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

Autumn Table

Today I got home from work vvveeerrry late, after sitting at my desk for a looonngg time, so no sitting down to blog for a while!  I know!  I'll do a table!  Down to the basement several times! Up and down on the step stool! Reach and stretch!  Move!

So here it is...my Autumn Table.

You'll notice the same hurricanes I've used in other posts.  They are so versatile, that I've decided to keep transforming them until I have a full year of transformations.  So here they are, dressed for my autumn table.

The chargers are from Big Lots, many, many years ago.  The luncheon and salad plates are Johnshon Brothers "Friendly Village," which I use only in the fall.  The twig place card holders are from Pottery Barn, several years ago, and the knives on the right are very old--Meriden Cutlery Company.

A little story about these napkins...I had searched high and low for
just this shade of purple napkins (which is not accurate in this picture,
but it is in the others), and there they were, brand new, in the condo
where were stayed while on vacation in Siesta Key.  I actually
called the owner and asked her to sell them to me!  Now,
is that a serious condition? :)

I bought about 18 of the Meriden Cutlery at a community
antique/garage sale.  I had no idea whether they had any
$ value, but I fell in love with them.  I don't remember
how much I paid for them, but I know it wasn't much.

French carafe, purchased about six weeks ago at White Magnolia, a beautiful shop
in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

I don't remember when Pottery Barn was founded, but my sweet mother-in-law
bought these beautiful goblets for me when PB was very new.  I've used
them over and over.

Are these not the sweetest?  My mother bought a set for herself and one for me
several years ago, to use them as salt and pepper cellars--isn't that clever?!
Their chargers are from another favorite store of mine--The Morgan House.  
And the sterling salt spoons?  A gift from my mother (are you seeing a pattern throughout
my posts?)  She feeds my habit!  I come by my dish and table "affliction" honestly. :)

I can't wait for our DILs to arrive for dinner!

As we say in Spanish, "Buen provecho!"

which loosely translated means

"Enjoy your meal/Eat well!" 

Thanks for stopping by.  Please leave me a comment or two...

I love hearing from you.

Now I have TWO questions for YOU:

1. Do you know what is in the bottom section of the middle hurricane?  Please tell me if you do!
2. If you have any information on Meriden Cutlery, please share!

I'll be linking to:

 Marty's Table Top Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ 

 Kim's Wow Us Wednesdays at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/ 

 Susan's Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

 Courtney’s, Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

 Honey's Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

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

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Please be sure to visit these wonderful blogs.