Mixed Bag and Mixed Table

We're having what the weatherman calls a 

"mixed bag of weather". 

Our no-winter-in-Oklahoma-this-year has continued

until this week and some

(mildly) cold air has moved in.

Supposedly, we are to get a taste of winter this weekend.

With that "mixed bag" of weather looming,

I decided to set the table accordingly.

I guess you could call it a

"mixed table" of elements.

I used a 

wool tartan throw

as my base.

I am always a sucker for a good plaid.

I paired the throw/tablecloth

with a double set of napkins.

I used another plaid in similar colors and 

topped it with crisp white linen napkins.

I love the contrast of the wool throw and the crisp linen.

I also used a big antique glass pitcher

filled with red tulips

to add to the "mixed bag" effect.

Then I put a bunch of blue and white

creamers and gravy boats

in a wooden box and

set it in the middle of the table.

Adding to that 

"mixed bag" effect further

is the fact that I used

various blue and white tablewear.

I also used pieces of 

Blue Willow that are over 100 years old

and pieces that are less than 10 years old.

It's a tablescape perfect for that

"Is it winter?"

 Or "a very early spring?"

The elements

(both inside and outside!)

lead us in both directions!

I think 

"mixed bags" 

of table elements

might be one of my favorite

ways to tablescape!

I made sure each place setting had 

a goblet for sweet tea

and a mug for hot tea.

You just never know

in this
"mixed bag"!

I hope whatever you 

are doing this weekend,

you are able to enjoy

a "mixed bag" of loveliness!

Sharing this with the Tartan Parade for all Mad for Plaid lovers!
Two other "Mad for Plaid" tablescapes can be found here and here.  Check them out!

Tell All Tuesday--Triplets

Just so you know, 

I STARTED this Tell All Tuesday post

on Tuesday, right before midnight,

so technically,

I'm calling it Tuesday!

Last week my daughter Taylor and I

were talking about someone that had

two babies within a year of each other.

I said they were called

Irish Twins.

Then Taylor, because she is VERY 

technical and factual

about everything

wanted to know 

the EXACT definition

for Irish Twins.

The term “Irish twins” is used to describe two children born to the same mother and father within 12 months of each other or born in the same calendar year. (Wisegeek.com)

While she was reading the article,

she stumbled upon a new revelation.

IRISH TRIPLETS!!

A variation on the term is “Irish triplets,” which means three children born under three years to the same parents. (Wisegeek.com)

But wait!

There was more to this little article...

Given that it is a somewhat derogatory term, it is generally not used in print or in polite society.

(wisegeek.com)

WHAT??????

                                 Derogatory?  How rude!!

And then.............

. Parents who have Irish twins or triplets often struggle with a variety of issues, since having two or three very young children to manage can be very stressful. As the children grow up, the parents may encounter other difficulties as well, such as the simultaneous payment of astronomical college tuition fees. However, Irish twins or triplets often end up being very close and affectionate with each other, since the space between them is so small, and it intensifies the sibling bond. (wisegeek.com)

Okay....At least the 

that paragraph is a little better!

So I've had these

Irish Triplets

all these years and didn't even know it!

(Well, I knew I had them,

but just didn't know 

I had

Irish Triplets!!)

Just in case anyone reading this is

planning on having a set of

Irish Triplets...

let me tell you the hardest part.

With two babies it was relatively easy.

You had an arm/hand for one and an

arm/hip for the other.

Then all of a sudden you have 

Baby #3....

And that means you have to let

one of those other babies off of your 

arm....hand...or hip....

And that baby you don't have hold of 

anymore is

only (at the oldest) two years old!

THAT was the hardest part!

But we made it...and now I will proudly

tell everyone

that I have

Irish Triplets....

Who knew!!??

(P.S. As soon as Taylor read about the Irish Triplets, 

she called my Irish mother 

and told her the great news. My Irish mother

had never heard of it either......and agreed with us on the dislike of the derogatory part!)

One SUPER party!

My niece and nephew hosted a super Super Bowl party. 

Caroline is the Hostess with the Mostess and 

Ford lent all his football accessories for the cute decor.

There was lots of good food...

In every sort of football dish

imaginable!

Caroline made name tags for each dish...

And Ford's contributions peeked out everywhere.

No matter which team you rooted for

(I was WAY in the minority as I cheered for the Giants!)

there was a decoration for your team!

Caroline made a football pepperoni pizza after she had seen one on Pinterest!

(She loves Pinterest! I have a board just for her on my own!!)

 There were souvenir cups for everyone,

as well as party favors

(that Caroline handed out as soon as we walked in!)

As we ate, Caroline went around

asking us if we needed refills on

food and drink

and brought them to us...

even if we didn't need them!

Ford was engrossed with the game by then!

Ford had the idea to host the party,

and with help from his parents...

And his very personable hosting sister,

these two pulled off one

SUPER party!

Ford and Caroline's Party Menu:

Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets

Brats

Sliders

LOTS of dips

Variety of chips

Fruit tray

Football pizza

Brownies

Cookies

Cupcakes

Simple Sundays

Mini Mini Mallows...

I promise the flowers were BEHIND the hot chocolate and not growing out the top!

A year ago today we had quite a big snow (big for us in Oklahoma anyway). What a difference a year can make! We have been sporting temps in the 60's for day time highs most of the winter this year. 

Nevertheless, at the least little hint of chill,

I love hot chocolate.

I like to get it at a convenience store nearby 

that has the bombdiggity 

in hot chocolates.

And they have mini mini 

marshmallows to add to the top.

I have asked often if they would 

let me buy a container of them...

but they never let me.

Then again, 

why would I really need to buy them,

when I only drink hot chocolate

from their store...

Because it is really the bombdiggity...

and so much better than even the 

homemade kind.

Then last week while I was 

grocery shopping at

Wally World

I found these.

The exact little 

mini mini

marshmallows.

Only these were in a much cuter container.

AND 

they had pink ones too,

but they were peppermint and

I am not 

a peppermint girl.

(They were really cute tho!)

So I did what any 

brilliant girl would do.

I bought a jar of them.

Then I stopped at 

the bombdiggity convenience store

and bought a hot chocolate.

Then I brought it home

and added 

my own

mini mini

marshmallows

from the colorful container. 

Hmmmmmm.

Delicious!

You've got to go and 

get yourself 

some of these.

The possibilities are endless!