As many of you know, I live in two very different places, Maine and Houston. While it is a privilege, there are some challenges to picking up life where it left off. This is particularly true in Houston where people have so many options that keep them busy.
To reengage with friends, I make an effort to have someone over for dinner most every week.
Many, especially the husbands, are very appreciative because most of our Houston friends have ceased to prepare meals at home but opt to eat out or pick something up.
Most of the dinners are quite simple as the purpose is to visit. The table isn’t fussy either, but I do give some thought to the personalities that will gather round it and go from there.
Like many of you, I have lots of dishes and since I have no rules for how they are used, mixing and matching comes naturally.
Often, I have no idea what is going to happen, but surprise is part of the fun.
Can you tell I was in a very playful mood, pushing the boundaries with pattern, color and texture. Whether or not a table setting makes the food taste better is debatable, but it sure does go a long way toward making people feel welcome and in many cases reflect the character of the people who join there. What would you say about this foursome?
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Joining
Lulu's Musings 
Love those blue and red plates
This table is so gorgeous! I really like the warm feeling.And yes, your homes are very different! But both are beautiful. It’s so fun to be able to experiment with different design styles. Thanks so much for sharing at Inspiration Thursday!
Having someone over every week is an excellent idea. It’s so easy to lose track of friends when you/they are so busy all the time. A shame that so many have schedules that make cooking so difficult. Home cooked meals are one of the chief pleasures of home – for cooks and eaters.
Pretty and unique tablescape. You have two beautiful homes, worlds apart too.
Your table arrangements always look so beautiful I wish I lived nearer and could be one of your guests.
Were you closer it would happen!😉
Wow so different are your homes 🙂 but inside they are pretty and warm with such wonderful people and food. This was a great post!
Yes, the houses are as different as the places. I’m glad you liked this post. Thank you.
Any time you can gather four friends around a table, that is a good thing. 🙂
Very true!
That table setting is lovely! It has a very Mediterranean feel to it, with the bright dishes. I love those red and blue plates. 🙂
Plates are a Dollar Store find.
I love it. Your have so much creativity, and a perfect sense of how to pull it all together into a beautiful coherent table. I agree with a previous commenter: I think that this is my favorite table so far.
Thank you, thank you!
I would say playful, easy to be with and outside the box…
You are right on!
Great to have time with friends and here in Texas there always lots of laughter to go along with good food. The table is delightful and neat.
Cathy <;)
Thank goodness for the laughter!
You know how much I love to have friends sitting around my table…birds of a feather and all that. I’d say that this whimsical, throw care to the wind design was set for artistic friends. I’d love to know, and I love this table. Because of the diverse pottery pieces used, I’d further say that they are wonderful down to earth people…thinking of clay, potter’s wheels, glazes, & kilns, etc. It would be hard to move back and forth to Houston…a huge, bustling, spread out city. Your dinners are probably legendary in the neighborhood…The Woodlands, perhaps? Thanks for inviting us for a peek. Cherry Kay
Thank you, Cherry Kay this for a very real comment. I love how you described people who I spend time with and yes the dinners are somewhat well known, among the husbands especially. No, not the Woodlands. We live smack dab in the middle of Houston.
The table is full of whimsy which begs for a relaxing and conversational evening. The word for the foursome – BLESSED!!! Hugs, Carol
If not blessed, appreciated!
Linda, I would say that these four people are loads of fun!!! The mix on the table is a feast for my eyes! I would so enjoy sitting at your table!
I think I love the thoughtful gestures that go into a meal even more than the food itself; I love your eclectic style.
Mixing and matching is my fav kind of table. I almost never set the entire china together and your table for ‘simple’ dinners is gorgeous. I am crazy about your wine goblets, they’re awesome!
Hugs,
FABBY
I LOVE this table!…and what a great thing to invite friends over each week….We get so busy and lost in our own worlds of work and activities and so great to connect with friends over a wonderful dinner…
Oh Linda, this might be your best table yet!! I love the abstract artistic vibe and the vibrant colors. Your olio of dinnerware is fabulous!! Gorgeous!
Jenna
Love how it turned out! Very cozy and inviting.
Love the table as always!
You my dear, are a sweetheart!
I wish we loved next door because your tables are very inviting. As for me, I haven’t very many dishes due to my relocating and selling the family home most of the extras were sold or donated. See your table makes me wish I had kept some of those dishes. If you live in two locations do you bring everything with you or have special dishes and linens in each location? I am going to share your site with my daughter because she loves to entertain and has plenty of dishes and linens. This would be fun to do when I visit her. Love your posts!!
I’d say what time should I be there?? Just love all the colors and the whimsy of this table with the goblets!! Truly magical and inviting
Your dinner tables are magical, Linda. A treat for all!
“Like many of you, I have lots of dishes and since I have no rules for how they are used, mixing and matching comes naturally. ” Resonates! I like your style of hospitality! Enjoy, always!