Home and Gardening With Liz: February 2018

February 28, 2018

Happy Birthday Sis! (T)

Today is my sister Jennifer's birthday!

I put together a feminine table with accents I hope she'll love.

These yummy soft yellow and creamy white roses grabbed my attention at the store and they filled my little ivory flower bowl by Lenox up perfectly! When Jen met her husband he had a small collection of Lenox so I chose this for the sentiment.

A little more sentiment- this pink cotton tablecloth dates back to my childhood- it's been out for a lot of birthdays over the years! This is also the same day my Dad was born in 1917- he would have been 101 years old today!

This is a MacKenzie Childs enamel cake tray that I used inverted to hold the flowers and then the cake. (I got this last fall on sale- gotta watch their sales!).

It's rather unique that this cake tray is painted on the top and bottom- worked out well for my idea!

As I built this tablescape I decided to add the green placemat under the white charger for additional color. The napkins came from Pottery Barn several years ago the the napkin rings from one of their outlet stores.

Early on I caught some sun filled pictures. Today has really been beautiful- the sun dotted in and out of the clouds and it was near 50 which is fantastic for Feb. 28th!

Can you see the roses along the edge of the soft pink glass plates? My mom sent me those one year in the 1990's after I showed them to her in a mail-order catalog (before the internet days). All I know is they were made in Germany and have a soft frosted finish on the underneath.

This table is actually set in honor of my sister who is actually home recovering from rather extensive back surgery. She's having a tough go of it so any prayers are appreciated. Also remember Alycia our tablescape buddy from Tablescapes at Table 21 as she has been recovering from a very similar back surgery.

Speaking of cake- let's light the candle!

I selected a chocolate whipped cream torte from the bakery.

My cake decorating skills are as good as my singing- let's not go there!

I'm the baby of four sisters- we would all enjoy being together but the 250 miles distance makes it difficult. We'll just have to imagine all four of us sitting here!

Though distance keeps us apart, memories hold us together.

**Happiest Birthday Wishes**

Love you sis!

Joining the following blog parties:

Tablescape Thursday

And

2019 Tablescape Thursday

February 25, 2018

Rug Crazy

Dan and I wanted to change out the rug we had here which began a extensive process of searching.

I became rug crazy and searched local stores and a lot on the internet. I really struggled with this because I knew that the last time we bought a rug I never was completely satisfied with my choice.

This is the previous rug was a very light colored rug and it had fringe which I learned to dislike. Our daughter will get this so it will continue on being used.

Doing my research I learned more about rugs which can be interesting. Hand tufted rugs like mine are made by using a hand held machine that punches the yarn in place on a stretched canvas. A hand tied rug is just that- each yarn is placed and tied. They shear the yarn afterward for an even finish. The amount of yarn and denseness affect the cost. I had to stay within a certain price point so I chose the hand tufted type. The most reasonably priced rugs are machine made entirely hence a lot less labor.

This area used to be our main living room (for those who are newer to my blog). We remodeled our home in 1996 and the large living room that is off to the right was added on. There used to be a front door and a picture window along the right side.

I decided to go for something that would be warmer and compliment the wood tone of the furniture, plus it had to be an agreeable pattern with the fabric on the chairs and style of the furniture. It doesn't show much but there is some olive green in there along with a light taupe/tan and a rusty/red.

I liked the idea of a centered medallion so it would show nicely between the double pedestals of the table. I also liked that it didn't have a wide border around the edges like my other one did. Our space is limited for the table and I think it looks more relaxed now.

This picture which is so hard to capture because of glare has a darker rust tone in the planter. The dark terracotta color was helpful in my thought process.

I put together an impromptu vignette on the table reflecting the olive and rust tones.

We are pleased with it and it didn't break the bank. I ended up ordering it through Bed Bath & Beyond (after looking at many web sites and they were all pretty much priced the same) but I was also able to get another 20% off with the free shipping so it was a win win for me. I also could return it for free which is a big deal since it weighs about 70 lbs. As you can see Carmen and Teddy approve too!

So now I'm done being rug crazy!

Joining:

Dishing It & Digging It

Metamorphosis Monday

Celebrate Your Story

Inspire Me Tuesday

February 23, 2018

Wishing You A Nice Cozy Weekend!

Enjoy and relax!

February 21, 2018

Farmhouse Breakfast With Tulips! (T)

I have such a hankering for spring I couldn't resist these tulips. Does anything say spring more than tulips?

They are taking their time to open. I couldn't resist their bright coloring.

I rummaged through my dishes and placemats and tried to find something that would reflect the same colors of the tulips.

The pitcher and sugar bowl are from Hobby Lobby. Stemware by Fitz and Floyd called Trellis.

The placemats on the bottom look like cabbage leaves and the next layer really isn't quite this pink but that's how they're coming across on the camera. They're more of a salmon pink.

The napkins are new from Pier 1- fell in love with them the moment I saw them.

I chose this white-washed cheese board to elevate the flowers, sugar and creamer. It can be cleared and used to set a platter of breakfast foods. The cow creamer came from Pottery Barn a while ago. Coffee mugs not shown are over by the coffee pot.

It's been gray and gloomy- they said no sun today but it broke through for a while. At least the light became brighter and made it easier to take pictures.

Would you like to join me for a Farmhouse Breakfast With Tulips?

Joining the following blow parties:

Between Naps on the Porch for

Tablescape Thursday

February 18, 2018

Easter Floral Egg Basket

I know Easter is a ways off but all the stores are stocking products now and I was in the mood to create something. I got out my supplies and loaded up the kitchen table to work on it.

I found the egg at TJ max which started the ball rolling. The basket is from Michael's and the florals that I bought for it. I always save the styrofoam to reuse. I flipped over the green piece and had a fresh side.

I took some wire and poked it through the basket to tie down the foam which I also needed to help the clay pot sit higher and for the flowers to poke into. I hot glued the clay pot to the foam.

I chose yellow and pink for my primary colors and some grassy stems. They have 40% off on all of it right now and the supplies are good.

I poked the grass stems into the center.

My initial thought was to set the egg on top of the grass but the grass became to flat and then I had a problem securing the egg so I pulled the grass stems out and hot glued the egg to the clay pot and then arranged the flowers and grass around it.

I wanted it to look like the bunny is pushing the cart through a field of grass and flowers.

I think this will be a cute centerpiece and or accent on a table.

All because I bought the egg!

Joining the following blog parties:

Dishing It & Digging It

Metamorphosis Monday

February 8, 2018

Hearts and Love (T)

You'll find plenty of hearts in this tablescape! My romantic table grew from two to four.

A couple we are dining with are recently engaged and I felt it was a perfect chance to share some Valentine's romance with them!

The small heart shaped love sign was my inspiration for the color palette I chose for my

Hearts and Love tablescape.

The little mini pails with hearts were white and I sprayed them in the colors called Pistachio Green and Ballet Slipper Pink. They could hold candies but I chose to put tea lights in them.

I put together two bouquets I found at the store to get the colors I wanted. The pink alstroemeria has opened up beautifully since I first got them.

There are white lilies that still haven't opened but that's okay all in good time!

The dishes are from Lenox (French Perle in Pistachio) and Pottery Barn.

Gold became my other go to color since that was also part of the inspiration love sign.

These square mats came from ZGallerie a long time ago and they have little flecks that sparkle like diamonds in them. The square floral topper came from Boscov's a while back. Napkins from Pier 1. I rolled them to show off the lace edge and not to be too feminine for the guys.

Let's turn up the romance meter...

A little bubbly if you like!

The stemware with hearts came from T.J.Maxx several years ago.

With this lighting the diamond like glitter shows up nicely here on the place mats.

The mercury glass vase is from Pier 1- it's actually an apothecary jar and comes with a lid. The little glass tea light holders came from Nell Hill's back when there was an on-line store to shop at.