I bought some basic canisters from Michaels in white and red, and a few spools of ribbon. 

This is not a novel concept to use ribbon for decorating centerpieces, but this is my simple and easy approach.   With my hot glue gun, and some double sided tape, and some simple annuals, I came up with these:

Stars and Stripes Planter Centerpieces:

These little planters are so easy, there’s no need for any sort of tutorial.

Add drainage holes to the bottom with a hammer and nail:

Add a bit of ribbon with hot glue to the back seam.  Then use double sided tape to guide your ribbon around the canister, and keep it straight.  Use one more dab of hot glue to keep the other end of the ribbon in place. 

Plant your flowers in your pot – simple !

For the red canister with blue trim, I planted white ‘Victory Vinca’.

For the white canister with red trim, I planted ‘Marine Blue’ lobelia.  

For the white canister with blue trim, I planted ‘Quartz Scarlet’ verbena. 

So here are my Festive Fourth Flower Pots.  So simple and easy ! 

My favorite part is that I can easily remove the ribbon and reuse the planters later in the year for other tablescapes.  I am already thinking of adding green and brown velvet ribbon to the white canisters for the fall.  And I have big plans at Christmas to add cream velvet ribbon to the red canister for a mini fir tree. 

I hope you all have a fabulous Fourth !  I so love this patriotic holiday, and what it represents: freedom.   I’ll leave you with some photos from my visit to the state capitol in Sacramento earlier this week. 

Happy Fourth of July !

Here’s a look at my final tablescape before my guests arrived:

I collected much of what you see over the years, at thrift stores, antique stores, and inexpensive retailers.  I added my wedding china for a touch of elegance.  To me, a stylish table setting is a mix of texture, color, various heights and proportions, and little personal touches.  Here’s how I set this buffet table in my dining room:

Layer One:  Hotel tablecloth in white from Target. 

Layer Two: Reversible table runner from Pier One. 

Layer Three:  I pulled white ceramics from all over the house, including a toothbrush holder used as a vase, various vases and urns in my collection, and some thrift store candlesticks.

Layer Four:  The addition of a medley of flowers, including pink hydrangeas from my garden and peonies from the florist.  I also added candles in various shades of pink.

Layer Five:  A touch of whimsy.  How darling are these white bird salt and pepper shakers ?

Layer Six:  Watery blue napkins from Target and my wedding china.  Ten years later, I still love this Federal Platinum line from Lenox. 

Layer Seven:  A scrumptious dessert.  This is my mom’s lemon pudding cake and it’s heavenly. 

Here’s my Mini CG in training (caught eyeballing that cake…yum)

I also set up a Martini Bar in the kitchen for quick and convenient libations. 

The menu was centered around lemon drop martinis, so we served a crudités platter of gourmet vegetables, and a few seafood appetizers, including a dungeness crap dip with sliced baguette, and smoked salmon mini toasts. 

Here’s my recipe for a Lite Lemon Drop Martini (light on the calories, and the booze). 

Lite Lemon Drop Martini

1. 1/2 oz.  citrus flavored vodka
2. 4 oz. Crystal light lemonade
3. 1/2 oz. Triple Sec

Blend in martini shaker with ice.  Pour into sugar rimmed glasses.

A splendid time was had by all in our chapter.  Here is part of our group, enjoying the cool California air outside.

What did we read for our summer meeting, you might inquire?  ‘Three Cups of Tea’ by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.  Some of us (including yours truly) didn’t quite finish the book, but our meetings are more about the ladies getting together, and less about the literature.  We are gathering again in October for our fall meeting, and we are reading ‘The Orchid Thief’ by Susan Orlean.  Have you read this book? 

If any of you have other book suggestions, we would most welcome them.  What was your favorite read this past year?