First thing first:

Thanks so much for all of the kind messages left on my last two blog posts about Jennifer’s death. It has been comforting to have so many say they are remembering her family in their prayers. Recently her sister updated the blog (I am assuming for the last time), and it is a very moving tribute to their sister relationship. Please continue to remember Matt and the rest of the family in your prayers.

Most of you remember my purchase of the Thomas Kinkade Spode dinnerware. Due to my holiday tablescapes, I am just now using it. I started with the Dollar Tree white placemats, then added the dinner plates.

Each plate has a different picture of one of Thomas Kinkade’s cottages.  I topped the dinner plates with the salad plates.

I wanted to use the salad plates next to the dinner plates so that none of the pictures would be covered, but I couldn’t really come up with a good way to do it without crowding the table so much.

I just love the way these plates look, and yes, for all you naysayers out there, I have read the bad press on the late Kinkade. But I decided that I like the plates and I wanted them, so there. How’s that for a defense?

I also used these napkins that I got from The Napkin Lady. If you remember, I even sent her a picture of the dishes and she made these just for me. I really like them and am sure that I will think of several other dishes that I can use them with in addition to these.

I also used my mismatched silver plate napkin rings. Along with the Grosvenor silver plate, I liked the way the silver pieces set off the plates and napkins.

Then I added the lavender goblets. I got them online so long ago that I don’t remember what I paid. But if you know me, I didn’t pay much.

The centerpiece is quite simple. I used my large hurricane that you have seen many times. Then I shopped the house for something to put with it. Looking around, I remembered these little vases. They are vintage pottery, Shawnee I think, and they are really the only thing that I have with purple on them. But lucky for me, they also have green!

I like my finished tablescape and am so glad to have finally used these gorgeous dishes. As I was putting away some of the Christmas dishes and planning this tablescape, I was thinking some about both the Old Year and the New Year.

First, I remembered a New Year’s Eve long ago when my niece was born. She was the apple of our eyes then and still is. She is a very special young lady with a heart for serving the Lord. She also has a really sweet husband.

Second,  I remembered hugging Jennifer  a few years ago when I saw her at her mother-in-law’s house and told her how glad I was that Matt had her support in the loss of his brother. They had been married only about three months when Matthew’s brother died, and it was quite a shock to all.

I remembered with joy a birth and with sadness a death. Then I thought about how all of that is in God’s plan for us. As I think toward 2013, I know that this cycle of life will continue. I can only hope and pray that I will accept with grace whatever happens and will internalize and learn from everything that comes my way.

I also reflected on my newfound hobbies: blogging and tablescaping. I have now been tablescaping a little more than a year, and still love it. I have always loved setting a pretty table and had no idea that there was a name for this sickness hobby until I happened upon it while surfing the ‘net. Later I added blogging as it seemed a natural outlet for both my photos of dishes and my love of the written word. I am very happy with both and will continue as much as able.

I also started a new business venture this year. It is still a little early to make any predictions, but my booth has done well during the Christmas season and I have enjoyed keeping it up. Time will tell if the venture will be profitable over the long haul.

Thanks to all of you who put up with my ponderings each week, and I wish you all a very happy New Year! I also leave you with this Bible verse to reflect upon as 2012 closes and 2013 arrives.

Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. II Cor. 5:17

I am joining: A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday (vignettes, tabletops, tablescapes), Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life (decorating, gardening, recipes, collecting),  Sunny Simple Life (decorating, projects), Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday (tablescapes) and Metamorphosis Monday, Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage (crafts, home decor, thrifty finds),  Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday (deocrating, garden, projects),  Under the Table and Dreaming for Sunday Showcase (any project or idea made by you this week), The Charm of Home for Home Swee Home (home & garden), Cuisine Kathleen for Let’s Dish (tablescapes), Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill (home decor, projects, recipes), Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense (recipes, projects, decorating),  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), Meet Me Monday at You Are Talking Too Much (projects, decorating, recipes),  Spotlight Saturday at Classy Clutter (recipes, crafts, home décor), Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage (decorating, crafts), Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound (anything pink),You’re Gonna Love It Tuesdays at Kathe with an E (recipes, crafts, home décor), Mop it Up Monday at I Should Be Mopping the Floor (projects, decor, recipes), Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style (recipes, crafts, home décor), Potpourri Friday at 2805 (decorating, recipes, crafts),  Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House (decor, projects), Flaunt your Fall at Chic on a Shoestring (decor, projects, recipes),  Tuesday’s Treasures at Uncommon Suburbia (projects, decorating, recipes),  Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life (home decor, projects), 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)