Set a Lovely Table for Dining

My grandmother always set a lovely table for the holidays, and it was so much fun to have the family gather around the table for conversation and fantastic food.  Things sure have changed over time and I wonder if people still have family meals, maybe on week-ends and holidays.  We are such a rushed society anymore and running all over the place taking kids here and there and attending all kinds of events.  So while I was looking for "dining" items (ESN's theme this week), I came across these lovely salt and pepper shakers that got me all nostalgic for the "old days" of sit down meals.   This beautiful pair is from Eccentric Thrifter and would be a lovely addition to any table setting.  So stop on by and see what she and the other scavenger hunters have to help you with your dining needs.

Salt and Pepper Shakers England Apple Design

A Gazillion Places and Ways to Dine

Dining is this weeks theme at ESN.  No matter how you look at dining, it comes down to eating doesn't it?  And people from all over the world have all kinds of names for eating.  There's breakfast or the morning meal.  There's lunch or brunch or the mid day meal or maybe just a few minutes for a quick "nosh".   Then there's dinner or supper, or the evening meal.  All of these dining experiences can happen in a simple way or a very elaborate way. I find myself too often eating at the kitchen sink looking out the window or eating in front of the TV.  Bad habits indeed!  That's why I love eating in restaurants, and we have so many here from very many countries, that you cannot possibly get bored eating at any of them! I also love a good picnic or barbeque.  But most of the time I am eating at home and I tote my lunch to work everyday, my job is such that I can't leave for lunch.  Le Petit Marché has a nice Dinners for 2 Book and CD if you're wanting to make a nice romantic dinner and stay in.  It's chock full of recipes from master chefs and includes a CD of  music that includes Bach, Vivaldi and others, performed by the San Francisco String Quartet.

Maybe you just want something simple for your bbq or picnic or maybe a party.  Here's a few bowls that could add some fun to your setting. Four Different Shaped Wooden Bowls.                               

Crafty Crafters Crafting Crafts...

Whew!  The title is a mouthful and perhaps doesn't roll of the tongue nicely, but I chose it because on ESN we have many members who make crafts.  They knit, sew, make jewelry and lots of other stuff that maybe I haven't discovered yet.  And "crafts" is the theme of the scavenger hunters this week.  I am so envious of the talents the men and women have on ESN, as I said before I could not craft my way out of a paper bag.  I don't know what my talent is but it sure isn't making "things"!  I'm going to feature several crafters here, so come on by to Ecrater Stores Network and take a look at their handmade wares.  They are lovely and high quality!  Visit  Nancy's Doll Closet for a large assortment of American Girl handcraftted doll clothes.  Here is just one of her creations:          American Girl Doll Pink Butterfly Jean Set

Next we have Hazel's Hodge Podge who makes infant size crochet caps and booties.

Newborn Cap and Booties 

 Next we have Embroidery Fashions Boutique, she embroiders hats and t-shirts.  This t-shirt is one of my favorites that she makes.                        Mom's Sippy Cup

And to finish it up here is Eccentric Thrifter

Handmade Scarf and Cap

Crafting as a Hobby or for Income

The ESN theme this week is "craft".  Well, I am no Martha Stewart, I couldn't craft my way out of a paper bag.  Oh sure, I tried it, putting cute little decorations on wreaths for Christmas, doing rug hooking panels, even scrapbooking.  But I am just no good at it, I have great ideas in my head but can't seem to get them to come through, I am absolutely "talentless".  So, I don't crochet, I don't knit, I don't paint.  My on-line store is my hobby and that's about as good as I get. There's all kinds of stuff out there regarding crafting and I'm sure a lot of you have that special talent  in whatever it is you love to craft.  And maybe many of you craft for a living.  There's lots of talent out there and I know several people who make all kinds of things as their sole income.   Le Petit Marché has a couple of cute bags that you could use to tote your crafting materials to your clubs, groups, whatever.  They could even be used as purses if you wanted.  So come on by and have a look at these cool bags that are, I am proud to say, handcrafted right here in Boulder, Colorado, so I don't know where the whole Wallaroo kangaroo thing fits in....anyway, come visit!

Wallaroo Handbags