Friday, July 24, 2009

7 Quick Takes: Frugal Table Edition

Notes from the frugal kitchen, which is noticeably messier after 2 weeks of hard use.

Thanks to Jen at Conversion Diary's 7 Quick Takes for the invitation!


1.

One cucumber vine provides all the free material you need for vegetable peeling lessons. We may be carving swans by September.

2.

Mint is another cheap yet prolific plant. Kids can't outpick it.

3.

Ever since I tasted Shauna's fruit salad, I've diced a few mint leaves into my own. Just a little grace note.

And look! More cucumbers! Soup recipe from Mollie Katzen's Salad People, chilled punch cups from Goodwill.

4.

Dining out can be stressful with kids plus guests, who may not be used to spills at every meal. We all relaxed after vowing to eat at home.

Our best outing, hands down? The fantastic FREE production of Cinderella at the Nashville library's marionette theatre. We may go see it again!

5.

My thrift-store score of Table Topics
led us to deeper conversation and kept the kids at table without as much fidgeting.

6.

When we realized that Sunday brunch might not work, I picked up a pound of smoked salmon salad from Fresh Market ($7) to serve at home.

Excellent budget compromise and so easy with crackers, fresh salad, cheese and fruit.

7.

Potted plants make quick, cheap centerpieces.
I splurged on hanging baskets from Home Depot's $3.33 sale, rotating two between front steps and table.

33 comments:

The Amusing Redhead said...

Great ideas, just lovely! Thank you for inspiring so many of us. I hope things settle down a little soon.
kari

The Amusing Redhead said...

Great ideas, just lovely! Thank you for inspiring so many of us. I hope things settle down a little soon.
kari

Sarah @ Ordinary Days said...

I don't know what to say other than I love everything you do! You are a huge inspiration to me to live simply and beautifully.

Thanks for all you do. :)

sandryplainandsimple said...

Your kitchen looks mighty clean to me. Your house looks so airy and cheerful. Something funny...the color yellow makes me very nervous! When we were first married, we could only afford 1 can of paint. And my husband chose yellow! EVERYTHING was painted yellow! The bedroom, livingroom, kitchen, pantry. To this day, I can barely tolerate the color. I have learned, however, to appreciate it in OTHER people's homes. Have a great day. I am glad you are back. I missed you.

sandryplainandsimple

Shell in your Pocket said...

Great ideas!
sandy toe

Nancy said...

You're such an inspiration to so many. Can I just say that I'd love to be a houseguest of yours?

Mary Ellen said...

I'm just amazed at how you make everything look so lovely!

Mary Ellen
The Working Home Keeper
http://workinghomekeeper.blogspot.com/

Amber said...

Wonderfully inspiring ideas! Thanks for sharing!

Mary Ann said...

Love the picture of your little ones peeling cucumbers!

Your humor is wonderful, too.:-)

Unknown said...

Beautiful reminders and images. I'm intrigued by Table Topics...

Brenda said...

Very lovely pictures. I'm glad to see that budget compromise is sometimes an option. Keeping enough food prepared and the kitchen clean seems to be neverending when all my family is visiting, and sometimes we do choose to eat out.

You really must be a fan of Alexandra Stoddard. "Grace notes" is a term I remember from perusing her lovely books.

Jennifer said...

Great tips! Sometimes we do have to compromise to make life work and to me that is what being frugal is all about.

Workin' MAMA! said...

FRESH INNOVATIONS and ENTERTAINING!
Two of my faves!

Looks wonderful!

Tubo Family said...

Great "slices of life." I will have to keep an eyes for that Table Topics game.

Christina said...

Love your ideas. The salmon salad looks wonderful. Beautiful plant too.

Shannon said...

You're so right about eating out with guests who aren't accustomed to eating out with littles. Sometimes the frugal choice makes sense in so many ways.
I love the "quick takes" from your busy, busy couple of weeks! Everything looks lovely!

Jackie said...

Wonderful ideas. You inspire us all with your inventive displays. Thank you so much.

God bless.

Lori said...

Beautiful table! I use to have sunflower placemats just like that!

anna said...

thanks for visiting my blog! it's nice to meet you!
it looks like the kids are having fun peeling the cucumbers. i'm sure that kept them busy for hours!

Angie @ Many Little Blessings said...

Love your 7 Quick Takes! I have a crazy amount of cucumbers too.

Your blog is always so visually appealing to read. Thanks for bringing such beauty to the blogosphere!

Honey said...

http://www.easymealsformoms.com/search/label/Fruit
Here's a recipe for honeydew soup. Your cucmber soup reminded me of it. I love cold soups! Thanks for all the creative ideas I get from reading you blog!

Aimee said...

I just love the child's chair that Elise is kneeling on. Was the chair a great find at a rummage sale or is it a family heirloom? It is beautiful. I have a Stokke chair for my son, which will grow with him and which I use ALL the time, but I have always wanted a chair like yours. They are really precious.

Have a great day.

Meredith said...

Thanks Aimee. That's a $1 junk store find. It's originally a Jenny Lind high chair, only without the tray. It's not valuable but I too like the heirloom look.

This Heavenly Life said...

What beautiful photos! Mint in a fruit salad sounds so delicious - a special cool summery treat.

Chrissy said...

I've been reading and loving your archives since you've been away. I'm seeing my Goodwill with fresh eyes and realizing that my husband really appreciates coming home to those little touches after a very long, very stressful day. Well done Meredith...Keep it up!

Anonymous said...

After you commented on my 7-quick takes post, I had to take a look at your blog. It is beautiful and SO inspiring! Sadly, there are no thrift shops here, but we certainly make do with what we have. I also really appreciate your willingness to to let your kids get messy. I need to be more relaxed about that, to be sure!
Blessings,

Anonymous said...

Can't outpick it -- very pretty phrase.

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

You have the gift of hospitality times 100! I know your guests must have felt very special and very spoiled. I am always amazed at what you pull off...I'm inspired every time!

Frugalicious said...

Is the baby standing already?

UnfinishedMom said...

And here I am seriously jealous of all those cucumbers because our cucumber vine is just not doing well. I think we'll be lucky to get 2 or 3 from it.

The Barefoot Shutterbug said...

Dear Meredith, thank you for sharing your frugal ideas and beautiful budget decorating ideas. I especially loved the results of painting your bedroom floors white.It looks so fresh and clean. I would love for you to drop by my new blog and say hello. God bless you, Jodi http://thebarefootshutterbug.blogspot.com/

Meredith said...

here is my photo of willow pond

Tasha said...

I so miss you blogging, but completely understand your need for your family to be your focus right now.

I check in ofter for "food for thought" and always enjoy the links.

Have a great day,
Tasha
momofsbandeg@yahoo.com