Spring China Cabinet and Other High Hopes

This week alone we’ve had temperatures in the 30s and temperatures hitting 70º… “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain” the James Taylor song goes. “I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end…” Nope…scratch the part about seeing so many sunny days that I thought they’d never end…when we have sunny days around here we’re a little skeptical…what’s coming next?! Last Saturday was a perfect example: I woke up to a cloudy day, and later I looked out and it was drizzling! Yuck! I see a weather alert on my phone! A what?! What could be happening?!I Yep, a winter storm watch with rain turning to freezing rain, turning to snow, and at one point later in the day we had almost a complete white out—oh, and high, very high winds. We were thankful for no meaningful accumulation.

But a couple of weeks ago I decided it was TIME…even if the weather wasn’t cooperating completely, it was time for spring, because again, my “gears” where not in sync—the calendar, the sunny days/rainy days, the cold temperatures/the glimpses of hope—not even a crocus out there that I’ve seen!

First thing to do: The china cabinet. Our home is so open that the china cabinet can set the tone for the rest of the house—as the china cabinet goes, so goes our decor (and my mood, one could add).

You might recall I had already de-winterized the china cabinet to this:

The intense colors were starting to bother me, so before I knew it I was taking the reds and purples and teal out and replacing it with a softer, twiggier, birdier design~

Ahhhh…so much better for this time of year!

Our DIL has offered to make bird nest cupcakes for our Easter brunch, so that will be the “theme” of our table—birds and nests and twigs and eggs. Probably not feathers, unless I get some that are natural in color (and not cardinals’! LOL). Anticipating that tablescape, I wanted to bring out the Pottery Barn bird-on-a-branch salad plates, because I will surely use them on our table and I wanted to enjoy them.

Since at the time Easter was a good month away, I didn’t want to go Easter-y; just spring-y, with soft, muted colors.

Some of the details~

The top of the cabinet is always fun to decorate, but the cathedral ceiling presents a bit of a challenge, because there’s an awful lot of space to fill, and you have to make sure the objects there aren’t miniaturized because of the open space. The vintage silver cruet set and birdcage help fill the space.

Would you believe these are the white roses from the Three Kings Celebration (January 6, 2014 – you can see that post here )? They dried so beautifully. They almost look like they’re vintage papers instead. The vessel next to them was an awesome find at GW not too long ago. I know I’ll be using it a lot. And the pinecone roses? Those are new—a new love. You’ll see more of them later (and in many future posts, I’m sure)

You knew our little chickadee had to be here somewhere! This time she’s snuggled in her cage amidst hydrangeas and pinecone roses and moss on top of the china cabinet.

The top shelf in the cabinet is quite simple: A soft blue vase (also a GW find), filled with my dried hydrangeas, and a sweet found nest whose creator did not weave it very well; it’s rather fragile. Those babies must’ve been coming sooner that she thought and they were in a hurry to get that nest done! (I wouldn’t know about that; my chickadees were both late!) A PB bird-on-a-branch salad plate, and three ceramic pitchers that I’ve had for years. So glad I bought them when I did!

I’ve had this frosted pedestal dish with a lovely floral design for many, many years, and I’ve always been able to use it somewhere; it’s a versatile piece.

The second shelf is a “birdie” vignette, complete with a faux nest and faux eggs. The three look-alike birds are actual candle holders from Crate and Barrel, and of course, my chubby Nicodemus robin whom I know you’ve seen—he’s always around, just like the chickadee.

The decorations on the bottom shelf offer the visual foundation for the cabinet, with more of the PB plates and yet another faux nest and faux eggs.

  Three nests down the center of the china cabinet to offer continuity and rhythm.

The serving level holds a Crate and Barrel oblong wood dish filled with more pinecone roses, the Bombay Company chicken-wire cloche filled with hydrangeas, and my husband’s grandparents’ milk glass salt and pepper set, which we use as our everyday shakers because they’re so special.

 

So, “rain and severe storms for the weekend,” the TV just announced. Hmmm, what’s happening in YOUR world? Have you moved into spring in spite of the weather? What have you done? Or are you way ahead of me and into full Easter swing?

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!

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

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/

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

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Spring-ier China Cabinet

Do you hear the roar? It’s Ohioans cheering, not for the OSU State Buckeyes, but for SUN and WARMER WEATHER! The thermometer actually inched into the 50s today, plus the sun was shining beautifully, so a GREAT day in these parts!

And last week we also had a milder day or two, so…could it be?! Could SPRING be inching nearer and nearer?

So last week I started to feel a little bolder about the possibility of spring. Now, I didn’t want to go too crazy—I’m not ready for spring flowers and spring wreaths on the door, but I thought a little change around the house might be, ummmmm, acceptable? You see, if I go too crazy into spring and then we get the usual snow of March {and April even!}, well, that really strips my gears. And gear-stripping isn’t good for me. When it’s spring inside I need it to be authentic and match the outdoors.

So I started with the china cabinet. Those of you who visit often know that the china cabinet tends to set the tone around our home. As the china cabinet goes, so does the weather AND the outlook. :)

You might remember that after de-Christmasing the china cabinet I left the Boehm Chickadees and Holly china in the cabinet, and for the most part simply rearranged it to this:

And I enjoyed it a lot. I found that the red was a good transition for me, as was the white, and I got to enjoy my chickadees a little bit longer.

Right now I’ve got a tablescape formulating in my head, and it involves these Limoges dinner plates: I love it when I’ve got ideas dancing around in my head, :) –it leads to a lot of daydreaming and scheming and planning—and I love the opportunity to use these dishes again. You can see how I’ve used them in the past HERE and HERE. So I thought that for further inspiration, I’d have them where I could see them and enjoy them until the table is “born.”

These dishes are really so versatile. In the past I’ve used them for a Thanksgiving table and for a Valentine’s table. And now they’re in use for a move toward spring. 

To keep the cabinet design from going too springy I left the red goblets and added other intense colors that reflect the colors in the china pattern.

The Details~

I had to wait several days to take the pictures, because the days were pretty dark there for a while. Then, as I’m cooking dinner several days later, I glance over to the china cabinet and the sun’s kiss on the jewel tones amazed me. Dinner on hold! I HAVE to capture this magic moment!

My sweet grandmother and I loved violets—African and common ones—and pansies, and she gave me this sweet little flower pot {with the silk violets in the teal vase in another spot in the china cabinet} years and years and years ago. It’s nothing fancy or expensive, but I wouldn’t part with it for the world. Of all the pretties in the china cabinet, this one is my favorite. 

The Serving Shelf~

I put this stone-and-moss terrarium together several years ago, and it seems to fit in so many areas of our home!

The silver cordials and the silver goblets are a recent acquisition from an estate sale.

The hydrangeas I harvested last fall have held up beautifully.

Now I’m ready to eeeeaaaasssseeee into spring! Nothing radical or crazy here! I simply transitioned from this:

 

to THIS:

What do you think? Did I transition you softly enough, from winter? Does my needing to ease into a new season make sense to you, or are you able to jump right in in anticipation?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Chickadee Home Nest 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!

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

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/

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/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

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…

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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