RJ Treleaven

Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts

Happy Tuesday, Friends! How is your summer going so far? I hope that you are enjoying sunny weather somewhere with your family and friends.

Today I'm sharing my Tablescape for America 250 as part of a summer tablescape blog hop party with fifteen other bloggers hosted by Sweet Rita from the Panoply blog.

But before I get started, I must announce the winner of the darling MacKenzie-Childs tote bag giveaway from our most recent Tales of the Traveling Tote blog party held on May 15th:

Congratulations to Kim from the Exquisitely Unremarkable Blog! You're our winner!

Thank-you, Rita, for hosting! You always do such a wonderful job with these hops!

I created a table that's All-American as apple pie. Literally! Our breakfast room table is set for dessert featuring pie dessert plates, Americana elements, and MacKenzie-Childs collectibles. I chose this theme because I am so thankful to be an American, and as we celebrate 250 years of the greatest experiment in human history, I pray that we can save and strengthen our Constitutional Republic.

For those of you who are following me, we recently had our kitchen remodeled, and we have definitely pared-down a lot of stuff, including many sets of china and dinnerware. I have not let go of any of our MacKenzie-Childs or table linens: I have collected both for almost forty years. I will continue to collect both, so don't be disappointed if you see the same MacKenzie-Childs elements on my tablescapes because I will bring in new and different via linens, floral/plant arrangements, and new MacKenzie-Childs pretties.

I hung these little garlands in our window. I purchased the ribbon one on Etsy from @KathyJacobson.

Americana elements are featured on the table in the linens and the baseball.

The napkin rings, another Etsy find, are made from a favorite American invention, old blue jeans.

The vintage wine cups are from France. I wanted one element on the table to be French, to honor their help in our War for Independence.

I like the MacKenzie-Childs collectors' mugs from last year, and June's patriotic mug is one of my favorites. I have featured four of the collectors' mugs on this tablescape.

Platestack

Here are the four dessert pie plates.

I matched them to flat-rimmed MacKenzie-Childs dinner plates; I used them as chargers.

Our dessert will include apple pie, of course, as well as coffee, tea, and dessert wine.

This vase is my latest MacKenzie-Childs acquisition.

This year MacKenzie-Childs is offering collectible vases monthly, and the stars vase is June's vase.

I had to add the pretty sunflowers to enhance the yellow stars on the vase.

Resources:

Placemats: Williamstown Home

All other table linens and scatter stars: Pier1

Ribbon banner and napkin rings: Etsy

Pie dessert plates: Mary Lake-Thompson

Wine cups: Vintage

All other ceramics on table: MacKenzie-Childs

Flatware: Horchow

Flowers: Trader Joe's

Panoply - Happy 250th Birthday, America!

Home is Where the Boat Is - Oh My Stars & Stripes

Hyacinths for the Soul - Celebrate With a Patriotic Heart

Olla-Podrida - Night of the Iguana Tablescape

Everyday Living - America is 250: Let's Celebrate!

Me and My Captain - Belmont Stakes, The Last Race of Triple Crown

The Cats Whiskerz - A Gardener's Tablescape

Pandora's Box - Summer Patriotic Tablescape and Kitchen Cart

Life and Linda - A Whimsical Elegant Pastel Summer Table

The Bookish Dilettante - Tablescape for America 250

My Thrift Store Addiction - Summer Serenity in the Garden: Elegant Breakfast For One

Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Celebrating America's Favorite Pastime

Thrifting Wonderland - Searching for Summer: A Thrifted Tablescape

Red Cottage Chronicles - From Antiquing to Dinner: A Simple Summer Gathering with Friends

Dinner at Eight - A Casual Summer Table Inspired by Island Daydreams

Mantel and Table - Blue and White Tablescape - How to Enjoy a Beautiful Summer

Until next time...

Blessings!

Ricki Jill

Tablescape for America 250

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

It's almost Valentine's Day, My Lovelies! Today I'm giving you a brief update about what's going on in my life, and also featuring a new devotional by Jessica Claire Bond.

Our house renovation is in full swing, and I was more than happy to make a quick trip to New Orleans last Thursday through Sunday. We went to a few parties, dinners, and a ball. We had a nice time visiting with family and friends. I truly needed that time with people who have been the sweetest of friends over the years.

You can see one project that's finished in our kitchen (above): our new backsplash. Forgive the poor quality of the photo because it was very overcast when I took it. Hopefully one day in the not too distant future I will be able to have use of our kitchen. I am missing cooking, y'all, and I have been tormenting myself reading cooking blogs and recipe books!

And now on to my bookish feature: A King Washes Feet: How to Love and Forgive Your Friends and Enemies- An Illustrated Bible Study by Jessica Claire Bond.

About A King Washes Feet

• Pubisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 10, 2026)

• Paperback: 224 pages

On the last night of Jesus’s life, He picked up a towel and washed His disciples’ feet–people who would soon betray, deny, and abandon Him–giving an example of what it really means to love and forgive like the King. He clothed Himself in humility, providing for us a picture of what it really means to follow Him.

This book is an invitation to sit on the footwashing stool and let Jesus heal you, then kneel with the King and learn how to wash the feet of your friends and enemies. We need this picture–and this posture–more than ever. All around us are disappointed, disillusioned, and wounded people, covered with the grime of ambition, jealousy, self-protection, church hurt, broken relationships, and world-weary hearts. Jesus calls us to kneel before them, whether they are friend or foe, to perform acts of love, mercy, and healing.

Through her compelling writing and viral artwork, Jessica Claire Bond unpacks what it means to “wash feet” in this generation. She reveals the profound meaning behind this timeless message of serving and loving others, challenging us to reconsider the overlooked, shunned, and marginalized in order to model the humility and love of our King. Ultimately, whoever is on the seat, He’s the one washing the feet.

About the author

Jessica Bond is founder of Salt & Gold Collection, creator of the viral Footwashing Series artwork and communicator of the radical gospel through speaking, social media, and ministry. Originally from Aotearoa, New Zealand, she moved to Australia in 2018. She has ministered in prisons, schools, nightclubs, underground churches, and crocodile-infested mangroves. Jessica is a graduate of the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in California and calls the Catholic Church home. Find her online at SaltAndGoldStore.com and on Instagram at @SaltAndGoldCollection.

When I finish my current Bible Study, I am starting this one. It is so humbling, y'all! I have already read snippets of it, and one of the most profound chapters is entitled "Barabbas Is Me." Wow.

Forgiveness is hard, Lovelies. But it is so good for our spirit! I cannot WAIT to get into the meat of this study. I also like Jessica's illustrations, and she also annotates scripture which I find very helpful. Above is an example of her illustrations, and I chose it because of the hearts for Valentine's Day. This lesson is about keeping your heart soft based on Christ's compassion in Matthew 14:14.

I'd like to thank TLC Book Tours for this lovely devotional via the publisher in exchange for featuring it here on my blog.

TLC tour schedule:

Tuesday, February 3rd: @bookloveramanda

Wednesday, February 4th: @teaandbookstoo and Reading, Writing, and Pondering

Wednesday, February 4th: @dana.loves.books

Thursday, February 5th: @gigithebibliophile

Friday, February 6th: @readingpastdark.marcia

Friday, February 6th: @oilycaffeinatedmama

Monday, February 9th: @kristens.reading.nook

Wednesday, February 11th: @danamarielovestoread

Thursday, February 12th: @readingintheheartland

Thursday, February 12th: The Bookish Dilettante

Friday, February 13th: @deannaturnsthepage

Saturday, February 14th: @nissa_the.bookworm

Sunday, February 15th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Tuesday, February 17th: @beckys_bookshelves

Thursday, February 19th: @lovemybooks2020

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Updates and a Bookish Feature

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Happy Pinktober, My Lovelies! I hope you are having a lovely October so far. Today I'm participating in a Halloween Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by the Lovely Rita from the Panoply Blog.

Thank-you, Rita, for organizing and hosting these tablescape blog hop parties throughout the year. You do an excellent job, and I always look forward to them.

This year my theme is "Happy Pinktober" for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I would like to invite you personally for tea and pink, strawberry-flavored petits fours.

I'm a breast cancer survivor, and I'm so thankful for early detection, my tumor board, chemo nurses (who are angels on earth), and God, who Heals us of all our diseases (Psalm 103:3).

I'm using some of the same decor from last year, and I've add a couple of elements to it as well. First let's take a look at my plate stacks:

The bottom plate is Venetian Lace, and the top heart-shaped plate is in the Rosy Check.

The napkin is from Shabby Chic, and the ribbon napkin ring is from LoveShackFancy.

Many of the decorations on the table are from Michael's Enchanted Forest collection from last year. I purchased a few things like the botanical candle holders at the end of the season.

The candle holders might be my favorite from the Enchanted Forest collection.

The table has two pumpkins on it, and both are pink.

Top to bottom:

The white florals are in a vintage crystal vase. The Rosy Pink check pumpkin is from MacKenzie-Childs.

I like the witch's broom from the Enchanted Forest collection, too.

The pink floral pumpkin is actually a pillow from LoveShackFancy.

The large Think Pink roses are from Trader Joe's. They opened-up so prettily!

Here are some more of the details, top to bottom, left to right:

I love the flowers with the collection. They have pretty butterflies and incandescent orbs in the arrangements.

The "Freaks like me drink tea" teapot always makes me smile.

The roses and spiders' webs trays with metal lacework are fun, too.

I love mushrooms, and the beaded mushrooms in the collection were a must. The white violets are my sorority's flowers. Our philanthropy is breast cancer education, and the peer pressure of mammogram reminders from my sisters saved my life.

I have pink votives and roses on the table for Pinktober, and the specimen test tubes add mystique to the enchanted table theme.

Pink petits fours are festive for our tea party.

I hung bunting that has "Happy Halloween" on one side, and a pretty floral print on the other side. I am enjoying it while in my art studio.

I also decorated our Welsh dresser with pink ribbons and pink moths that coordinate with the butterflies and colors on the dining table.

Resources:

Many of the elements on the table and Welsh dresser are from Michael's Crafts. Assume something is from Michael's unless otherwise noted.

Moths on Welsh Dresser: Moth and Myth

White tablecloth: Williams-Sonoma

Ruffled and crochet-edged table runners and napkins: Shabby Chic

Napkin rings, Halloween bunting, and stuffed pumpkin: LoveShackFancy

Venetian lace plates: Juliana Collection

Rosy Check heart plate, pumpkin, and creamer and sugar set: MacKenzie-Childs

Pink wire coasters: World Market

Crystal vase: Vintage American Brilliant Cut Ruffled Edge Vase

Small pink votives, pink salt votive holder, and white violet: Leaf 'n Petal

Roses: Trader Joe's

Spoons: Horchow

Blog Hop Participant Links:

Panoply - Spellbound Halloween Tablescape

Home is Where the Boat Is - Stay for a Spell

Everyday Living - Fo(u)r the Love of Treats

Hyacinths for the Soul - "Caw, Caw" ~ Spread Your Wings for Halloween

Me and My Captain - Harvest Moon? We Have A Ghost Of A Chance To See It Tonight!

Life and Linda - Haunted Manor of Dark Secrets

The Little Yellow Corner Store - A Witch's Brew Tablescape

My Thrift Store Addiction - Frightfully FAN-tastic Wine and Cheese Buffet

The Cat's Whizkerz - We're All Batty Here

Red Cottage Chronicles - Spooky Halloween with Cheesecloth Ghosts

Corner of Plaid and Paisley - A Little Bit of Ghoulish Glamour

Olla-Podrida - A Hauntingly Charming Halloween Tablescape for Two

The Bookish Dilettante - Happy Pinktober Tablescape

Since I am the last link for this blog hop, please take this time to call and make an appointment for a mammogram if you have not had one during this past year. Early prevention is key for your survival.

Until next time...

Happy Pinktober!

Ricki Jill

Happy Pinktober Tablescape

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies! Did you have a nice Labor Day yesterday? I hope you had a nice time grilling out with your family. And if you didn't grill, I hope you had a lovely day and ate something delicious!

Today I'm joining fourteen other stylists as we share our Welcome Fall Tablescapes!

Sweet Rita from the Panoply blog hosts our blog hop parties.

Thank-you, Rita, for your hard work in hosting. You're the best!

I wanted to use these fairly new napkins on my table. The neutral seersucker ones were purchased from Anthropologie, and the bright yellow check napkins are from Farmhouse Pottery.

When I was looking around for table linens and tableware for this tablescape, I decided to go with mostly neutrals and yellow. I think these colors are reminiscent of autumn, especially the browns.

The yellow cabbage rose tablecloth is the most summery thing on the table. But this table is definitely a transition from summer to fall. The checked table runner with the bright yellow stitching complements it.