Dinner and a movie . . . at home . . . and a GIVEAWAY!

January 23, 2014

I love being at home. While I enjoy going out to eat and to a movie occasionally, there really is no place like home for really enjoying oneself. Everything I want is here. A warm fireplace, a tea pot (have you noticed most restaurants have no clue how to prepare a proper cuppa?), candles flickering in the dimly lit rooms, a little cat to sit on my lap . . .


Even when I was a busy mom of three small children, I never wanted to "get out." What I really wanted was for everyone else to leave!

And we don't have to deal with loud conversations around us, 53 TVs blinking at us from every direction at a crowded restaurant, or overpriced movie tickets.


So a special dinner at home in front of the fire, with a movie and popcorn on the couch afterwards, is what I call a date night.





I love the sparkly fruit and ivy on this little tree.


I'm using these green plates I found at our local antique mall. I remember having dishes like these growing up, only blue. They are Mount Clemens China, made in the USA. Love this Currier and Ives winter scene.


The salad plate has a farmyard scene, and the serving bowl a spring pastoral scene. Very homey, I think.




After dinner, when we've settled down to watch the movie, there will be snacks.


My husband came home with this big bag of peanuts in the shell. "Oh honey, how wonderful," I said, surprised. "You brought peanuts for the squirrels!" We have a peanut feeder in the back for the squirrels and blue jays specifically to keep them away from our other feeders, and it's been sitting empty.


He looked at me. "They're for me."

Oops.

While he enjoys his peanuts in the shell, I'll have Skinny Pop. He might have a glass of wine, and I'll make myself a mocktail.


Pomegranate juice with ginger ale and maybe a little sparkling pear juice, served up in a fancy-schmancy vintage wine glass This beauty is one of a large set of glasses my in-laws received as wedding gifts in 1949. Did I mention that's another reason I like to be at home? All my favorite things are here.

We'll retreat from the table to the couch, draw a blanket around us, and watch a movie. The only distraction will be to occasionally get up and throw another log on the fire.



And now . . . 
Giveaway in Two Days!!!!
****WIN Fabulous PRIZES***

2 Bags Full

Be sure to stop by on Saturday for the Grow Your Blog event. I will be giving away some  *****Wonderful Prizes! ***** Can't wait to show you them!  I really can't wait. Here's a sneak peek at two of them . . .


A lovely vintage plate, perfect to serve pastries or cookies on to have with tea. To go with it, a pair of vintage linen napkins . . .



There's more, too! Just leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win this pretty plate and vintage napkins and more. I'll ship anywhere. I'd love for you also to follow me on Google+ or Google Friend Connect, and even on Pinterest. Check toward the top of my right sidebar to follow me! And be sure to stop by and help me Grow My Blog!

I'm linking up today with Susan at betweennapsontheporch.net for Tablescape Thursday, Kathy at adelightsomelife.com for Home and Garden Thursday, French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Fridays at frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com and katherinescorner.com for her Favorite Things Blog Hop.

37 comments

  1. I love a little romantic table for 2! Very cozy, I would rather have date night at home than anywhere!
    Jenna

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  2. What a lovely setting for a date night! It looks so comfortable, yet special. I related to you saying you would rather have everyone leave than go somewhere yourself when you needed a break. I felt the same way. Love the vintage plate and napkins. Had to comment as anonymous, Belynda from Kentucky

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  3. I agree. Home is the best place to be, all warm and cozy with the person I love and the things I enjoy. Karen

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    Replies
    1. Warm and cozy are key these days. It's 12 degrees here.

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  4. Thanks for great ideas for a date night at home. I think I'll do this tonight!

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  5. Cozy and warm. Looks lovely.

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  6. Very romantic.Love your beautiful setting.Truly home is the best place to be and i love my home very much...thank you for the lovely share...:):)

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    1. Home -- one of the best inventions ever! Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. So beautiful, you live very well indeed!
    I love being at home, I'm starting to wonder if there is something wrong with me but I prefer to stay at home over going out now.

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    1. Oh no, nothing wrong with you! You're embracing what you love . . .

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  8. More often than not our nights at home are better than any out. They are quieter making it easier to visit, and quite honestly, I don't mind putting the effort into making "at home" special.

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  9. Hi Deborah! I LOVE your header...it's just stunning and made me want to stay around and look at all your lovely posts!
    This table is perfect...the dishes are some of my favorites! I prefer staying home too with all my favorite things. The pieces in your give away are beautiful!
    Thanks too for dropping by and visiting. (Sharlotte's Reflections)

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    1. thank you Sharlotte. I just got the new design up a couple days ago, and love it, too!

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  10. I loved how the soft green and red work together in this setting without being too bold, and such beautiful dishes...

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  11. Hello Deborah! This is one of the best posts I've read in awhile! I feel the same way about home vs going out!! So nice to see someone else loves being home like I do. Nice photos, love the mocktail recipe (I don't drink). Fireplace, dinner, cuppa tea- perfect evening with my family. Have a nice weekend,
    Shawn

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    1. thanks Shawn. mostly drink tea and water, but sometimes bubbles are fun!

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  12. My sentiments exactly. Hubby and I always say our favorite place is home. We have date night at home every other week. Take away dinner or something special like crab. A movie and each other. Perfection. I loved this post and you have created a beautiful setting. Thank you for sharing Hugs. P.S. I invite you to share your lovely blog at my hop ( you can still link up today)

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    1. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop .Sorry I am slow to comment. I look forward to seeing what you share this week. Big Hugs

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  13. Oh, I do agree about the date nights. The best ones are in the comfort of home. As my husband (who does not like to leave home or travel anywhere!) says, "at home, everything is designed for my comfort." And you're right about restaurants not having a clue about a cup of hot tea. It's nearly impossible!

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  14. Hi Deborah....
    Visiting for the first time, dropped in from BNOTP...so glad I did!! LOVE your tablescape and finally found someone who share's the ideal of "Being Home"! I too love staying in, surrounded by everything I love! Of course a trip to HomeGoods now and then is pretty nice too! Just love your table for two.....

    Lois @ Pineridge Hills

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    1. Thanks Lois for stopping by. As a new blogger, I have really been enjoying the BNOTP link parties.

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  15. enjoyed reading through you blog. It is very refreshing We used to have date nights at home when the kids were little and now that we are empy nesters for many years now, home dates are still our favorite.

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  16. Your table setting is wonderful.

    I laughed when you said you didn't want to go out, you wanted everyone else to leave. When the kids were young, I told my husband that for Mother's Day I wanted him to take the kids out all day so I could just savor being along in my home

    Those linens are absolutely gorgeous. Please enter me in the giveaway.

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  17. I love being at home most too, Deborah. And I agree about ordering tea when out. The worst is when you are presented with a cup of hot-ish water (no teapot) and the teabag is on the saucer, dry. How are you supposed to make a lovely cup with that?

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  18. thanks, Kathy, I'm happy to have found your link party!

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  19. Technically, this was the first post I read by you and I thought, "oh, she is so my sister!". I LOVE, ADORE, CHERISH being home. To the point where I, like Tabitha above, have wondered if I am missing a chip. Granted I know I am introverted (with an adventurous side) but I really never get sick of being at home. There's always something to do, it is comfortable, I find it pretty and I don't have to deal with the exhausting hassle of being "out". Happy to know I am not alone. My favorite line: I never wanted to "get out." What I really wanted was for everyone else to leave! HAHA! Love.

    Am I too late for the giveaway??

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