!

I plucked some Tardiva stems from the shrub beside the patio. That variety of hydrangea is just beginning to bloom and will soon draw armies of bees when it is in its full glory.

I'm glad I found a chance to set this table before the next showers roll through! Stay dry and have a good afternoon!

A BIG Show and Tell

Each year our church hosts a special festival on our parking lot. Members of our congregation and the community gather for an enjoyable afternoon of a children's musical production, food, a car show and lots of visiting. The entire event, however, is centered around the biggest component, which is the creation of a giant sand sculpture. Watching the sculptor, Dan Belcher, is such a treat!  He is a landscape architect who practices urban design in St. Louis, but he is also a professional sand sculptor. Each summer he delights everyone in our town by converting two dump truck loads of sand into an amazing work of art. This is what he finished Saturday at what we call our annual "Sandman Festival".

We always marvel at the detail!

This buffalo towers over visitors and each year the sculpture is not only different from our previous festivals, but a surprise. He begins the proceeding Wednesday when the sand is dumped in the lot and the creation starts to take form. He's done projects throughout North America, Australia, Japan, Italy and the Middle East. Not surprisingly, he has won competitions over the years.

This is the face, head-on, with the mountains to our left. See his ears and eyes? How can Dan possibly make those curls to represent the fur of these powerful and majestic animals?

The following is an excerpt  from the Sandman Festival flyer, penned by our pastor:

Then the Great Sculptor shapes and molds us, step by step, into what we were created to be...something wonderful, even better than a buffalo.