Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Purple Passion Easter Table

Hi, there! How ready are you for Easter? Me: Nope!

Have you bought the Easter-basket goodies? Me: Huh-uh!

Do you have your menu set? No!! I can’t make up my mind with all the Pinterest ideas I keep pinning!! Help!!

Have you made at least one of the Easter decorations or vignettes you’ve pinned? Me: Not a one. :( I think I’m living vicariously through Pinterest. :(

Okay…but have you at least set the time for your gathering and invited guests???? Me: Kind’a….sorta….the guests know we’re doing SOMETHING. Time to be determined.

Do you have a plan for your table yet? Me: Ummmm….no (in a meek voice).

I may not have it all together—at all—

…but I can help YOU!!

Well, with the table at least. :)

I’ve seen several PURPLE EASTER TABLES this year, so I thought I’d bring last year’s PURPLE table out again, seeing as PURPLE might be getting to be a trend. I hope it serves as inspiration and helps you get on track. Happy Easter to all! I hope the Easter bunny stops by your house, and I wish you the true blessings and joy of Easter.

I’d seen a gorgeous purple table on tumblr that served as a huge inspiration, but alas, woe is me…I don’t have the gorgeous amethyst Ajka goblets that ‘scaper (I haven’t been able to identify him/her, though believe me, I’ve tried, because I so wanted close ups of this table!) has. They’re pricey…I don’t think I can justify them for one.table. Oh, I’m sure I’d use them and sooooo thoroughly enjoy having them, but reason must prevail at times, I think someone once said. :(

So this is the Chickadee Home Nest version of a purple table, just in time for Easter, and spring, and flowers.

I’ve used these Limoges dishes for several tablescapes, and I’ve so enjoyed them. They were purchased at a local antique shop on a day when reason {happily} did not prevail. I remember the day well…summer-almost-fall sunny day. I almost ran to my car, clutching them in my arms, sure that they were going to call me back because they’d made a mistake on the price, but happily, they didn’t! The “chargers” are Lenox Eternal dinner plates.

I have eight of these dishes, but three different floral patterns.

Four of these beauties live with us.

And two of these…

And two of these!

And their rims are just as beautiful ~

Hmmmm, lovely, yes? And…

Another one.

It’s funny…I just realized, as I wrote about how beautiful they are,that I do that quite often—I talk about the beauty of items, as from afar; as though they don’t belong to me. And it occurs to me that that might sound like I’m going on and on about “things” I own, but it’s not that at all. I marvel at the mastery in all things beautiful, and I so enjoy others’ talents and vision in creating beautiful things. It’s really about them, and the creative process. I have vivid memories of my sweet grandmother doing that too, like admiring the stitchery in fine linens the same way…as just stating a fact. I’m just happy that these beautiful creations live with me so I can enjoy them!

So how did I partner these lovelies?

With lots of purples, to bring out the purple in them. I wrote about the silver goblets recently (a happy auction find!), and the crystal wines are big favorites of mine. The pattern is Pristine, made by Reizart at the time, which was eventually bought by Gorham. The pattern was discontinued in the early 70s. Unlike Waterford that is so heavy (and I also l-o-v-e), these stems are delicate and paper thin. Of the original set of 12 (waters, wines, and sherbets each) only a couple have small chips! I’m so glad I still have them and still like them!

Were you wondering if I’d forgotten the napkins? :) Nope! They’re here! I decided to do something different with them and stack them on a silver server (not visible in this picture), tied with a shimmery purple ribbon. They will be passed around the table, just like the bread will be, when all my imaginary guests are seated. (The real Easter table this year will involve birds and nests. :) )

Lots of purple.

As I often do, the grandchickadee’s high chair is part of the ensemble, this time with a mix of purple and white flowers. Little does he know that his high chair serves another purpose when he’s not here! :)

The centerpiece was created to give the illusion of a runner, extending the full length of the open center of the table.

Have you noticed the challenge of silverware placement on round placemats? The placemats don’t appear to be too small, but because we lose the valuable real estate of the corners, we have to get a little creative. So I moved the salad forks and teaspoons up a bit and liked it!

Some of the details (you know I love details!).

And now, as they say in Hollywood…

It’s a wrap!

So, do you think I need those purple Ajka goblets? (There’s only one right answer, you know…because I’ll be reporting the results of this unbiased, statistically sound survey to Mr. CHN so he understands my “need.”)

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/

Tuesdays at http://theenchantingrose.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/

Centerpiece Wednesday at http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Thursdays Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

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

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

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

Thursday Your Turn to Shine at http://blesserhouse.blogspot.com/

Share Your Style Thursday at http://www.Commonground-do.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/

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/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Monday, January 6, 2014

Three Kings Celebration

Well, our tree is still up, as are most of the Christmas decorations, because at our house, the Twelve Days of Christmas are very special, and yes, still part of Christmas. It’s a time when we slow down from the mad dash of the pre-Christmas activities that allows time for reflection. Though the anticipated high winds (and temps well below zero) forced us to bring some of the porch decorations inside, the indoor decorations remain at least through January 6th. When they’ll get put away is anybody’s guess :), because we haven’t even talked about it!

And, if you’re familiar with Chickadee Home Nest, you might recall that the Three Kings visit our home and leave {a few} more gifts for the little chickadees. That’s the way it was done in Cuba, and we want to carry the tradition on.

The last several years Mr. CHN and I have had a gathering at our home to celebrate the Three Kings’ arrival at the manger (you can see the 2012 post HERE).

Did you know the Three Kings are not named in the Bible? I need to look up where their names, Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar originated—does anyone out there know and can save me the research?

AND…

Did you know that there is no mention in the Bible of there being three? The three gifts are listed, but it could’ve been one, or twelve, or any number who came to honor Him and bow down at His side.

Last year’s decorations for our Three Kings celebration were about jewel tones and large kings at the table. This year, the tone was set by the Mexican nativity scene my MIL and FIL gave us years ago~

Since I love the story of Jesus’s birth and the Three Kings following the star to reach Him, I love nativity scenes and have several, so I rotate them. This one was set out for Christmas 2012 (you can see it HERE), but it only came out for the Three Kings celebration this year.

Last week Baby Love (the oldest chickadee) set Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar (from the unbreakable but lovely Fontanini set they play with) away from the nativity scene, since they hadn’t arrived yet.

At our Three Kings celebration each of the three oldest children was allowed to place one of the Three Kings back in the nativity scene.

We looked at pictures and talked about Baby Jesus’s birth and where He slept, how the Three Kings followed the bright star to find Him, their names, and the gifts they brought, then the food was served.

This was the setting before the food was presented.

The Reason for the Season.

In the background you can see Mary and Joseph’s detailed, hand-painted gowns. Such wonderful craftsmanship!

And here they are!

Melchior,

Gaspar,

and

Balthazar.

Aren’t their faces so sweet?

And now… Come on, everyone! The treats are served!

The menu was simple, and geared more to the children, but because I can only go along with so much junk food for the baby chickadees, we also had yogurt for them (hiding sweet little one’s face) and vegetables. Our almost-4 chickadee asked to sit in the high chair after the littlest was done and asked me if I would get him some vegetables! Yes!! :)

The idea for the Donut-Hole Tree came from One Charming Party, where she made it with regular donuts. (I’ll have the tutorial for my version next week perhaps?). It was a big hit visually as well as for the palate. The Donut-Hole Tree is surrounded by Rolos candies, because they look like small crowns.

We also served a variety of turrones (tiered server and to the right of the server), or nougat bars, that are made in Spain but were immensely popular in pre-Castro Cuba. They are the “little dessert” of choice in every Cuban family’s holiday gatherings. My mother’s friends in Florida still send them to her every year. As a hostess gift one guest brought individual guava pastries—we call them pastelitos de guayaba--(front) that were delish, and are always a welcome addition. (Unfortunately, I was a bit late taking pictures of the food, thus the empty plate to the left.)

The wood Crate and Barrel “vessel” was perfectly suited for this gold-yet-rustic table. After all, there was nothing fancy about Baby Jesus’s manger.

Drinks were served at the bar setup…punch with crown ice mold, and Cuban hot chocolate (recipe will follow soon)! Remember Starbucks’ now-discontinued Chantico hot chocolate? I STILL miss it, but this is a worthy replacement, and I might add, worth every.single.calorie. To add a few more ~~calories~~ enhancements to it: Whipped cream made with my iSi whipper (you can read all about this favorite gadget HERE) and mini chocolate morsels served in the sugar scuttle.

The frozen juice ring was made with my Nordic pan, with dried apricots and Craisins as gemstones.

And before closing, a few more pictures of the Mexican nativity scene for your enjoyment ~

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

I WISH EACH OF YOU THE VERY BEST IN 2014!

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/

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

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

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

What's It Wednesday at http://ivyandelephants.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/

Thursdays at http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.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/

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/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

PS – Are any of you having trouble with Blogger’s search feature? I haven’t been able to search other blogs or my own.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Blue and White in the Old/New China Cabinet

I was ready to be done with the Valentine’s red in the china cabinet and go to the more serene and perennial favorite, BLUE AND WHITE. I’ve also been ready—for a long, long, long time—to make a major change in our china cabinet. I mean for YEARS. So after having gone to the Pine Tree Barn for our Valentine dinner, and once again seeing a cabinet/hutch there that I love (see below), I decided that the time had come to take the plunge and give the china cabinet an ALLOVER MAKEOVER.

I’ve been in love with this piece since I saw it last Christmas season. I love that it’s open, and I love the blue, distressed interior. It seems like everything displayed in it just pops—even the reds and greens of Christmas.

Lo and behold, when we went to the Pine Tree Barn, the cabinet was still there. The next day I said (in my sweetest voice), “Sweetheart, could you take a look at the china cabinet to see if we could remove the doors (and the stationary center panel)?” And before I knew it, I had a new piece of furniture! Really! Take a look for yourself and see the incredible difference! Why, oh why, didn’t I do this years ago like I’ve wanted to?!

So we went from this:

Beautiful, arched doors and stationary center panel, with lovely “domed” glass,

To this:

No doors, no arches, no domed glass. Ahhhh….so much more open and “approachable.” I had never been able to “make peace” with the stand-offish feeling of the glass, as if to warn, “LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH; NOT TO BE USED! ONLY FOR DISPLAY.”

What do you think? A new piece of furniture? More approachable?

And to the BLUE AND WHITE ~

Like I said, I’m not ready for Easter…I need space/time between holidays. I guess I could never work in retail. The jumping into holidays weeks and months before the calendar says they’re here, and jumping from one holiday to the next would wreak havoc with my psyche! I need a calendar, and I need breaks.

So I was anxious to bring out my BLUE AND WHITE Spode “The Blue Room Collection,” mixed with Bianca Leaf by American Pelier—a fabulous Home Goods find.

A very vintage mustard pot holds my “vintage” hydrangeas from last summer that I love to have out on display. A bird’s nest brings a hint of spring without stripping my gears as the gray days of Ohio linger and the snow continues to fly.

Hydrangea blooms take the place of soon-to-come robin’s-egg blue eggs.

My beloved Nicodemus chubby robin, and others birdies, are harbingers of {wonderful} things to come—in a few months.

The Bombay Company candleholder (left) once again makes an appearance, along with mini cups (larger than a traditional demitasse), which are a new auction find.

This precious little teapot was a gift from my precious friend Cookie, and the bunny is another Nicodemus piece. The hydrangeas are real, dried from my SIL’s father’s garden.

DSCN7008 And this bunny…well, I guess we’re inching toward spring and Easter—putting a toe out there, in a subdued way, shall we say? He’s of no particular pedigree—he’s completely unmarked, but I’d fallen in love with him at a local store, Harick’s, and after a particularly fruitful shopping spree there with our friends from out of town, the owner offered him to me for a steal. I just couldn’t wait any longer to bring him out!

Pears, the color of the hydrangeas, also bring a touch of spring, in the Simplydesignz dish from our son and DIL.

So I need your help. Now that I’m head over heels with my “new” china cabinet, I’m thinking about painting the inside. But I’m soooo scared!!! What do you think? Yes??? No???

If yes, what color? White? Cream? Very light teal (my favorite color, but may be too limiting)? Blue like Pine Tree Barn’s??

I can’t wait to hear from you and get help from all of you super-talented decorators out there! :)

~~~~~~~~

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I love them and read every single one of them! And if you like what you see a lot, maybe you’d like to +1 this post or pin it on Pinterest too! Thank you! I invite you to follow me. If you’ll let me know that you’re following, I’ll be sure to follow you back.

Here’s where I’m going to party this week:

Thursdays at Tabletop Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

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

Thursdays at No Minimalist Here: http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

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

Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

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

Inspiration Friday at http://www.atthepicketfence.com

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

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

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Wednesdays at Let’s Dish: http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

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

From my nest to yours, ~Zuni

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Easter Table & Vignettes

Has Easter hopped right into this week without your even knowing how that happened? That's what happened at our house--it's here, before I knew it! So this post will cover lots of territory--from outdoor and indoor vignettes to my Easter tablescape.

Sprint has definitely SPRUNG in central Ohio, though we have a danger of frost until mid-May. For now, we're enjoying every bit of it, taking it as a GIFT.

And....guess who's lurking around waiting with his load of eggs to hide?!
(As I was taking pictures in the dining room the other day, some movement outside caught my eye...
yep, that's who it was!! I looked up just in time to see his cotton tail scamper under the bushes!)

A few of the touches of spring around our house...
my favorite Nicodemus piece--this chubby robin with a few eggs in her nest, in my Bombay chicken-wire cloche,
my wrought iron tiered server, chock full of eggs and carrots (close-ups of the carrots to follow),
and our resident duck couple. They are so cute; they're always together. I haven't found their nest yet.

And now for my Easter tablescape...

The centerpiece is a gorgeous Fitz & Floyd bunny cake plate my SIL gave me YEARS ago, so it's the good stuff, not what's out there now, and it is beautiful. I opted for a simple Depression glass sugar bowl (I must look up the pattern!) for the flowers, because I didn't want to hide the beautiful detail on the plate.

Large dinner plate/chargers are new this year (Home Goods) and boy, do I love them! I wanted to use these hobnail frosted salad/ dessert plates and the dinner plates were perfect with them. I wish I had at least four more of these dessert plates...I love them, but they were a gift years ago and was never able to find more.

The napkins are brand, spanking new--Easter clearance at Home Goods--and they were perfect for my Easter tablescape. What a happy find!

The napkin rings were made by my mother years ago.

Perfect for this pastel table!

Here is the yellow plate...I can't decide which color I like best/which place setting I would choose. I'd like to know which one you like best: YELLOW, WHITE, BLUE, or GREEN?

Carrot place card holders, pinned by--what else?

A tiny carrot clothes pin!

The large carrot is from a garland I found this year at Tuesday Morning--I cut them off the garland. And the tiny clothes pins? I've had them for years. They were still in the original package because I hadn't run across a way to use them, but I fell in love with them when I first saw them, and I am sooooo happy to get to finally use them!

What other ideas do you have for how to use them?

The lovely teaspoons? Another gift from my SIL--a hostess gift when I had a shower for her DIL. Lovely.

You just might recognize these darling cordials...I posted about them HERE, when my mother hosted a pre-wedding dinner party for our son and his fiancee.

And now, they have a new home!

She thought they'd be happy here, and I hope they're as happy as I am to have them. Perfect for my Easter table!

Our son and DIL gave me these sweet little bird s&p last year for my birthday--love them!

And my mother gave me the egg years ago...perfect!

I have a confession...of my many dish addictions, sugar and creamers are right up there...so when I saw these on clearance at Home Goods a few days ago, no, they didn't jump in my cart--I GRABBED them and brought them home with me!

Aren't they darling? Now, how could anyone pass them up?!

Do you understand? :)

And last but not least...our baby's high chair, set with what else, but Royal Doulton Bunnykins?

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I read every single one of them! They encourage me and inspire me. And if you like what you see a lot J, maybe you’d like to +1 this post or pin it on Pinterest too! Thank you!

I hope you will follow me. If you’ll let me know that you’re following, I’ll be sure to follow you back.

I will be joining these fun parties; please stop by to see all the great things there!