Light the Lantern

After being out in the cold all day returning to an inviting table and warm meal can be a reward!

"source" 

First let's imagine you've had an active outdoor day snowshoeing, cross country skiing or maybe a heavy day running from store to store shopping!

  

Upon returning home you are pleased that you had already set the table and started a meal in the crock pot earlier that day.  You light the lantern and cozy things up.

 (I used a sticky wax to stand the candles upright on their own)

The lantern reflects remnants of the outdoors- candles that look like birch trees with the delicious smell of pine cones and cedar from some pot pourri I had on hand.

The dinner prepared in the crock pot will replace the lantern along with some hearty biscuits and a dessert to follow.

 Warm earthy tones to reflect the outdoor northwood spirit!

Miniature antlers reminding you of the deer that scamper through the woods around here.

  The bottom layer tablecloth added warmth but needed some separation of pattern so I chose the snowy white woven tablecloth.

Time for a cozy gathering and some reflection of the day's events.

 I will be joining

Between Naps on the Porch

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Tablescape Thursday

Corner Table Face Lift!

 The corner table...once again...another face lift!

This table gets changed the most often of any spot in the house!

I conned my hubby into a trip to Hobby Lobby (70 miles away) last week.  I picked up this birdcage cloche.  I had these artichokes and deco balls that I finally chose to fill it with.

My two Bunny Williams books joined the tabletop vignette.
OMG I would so love to spend time with her on a decorating project.  I can't even imagine how fun that would be!  I'm sure I'd walk away inspired beyond imagination but also wanting more than I can ever afford!  Where's that lottery ticket!!

You've seen this huge vase before- it moves around the house- it was on the dining table before Christmas as seen "here".  I placed a philodendron in the top for added height and color. 

My favorite candlestick still holding the Pottery Barn candle I got almost 2 yrs ago.  I have burned it some but I love the pattern on it so I want to preserve it.  You know you can stick a tea light down inside a pillar candle instead of continuing to burn the candle!  It can be a real tea light or flameless.

I have a flameless tea light candle in it.  When you have a candle with a pattern like this it shows off nicely the deeper down the flame goes.  I'll burn this one down a bit more but you get the drift.

We had a wonderful sunlit day when I took these pictures- sure brings the spirit up!
That's our doorbell up on the top left...design wise it bugs me but somehow I keep it.  It plays about fifteen different tunes that you can select from- even Yankee Doodle!  LOL...

Joining
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Metamorphosis Monday

Ivy and Elephants
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What's it Wednesday

Sunrise to a Sunny Day!

Having my morning coffee watching the sky change as the sun rises on this crisp morning.

It's all of 7 degrees right now!

Hues of pink appear as the sun accents the clouds

Quietly the sun rises and then birds visit the feeders

 The Nuthatch feeding off the suet

Some Chickadees are also visiting.  The Cardinals haven't shown up yet but they will.  

Well enough of snowscapes and bird watching…time for breakfast!

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My Little Home and Garden

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Sunlit Sunday

You Can't Get It Done If You Don't Do It!

While having my morning coffee I was in a funk.   I was noticing the morning sky was showing signs of clearing so to get myself moving I reminded myself of my new mantra 

"YOU CAN'T GET IT DONE IF YOU DON'T DO IT"!

I made this phrase up for myself to help keep me driven to doing things.  It is helpful when I feel humdrum and lazy which is more often than I care to admit!  

I love catching the sun when I take pictures of my tablescapes but in order to catch it I have to be ready to shoot pictures at around 9:00 a.m.- needless to say I had to hustle to get this done!

 I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do but after I read a blog post this morning at Rattlebridge Farm called "50 Shades of Red" the bell went off in my head!

When I saw this quote that was included in the post I mentioned "red is the ultimate cure for sadness" I got my color inspiration to pull a tablescape together.  

What's to be sad about?  Well you just can't help but be a bit sad when the days are gray more often than not and all too short!  Nothing like a punch of red to cheer things up!

 I chose my new HL French wire basket.  The bronze finished rooster took center stage with a white linen napkin to dress it out and I included the rex begonia branches around the sides to finish it off.

I love these plates and they had to be a part of this scape.

I chose to repeat the black coloring with the wood charger and the flatware.

The rooster/chicken? ramekins became my napkin holders.  The rick rack trim and enlarged checkered design work well with these dishes.  I've used a similar combo before as seen "here" 

The view outside is white on white with a touch of gray and green.  Too monotone for me!

I got Dan to move my plate rack and center it on the wall (left-right) which turned into three days of work because of all the nail holes that needed patching then re-painting.  I have left the wall space blank because I'm still deciding on what I'd like to do with it. 

 Just remember- YOU CAN'T GET IT DONE IF YOU DON'T DO IT!!

Now it's time for me to get my slow cooker going for this evening's meal!

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Tablescape Thursday

Rattle bridge Farm

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Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Dining Table Back to Normal

 I said before my dining table had become my work station while I was undoing the Christmas decorations. I finally got it cleared and was anxious to try out this new tray from Pier 1 that I picked up back before Thanksgiving. 

 I relocated the floral arrangement from the living room.

 I love the finish on this. I think it has a romantic old world appeal.

I needed a color pop and I like the red mixed with the ivory florals.  There are some burgundy undertones too that mix well with the tray coloring.

I had two extra spheres that I wasn't able to use with my recent post "Coffee Table Vignette" that wouldn't fit in the glass vase so I decided to set them here along with the tassel and a couple of crystal candlesticks.

I am still using the little French inscribed rug accent.  I showed it first on this "post".  

It feels good to get the house back to normal and to try out some new ideas!

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What's It Wednesday

Coffee Table Vignette

I've spent the past week coming down with a sinus infection and feeling completely worn out but I feel I've made that turn around and I'm on my way back to good health again.

This time I used a saline nasal spray to help sooth my sinuses and it seemed to help a lot. 

I kept dragging my feet after the Christmas decorations were put away which seemed to take extra long this year.  My coffee and end tables sat blank for a while but I finally got around to them on Saturday.  We were blessed with a sun filled afternoon which brought my spirits up.   We had a very large winter storm come through late Thursday and Friday.  I think we got at least 12" of snow.

I decided to try a couple of small books to add to the tray vignette. 

I've been looking for a spot for the little clock and I think it fits here perfectly.

I used the decorative glass pieces in the bottom because it looked unfinished with just the spheres in the glass.  I thought about using moss but I wasn't sure if it could stain the spheres. 

Aren't they unusual!  The store clerk didn't know anything about them, but they look like bone a bone inlay to me.  They're crafted in India.

 I always keep Ron's book from "The Uptown Acorn" on the table too.  I got him to sign one for me and it tickles me to know someone that I've met through blogging that's been featured in a book!  He's a talented decorator and does a great job with his home in case you aren't familiar with him.  You can click on the link to visit him.

I finally got the dining room table cleared again (it was my working station for the holiday stuff while I was sorting organizing and putting it all away)  and I'll share what I've done there in a day or two.

 

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