Capturing Old World Memories with an Italian Scape & Foodie Friday

I'll be sharing the spotlight today with Susan, my sweet friend from "Between Naps On The Porch" for Tablescape Thursday, and with Michael Lee, from "Designs by Gollum" for Foodie Friday!
To start the day off right...I'm sneaking a peak up!
First, the Old World Memories...

I have a second cousin by marriage that I created a Family Heirloom Recipe Book to give as her bridal shower gift this weekend. I used handwritten recipes that I copied from her Great Grandmother that she shared a birthday with, and was named after as well~ The buttons were put on the outside of the cover of the album to create dimension and interest...they also belonged to her Great Grandmother.

In memory of the Great Grandmother, my husband's maternal Grandmother, that has since departed us, the petals of this rose all represent the wonderful layers of her life that she shared with us...and all the wonderful Italian traditions, recipes, and holiday dinners that we experienced in her home. I still remember when she taught me how to make home made cavatelli's! The loving care she gave each family member while on earth remains with us today in a special time capsule that from time to time we open up when we see one of her recipes or something we have that used to belong to her.

For the first page in the book, I decided to create a Table of Contents that lists the recipes I included in the book, as well as some notes of interest personally to the Bride to be. All recipes were placed onto a marbled pink heavy hard stock paper and were slipped into high grade plastic sleeves.

Here is a look at how a few pages of the recipe book look...

One of my favorite recipes of hers is one used with Ricotta Cheese, every Italian's favorite staple for any baking or cooking is Ricotta Cheese! ;) This recipe can be used for filling between cake layers, used for cream puffs, or can be eaten as a dessert by itself.

For my scape for one today, you'll see traces of my Blue Italian Spode...it seemed perfect to share my Italian Spode on an Old World theme day showcasing this fabulous history of my husband's Grandmother.

And here is my place setting for one ~ Blue Italian Spode style~

Be sure to visit with other participating posts at Susan's today for tablescapes and Michael's on Foodie Friday!

~Ciao for now...

~CC Catherine

A Better Late Than Never Floral SCAPE in my Boudoir today!

A Better Late Than Never Floral Scape from my Boudoir today! Be sure to visit our FAB Hostess, Susan, from "Between Naps On The Porch" to see all the other scapes today!

I decided when I didn't get my scape pics done last evening, it's TIME for a Late Scape in my Boudoir! I really didn't feel like crawling out of bed today to go to work...but I managed it! But not before I created this quick and easy breakfast tray! An aerial view! For the summer I purchased this lovely Chenille spread with three shams & a toss pillow at my favorite Consignment Store, Emma's Attic, a few weeks ago. It's a bright and sunny yellow, made by "Mary Jane Home" and it's so cheery to wake up to. The pillow in the background is very special and I'll be sharing it in this upcoming Meta Monday post.

The floral tray is a favorite of mine from years back that I purchased at TJMaxx for only $12.99. It's huge and is perfect for a breakfast tray! A close up view of the Charger, import from Italy, Dark Blue rimmed Yellow dinner plate by Gibson, and the center French Floral plate by American Atelier @ Home. This little tea mug is a favorite of mine from GANZ, you'll have to double click on the pic to see if you can read "The Meanest Mother In The World" verse that's on it. I bought this for myself years ago while visiting Clemson, SC. Every mother should love her children so much to model this Mean Woman! ;) I believe it's still available in some gift shops! Announcing my Monthly GIVE AWAY posted on Monday, 5/11:

And, the winner is: Kim @ http://manningfamilytree.blogspot.com/

YEAAA Kim!

Kim won the lovely Cottage of Contentment Plate(See top right on my sidebar!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS ~ My next giveaway will be posted on June 8th! Come back and enter!

Have a LOVELY Day everyone!
~Au Revoir,

~CC Catherine

My Blue Monday GIVEAWAY ~ Yes, another one! Join me for Cindy's "My Romantic Home" Meme GiveAway launching TODAY!

Hi Everyone! For my faithful frequent readers...YEP, another Give Away!

And, on the heels of announcing my previous one just earlier today!

I just couldn't pass this up when I seen it offered at Cindy's from "My Romantic Home" blog. Can you imagine how cool it would be to see 100 different people join in to offer Give Aways on the same day each month? I couldn't resist.

Once you get done with this post and entering my Give Away by leaving a comment to possibly win the lovely little Blue/White cottage plate below, be sure to drop on over to Cindy's to see what all other bloggers are joining in on the Give Away frenzy! ;)

You must double click on the pic below so you can enjoy the verse imprinted on the front of the plate:

This is what is stamped on the back:

Celebrating also with Sally at "Smiling Sally" for BLUE MONDAY! How sweet it is ladies, please be sure to leave your comment so you can possibly add one more B/White item to your collection! ;)
The winner will be announced this THURSDAY when I post my TableScape Thursday post! ENJOY Ladies!

~CC Catherine

Announcing "Catherine de th`e Cup" Winners of Blog Give Aways!!!

Good Morning Everyone!
I want to first thank each and every person who left one of the 116 comments on my 4/28 post to enter this Give Away & the 23 bloggers who decided to include my Blog Give Away Button on their side bars to participate in my Mother's Day Give Away!

I was blown away at the response, and very excited to see how much you all loved the "LIFE Full Collection from DaySpring" I featured in my 4/28 post.

The first Winner being announced is someone I'm very excited about! Many of you are avid readers of each post I write. Cynthia, from Applestone Cottage, for sure is! Cynthia is my winner of the Elegant Fluted Teapot and matching Teacup and saucer. Cynthia was selected by my using the Random Number Generator, #3 - for leaving a comment on my 4/28 post. If you've never visited Cynthia before, it's a must! Visiting Cynthia for me is like visiting a best friend I haven't seen for awhile...grabbing our cuppa and sitting for a chat on her patio. She's a Sweetie and is always an interesting read and visit!

This is the lovely gift Cynthia will be receiving below~ If you're bummed because you didn't win it, please visit DaySpring and use the 20% discount code at the bottom of this post. You'll locate this under their collection of Teapots.

23 Bloggers posted my BLOG GIVE AWAY BUTTON on their side bar - that was an extra way you could get the option to win some of the LIFE Full Collection items.

Announcing the following 3 WINNERS:

Jen, from the "Frugal Jen" blog won the "Table Runner" from the LIFE Full Collection! YEA Jen, her Random Number generated was #16! This was Jen's first visit to my blog! It pays to visit new blogs! ;) Make sure you click on her hyperlink and visit her. She has many cost saving tip ideas on her blog!

Jen's Gift is below~ It's a reversible Table Runner and the other side is multi stripes that match the colors you see below in the pic.

Dixie, an avid reader of mine...and moi of hers, she's from the "French Lique, TX" blog. Dixie won the Life Collection Full Apron. This is her Random #20, that was selected! YEA Dixie! Dixie hosts the Wordless Wednesday Meme each Wednesday! If you've never had the privilege of visiting her...please do so! Her blog is a treat! She's another dear friend that I've gained over the months I've been a more serious blogger.
Dixie won the Full Apron from the LIFE Full Collection from DaySpring ~see below!
Last, but certainly not least is a friend of mine named Chandy, from "What Now Tablescapes" blog~ Chandy is another faithful visitor to "Catherine de th`e Cup". Chandy loves tablescapes...her Random Number generated is #6! If you love participating in Tablescape Thursdays, you'll love her blog, because she focuses most of her posts on her passion, Tablescapes! Definitely pay her a visit too!
Chandy's gift won seems so appropriate, she won a pair of place mats the LIFE Full Collection from DaySpring! I can guarantee you that Chandy will put these place mats to good use in a future post! ;) Right Chandy?
For those of you who enjoyed the post on the LIFE Full Collection...you can enjoy the 20% discount they're offering till May 31, 2009. Free Shipping on all orders above $50! In today's economy, discounts and free shipping speak volumes! ;)
Thanks everyone for the FUN~
This was a huge Success and I'll be shipping the gifts out this week~
For all that won, please email me your mailing addresses at the following: serendipitea@bellsouth.net

Catherine's MONTHLY GIVE AWAY
I had so much fun with this give away that I'm going to be joining a new Meme that posts monthly with Cindy from My Romantic Home Blog. Check back later on today to see what my next Give Away will be and when the deadline for entry will end!

Happy Monday Everyone~ ;)
~CC Catherine

A French Influenced Tablescape with Princess Mignon Abbie as Hostess

Bonjour, Welcome to Princess Mignon Abbie's first "inside" Tablescape as Hostess!

Princess Abbie had such a lovely time cohosting when Debbie, from Confessions of a Plate Addict, joined us for tea a few weeks back that she begged me to allow her to host this weeks all by her lil ole self. I obliged and said I'd at least snap the pics for her!

The breadbasket is a find that I brought home from France and is a favorite of mine~

As you can see, Princess Abbie is at the head of the table awaiting her guests to be seated...she's so mannerly~ I have told her though that when she tilts her head up in the air like this, some may think she's a snoot, and she's really not...sincerely she's not! ;)
Everything on this weeks tablescape was purchased at either 75% off or for little to nothing from Goodwill visits~ I'll mention the few items that aren't when I come to them. This lovely centerpiece pot was picked up at a yard sale for just $5. The bromelaide plant was a gift and is just about ready to bloom.

An aerial shot to showcase the Macy's plates, "The Cellar" my sons got me a few years back. This is my every day dinnerware I'm using today.

My Aunt, that is an Artist, created the lovely candle holder below and candle snuffer. It is only about 4" high and is very delicate.

A view from above the Chandy!

An aerial shot showcasing the salad bowl on each end of the tables. Princess Abbie's is an import from Italy from Williams & Sonoma. I know, I know, this is a French influenced Tablescape, but these just fit beautifully with my French colors! ;)

The bread plates and center salad bowl atop the dinner plate on this view is from Furio Home and is also an import from Italy. Yikes, can you tell I'm married to an Italian? ;) The colors in these plates though evoke the spirit of France to me.

The lovely little napkins tucked in to the wine glasses as roses are a souvenir I brought home from France a few years back. I cherish them and always feel like a little part of me is there when i use them. The wine glasses, thrifty find at a consignment shop.

Another creation from my Aunt, the Artist! This is a little dinner bell. Notice the three angels? I bought it because it reminds me of my three children that are my angels on earth!

A fun view below is my Chandy above the dining room table with the reflection in the mirror on the side wall. I put a special filter on this one because it's just "fun".

A view from an angle as I walk in from my kitchen! Notice Princess Mignon Abbie underneath the chair...she thought it would be more humble of her to be submissive as everyone enters the room. Dinners on she politely barks! ;)

And one last different view!

Now...I need to hear from all my readers...I'm considering changing my banner above. This is my chandelier from my master bedroom. Do you think I should try it for the summer for a Chandy change? Leave your answer on your comment! I'm seriously thinking of making a change!

Now, Please be sure to visit Susan at "Between Naps On The Porch" to see all the other lovely and whimsical fun tablescapes this week! ;)

~CC Catherine

Don't forget to Click on the Logo on my sidebar to enter my BLOG GIVEAWAY - Deadline for entry is May 10th, Midnight, PDT. GOOD LUCK~

My Tuesday Morning Veranda Porch Party!

Thanks to Barb from "Grits and Glamour" for hosting today's Porch and Patio Party!

I did get a late start...but I decided to have my morning brunch on my break today in the most peaceful place at my home, on my 2nd floor Veranda Porch. Fruit is always on my menu for brunch!
Lovely flowers with the sky in view from my chair!

My favorite Romantic Homes Magazine, June issue
More lovely flowers to enjoy from the view of my chair, I have three hanging baskets of Impatiens to enjoy!

More brunch goodies! I have a scrumptious Dijon Chicken Salad on Whole Grain Wheat cut in the shape of a Carrot, and more healthy crunchies with cucumber and cheese hats!

My Tablescape for One using my new Life Collection from DaySpring. The place mat is so colorful and invites me in to truly believe that Spring is here in full swing! The Charger matches the place mat! (Don't forget to visit this link "BLOG GIVEAWAY" to get in my drawing, deadline is May 10, Midnight PDT.

My new little personal size Silver Holder w/ Blue glass liner for my Lemon Curd!

A dollup on my Scone and a lovely Italian Almond Cookie to enjoy...

Prior to my Tea Time, I love having cold water with fresh lemons and cucumbers...what a great way to hydrate your skin and feel refreshed! This Teapot / Teacup is one set for Giving Away... Be sure to click below on the appropriate link to sign up if you've not already done so.

Another view from my chair...

My resting place, with my favorite Toile Pillows~and the faux silk forsythia on the back of the chair... This chair makes me feel very special when I rest in it!

This little glass bowl of shells holds a precious place in my heart...they are collections from when our children were small and many have love notes to us on them. These are under the Boston Fern on the Veranda, right near my fingertips if I decide to reminisce...

And here you see it all together... Ahhhh....How sweet it is!

Again, don't forget to go HERE to enter my Fabulous Blog Give Away. Winners to be announced on Monday, May 11th!

~CC Catherine