Sweet Old Summer Time

Did you ever find yourself swept away with happy memories or experience a sudden flash back to a cherished time when you find a fabric pattern or tablecloth for a new tablescape or a home decor piece?  Do you find that you emotionally respond to color and patterns of fabric or other decor pieces for your home?  Does your fabric or item "tell a story"?  That is exactly what occurred when I discovered one of Ree Drummond's (from the Pioneer Woman - Food Network Channel) fabric patterns in her collection at Walmart. It definitely caught my eye and set in motion a remembrance of past warm hearted moments.  I knew I needed to purchase it to sew a runner and matching napkins.  The bright red and cobalt blue floral design conveys a nostalgic, retro feel of the sweet old summer time for me when picnics and outdoor fun at the lake was a yearly experience.  It is a color and pattern combination that can easily transition right into a Fourth of July celebration with the addition of some flags or decor pieces with stars and stripes or it can just stand by itself and symbolize the festive and jubilant summer events.  

Speaking of everything summer......the Sweet Old Summer Time tablescape is one of many great summer tablescape designs included in the Summer Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by Panoply on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.   Be sure to visit each and every link below to grow your list of ideas for summer celebrations.  The Little Yellow Corner Store purposefully planned a nostalgic summer tablescape with an option to add in items for the Fourth of July holiday.  Therefore, let's first begin with how easily this was done with a simple exchange of a centerpiece in the Sweet Old Summer Time tablescape.

The centerpiece of the table and the colorful runner and napkins became the focal point.  A simple and heart-warming ceramic nesting chicken serving bowl as a centerpiece reflects peace and serenity of country and lakeside living.  The cheerful red and blue floral pattern not only makes one sit up and take notice, but also emulates floral patterns of the 1950's and 60's.  It was not uncommon to see this vibrant floral or fruit patterns in drapery, bedding, table linens or even in furniture fabric at that time. The use of cobalt blue speckled enamel dinnerware also represents meal time from the good old days and lends a casualness to a flavorful, no-fuss pasta dinner on a hot summer day.

Red lace trimmed napkins also speaks volumes to the coziness of country life.  A ceramic cobalt blue napkin ring with a slightly formal floral/filigree pattern seems to blend in perfectly with the various patterns.

The "story" behind this fabric which is bright and bold and can be easily mixed with gingham speaks of weekends at the lake filled with swimming, visits to the small town bakery and candy store, buying fresh produce and eggs from local farmers, antiquing and enjoying a Friday Night Fish Fry at the supper club just across the lake from the cottage.   Isn't it amazing what a fabric pattern and color can do to bring back memories? 

A mixture of florals, ginghams/checks and fruit patterns make the table even more nostalgic, comfortable and homey.  

A few small changes to the table and the retro summer tablescape becomes ready for the Fourth of July .

A floral centerpiece with red geraniums and mini flags in a red and white enamel splatterware pitcher replaces the white ceramic chicken on her nest and it is ready for the holiday filled with fireworks and plenty of red, white and blue.

And adding red and white gingham elements like a charger and red and white gingham napkin rings complements the summer easygoingness of an informal holiday table.  It conveys a message of leisure and the invitation to kick off your summer flip flops and run through the cool moist green grass.  

What better way to celebrate and enjoy summer than to also serve a creamy and wholesome pasta dish.  Garlicky Red Pepper Parmesan Pasta.  Simple and full of delicate flavors.  Perfect with a slice of garlic bread and topped off with fresh fruit for dessert.  I love this recipe since it is quick and easy and on the lighter side.  The recipe is included below.  

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Garlicky Red Pepper Parmesan Pasta

8 oz. linguine or spaghetti noodles

2 T olive oil

3 cloves of garlic or 2-3 T chopped garlic (from the jar)

1/4 chopped onions

2 1/4 C chicken broth

2 T lemon juice

1 tsp salt or to taste

1/4 tsp ground black pepper or to taste

1 C heavy whipping cream

1/4 C shredded Parmesan cheese (and more for sprinkling it on top)

1 T chopped Italian parsley

2 large pieces of jarred roasted red pepper, pureed into liquid (and add more or less to desired taste)

Cook noodles according to instructions on the box.  In pan with olive oil, saute chopped garlic and onions.  Add broth, lemon juice, pureed red pepper, salt, black pepper.  Add cooked noodles and heavy cream, parmesan cheese and chopped parsley and toss until coated.  Reduce heat and simmer until heated through.  Serve with more grated Parmesan cheese and a lemon slice.  

(This recipe tastes even more delicious with add ins such as:  cooked shrimp and/or cooked vegetables such as spinach, broccoli or veggies of your liking.  

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I hope by now you are so excited for the beginning of the warm weather season.  The Summer Tablescape Blog Hop is the perfect compilation of summer ideas.  Make yourself a glass of cold lemonade or sweet tea and enjoy each of the participant's links below.  You will be amazed at all of the unique creativity and style of each of the designers.   

Have a very playful summer!

Pandora's Box - Stars, Stripes, and Checks - A Summer Tablescape

Bluesky at Home - Easy Summer Outdoor Table Ideas

Life and Linda - A Taste of the Tropics

Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Yellow and Blue Alfresco Setting

Everyday Living - Celebrate Summer With The Red, White and Blue

Panoply - Summer Garden Party Tablescape

Hyacinths for the Soul - Tis the Season of Patriotic Tablescapes

Home is Where the Boat Is - Anchors Aweigh on the Pontoon

Debbee's Buzz - Botanic Garden Floral & Butterfly Summer Table

My Hubbard Home - Easy Alfresco Dining Table | Tips for Summer

Me and My Captain - Camping, Fishing And Summertime Fun

Thrifting Wonderland - Butterfly Garden Table Setting

My Thrift Store Addiction - Honeysuckle and Hydrangeas Summer Tablescape

The Little Yellow Corner Store - Sweet Old Summertime

Red Cottage Chronicles - Dining Al Fresco - A Summer Tablescape

Celebrate and Decorate - Inspiration for Designing a Bright and Cheery a Summer Citrus Tablescape

From My Carolina Home - Summer Sunshine Tablescape and Hop

Living With Thanksgiving - Summer Celebrations

Zucchini Sisters - Red and White Tablescape in the Park

The Bookish Dilettante - Beach Reading Tablescape

The Painted Apron - Let's Go Fishing

Belle Bleu Interiors - A Summertime Luncheon in the Garden

Dinner at Eight - Summertime Blossoms on the Table

Also being so close to the 7th of June, the party Ten on the 10th Blog Hop Party is also having their party with ideas for the holiday which are $10 or less.  Be sure to take a peek at some of their creative ideas:

Patina and Paint

The Little Yellow Corner Store

Life As A Leo Wife

Junk To Gems

Decorate And More With Tip

Through A Vintage Door