Dogwood tablescape

I love the dogwoods that bloom every spring.  The first Mother's Day after we moved into this house, my husband planted a dogwood tree and we've enjoyed it every spring since 1993. 

Won't you join me at this simple Easter setting?

I found this vintage tablecloth a couple of years ago at an antique store out of town.  Last year I waited too long to use it for a tablescape and the blooms were gone.

Tabletop overview

Centerpiece overview

Last year I found these delicate goblets with cut flower designs.

My layers of dishes include a white dinner plate.

White chargers from Pier 1.

And small green depression glass plates.  

These sweet pink bud napkin rings were the perfect spring touch for the green napkins with a white organdy napkin layered on top.

A closer look at the dogwood patterned tablecloth

I added some pink azalea blooms to the dogwoods.  When you look closely you can see the holes caused by the inchworm infestation we've had this year.

Blooms gathered into a glass basket vase.

Baby bunnies hiding under the blooms.

I hope you've enjoyed this simply set Easter table.

I'll be sharing another Easter tablescape later this weekend.  We'll be having a brunch and egg hunt on Saturday with our daughters family.  That will be set with our grandtwins in mind.

See ya!

Tablescape Thursday - May Flowers and Blue Hour

It's time to join all the other dishaholics in blogland and play with the dishes for Tablescape Thursday - brought to us week after glorious week by the Queen of Dishland herself, Susan of "Between Naps on the Porch"! I missed last week because I was on vacation -- but believe me, I was enjoying all the dishes in Sanibel, FL -- dishes of shrimp, dishes of blackened fish and dishes of key lime pie! But all good things come to an end and we're home again (good for my waistline).



Welcome to the table. This week's tablescape is all about May flowers the April showers brought.




And you know that I always set a special place just for you!




An overview of my pink and green tablescape - a favorite color combination of mine. My last tablescape was bright pink and green -- today's is a much softer more subtle shade of pink and green.



An overview of my centerpiece -- a basket of pink azaleas -- these are my last blooms of the season (and actually past their prime).





A basket of flowers all tied up with a green checked bow.





A closer look at my fading blossoms -- I love the pink azaleas!




I've enjoyed using this basket for several tablescapes -- it's actually a nice height for dining. I believe I got it at Marshall's last Spring.




Sitting on an antique depression glass dessert plate.



These are the pink goblets I found on eBay right around Valentine's day -- they didn't make it in time for that tablescape, but I've used them several times this spring.





Let's look at the place setting layer by layer. First we have my pink glass bowl. I also purchased these from eBay for a luncheon three years ago.




From the side, you can see the design -- it goes well with the goblets.





The pink plates (also an eBay purchase from a couple of years ago) are not as clear as the bowls and goblets. In the center is a rose design -- (pink roses are also my favorites - bet you wouldn't have guessed that!)





The vintage placemats came from a local antique store. I've had these a couple of years and never used them. They sort of remind me of the Franciscan Rose china pattern that so many of you have.





A couple of closer looks at the beautiful handwork on these placemats.




I found these napkins at an antique store a couple of weeks ago and thought they would go nicely with the placemats, even though they're not an exact match -- I liked the unexpected blue trim.




Now I'm going to show you my newest vintage find. This silverplated flatware. Sometimes I want to set the table with nicer than stainless, but not my antique silver. I decided that I also wanted to mix up the patterns. So two weeks ago, I went to eBay again and for less than $50 was able to get silverplate settings for six. I thought that was a good price and it's all in quite good shape. I doubt I would have been able to find a complete set of matching silverplate for that amount....




....but, I sort of like the mismatched look. How about you? So for the price of a set of stainless...I got silverplate! These are all patterns from the 1920's to 1940's. Here they are piece by piece....




... First we have the salad fork monogrammed with a B -- my maiden name starts with a B -- perfect! But honestly, I wouldn't have cared.





Next we have the dinner forks.




Dinner knife.....




....last, but not least, the teaspoon. What do you think? Do you think my mis-matched silver blends well? I'm thinking I just might look for some soup spoons and iced tea spoons and a few serving pieces to add to this collection as well.




A tabletop view of the tablescape.





Two more photos of our May flowers tablesetting.




And as the sun sets....





....the tea lights are lit. Can you see the beginning of the "blue hour" sky?




Good night from my May tablescape.




I decided to take a few photos of the evolving "blue hour". Here's the sky just as the sun is setting.




....and a bit of blue sets in...





....and oh so slowly.....






....the progression of the "blue hour". I'm going to have to keep working on this - but it is quite amazing!


Be sure to stop by Susan's porch to see lots of amazing tablescapes this week.

See ya!

April Showers -- for a bride to be.

Springtime in Virginia is beautiful. This week it looks like the azaleas and dogwoods are right at their peak. It was a lovely Saturday for a bridal shower given by my daughter and me for my nephew's sweet fiance Becky.


Pink azaleas are my favorites. We had a soft rain early in the morning so everything looks fresh and pretty.




The bushes are just loaded with blossoms.


A welcome from Spunky. He says, "Come on in, we've been expecting you."


A white tin full of white flowers in honor of the bride. I like this so well, I think I'll leave it up for awhile to replace my wreath.


I had to cut a few branches to bring inside. They look sweet along with a little cherub.


He's so sweet and seemed the perfect touch of "Love blooming" for a young bride to be.



Becky along with two important women in her life. My sister-in-law, Marti, mother of the groom on the left. Joyce, mother of the bride on her right. All lovely ladies.


Becky with her mother and sister, Cindy, who will be her Matron of honor.


The guests arrive. Friends Sandra, Joanne and sister of the groom, Lori.


Sister of the bride and Kaci, sister of the groom.


Our guest of honor.


Time for some refreshments. Would you care for some punch? or lemonade, iced tea or water? How about a cupcake.


Katy made some delicious red velvet cupcakes piped with cream cheese icing all layered with a vintage bride and groom topper.


Best wishes for the bride.


Sideboard filled with wedding items. I'll be posting more on these two for Tabletop Tuesday.


A chalkboard posting of the special day.


The table is set. I realized after the party that I didn't get any pictures of the actual food -- but I'll just walk you through (you'll have to use your imagination).


We've had 8 dessert plates from Rick's grandmother for years and I found another 6 that matched exactly at Goodwill a couple of months ago.


Take your plate and I'll tell you all about the goodies.


Three champagne glasses were filled with mixed nuts, jordan almonds and butter mints.


Silver tray filled with huge strawberries stuffed with cheesecake filling.


Silver bowl filled with cream puffs.


Crystal plate of cheese straws and silver tray of chicken salad cups.


This antique butter dish held my shrimp cheese ball and the platter it sits on had cracked pepper water crackers.


This silver tray with the divided glass platter contained an assortment of vegetables and the crystal cup contained ranch dip.


An overview of the table.


Overview of the centerpiece. I liked this so well, I'm using it again for my Tablescape Thursday post set for a special anniversary -- If you're celebrating an anniversary in April, let me know and I'll dedicate it to you!


A picture of our guest of honor with the shower hostesses. I'm on the left and my daughter Katy is on the right.


I had one favor left in my basket at the end of the shower.


Sweet little "Bliss" bags for each guest.



Containing a wonderful Merlot scented votive.

So glad that you could join us for this delightful celebration. Weddings are such fun!

See ya!