My Baby-Rocking Rocking Chair

When I was expecting my first baby back in 1977, one thing I wanted for his/her nursery (back then we didn’t get to know the baby’s gender in advance ) was a wicker rocking chair. Visiting my then-in-laws one day, I see THE rocking chair of my dreams on their neighbors’ front porch. I told my then-MIL about it, and she immediately called them to see if they would be interested in selling it. Yes! They were! I think for $70, which seems like a lot for that time, as I look back! But that rocking chair has brought me such joy that it would be impossible to put a dollar value on it.

So when One Kings Lane invited me to do a post on a “statement chair,” I zoomed right over to their Home Décor Resource Guide (https://www.onekingslane.com/info/#.UwwKZGJdWSo), anxious to see what was there. Wow! What wealth of information, not just about wicker, but about a huge array of styles and periods and materials used in furniture making. And it’s broken down in so many easy-to-use categories: Style Overview; Period Overviews (dating back to pre-1600!). I encourage you to visit soon so you know about this great resource!

The stories of baby love that this chair could tell! I have a sweet memory of happily sitting in this rocker in the baby’s nursery, listening to a teddy bear’s music play The Teddy Bears’ Picnic. It’s where I rested when my back, tired from carrying those extra baby pounds (the first weighed 8 lbs., 8 oz., and the second a whopping 9 lbs., 6.5 oz.) begged me to stop arranging and re-arranging baby clothes in anticipation of their respective arrivals. And, of course, it’s where I rocked restless babies to soothe them back to much-needed sleep (for me!).

I never really put this chair away between my own babies and our next set of babies—grandbabies, that is. It’s mostly been in guest rooms, until that precious day when Baby Love visited our home for the first time, when she was only a few days old. Oh, the joy of holding her and rocking her in the chair where I once rocked her papá and her uncle! And then the others!

Here she is! In the babies’ room at our house.

Because we now live in a one-story, “she” probably has gotten more use in the last six years than in her first go-around in our family. This is “Ata’s chair,” where they sit on my lap to read some of their papá’s and uncle’s old books that I saved, such as~

The Giving Tree

Love you Forever

Bible Stories

Dr. Seuss

My Spanish Dictionary

The Missing Piece

Where the Sidewalk Ends

and our other “special” books.

It’s where I have the great joy of just sitting to watch them play, or rocking them to sleep. Isn’t there something so beautiful and touching about a baby asleep in your arms?

And, now that the two older ones are a getting a little big, when I hold Middle Chickadee at bedtime when they spend the night, I skooch the chair close to the bed and drape a soft blanket over my lap and the arms of the chair, so his little legs can rest over the arm of the chair and on the bed. Here, we say our prayers, talk about our day, and sing and rock and drift off to sleep {together :)}.

When babies aren’t here, she’s usually charged with keeping their bears and “bankies” safe—Baby Love’s Big Bear and her “flower” bankie; Middle Chickadee’s Ellie (the elephant :)), and Tiny Chickadee’s “Quejito”—a special Spanish name for a bunny. And she’s also my quiet place, where, in the comfort of their room and their essence, I find peace.

Now, mind you…she IS starting to show her age…after all, she wasn’t exactly young when she came into our family some 37 years ago.

Even if she was only about 20 when we acquired her, she’s getting close to 60!

And yes, a few little fingers have helped her aging process with a few breaks here and there…

But she’s STRONG…she’s good for another 37 years…  I often wonder who, of our babies, will want her and will rock his or her babies there, knowing the love that her history holds. Now, isn’t THAT what a STATEMENT CHAIR is?

Do you still have the rocking chair where you rocked your babies and grandbabies? Did it live on to the next generation? I can’t wait to hear!

A big THANK YOU to One Kings Lane for inviting me to share my beloved chair! I wasn’t compensated in any way to inform you about their awesome Home Décor Resource Guide (https://www.onekingslane.com/info/#.UwwKZGJdWSo). I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Fabulously Creative Fridays at http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/

Design it Friday at http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

Friday Party Junk at http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home Fridays at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Thrifty Things Friday at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Simply Sweet Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Children’s Snowman Table

Well, it’s still snowing here in Ohio…we’re expecting 1+ inches tonight into tomorrow.

Yes, we ARE ready for spring, but we’ve had quite a few sunny days—that makes ALL the difference in the world—so I’ve decided to make the most of it and enjoy it, because grumbling just doesn’t change a thing!

So if it’s snowing but too cold to build a snowman, then let’s have snowmen inside!

I bought this darling set of snow”people” dishes last winter—for the little chickadees, of course! But winter ended (that’s a reminder to myself that winter DOES end), and I wasn’t able to do the hot chocolate-and-snowballs little party I’d envisioned. So this year, on a particularly cold day (I mean as in ZERO!) when I got to stay home and play with dishes, I set this table as well as the Winter Picnic one (you can see that one HERE). Setting this one was a LOT easier than setting the one on the screened porch!

  There was a place for each chickadee, including one for Tiniest Chickadee at his high chair.

  Each snow“person” has a different expression on his/her face, and the faces on the mug and the plate match—so cute. And the scarf and the handle on the mug match as well. For the occasion, of course we had to have Hostess Snoballs (which in nooooo way will the chickadees be allowed to eat—it’ll be our secret that these graced their table, ok?). When was the last time you looked for Snoballs? I found them at the first gas station I tried! That was lucky!

The bottle is the same trick I’ve used before—Nestlé chocolate milk bottles (the label peels right off!). I hot-glued buttons, tied a ribbon for a scarf, and added the red-and-white paper straws I’d gotten for the fourth of July.

This is the third (out of four) in the set.

This is the snowy scene that these Frostys were enjoying. I bet they would’ve rather been out there!

During an after-Christmas sale I found these darling snowball ornaments that light up, so they of course came home for the snowman tablescape! The other snowpeople on the table were also from that sale, so I really hit the jackpot!

For those of you who are also enduring this harsh winter, I hope you enjoyed a warm indoor snow scene, and for those in the south now suffering through a heat wave, maybe dreams of snowmen and Snoballs will bring a much-needed reprieve.

Today we had a heat wave—up to about 20ºF!! Mr. CHN and I went to a cute, small town not too far away because I HAD to pick something up, otherwise I probably would’ve elected to stay in, but we were surprised by how many people were out, walking along going to shops and restaurants! We went to two restaurants that had too long a wait. People are suffering from cabin fever and are anxious to step out when the sun warms things up a bit.

What are you doing while indoors this winter? Are you okay with it, or are you ready to head to the Caribbean? I, for one, prefer to stick it out no matter how cold and dreary, because I can.NOT handle the transition back to the cold and snow and bare trees after seeing beach and sun and sand and palm trees. I see more tablescapes in my near future…

~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Open House Party Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Fabulously Creative Fridays at http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/

Design it Friday at http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

Friday Party Junk at http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home Fridays at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Thrifty Things Friday at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Simply Sweet Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Winter Picnic – On the Screened Porch

It was –4º when I got up the other day, but by 8:30 it was all the way up to zero, so things were looking up, AND the sun was out! What a difference the sun makes, when you have about 10” of snow (and more with the drifts and the mountains of it created by the snow plows!). The snow glimmers in the sunlight, as though there are diamonds dancing on it.

I’ve wanted to do a winter tablescape out on the screened porch for quite a while now…the desire dancing around in my head, but with no clear picture of where I wanted to go with it (I’ve written about that before…having a general idea in my head, and letting it develop as I go—do you do that too??).  When I saw the gorgeous blue sky and sun, well, that was it. A tablescape was about to be born!

It had to be done quickly, of course—a lot of sprinting out there with as many things as I could carry at at time, all the while wearing no coat and my slippers (it was impromptu, I tell you!).

Because we can readily see and enjoy the screened porch from the house, I always keep it “decorated,” so I first ran out there to dismantle what was there (you can see that post HERE). Quickly I added one of the two new plaid throws I’m in love with, and as I started the table…

…do you see what I see?? A Bobcat out there, still plowing us out. I had to take a picture of it, because I laughed to myself as I wondered what he thought if he’d seen me out on the porch!

And here it is! The quickest tablescape I’ve ever created!

  What really started the table was the the berry dinner plates we’ve been using since Christmas. As I unloaded the dishwasher I thought, “This is it! I’ll start with these plates! The Chickadee and Holly china is of course in the winter china cabinet (HERE), as were the goblets, so easy solution. The “snow” and pinecone hurricanes were on the dining room table as part of the centerpiece, and the juice glasses were also easy access.

Okay…this picture tells you how cold/how much I was rushing. It was only when I was editing the pictures that I noticed both chickadee salad plates were sideways! :(  I’m really disappointed about that.

The rim of the berries and holly plates by Savinio, a great find at Tuesday Morning last year, is actually raised, appearing as a twig, which is of course perfect for the birdies!

  Guess who came out to visit? You might remember that he, too, was perched in the china cabinet.

I love dried roses—you know that, right? These are from our Three Kings Celebration in early January! You can read more about that HERE.

 

I have to tell you, it never occurred to me until I was ready to bring everything back in, that the temperature change from the warm and cozy home to 0º might break the glass or dishes….When I was ready to bring them inside I panicked, so I wrapped each piece before bringing them in the house and left them wrapped for a while. Wow! A real disaster averted!

Ahhh…hydrangeas again! Do you remember when I dried them in these mason jars last fall?

They’ve been out all winter, gracing the screened porch, so when I {quickly!} needed some additional “filler” on the table, I was only too happy to have them join in!

This is the view from inside, but the camera just doesn’t do it justice. What my eyes revel in, the camera can’t capture—the full bright sun, the snow glistening, the blue, northern light coming into the screened porch, the glimmer of the crystal.

I truly would’ve liked to have had at least some hot chocolate out there, but, really, how long do you think it would’ve stayed even remotely warm? Oh…ten seconds?? Yes, I NEED a Skotch plaid thermos (shhhhh….don’t tell Mr. Chickadee!)

Do you every wish you didn’t have to dismantle a tablescape? I

REALLY,

REALLY,

REALLY

didn’t want to dismantle this one! I was staying home for the day, and I sooooo wanted to be able to look out there throughout the day and enjoy this scene! Lucky that it all survived the cold as it was! You can’t begin to imagine how cold the crystal was when I brought it in!

Weather Update: Today we woke up to a steady snow that left  us THREE MORE INCHES. Did you notice the picnic table beyond the screened porch? Easily it has 10 inches of snow on it now!

Here are the details of this post:

Dishes: Boehm Chickadee and Holly, and berry plates: Savinio, Tuesday Morning

Glassware: Waterford Lismore Tall, and Martha Steward juice glasses, quite a few years ago

The rest: My collections

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Open House Party Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Fabulously Creative Fridays at http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/

Design it Friday at http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

Friday Party Junk at http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home Fridays at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Thrifty Things Friday at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Simply Sweet Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Winter China Cabinet

As I’ve mentioned in several of my recent posts, Christmas seemed to go by way too fast last year, and when it came to we absolutely must take the tree down (after the Epiphany) I still wasn’t tired of it, nor was I ready to take it down.

So while in other years I’ve been more than ready for some serenity for my eyes and have gone with whites and silvers, this year the china cabinet still sports splashes of red, as well as my beloved Boehm Chickadee and Holly china. Well, I’ve reasoned, the holly growing in our yard is still there, and the chickadees I think are still around (given our recent weather, really, who knows?).

This is the now…below is the Christmas version. I thought you might enjoy seeing what I took away and added for an easy transformation from Christmas to winter.

The sleigh on the silver gallery tray, the Fitz and Floyd plate, and the Christmas Vacation moose cups (barely visible at bottom left of serving space) are of course gone, as are the feather and bottlebrush trees and the candy canes.

The china’s not Christmassy, right? Just chickadees and holly and berries. The Waterford goblets weren’t there for Christmas—I had green wine glasses and the tall red Pottery Barn goblets. The darling gravy boat (love its curvy handle!), an awesome GW find, stayed, sans the feather tree.

After a little rearranging our sons’ silver baby cups, which earlier held candy canes and cinnamon sticks, also stayed. (BTW, do you mix silver and gold? The china’s rim is gold, but I chose to mix the two.)

Did you notice Mr. Chickadee up there on the top shelf? He was an addition for the winter version.

He’s right at home, isn’t he? The chicken-wire cloche was a find at Bombay Company when they re-opened (for a brief time) at our local Kroger Marketplace. Sadly, Bombay is no longer there.

Did I have a premonition of what was to come weather-wise that made me go with splashes of red this year? I must have, and we certainly have needed it! It surely has helped to cozy up our home during the bitter cold and heavy snow we’ve had. You can see other recent vignettes in red in my other posts HERE and HERE.

 

Details of Winter China Cabinet:

China: Boehm Chickadee and Holly

Crystal: Waterford Tall Lismore and Alana wine, Pottery Barn red goblets (no longer available)

Silver gravy boat: Goodwill

Round white tureen: HomeGoods, last year

Oval tureen: Gift from my mother, many years ago

Tea pot: TJ Maxx

Chicken wire cloche and dish: Bombay Company

Christmas Vacation moose cups: Gift from our son

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Open House Party Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home Fridays at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Thrifty Things Friday at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni