Wow, have I missed tablescaping and blogging these past 2 ½ weeks! As I wrote in this post, I recently accepted a teaching job for a few weeks while a former student is out with her new baby. I knew that I would be busy, but I never expected to be THIS busy!

In addition to all of the school work that I am doing, I am constantly trying to catch up on the housework. Being retired this past year really spoiled me! I am now always behind on laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, something. I did not have this problem when I was not working!  When I get home after school, I sit down for about an hour, then I hit it again. School work, errands, laundry, whatever needs to be done.  I spend 1 ½ -2 hrs. per night on schoolwork and try to use any time leftover for home. Did I really do this for 29 years and raise a family? Doesn’t seem like it was this hard back then! 

I haven’t even had a table set for almost two weeks because I have needed the table for school work. After working at the table almost every night for 2 weeks, I think I have finally gotten enough ahead so that I can actually have a tablescape now.

Due to my complicated life, I am keeping this tablescape very simple. I opened my placemat drawer in the buffet this morning and saw the cream-colored ones that are shot through with gold threads. I hadn’t used them in a while, so that is where I started. I usually put a whole lot more thought into my planning than that, but I’ll go with it!

I added the gold chargers that my mother-in-law gave me recently.

 Last fall when I first started tablescaping,  I had a great time picking up bargains at antique malls. I decided to use some of my finds on this table. I got these Salem ironstone plates on that trip for about $5 each. The pattern is called Symphony.

I also found these ironstone plates with a blue, yellow, and pink floral edge. They were a great deal at $5.40 for both.  The pattern is Rose Marie by Syracuse.  I love vintage dishes, and these two plates look great together.

My old faithful pink napkins and Grosvenor silverplate set off the plates. I picked up these pretty beaded napkin rings on the same trip last fall. I added the pink goblets, a gift from my husband.

 Not having much time to work on a centerpiece, I decided to shop the house. I may have mentioned that I love pitchers. I looked through my small collection to find this week’s centerpiece.

This pitcher belonged to my grandmother. My daddy said that it was always on their table holding the molasses when he was growing up. I just love the delicate colors of it. The mark on the bottom says Germany 221. I guess I need to do some research on it (in all my free time, ha!!).

The other two pitchers are some I picked up at antique malls or somewhere like that at some point. I’ve had them for a long time and don’t really remember where I got them. I picked them for this table because of the gold accents. It surprised me when I looked through my pitcher collection that I basically have none with any pink elements in them! You know how I love pink in my tablescapes. I guess this fact gives me an idea of what to look for on some of my next junking trips or ebay surfing!

Adding to my complex life, we are in the midst of planning a camping trip for next weekend. That list of things to do probably doubles or triples what I normally do in a day! The cherry on top: a hurricane is headed our way in the next day or two. Oh well, we will get it all done and we decided this morning that we would go camping rain or shine! Being away from home at this point is more important than the actual weather.

I am trying to stay centered and focused. I want to do my job well, do my trip preparations well, and relax well. I’ve had lots of prayer cover from many friends and family, and I can tell. I hope to spend the next four weeks being Mary in a Martha world. In the meantime, enjoy my tablescape and I hope that it won’t be another two weeks before I blog again! [Tip for Stone Gable: Stay focused and ask others to pray for you! For Kate: Camping, favorite activity]

*She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself ? Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42

I am joining:

A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday (vignettes, tabletops, tablescapes),Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday (tablescapes),Under the Table and Dreaming for Sunday Showcase (any project or idea made by you this week),Cuisine Kathleen for Let’s Dish (tablescapes),The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday (tablescapes),The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday (thrifty decorating, tablescapes),Weekend Bloggy Reading at Serenity Now (recipes, crafts, home décor),Spotlight Saturday at Classy Clutter (recipes, crafts, home décor),Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound (anything pink),You’re Gonna Love It Tuesdays at Kathe with an E (recipes, crafts, home décor),Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style (recipes, crafts, home décor),Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters (centerpieces),Open House Party at No Minimalist Here (crafts, home décor), Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage (memories, projects), Tips and Tidbits at The Stone Gable(projects, home décor, recipes),Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine’s Corner (projects, home décor, recipes), Sizzle into Summer at DIY by Design (home décor, projects), Fun Fridays at Three Kids (weekly topics