Paper or Linen

We all have heard the familiar question when at the check out counter, "paper or plastic." Well, here's a question I had to begin asking myself lately..."paper or linen?" What do I mean by that you might be asking. Simply, do I want to continue going out and buying paper towels so that we can use them at our meal times and then toss it. Out in the trash is a sometimes barely used paper towel but more importantly...in the trash goes our hard earned cash too.

(our breakfast table)

After scouring through the linen closet & dining room buffet, I pulled out our linen napkins. Granted, we don't have a ton of them, but we do have quite a few that honestly have never been used. Instead of keeping them stored on the shelf or in a drawer, I decided now is as good a time as any to pull them out & give them a good freshening up and then placing them on the table for use.

(our dining table)

I found some really nice patterns that I forgot we even had. Many came from our dear Aunt B, who passed away a few years ago. Among many reasons why we loved her, one such fond love memory of her is based around the holidays. She loved to celebrate the seasons around a table full of family and good food. Oh how I miss those times with her. Aunt B had such an eye for decorating, as does her sister, another dear person that remains close to my heart. So today, I decided to make Aunt B proud ~ out came the linen napkins and napkins rings that she had and decorated our dining room and breakfast tables.

(aren't these napkin rings pretty!?!)

Not only will this make us feel like she's a part of our every meal, it also saves us big time in not having to buy paper towels so often.