Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Christmas 2017 decorating is done

Our Christmas 2017 decorations are finally done. I got a later start this year since we made a trip back home to New York for Thanksgiving with family. Always so happy to get back to visit and feel the love!

The first thing that I started with the year was our bay window in our dining area and my old wheelbarrow made it's show once again.


 Here it is at night.

  I tried really hard to keep the theme on the simple side with only a few extra additions.

The antique scale and dry goods measure filled with mini pomegranates and cinnomon sticks created a little hanging vignette on one side.
 The white lantern and tiny snowy owl were on our mantel last year and hang in the window, to the left, flanking the wheelbarrow below.

It's so pretty by night!

Baby owl is so darn cute!

A Better Homes and Gardens tablecloth makes a window skirt for the wheelbarrow vignette.

Red, white and black just makes me so happy!

I forgot to light the candles for this pic....and then

by the magic of photo editing with "pic monkey" voila!

 Last minute epsom salt snow was added to the red transferware cup and creamer.


Two more owls sit on the valance with a braided jute swag of pomegranates and cinnamon sticks that were on the mantel last year, too.


Just when I thought that I finalized all of my decorating something made me want to make a little change. I felt that my red cardinal needed to be in with the living room decor with his other feathered friends.

That allowed for the two owls that were perched on the valance to come down to where they'd be better seen. So, the little one decided to perch on a cinnamon stick in the rusty scale.




The large one nested where he should have been all along!

They look so much so-o-o much better, now!


This year I removed the shades from the chandelier to show off some edison bulbs for a different look.



You can print out these tags if you'd like them, too!

 This was my first centerpiece on the lazy susan...

until I decided to switch to popcorn and cranberries...it needed something white to make it "pop!"

Now onto some Holiday touches sround the room. with a little touch of Christmas on top of our antique country cupboard.

Wee little grain sack stockings hang from each end of the window valance.


A sunny morning, in the 70's,  here in December made this a welcoming place to enjoy.

My mother's Christmas bell from the 50's is, oh so, cherished and is displayed in our old corner cupboard among a collection of  vintage white ironstone.

My treasured corn husk angel was a gift from my Kristi Marie and is another item that always has to be displayed.

The faux chalkboard window that I made a few years ago is decked out for the Holiday, too!

My jp clay snowmen always make their way into the decor for Christmas and stay throughout the winter.

Another year, another Christmas window is done....I'll be back in a few days to share more of this year's decor with you.
 Love, Hugs, and Kisses,
JP
and Gucci, too!

Monday, June 19, 2017

An almost summer birthday dinner...Surprise!!!

An almost summer birthday dinner for my Tanya!
 
Surprise!!!
 The celebration took place out on our enclosed porch.
 







 Daisies were the perfect addition to the toolbox tote centerpiece...

especially because they are her favorites!

Teal blue and green was the color scheme that worked well with the surroundings and satisfied my color OCD.

It had a summer, southern country touch.





We made her a delicious dinner...sushi, crab rangoons and spring rolls were the starters.
Shrimp with lobster sauce, orange chicken and garlic sauteed green beans were the main course.

We kind of overate!

And played some games into the night and were able to appreciate the lights in our terrarium.



 As always, we wished her a Happy, Happy Birthday!

and then said..... "SURPRISE, the place settings are yours to keep!"
 
Of course it ended with cake, but first there was time for an Insta and a Snap!


 Love, Hugs, and Kisses,
JP
and Gucci, too!
 



Friday, May 19, 2017

A Forgotten Tablescape with Daisies

I thought maybe you might like to see this, long forgotten post, from the summer of 2013 when we first moved into our new home in N.C.   
 I can't believe that I forgot to share it with you!
*********

We met a wonderful couple when we first moved into our North Carolina home. Mike and Eileen were the first ones to welcome us, to our new neighborhood, with open arms. A thoughtful bottle of wine with an immediate invite to come over to sit on their porch and see their gorgeous inlet view. 

An immediate friendship was made and a hospitality payback was due! 



 Daisies were the featured highlight, on the table, for our evening of getting acquainted.


My favorite, red and white, tablecloth from Country Living and daisy napkin rings were the inspiration for the beginning of summer tablescape.

  A trio of white ironstone pitchers held daisy and hydrangea bouquets.

 The daylight pics were really pretty.
 I so wish that I had taken some by the gorgeous candlelight!


A single, vintage, candlestick adorned with jute and twine complimented the centerpiece display.

Four, ivory damask, place mats (just $3 from the Salvation Army) added another layer to the place settings with daisy napkin rings.

Another $3 find...three sets of vintage, silver plate, salt and pepper shakers in a tiny, one inch, size.

"Grandma's," silver plate, flatware came out to show off their splendor...

as did her sparkling crystal.

 I see a lot of changes in the room since we first moved in.

 A collection of brown transferware in my wheelbarrow was my simplest bay window display that I've done.

 "Chef Ralph," you know him as my honey, made us his "to die for" chicken Francese. He makes it with sherry and little, secret touches...it's always a tender, juicy, mouth-watering hit!

The meal was a success and a bond was made, that keeps us close, with our dear, sweet friends to this day!

 Love, Hugs, and Kisses,
JP
and Gucci, too!



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