Oh the places I've been.
It's really not that far! So say my napkins.
Before I really get into the tablescape photos. I want to express how much I love this Country. I have traveled all over the place (U.S.). I have children that live on the East Coast, The South, The Midwest, The West Coast. We travel by car or truck, etc.. and I love it! I hate to fly as my ears hurt for days & I always get sick. So we drive.
When you drive you see amazing, amazing things and places you would never see by flying to your destination. Each small town that you don't see from the road has something charming and wonderful. For instance when driving through Pennsylvania and Tennessee it was so lush and green you could see nothing from the Freeway. It was taking a chance to explore by taking an exit off the Freeway and being surprised and then finding some magical places.
Upstate New York, the gorgeous lakes. Niagara Falls and riding on the "Maid of the Mist", I never laughed so hard, the ride was exhilarating. Blueberries as big as large grapes. Little farm stands with homemade pies each day. Parking our car in New York City for a week and exploring on foot, subway, or taxi. We ate and ate. This was the place to lose weight as I lost 5 pounds by walking.
Florida, eating the delicious Key Lime Pies and Key Lime Cake. Coconut Cake as well. This place had the opposite effect on weight. To this day I say it was well worth the five pounds I gained there. I have no regrets.
North Carolina was a highlight to see the Biltmore. Let me tell you, that is one gorgeous state.
Georgia to visit one of our twin sons. It was a surprise to drive into Georgia and see the Welcome signs. The signs had a Peach and musical notes of the song "Georgia on My Mind". Hoagy Carmichael who wrote the music to that song is a distant cousin of my husband. So that was a thrill for him to see these signs.
Louisiana, we put the GPS for the shortest distance. Not the quickest! We ended up on an old plantation. Couldn't see anything for miles. It seemed like time stood still and we had stepped back in time 150 years. Amazing.
The charm of the Midwest. Cornfields, wheat fields, Antiques. Texas is another incredible place for antiques. My husband and I built our own house. What we couldn't do we hired others to do. Well the plans for the house came from an architect in Austin, Texas. We went to visit our son and daughter in law who happened to live there at the time. We realized our architect lived close to them and had a question about building that was rather important. We never had been able to reach him before. So we saw him and got everything explained. Great luck or divine intervention! The Alamo was a Spiritual experience for me. I don't know why but you could feel the essence of something like Peace.
Drive through California. What a rich and diverse place. From towns that are super glamorous to quaint. Victorian towns. German towns. Each with incredible beauty and charm.
Sorry if I didn't mention your State, they all are unique and beautiful. I have been to most of the States and have been totally thrilled to learn the history of each. I haven't even named my 2 favorite states!
I love hometown Bakeries. I used to think of writing a book about traveling to different Bakeries and their specialties. Describing their uniqueness. So everywhere we go, we have to try all the bakeries. You know, you don't have to eat the whole thing as I did in Florida.
I have to admit we are marathon drivers. A couple of years ago we left Florida at noon on Monday. Made it home Tuesday night at 10:00 p.m.. A distance of 2,100. miles. I would not recommend it, but somehow we (my husband and I) just kept talking (I call it yakking) and went through state after state and never got tired and just kept driving. We were entertained by the lady of " the Garmin". Also we listened to the radio show, Coast to Coast A.M.. I think they were talking about U.F.O.'s that night. I said to my hubby, just in case..., "don't look up"! You know, that could be a good title for a Tablescape!
Enough said, now for my "Are We There Yet" Tablescape...
Porcelain tidbit/cheese U.S. map plate from Rosanna.
The adorable napkins that you can move the heart buttons to your starting destination and ending destination are from Mud Pie. I purchased them last year and also the Family Travel Map from a floral/gift shop called Bloomingsales.
I love this map. It comes laminated and you can place the large check marks around the border to show which states you have been. The smaller adhesive backed checks are to place on the U.S. map to some landmarks you have visited. A fun family project!
Red globes from Home Goods. With the United States showing.
X marks the spot on this chalkboard paint table runner. From Mud Pie as well.
I love the U.S. plates from Pottery Barn. They were available last summer for the 4th of July. I bought them not for the 4th but with my Road Trip Tablescape in mind.
The WINNER WAS LADY OF THE MANOR. CONGRATULATIONS! To celebrate and commemorate my 1st Blog year anniversary. I am going to be giving away a small gift. One that I thought would fit the Halloween season. A "Queen of Halloween" spatula. I have only seen this one at one store so I purchased it. If you leave a comment you will have a chance to win this adorable item. This will be done by random draw. If you have a blog address that I can reach you at I will get your shipping info. If your comment is anonymous, please leave your email address and maybe your name on the comment, so I can contact you if you win. I will leave the contest open for 7 days from the start of this post. Good luck!
Don't forget to leave a comment! I will be posting this Blog Post at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
It's really not that far! So say my napkins.
Before I really get into the tablescape photos. I want to express how much I love this Country. I have traveled all over the place (U.S.). I have children that live on the East Coast, The South, The Midwest, The West Coast. We travel by car or truck, etc.. and I love it! I hate to fly as my ears hurt for days & I always get sick. So we drive.
When you drive you see amazing, amazing things and places you would never see by flying to your destination. Each small town that you don't see from the road has something charming and wonderful. For instance when driving through Pennsylvania and Tennessee it was so lush and green you could see nothing from the Freeway. It was taking a chance to explore by taking an exit off the Freeway and being surprised and then finding some magical places.
Upstate New York, the gorgeous lakes. Niagara Falls and riding on the "Maid of the Mist", I never laughed so hard, the ride was exhilarating. Blueberries as big as large grapes. Little farm stands with homemade pies each day. Parking our car in New York City for a week and exploring on foot, subway, or taxi. We ate and ate. This was the place to lose weight as I lost 5 pounds by walking.
Florida, eating the delicious Key Lime Pies and Key Lime Cake. Coconut Cake as well. This place had the opposite effect on weight. To this day I say it was well worth the five pounds I gained there. I have no regrets.
North Carolina was a highlight to see the Biltmore. Let me tell you, that is one gorgeous state.
Georgia to visit one of our twin sons. It was a surprise to drive into Georgia and see the Welcome signs. The signs had a Peach and musical notes of the song "Georgia on My Mind". Hoagy Carmichael who wrote the music to that song is a distant cousin of my husband. So that was a thrill for him to see these signs.
Louisiana, we put the GPS for the shortest distance. Not the quickest! We ended up on an old plantation. Couldn't see anything for miles. It seemed like time stood still and we had stepped back in time 150 years. Amazing.
The charm of the Midwest. Cornfields, wheat fields, Antiques. Texas is another incredible place for antiques. My husband and I built our own house. What we couldn't do we hired others to do. Well the plans for the house came from an architect in Austin, Texas. We went to visit our son and daughter in law who happened to live there at the time. We realized our architect lived close to them and had a question about building that was rather important. We never had been able to reach him before. So we saw him and got everything explained. Great luck or divine intervention! The Alamo was a Spiritual experience for me. I don't know why but you could feel the essence of something like Peace.
Drive through California. What a rich and diverse place. From towns that are super glamorous to quaint. Victorian towns. German towns. Each with incredible beauty and charm.
Sorry if I didn't mention your State, they all are unique and beautiful. I have been to most of the States and have been totally thrilled to learn the history of each. I haven't even named my 2 favorite states!
I love hometown Bakeries. I used to think of writing a book about traveling to different Bakeries and their specialties. Describing their uniqueness. So everywhere we go, we have to try all the bakeries. You know, you don't have to eat the whole thing as I did in Florida.
I have to admit we are marathon drivers. A couple of years ago we left Florida at noon on Monday. Made it home Tuesday night at 10:00 p.m.. A distance of 2,100. miles. I would not recommend it, but somehow we (my husband and I) just kept talking (I call it yakking) and went through state after state and never got tired and just kept driving. We were entertained by the lady of " the Garmin". Also we listened to the radio show, Coast to Coast A.M.. I think they were talking about U.F.O.'s that night. I said to my hubby, just in case..., "don't look up"! You know, that could be a good title for a Tablescape!
Enough said, now for my "Are We There Yet" Tablescape...
Porcelain tidbit/cheese U.S. map plate from Rosanna.
The adorable napkins that you can move the heart buttons to your starting destination and ending destination are from Mud Pie. I purchased them last year and also the Family Travel Map from a floral/gift shop called Bloomingsales.
I love this map. It comes laminated and you can place the large check marks around the border to show which states you have been. The smaller adhesive backed checks are to place on the U.S. map to some landmarks you have visited. A fun family project!
Red globes from Home Goods. With the United States showing.
X marks the spot on this chalkboard paint table runner. From Mud Pie as well.
I love the U.S. plates from Pottery Barn. They were available last summer for the 4th of July. I bought them not for the 4th but with my Road Trip Tablescape in mind.
The WINNER WAS LADY OF THE MANOR. CONGRATULATIONS! To celebrate and commemorate my 1st Blog year anniversary. I am going to be giving away a small gift. One that I thought would fit the Halloween season. A "Queen of Halloween" spatula. I have only seen this one at one store so I purchased it. If you leave a comment you will have a chance to win this adorable item. This will be done by random draw. If you have a blog address that I can reach you at I will get your shipping info. If your comment is anonymous, please leave your email address and maybe your name on the comment, so I can contact you if you win. I will leave the contest open for 7 days from the start of this post. Good luck!
Don't forget to leave a comment! I will be posting this Blog Post at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
SO cute! I love the maps with the heart buttons where your loved ones are! How sweet! Lovely table setting as always Valerie.
ReplyDeleteWow you've covered a lot of territory! Dan and I were marathon drivers too but not so much anymore, although compared to most people we know we still cover a lot of territory compared to them. I know what you mean about Pennsylvania and how lush it is. Our son lived there for a few years and we did many of the 10 hr. one way visits to see him! Those plates from PB are really nice.
ReplyDeleteYou have certainly enjoyed visiting many states - and was happy to see you enjoy NY. We will be stopping in Niagara in a few days on our way back from Ohio - I love seeing Lake Ontario and the vineyards from the highway on the way there! Your table setting is adorable and I like the idea of the "check" map. I just bought a world scratch off map - I thought I have been to many continents and countries until I started scratching - I haven't put a dent into seeing our world!!
ReplyDeleteLove listening to your story, along with seeing your designs. Take me away, to better days... Oh the pacesbyou'll go. You make me want to go, anywhere with you.
ReplyDeleteOMGoodness, you sure have traveled alot!!! We have driven ALOT of miles but mainly between here (Pa.) and Fl. where my in-laws lived and all Joe's siblings. And we never took our time, we were always in a rush to get there and then to get home. NOW, I want to do what you do and STOP and see the country! Your table is adorable, love the plates and the maps. We have been to Biltmore several times and it is gorgeous. I REALLY want to go to Disney World after Thanksgiving to see the decorations some year. Hope I get to do that:)
ReplyDeleteYour table about traveling is so creative! The plates are great for the 4th or your creative idea. The napkins with hearts are too cute for the beginning and end of a trip! Your story is wonderful and just like our family! We have flown several times but the majority has been traveling by car. Each place you spoke about is one we have seen more than once. We have also driven in Canada and England! The surprise adventures are just more fun! One suggestion is Natchez Trace Parkway that follows an Indian Trail and has no advertisements, shops, stores and you just get lost back in time for it is very pristeen as part of the National Parks.
ReplyDeletePlease, pop over to view my tablescape this week!
Have a great week!
Pam
Love your table, especially the napkins and the U.S. plates! They add so much to an already creative table and travel story! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lanita
Love it, very clever, Valerie! If you didn't make it to Long Island when you were in NY, you missed the best part of NY!
ReplyDeleteOh I want those plates and napkins, Valerie! We are travelers ourselves, in fact, we are on the road right now driving to south FL. What a fun post and a fun life you have!....Christine
ReplyDeleteI love your tablescape. I love the plates and everything else, but especially the napkins. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery cute theme. It definitely shows your travels. The napkins are perfect, along with the accessories. Very fun and original.
ReplyDeleteOh Valerie this time although I love your table as always it was the story you told behind it.What treasures and Joys for you and your Hubby to experience and remember.I too as a child camped in almost 42 states but I don't remember the adventures like you have had. No wonder you are so creative look at all you have seen and done.thank you for sharing such a wonderful table and story to go with it.Susie
ReplyDeleteI wish my husband liked to explore, he just likes to get there! your travels sound so wonderful! We moved from the East Coast to the west when I was growing up and my father insisted we drive and visit along the way, so we could appreciate this vast and diverse country. I feel so privileged to have had that experience. Your table is so much fun, what great plates and napkins! Happy blogaversary!
ReplyDeleteJenna
Great post! We love to travel, too. You're so right, there is so much to see and appreciate in other states! Your table is so pretty! That US snack tray is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love those placemats and napkins, they are great, sort of patriotic even. The tablescape is awesome! I think every state has it's charm and the beautiful places and cities to visit. Wish I could go to more than I have.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely post.
Have a lovely week.
FABBY
What a fun, fun table and you have had so much fun collecting these items. There is something about a road trip and talking, talking, talking - it makes the time go quickly and hubby and I come up with amazing ideas as we brainstorm together!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the plates and napkins - so unique and fun.
This is beautiful Valerie such fun details!
ReplyDeleteJust Wonderful! I Hope I Win! So Cool! Wish I Have Traveled As You Have! -LizBeth Williams
ReplyDelete"Are We There Yet?" Hmmm Wonder Where that Came From? Hahaha!!! Love Every Single Piece As Usual! You Are So Talented! Love Your Favorite Person! -Jaclyn Merriam
ReplyDeleteTake me on your next road trip! That's what this table says! I'll pack my bags I'm ready to go
ReplyDelete