Westminster Dog Show table

February has certainly offered us many opportunities for Tablescaping. We start off with Groundhog Day, We have Valentine's Day, President's Day, two Presidents birthdays, Mardi Gras,the start of Lent and The Oscars. I believe I've seen tables set for each one of these. Today, I'm backing up to February 13 & 14 to set my table.....not for Valentine's but....



....my table for the dogs of Westminster. Back for our 20th anniversary, Mr. Mid-Atlantic planned a very special trip for us and we went to NYC to the Westminster Dog Show!



So pull up a seat and let's watch the show. I try to watch this every year....how about you?



It's always exciting to try to pick out which dog is going to be awarded the honor of "Best in Show". There are always crowd pleasers that get lots of cheers. There are dogs who have cuts and coats that are rarely kept that way except for "show". (Poodles, Yorkies, Cockers....) Certain breeds are always my sentimental favorites.



The dogs who've been a part of my life have all left their paw prints on my heart when they crossed to rainbow bridge.



I cut out some paw prints from clip art and used them under clear glass for my salad plates.



Kept my same black flatware from last week.



These black and white checked napkins were as close as I could get to a houndstooth look.....squint your eyes and pretend.



And the award.....


....of "Best In Show"....



.....goes to.....


....this handsome fella striking his best pose. Actually the 2012 winner was a Pekingese. The dogs don't actually compete against each other...but to the standard of their breed. The winner is the dog that in all ways is the best representing their breed. Catigories include Hound Group -- all hounds. Both Mr. Mid-Atlantic and I had hounds growing up. He had Beagles and I had Dachsunds. At the time we attended the show we had two Bassets. Out of this group the wirehaired Dachshund won.(love the look of the wirehairs...cute beards) From the Herding Group there are Shepherds, Collies, Corgis - with the German Shepherd winning. From the Non-Sporting group we find: Eskimos, Bichon Frises, Boston Terrier, Bull dogs, Poodles, Chows with the Dalmation winning. Terriers include Cairn (think Toto from The Wizard of Oz), Fox, Airedale, Scotties, Schnauzers, Westies, Wheatons -- winner - Kerry Blue Terrier. From the Sporting group we would see: Pointers, Retrievers, Setters and Spaniels -- winner - Irish Setter. Working Group includes: Boxers, German Pinschers, Great Danes, Rottweilers, St. Bernards, Huskys - winner - Doberman Pinscher. From the Toy Group: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuaha, Maltese, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terriers -- winner - Pekingnese.


So, let's have a look at our condenders.


A Boston Bull dog....



....obviously a hound ....



...a dachshund -- we had the red smooth coated standards, but I find myself attracted to the wire haired doxies now....I wonder how much they shed.



....this one has the soulful look of a basset hound. When we were at the show, we went to the breed competition for the bassets. They came out before competition in these wild turbans so that their ears wouldn't drag the floor and get dirty. Hysterical. LOVE this breed, wonderful temperments, sweet and loyal. But they do shed and slobber. And unfortunately this breed is prone to cancer that took both of ours. (Scarlet and Rhett)



A sweet and playful Shih Tzu. This is our daughter's breed. Sweetness covered in fur.


A watchful Airedale.



Not too sure of this little brown breed. Looks like maybe a spaniel puppy to me. What do you see?



Overview of the table.


The winner's circle.


One last look....



....at all the contestants....



....as they circle the ring.....



.....to see....



....who gets to take home the honor of being the best of the best.



Here at our house, these two are....



....top dogs of our hearts. Both are dogs from local rescue groups, mixed breeds. Nothing like the love of a dog and those brown eyes that just melt me.

So, would I go to the Westminster show again? You bet! In a New York minute! How about you? Have you ever been? Is it on your list of things you want to do?

See ya!

Mardi Gras Table 2012

Here in the Mid-Atlantic state of Virginia Mardi Gras is ....well.....pretty non-existant.



In fact, I didn't even know what it was until I was an adult. But I won't let a little detail like that keep me from a tabletop party! Welcome to my Mardi Gras 2012 table....



....full of beads, masks and feathers.....



....and a blending of purple, green and gold.



I also added in some black and white. The black iron treble clef flatware seems to carry on the look of fun and whimsey.



Shiny beads add some glitter to go along with.....



....some glitzy sequined masks.



Throw in a Fleur de'lis.....



.....and I think we've got ourselves a P-A-R-T-Y!



So pull up a chair....



.....and grab a mask....


....I do believe that purple is your color!



Let's take a look at the dishes.... starting with a white bowl......



.....we have a black and white napkin.....



......along with a black and white salad plate....


.....over a black dinner plate.....



.....over a gold trimmed glass charger.



You can hardly tell....



.....that these glasses are amethyst.



Just a few....



.....closer looks.....



.....at our festive table.....


....as the sun begins....



....to fall lower in the afternoon sky....



......casting long shadows on the table.....until.....



.....it's time to light the tealights.....




....and let the good times roll! Gumbo anyone?


See ya!

I'm joining in on the tabletop fun at "Between Naps on the Porch" this week.