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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Dragons and Romance and Frogs, Oh My!

Frogs, princesses, wicked dragons, and a romance that's almost old enough to legally be nominated to run for President of the United States . . . that's on tap this Tablescape Thursday!

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Once upon a time, back in the days of wizards and castles, enchantments and spells, there was a handsome Frog
-- and it is his tale, and that of his Princess Bride, we spin today.



At the end of this post, there is a link to bring you to other table top fantasies!

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Anyway . . . on with the story.

As we were saying before we so rudely interrupted ourselves,
there was once a handsome Frog:


He was brave and true, and tackled all sorts of dangers, including
Fearsome Dragons who threatened the Kingdom:


Our handsome Frog always won these battles . . .


. . . and earned the love of the Princess.
Upon her kiss, the Enchantment which had kept him trapped as a frog was broken, and he was revealed as a Prince of the Realm.

That was 31 years ago.

Now, in this time of Enchantment, the Prince and Princess have
climbed the corporate ladder to become the King and Queen.

He still brings her flowers. She still kisses him.


We join them just as they are arriving for a Thirty-First Wedding Anniversary Dinner!


The Royals are going green -- using less horsepower, and generating emissions for composting.

Oh dear. The Queen's mascara is running.
We suspect she applies too much in a desperate attempt to recapture lost youth.


And the King might be sporting a black eye; hard to tell.
Wisely, the wait staff has put knives with blunt blades at the place settings.

It's been 31 years, after all.


Sacre bleu! Le scandal!
The table is wearing what seems to be a peignoir set! Look at how sheer it is!

You can see the table's legs right through the fabric!

The china: Aynsley's Tatton Hall, a hospital thrift shop find.
The napkins: vintage gold-thread-hemmed linen, an Ebay score.
The flatware: very vintage Georgian pattern plate, Ebay.
The wineglasses: 30-year old Czech crystal. Wedding gifts, mostly.
Shockingly sheer tablecloth -- Vintage, from the Queen's Mother-In-Law




GASP!
Something is lurking in the Tablescape.
Look at the champagne bottle. What is that bit of white, peeking out?


Could it be? After all these years, could the
dragon have come back for revenge?


Ye Gads! 'Struth! By my stars and garters, it is the old dragon, lurking in the shadows.

Let's hope the King calls for a nice sharp steak knife when the meal comes.


But who is this, below?
A small frog perches on the side of the candle holder.
We all know there is no better bodyguard than an enchanted frog!


Also on the table, an anniversary pot, made by the Princess Anne when she was in Middle School.
It carries the initials of the royal pair, and is much treasured.


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Yes, Howard and I have been married 31 years -- today. We're planning on another 31.

The card at the top of the post is what I found propped against the granola box when I came down to the kitchen this morning. All married women will laugh. So did I. Ladies, marry men who make you laugh, who cheerfully take out the garbage, and who don't ask you what something cost or if you need it.

And go visit Susan at Between Naps On The Porch, for zillions of fabulous tablescapes!
Click here, to go there!



Happy Thursday! -- Cass

26 comments:

  1. Loved it. Happy Anniversary to the Royal couple!
    Carol

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  2. I loved your post... but seriously... maybe you have too much free time on your hands or maybe you just need to get out more? LOL

    Happy Anniversary and many more to come!

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  3. What a fabulous tablescape. I love the dishes, they are stunning. Happy Anniversary!!!! Hugs, Marty

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  4. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY and your post was adorable. So very imaginative.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  5. Many good wishes for your anniversary your highness(es)...
    and thanks for the great post that made me laugh like a royal "fool"...

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  6. Happy Anniversary to the King and Queen !!! Wishing you many more years of happiness, love, and LAUGHTER !!!

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  7. Happy Anniversary! Cute cute post! Everything is beautiful, as always. **kisskiss** Deborah

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  8. A cute story! :) Happy Anniversary!!

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  9. Here's a toast to the King and Queen!! Long may they live (and be married!).

    What an enchanting tale, Cass. Love your tablesetting too and the card was a gas!! You know, men set themselves up for stuff like that!

    Anne's gift is so cute, what a treasure indeed!!

    Happy Anniversary to you & Harold!!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  10. Happy Anniversary and amen to wonderful husbands!!!

    Melinda

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  11. Awwww. A tale worthy of champagne.
    I agree that humor is one of the best qualities.
    Congratulations to you both.

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  12. NICE--happy anniversary (we beat you by one year). I love the little dragon--he is to cute. I also love those napkins!WOW

    Very pretty one and all.

    ps. I have several blogs--the one for my tablescape is the spindle cottage one;

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  13. Happy Anniversary!!!

    I am not sure which is better...the fact that Warren makes me laugh...or that he laughs at my jokes. A sense of humor goes a long way in a marriage. Glad you two have that down!

    That was quite a post!

    Becky K.

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  14. Queen Cass " Happy Aniversary" to you and your king...may you have another 31...lovely post today my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  15. I so adore this post. Yes, I too, picked a man who makes me laugh, cheerfully takes out the garbage, and never asks me how much something cost! Didn't we hit paydirt, Cass! Two very lucky gals :)
    Happy Anniversary to you both, and wishing you another beautiful 31 years!
    Misha

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  16. I'm totally NUTS over what you've done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    So cool! seriously...

    Thanks too for stopping by....and Happy Anniversary!

    blessings...lylah

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  17. Happy anniversary. The table is wonderful. Love the frog and dragon!
    Valerie

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  18. Happy Anniversary! I love how you narrate a story into your post.

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  19. Happy Anniversary, Cass!
    That was very funny! Loved the mascara comment, LOL
    Very pretty table!
    Do the younger ones know what a peignoir is ??? And that was typically the gift from the mom of the bride!!
    Things sure have changed!!
    Flibbity flue!

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  20. Oh yes, fun story! Happy Anniversary! I love your warmth, your home, and your vital sense of humor! And I so admire those of you who got it right and it lasted!
    Brenda

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  21. thanks for being an inspiration to us who are gonna stay together come what may. Fun post. love that cloth, the dishes are gorgeous and love the wine holder crystal.

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  22. so fab!!! Happy anniversary! :)

    Susan

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  23. Wonderful post - Happy Anniversary - to you royals!

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  24. How cute...what a great story with a wonderful happy ending. Congratulations on your anniversary!

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  25. Congratulations on the anniversary! Beautiful tablescapes and story telling.

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