I love to eat out...
...outside, that is.
The children were out of school on Friday, so we enjoyed the long weekend with perfect, cool weather.
If I had to polish, I would never use this old tray! I like the patina of the tarnish...or at least, I tell myself that I do!
My 'partner in crime' waits patiently for the steaks. Toby is our adopted dog. My husband's uncle passed away last year at the age of 98 and Toby didn't have anywhere to go. Our lab of 16 years had recently passed away, so we welcomed Toby into our home. He is now 11 years old and is the best dog in the world! Rob's parents drove to Pennsylvania and back to South Carolina to bring Toby to us!
My table is an old door from a farm house that my parents renovated years ago. My dad was throwing it away, so I snagged it. It is solid and very heavy!
Some of the last flowers from summer fill a milk jar next to my swing.
It doesn't take much to make an outdoor spot cozy...just grab a blanket, a couple of pillows, the fresh air...perfect.
I bought the old, rusty chandelier for $15 at a flea market. It hangs outside year round from a piece of copper wire that has now aged beautifully.
The saw horses were in my husband's shed. I painted them white, and they serve as the base for this makeshift table.
The children gathered the weeds and flowers for this little urn. This little task makes them feel so important! The centerpiece sits low, so conversation is not hindered.
I think we will use this exact set-up in a few weeks for my brother-in-law's wedding shower. It offers a hint of fall with the subtle color and apples.
I am just messin' with the camera settings...I have a point and shoot Coolpix L100 for those of you that have asked. It takes pretty good pictures for this amateur, but I am cravin' a big ol' snazzy one!
This bench and grain sack float all around our house for extra seating.
Here is a better view of the door...I mean table!
Toby is licking his chops...he smells the steaks!
This antique wooden caddy holds an assortment of vintage-looking flatware. The placemats came from Blackhawk Hardware in Charlotte, NC. The quilt on the swing is from the Pottery Barn Outlet many years ago.
~
Enjoy taking your family out to dinner!
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~
Enjoy taking your family out to dinner!
I am linking to these terrific sites!
I have edited this post to join in at Centsational Girl's Home May'd Outdoor Party!
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130 comments :
Awww. This is so lovely and makes me want to get out back and clean up my dirt patch. I love the saw horse and door table, my dad has one like that great memories eating wonderful food with amazing family around that table.
What a beautiful setting for Dinner Out. I got a kick out of seeing Toby waiting patiently for his steak. I think old dogs are just the best...don't you?
What a gorgeous blog you have! This is absolutely one of the prettiest outdoor settings I've seen..in or out, it doesn't matter, it's so inviting, charming and lovely.
I'm your newest follower! So glad to have found your blog.
Nancy
O Christie it all looks very nice and cosy.....like your lovely doggie !!....Tobby....have a nice day honey......love Ria...
Beautiful table! I love the flatware mix in the tray and the bottle of flowers. It's all wonderful.
So refreshing. Love the apple shots!Great story about your beloved dog.
Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.
- The Tablescaper
everything is so beautiful but what is more beautiful is that you and your family gave Toby a loving forever home.
Gorgeous. I want to find vintage utensils with pretty handles now......and that swing...it's calling my name! Looks like you have a fantastic property.Overlooking water??? Oh my goodness, it's heaven!
Cindy
xo
Great shots....how fun to live on a lake.
Such a lovely al fresco meal. I love the old doors new use and bowls of apples are about my favorite centerpiece. Toby is a handsome fellow and bless you for giving him a home....I am betting a home with children is quite an adventure for him :)
Blessings!
Gail
You have a lovely spot and make the most of everything~
This is so pretty! It's like one last farewell picnic to summer before Fall is completely here! I love the utensils! I may have to start looking for those now!
Beautiful photos and outdoor table setting! I love the old door and caddy. Plus the amazing hanging candleabra. I SO would have loved to dine 'out' here!
just love all your pics and setting, wonderful way to start my day here~
I love the chandelier outside!!!!!1 Oh, this post made me want to come sit down at your table!
I have memories of wonderful home made meals cooked by my grandma, eaten outside in her lovely garden. I too love eating outside! Love the story about Toby. So nice to hear you gave him a loving home!
very nice outdoor setting, I love the eclectic feel!
I really like your makeshift table. Such a cozy spot to eat!
Love your outdoor outing! Even Toby looks so relaxed :-)
Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/
What a fun dining outdoor table! Everything looks so fresh and pretty!
I love the bench with the grain sack cushion. These are great pictures. I'm enjoying this fall weather too.
Ok, everything about this outdoor setting is absolutely fantabulous!!! The table (door) is incredible. The chandi is wonderful. That swing is fantastic. The grain sack on the bench is perfect. (ok, running out of strong adjectives) I LOVE it all!
Doors make great tables! I'd love to have a picnic on yours. That quilt and pillows on the swing are beautiful!
I think I just became your 300th follower! Congrats!
Wow, what gorgeous photos! I think you belong in Romantic Homes magazine :) I love your door turned table, that's just such a fun idea. And I really love your grain sack cushion. Your yard is lovely, too!
I really like your pictures --first the good old dog we have an 11 year old yellow lab too -they are the best :-) I just love how you have the table set and the apples with some leaves still attached really is nice --Just lovely
very cool! I've been wanting to buy a door at the restore but wasn't sure what to do with one. since i have no patio furniture, this WILL be the solution! I love how you started the post. I need to change my idea of "eating out" to mean outside :)
Kimra
http://crafty-cove.blogspot.com
So pretty outdoor setting, fantastic shots! Love the box with the flatware!
Oh, you have me wanting to move near you and have a cookout! What a lovely place you've created! And that VIEW! Gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing! I loved it all! Visiting from Cheri's.
Saw you on The House of Roses, love the vintage flatware! Very pic-nickie! Fall is the perfect weather for dining out, tami
You got some great shots there. And you certainly have a beautiful setting for an outdoor feast. Love to see blog dogs. They seem to complete the scenery of our lives. And glad the children had a task. It's all so lovely! (Drooling over that eclectic flatware.)
Brenda
A wonderful outdoor setting... Lov the colorful cutlery on display , the apples and the centerpiece (urn ) ... .! I would love sit on that swing all day and do nothin at all.. ;-) ;-)
Oh my!! those are some gorgeous gorgeous pics.. Your outdoors looks beautiful... So lovely!! :-)
What a beautiful place to eat.....and your table looks terrific!
XOXO to the handsome Toby!
Your table and setting are beautiful! Please stop over and visit when you have a chance.
Robin
I forgot to comment that Toby is beautiful, too!
The the table/door and the setting is splendid. hugs♥olive
First, I want to sign up for the Toby fan club...you can tell how sweet he is just by your picture.
Second, I'm amazed those photos are from a point & shoot camera...the whole post would fit perfectly in Country Living magazine.
Third, I'm completely jealous!! You have created the most beautiful outdoor area!
smiles!
Your table and the setting is beautiful. It looks like a magazine. The children's centerpiece is lovely and I know they enjoy being a part of things.
I'm glad you were able to get Toby. He looks like a sweetheart. Annette
OMG I love your view and your cutlery tray...I collect them and I just might have to adapt your table idea because my folding table deteriorated outside this summer...left it out too long in the sun and rain and the darn thing fell apart. Now I'm off looking for a replacement. Will probably look for a small round bistro table for DH and I to enjoy. But I like the idea of an old door as a back-up for when company comes around. Have a wonderful week, fondly, Roberta
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com
wow I thought your garden looked great and then I saw the sea view and have decided you should adopt me too! beautiful photos
wow.. beautiful..so cozy.. love the flowers in the milk jar!!!
Such a magical setting. Love your table and chairs and your tablescape is gorgeous. The swing is stunning. Such pretty linens. What an inviting spot. Thanks so much for linking to TTT. Hugs, Marty
Your setting and table are so charming!! I love it! Just so pretty! :)
This is so wonderful, I'd never leave that table, how comfy and cozy! Beautiful!!
I love how you turned a door and saw horses into a table, I may have to make one myself someday! Cozy table setting, I want to eat out there too!
lovely ruby tuesday images. with the dark nights drawing in on us here in UK, these images really cheered me upxxlynda
What a clever Idea! I have an old door, and I am going to have a party on it!!! Thanks!
Beautiful!!
Just gorgeous! I love everything about your outdoor space! I even love Toby... so precious! What an awesome table... so when's dinner? :)
Oh my Gosh I think you live in Heaven by the looks of it. Gorgeous.
Completely charming!
Fantastic!!!!...love the "door" I mean table!..So inviting!...Great pictures too!..And I would love to have one of those snazzy camera's but fraid It would take me forever to learn how to take pic's!
-J0
-LazyonLoblolly
when can i come over- that looks utterly inviting! i love fall, apples, eating outdoors, repurposed doors.... heavenly! thanks so much for joining my party!
I want to come over too! You should host a part for all your bloggin buddies! Wow this is just perfection of a fall outdoor dining experience! I love love love the old door used as your table on saw horses! Your cute handled silverware is awesome! Where did they all come from? Thank you for linking up to Centerpiece Wed and sharing this delightful autumn dinner with us.
Karin
Christie, I love your old door turned table and all of your beautiful photos! I love tarnished trays too. Love to collect them from thrift stores. I am robyn from thepinkpeonyoflejardin!
So glad I found you!
I'd eat out more too-lovely-really like the silverware!
I love the rustic door for your table! What an idyllic setting. It looks like Toby has found the perfect home.
I just love that you used that door for a table. It is so pretty in the outdoors. Everything looks so charming and inviting too! Thanks for linking in today...Happy VTT!
Love it... Simple yet oh so elegant... it will be amazing for a Fall wedding! You can feel the crisp cool air just from the photos... Yet the sun shines through the trees warming your skin! Just enough to wear a shawl? Lovely!
RaineyGhoul!
Great table. Love you creativeness. The setting is beautiful and the vintage flatware adds charm. Thank you for sharing your inspirational post.
Great fall photos! Great Table and what a view! Thanks for the inspiration!
Lakeside dining at its best! Love your door repurposed as a table top. Glad Toby is settling in with your family :-)
Great use of a beautiful door. Looks like a great place for dining!
Oh my goodness! I think that family parties would NEVER end out there in a space like that! I LOVE the table! Thanks for linking up to Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions. Hope to see next week :)
~Lori S.
Oh, my this is so gorgeous and breath taking. I love everything about the place. The table, chairs, bench and of course the apples, they all look so great. I wish I was invited to this nice cozy outdoor event.LOL Very nice.
I am your new follower. You can visit me at http://showmemama.blogspot.com
What a beautiful place to sit and relax! Love all the stuff, the candleabra is my favorite!
So charming, I love very bit of it, especially Toby!
Happy VTT,
Sally
everything is just beautiful! love the grain sacks but really just love it all!
gail
adventuresininnkeeping.blogspot.com
so pretty! i would love to escape away to your place!
I'm so jealous- I've been looking for an old door to turn into a table. Yours look great!
What a breathtaking view from your beautiful table! No wonder you love dining out there, girl! :) I have a coffee table my hubby made for me from an old door - glass window panes included. He just added legs, laid a piece of glass over the whole thing, and it became an instant coffee table! Your grain sack cushion is awesome, too! I'm obsessed with grain sacks, especially the hemp linen ones. Beautiful job! Happy WW!
xoxo laurie
Great outdoor setting! And I love that you used that milk bottle for flowers!!! Everything looks wonderful...even the "weeds" in the centerpiece! You're so funny!
How fun...I love your idea for a table!
HaPpY vInTaGe ThInGiE tHuRsDaY!
Sarah
What a wonderful spot! Could just come and sit a spell there.
What a fabulous place to enjoy a lovely dinner. All the details are perfect. I love the door as table.
Oh please save me a seat!! What gorgeous photos ~ just love your blog ~ so happy I stopped by!
I love your setting what a fun and gorgeous setting! I would never have thought to use an old door and saw horses but I may just have to now! I love it! Thanks for linking up to Your So Very Creative!
Gorgeous photos. I actually used an old door on saw horses as an emergency table at a family reunion one year. My Mom was mortified at the thought, but we got lots of compliments on it.
I'm on my way over, lol! Really these photos represent the perfect day. Just beautiful!!
HOLY COW! I think I am going to be the #80 comment! Just had to stop back by and say thanks for linking up this gorgeousness to my party this week! And for your sweet comment too! I, too, have been convicted about how much of a place in my heart/life I give "blogging" and don't want that world to come before my real world. And, I really don't want it to take His place in any way. You are a blessing to me, my friend! :-)
Vanessa
What a lovely spot for dining and relaxing!
I love the strawberry silverware! And the door/table!
I love, love, LOVE your outdoor table and the whole set-up! I adore eating outside, and also anything vintage draws great appreciation from me. Beautiful!
What a perfectly beautiful setting!
~*~Just beautiful..you must live on a lake..such pretty surroundings! I love the door you turned into that wonderful table too!! Hugs,Rachel~*~
I love the quilt on the chair, the cheerful place mats and the wonderful cutlery. I am sure you had a wonderful time with the kids in such beautiful surroundings.
Your posts always leave me breathless. Truly. I think I forgot to breathe while I went through this one. You create masterpieces with things actually within reach. A door and sawhorses painted white. Red check place mats. The mis-matched and completely fabulous cutlery. The swing. Mmmmm. What a lovely setting you created. I'm still waiting to hear that a magazine has hired you!
One more thing - Toby. I loved your story on his background. He looks so wise and full of character.
I must have missed this one on Monday, glad you added it to Inspiration Friday. I hope you have time to visit my post for Inspiration Friday. It's my way of thanking you! :) Love your outdoor setting. The cute little wooden pieces on your swing to hold flowers are adorable and another fabulously simple idea!
Fabulous! I think I might just join you for a piece of apple pie and sit on that swing all evening.
A fabulous friday's favorite for sure:-)
I want to eat lunch there. What sweet memories you're making!
Simply gorgeous. Luv it.
Okay I am so inspired by your pics! Love everything, especially the mis matched silverware! Amazing. Thanks for inspiring us.
Blessings
Just visited SC for the first time ever this summer. Your yard is beautiful.
Everything looks sooo cozy! Beautiful photography!
Hi Christie...
Ohhh...this is gorgeous, my friend! The perfect picture of a beautiful autumn day...and enjoying a meal outside!!! I just adore your old, chippy door...urrr, I mean table! It's lovely! And the chairs...my grandma and grandpa had those kind of chairs...sure brought back alot of fond memories for me...seeing them! I love the pretty red plaid placemats...so perfect and sooo pretty with the bowls of red apples! The urn you used for the centerpiece...is FABULOUS!!! Sooo frenchy...I love it! Your kiddos did a fine job filling it with pretties for the table! I also really enjoyed your swing...you're absolutely right...adding a pretty quilt and a few soft pillows...makes for a very cozy and comfortable setting! I just love it!!! My friend, your beautiful outdoor...autumn table...deserves to be in a magazine! It's autumn dining at its very best!!! Such ambiance!!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Warmest autumn wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design
I am so in love with this!! You have the perfect backyard for daydreaming and coffee. Love it all...even the dog. We have two of those...lol!
Hello
This is all very beautiful and relaxing! What a wonderful place to spend the day. Your door is fabulous and I love the swing.
Blessings
Rebecca
Christie, I haven't been following you for long, but I absolutely adore everything you put your hand to. I haven't had time to look around much. What a beautiful setting and so relaxing. I think that might contribute to all these comments girl. (everyone is needing alittle R&R)
Thanks for sharing,
Joining you at Vanessa's.
Karen
Beautiful! It makes me want to come have dinner with YOU! Visiting from shabby nest!
This post is just so incredibly beautiful! I love your style so much and you do a wonderful job of creating a warm inviting atmosphere! Thanks for joining Feathered Nest Friday and sharing this! GORGEOUS! :)
I'll be comment 100! Wow, this is such a wonderful layout! I love all your ideas outside. It's so beautiful. You should submit it to a magazine or something! I hope you can join my link party and giveaway going on now! alittleknickknack.blogspot.com
Fab-u-lous...I can see myself having a delicious lunch here!
Hi Christie, this setting is just gorgeous, very creative and just perfect for the family. LOVE it all. Thanks for linking up with VIF!
xo,
Debra
absoultely fabulous!
who wouldnt love dinning there!
Everything is just perfect, Christie! I wouldn't change a thing...even if this were all in my yard. I would loved to sit in that swing and bite into one of those juicy looking apples. ;)
Seeing this reminds me that I need to do another al fresco tablescape soon myself. I did one in one of my fields months ago. You can see it here:
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/01/serving-up-serenity.html
Thanks for linking to my party. I look forward to having you join me each week.
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
I love this!! It is just perfect! That swing does look really cozy! Now I am dying for a swing! Thanks =)
What a beautiful setting! It's perfect for alfresco dining. I adore that box full of fun flatware. ~ sarah
The entire place is so inviting! I LOVE the quilt on the swing. It's so beautiful.
This is so fun! I love this idea! Old doors are so versatile! I am your newest follower! I found you through Favorite Things Friday!
What an amazing job! The door table looks great. :)
Christie, as always, I just love the way you put things together. What a wonderful use for an old door! I am also admiring the wood wedges on your swing. I'm going to have to show that to my husband, so he can make me some to set something on when I am sitting on the swing. Your red plaid place mats and the quilt on the swing make this such an inviting setting. Thank you for sharing this great setting for Favorite Things. laurie
Love that table. I can just hear you stopping your dad from tossing it, Nnnoooooo! Slow mo sound effects. Very cute silverware in the caddy too.
Susanne.
Don't you just adore the effect of natural sunlight on table linens! This could be the scene in a hit movie about the joys of country life and dining al fresco. Absolutely, stunningly fantastic! Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay
You set a lovely table and tell such a charming story! I feel like I could be reading Country Living or something like that! Thank you for sharing it at A Crafty Soiree. I hope to see you next time too:)
I believe this is where heaven is...at your house. :)
Wow! I want to be there. This is just absolutely gorgeous. I am tickled pink! Thanks for linking up. I am a new follower too!
Holly
504 Main
What an awesome idea for an outdoor table! I love it! Our niece actually took an old door and place a piece of glass over it, had legs made for it, and uses it for her dinning room table. I love the look of old, simple, and yet a tough of country elegance to things!
This post is soooo Pretty! I absolutely love everything about it. It looks so cozy and inviting!! And, Toby, what a gift for your family...ENJOY!!!
Love your old dog! Love his sweet old soft gentle looking face and eyes.
You excell at making everything look very inviting! Love your blog
I've been hanging on to this for a while :) I've featured you on Craft Gossip here
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/9-revamp-projects/
If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here!
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/
I've loved this post since I first saw it. I've featured you on Craft Gossip here
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/9-revamp-projects/
If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here!
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/
Beautiful. One of my fondest memories of a dinner party I had included two doors and four sawhorses. Gorgeous pictures!! :)
So longing for spring! Looking through your site and enjoying the "view"...thanks.
this looks gorgeous! your checkered tea towels remind me of my suitcase makeover i just did!http://fun.kyti.me/index.php/2011/04/birthday-in-a-suitcase/
Such a beautiful outdoor spot, overlooking the water. Delicious and summery.
Fondly,
Glenda
I love your place. That table...and chairs. Man. and the chandelier...very nice. And Toby is precious!
Wow! Lovely!
Where did you get that wonderful assortment of vintage looking flatware? I just LOVE them!!
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