Tabletop Vignettes

This darling cloche was given to me for my birthday by a special friend. I really have enjoyed all the bird's nests this year.  

I love my newly acquired stone fruit and its alabaster urn from a thrift shop.  I need to do some research on stone fruit but I believe it is Italian. 

I am joining Marty at a Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday.

Rabbits and Cabbage Leaves

A casual lunch or dinner: 

Plates- Johnson Brothers, Sterling-Buttercup by Gorham, Glasses- from the 70's, Faux Cabbage leaf placemats from local gift shop, ceramic tureen was painted by my mother,  matelasse bedspread used as a tablecloth, rabbit salt and pepper shakers I have had a long time and can't remember where I bought them. Guess what I forgot? I do have napkins but I forgot them. Visualize a white napkin tied with raffia to finish off the tablesetting.

I love white dishes because you can change the look so easily and I have loved them for 39 years. Of course, some have yellowed and cracked . I have replaced four plates from Replacements LTD.

Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for  Tablescape Thursday.

Practicing loading larger pics

Since I am practicing enlarging photos let's guess where the pictures were made. Some are easier than others.
This enlargement did not work.  

Can you tell I like flowers?

A Dream Come True-New Patio

Finished patio: Yeah!


The step has been much kinder on the knees and added extra seating.
Step 1: Laying the sand foundation and mortar edging.
Before:
The bed pictured below was pretty planted with azaleas, lirope, and cinnamon fern but was taking up valuable real estate.
I wish I could find a picture before we moved all the plants in this bed in preparation for the new patio.
The grill situation was very unsatisfactory as you can see. I recycled all the stones in other parts of my garden.
Before patio- Table and chairs sat in pine straw. We found out it was going to be problematic to pour concrete to extend the porch. The large heavy cement mixer machinery would crack our driveway so we opted to extend the step the length of the porch and lay bricks in sand for our patio.

Today, I am joining Susan @http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/for Metamorphosis Monday.

Happy Spring

                                              

 "Daffodils" 

 by William Wordsworth 1804

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

Our Valentine Supper

Our Valentine Supper

     It occurred to me today that my husband asked me on our first date to a Valentine Banquet. Our first kiss was on Valentine's Day 1968! We have been married thirty-nine years.

     I love orchids! I don't have a favorite child and it is hard to have a favorite flower but orchids are high on my list.

 Transferware plates have been fun to collect. Crystal always catches my eye when I am antiquing. The double candleholder was my mother's. Forgot to put the salt in the candlewicking salt cellars. Also could not find all of my tiny sterling salt spoons. It is hard to see the napkins but my husband brought cut work tablecloths, placemats and napkins for me back from Korea.

My husband lost his dear father last week. I am reflecting on special memories with my sweetheart. We have been sick and stuck inside so a  homemade valentine with a special memory list is my surprise to him. When he saw the table he said,"You mean we are not going to watch sixty minutes and eat off TV trays?"