Monday, February 10, 2014

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…

DSCN1846 …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!

DSCN1850 And here it is! The quickest tablescape I’ve ever created!

DSCN1851  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.

DSCN1853 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.

DSCN1854 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!

DSCN1856  Guess who came out to visit? You might remember that he, too, was perched in the china cabinet.

DSCN1857 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.

DSCN1861 

DSCN1859 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!

DSCN1858 Ahhh…hydrangeas again! Do you remember when I dried them in these mason jars last fall?

DSCN1877 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!

DSCN1849 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!)

DSCN1847 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

16 comments:

  1. You were a brave one, Zuni! : ) I haven't even been going out with the dog {unless I have to pick "something" up}! Your table looks very pretty. I love your plates. I heard more snow coming our way Thursday night into Friday, but I hope it is just showers and no accumulation. Our piles here are getting quite high!

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  2. Beautiful tablescape everything looks so good. I don't know how you could decorate with it being so cold. My hats off to you. Sounds like more snow is due tonight and I complain if it's in the 60's.
    Hopefully Spring is around the corner. Have a warmer week.
    Mary

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  3. What a great idea! Love the throw as a tablecloth and all of your wonderful details.

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  4. The snow plowers are making a FORTUNE this year, aren't they??!!!! It's just been crazy for everyone around the nation. I feel really deeply for the folks in the South who are for the most part unaccustomed to this wet white stuff. Those of us in the Midwest and Northeast know how to prepare for it and deal with it. The people in the South moved there for a reason...and it has followed them there! :-(

    Hats off (or perhaps ON so you can stay warm!) to you for braving the sub-freezing temps to get out there and create! Given the chance I would have done the same....NOT!!!!!!!! No way would I have done that! I commend you for following your creative knack and just plowing forward. (No pun intended!) You gave the table a warm, toasty look that should have just melted all that snow in the yard!

    I hope you're not too terribly disappointed about the dishes being turned because I actually looked at it and considered it a wonderful design element! I thought it looked neat like that because it doesn't follow the beaten path. It appears to me as if the lone chickadee on top is peering down at the other two swaying on a limb. I think it's cool!

    I hope you have thawed out since this adventurous feat! Take care and have a wonderful week....INDOORS!!! :-)

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  5. For the quickest tablescape ever... it is so pretty and wintry and welcoming! While I was reading the part about the bobcat outside, I was looking for a real bobcat! When I finally figured it out, I laughed so hard!

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  6. Love the plaid!

    Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  7. Oh I love your porch tablescape! It is beautiful! I got to pin this cause I love how you used the clear jars and pine cones. Thanks for sharing this! Very warm and inviting even in the midst of the cold! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  8. That looks really nice out there on the sun porch! At least it looks sunny!

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  9. I was ready to be extremely jealous of anyone who could enjoy a picnic on their porch, but it seems like your weather is a lot like mine. Today we had sunshine in the afternoon and the whole town raced to their doors, jumped in the car and went to the store to re-stock. I was on a mission for double stick tape; spending all this time homebound, I am getting a lot of scrapbooking done!

    Your table is wonderful, the reds just perfect to accent all the white snow. I can just see you dashing in and out to set the table and I can sympathize with the aha moment when you thought about the cold temperatures and the warm house. Hopefully we can all enjoy an early spring and actually sit on our porches for a few minutes and enjoy the weather!

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  10. What a pretty table!! I applaud your efforts to complete a tablescape under such difficult conditions. I guess once the artistic bug bites, you have to act! You are very lucky to have such a lovely porch to enjoy. Take care, and know that spring WILL come! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

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  11. I just love everything about this, your lovely porch, the plaid throw (reminds me of one we always kept in the car when I was a child), the beautiful plates, and yes, I hate to dismantle a tablescape, too! Stay warm! -Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com
    History & Home link party, Tue-Fri, weekly- join us!

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  12. Love it it reminds me of the time I barbequed at 3am. Thanks for sharing the table is very lovely. Visiting from thrifty Friday I'm lorraine at http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com,

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  13. Absolutely to die for sweetie, this table if gorgeous! Love the plaid, the bird, the dishes and that adorable wooden house and specially how you really created this table in such adverse climate in your porch...but it goes with the weather outside too!
    Love, love, love it!!! Keep warm and drink a lot of vitamin C so you woun't get colds! Hope you had a happy Valentine's!
    Hugs,
    FABBY

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  14. This is such an adorable tablesetting. Love that china and the other touches made it so perfect for a winter porch setting. However, that snow looks cold so I'm glad you didn't stay out there long!! Thanks for sharing this cuteness at TTF!

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  15. Such a lovely table and its added warmth to your winter landscape. Such a shame that you had to dismantle though. I keep looking out at my patio area and would love to put the table and chairs out there again, but with the storms we have been having I would be worried that they would be blown away! Keep warm and safe. xx

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  16. I am so envious of your darling sunporch, Zuni! And your tablescape it just so pretty! Perfect for a wintry day! :)

    xoxo laurie

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