Tablescape Thursday - Foodie Friday: Something Fishy Going On At An Ice Cream Social...

Today is Tablescape Thursday with our queen of tablescapes, Susan of Between Naps on The Porch, and I thought I would participate with a couple of little vignettes I put together specifically with children or the young of heart in mind. I also thought I would share the vignettes on Foodie Friday hosted by everyone's favorite foodie queen Gollum at her beautiful blog Designs by Gollum. Tablescape Thursday and Foodie Friday are always a lot of fun with so many talented people participating and two gracious hostesses presiding over the weekly events!

Then, as I was traveling about my blog rounds, I discovered there's going to be an Ice Cream Social on Saturday on a blog called Kitchen Bouquet. I thought the foodies among us would be interested in this. So check it out on Saturday to see what another lovely lady named Susan and her friends are dishing! But first I want to thank these three hostesses for taking time out of their busy lives and schedules to host these fun blog events for us! :-)





This particular tablescape idea all got started when I received a very special cookie jar from another lovely blogger, Melissa of Charmed Life. She has an adorable blog, so you want to be sure to visit her. It just so happens that I went calling there one fine Pink Saturday, and I signed up for her blog drawing, won first prize, and became the very fortunate recipient of this adorable cookie jar by Mary Engelbreit. Thanks so much, Melissa! As you can see, I'm really enjoying it...



And the bird on the top...



Enjoys hanging around with my Target birds...



And the cookies jar is cute from every angle...



What I like best about it, aside from its cuteness, is the fact that it holds cookies. And it just so happens, at this time of year I am always wanting cookies and ice cream. Now, I don't like just any old ice cream, but if it's chocolate, I will definitely give it a try. That's exactly what I did with this flavor from Starbucks that I found at Publix the other day...



Then I reached into the cookie jar and took out this cute blue whale...



I found Moby and his little friend (whom I'll introduce in a minute) at Barnes & Noble of all places. I had gone there to buy a copy of Gollum's book, Mad Girls in Love (which, BTW, I thoroughly enjoyed!), and of course, I was drawn to the food counter where I like to have something chocolate with my literature. But I walked away with the book and two cookies instead. Who knew that B&N would have cookies this cute? The shopper in me couldn't resist. Just look at that smiling little whale face...



I think these would be the perfect snacks for a favorite little friend or relative, so as a test, I set up my hobbit table, the one made of grapevine and moss...



This is a reveal on the table that I used for the Easter Bunny Tea that some of you thought was a tray only. It's a tray and table in one...



Then I invited Mr. Crab for cookies and ice cream...



He needed a booster seat for his chair...



So we have theme appropriate books doing the boosting...



I added some coral napkin rings I found at Pier One last summer to some green check napkins I've had for years...



Next came these coral colored starfish from one of my favorite interiors stores in Florida. I scattered them here...



And there...



And I added this ice cream fork in a Durgin pattern called Colefax. That is not tarnish on the tines and bowl; it's gilt ;-) ...



Over the years, I've looked for clearance plates at Marshall's, and I've had these particular ones a number of years. I used them for birthdays in St. Augustine, and they were about fifty cents each if that...



While they are made in Portugal, I don't know the pattern...



To me, the little squiggles look a bit like fireworks..



And the plates strike a festive note...



And these little bowls, also found on clearance years ago, are made by Citta and Campagana of the Villeroy and Boch group...



The pattern is called Novi...



I like the fact that the little black lines in the bowl look like stitching....



I think they go well with the squiggly Portuguese plates...



So, let's put those together...



Then we add ice cream and Moby...

[Note in Foodie Friday hindsight: If I were clever like the rest of you, I might have made little sea waves out of the ice cream, but is that doable???]



And you have an instant tablescape to entertain your little one...



Now, with a couple of additions and deletions, we can have another fun tablescape.

First we need to clean our plates...



Hey, it's tough work, but somebody's got to do it! ;-)



Now, use the same green check napkin and napkin ring...



Swap Moby for an octopus...



Swap the ice cream fork for a little bamboo spoon. These you can find online in the pricier catalogs, but I found mine at Beall's last summer for a super price! I think they were $16 for several five-piece place settings, but I just read on Christine's blog that she found some at Ross for about $10...



Next comes these blue plates I found on clearance at TJ Maxx for a couple of dollars. I like the shape...



Swap the coral porcelain shells for these silvery/pewteresque shells from Target...





I thought these silver shells looked pretty resting on the blue plate...



Or scattered around, either way...



Then, we dish some ice cream (same brand)...



Into this polka dot bowl I found on sale at Dockside Imports, and pop the cookie in the center...



And presto, another tablescape...



Well, for at least...



As long...



As it takes...



To eat...



A healthy portion...



Of ice cream...



And cookies...



By a card-carrying member...



Of the Clean Plate Club...



Say, "Goodbye," Mr. Crab!



And along with Mr. Crab, I am heading on over to visit Susan at her blog on Thursday by clicking here, and to Gollum's blog on Friday by clicking here. Then Saturday, don't forget to take out your spoon to taste all sorts of delicious ice cream at the other Susan's by going here.

Thanks SO much for visiting! It's always a pleasure to have you visit, and I so enjoy visiting you in return. Can't wait to see what you're doing today!

Warmly,

Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)... who is packing an extra five pounds from the ice cream and cookies Mr. Crab and I taste-tested for you! ;-)