Inspiration

I'm always inspired by artistic people who can create something beautiful out of something ordinary.  I am not creative AT ALL...but I know when something is beautiful and I am blessed with the gift of imitation! 
I have a lovely new friend who has a blog that just oozes creativity and all things beautiful.  http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com  She inspired me to use the things that I already own to make my home even more beautiful.  Typically, my dining room table is not set unless we have company coming over...and even then, we don't usually sit at the dining room table.  (I'm not sure why, but we just don't use it very often.)  But after seeing Karin's gorgeous table settings and following "Centerpiece Wednesday" for the last few months, I have come to appreciate having a beautifully decorated table all year round.  Besides...dishes and glassware and table linens are HIGH on my list of "Stuff I Love".  I currently have 8 sets of dishes...some sentimental, some antique, some practical, some just because I felt like it...so why not enjoy them everyday???  And every time I set my table with one, it frees up a space in the kitchen cabinets...so by my calculations, I can easily buy another set without sacrificing storage.  It's a win-win situation, I think!  
Here's my most recent attempt to be like Karin.  It's not quite Christmas-y because, after all, it's only mid-November.  And even though I used the plates I had out for Halloween, it's a totally different look.  Abundant, rich, luxurious colors that I HAD right in my dining room....HIDING in that big buffet!  I can't believe I've waited this long to use all this gorgeous stuff.    

Thanks, Karin, for inspiring me to liberate all those poor dishes!!