Glassware...Everywhere! (Part 2)

If you've been following my blog, you may remember that I enjoy attending the annual glass show sponsored by the Peach State Depression Glass Club. Glassware for sale ranges from delicate antiques to depression dinnerware, elegant glassware, mid-century designs and (almost) contemporary pieces.

Last July there was glass in all shapes, sizes and colors occupying two floors. Some were functional, some were simply decorative and some are hard to describe. As usual we had a fun afternoon and of course managed to come home with a few!

Christmastime Accented with Red

I've set another holiday table in what we call the 'game room' (because it's perfect for board games and card games) or the 'garden room' (because it opens onto the lower patio by the pond). I would rather have set it in the dining room, a room that lends itself to larger displays and elegant settings. But I couldn't because we are in the midst of renovating the kitchen. The rooms on the first floor are shrouded in plastic and the dining room table is covered with the stuff you normally stash in the kitchen. The renovation was supposed to begin in September, but it was the first week of November before it did. We can't get to where we store the decorations so haven't been able to decorate the house for Christmas. Ah, well...

Twelve Drummers Drumming...

December is here and with it the Christmas season! For my first holiday table this year I continued with the twelve days of Christmas, ending of course with twelve drummers drumming. 

Setting the Table for a November Birthday

Do you find yourself in a situation like mine, where there are a number of special birthdays clustered around the fall and winter holidays? We celebrate birthdays from the last of days of November until the first week of January. For each of them I try to set a table that says 'here's a special day' but downplays — or better yet doesn't include — holiday trimmings.

Elegance and Candlelight for Thanksgiving

If your house is like ours, Thanksgiving dinner is not quite like any other dinner. Family and friends are contacted in October (or September if an overnight -- or weekend -- stay is included!) for a festive gathering. The menu is set years in advance and food shopping and preparation is a group effort. 

Autumn Vignettes

I know that many of you regularly create lovely vignettes throughout your homes to celebrate the seasons, holidays or special occasions. I don't usually, generally being content to savor the way mantles or tabletops look for longer periods. But I came down with bronchitis this weekend — so I gave up on my planned tablescape and created two autumn themed vignettes instead. Easier and quicker since I had already retrieved the box of pumpkins from downstairs.

when Halloween nears -- witches appear!

Welcome! Come on in! Halloween's not far off, so join us 'round the table inspired by Shakespeare's song of the witches.

Blue and Copper for Effortless Style

I love setting tables! Pretty tables, casual tables, formal tables, simple tables, over-the-top tables. Tables befitting the occasion or just my mood of the day!

 

Fall Beckons with Leaves on the Table

We seem to be rushing ever faster through September. Fall now beckons, although summer is hanging on. But leaves in the garden have started to change colors, so I decided a table to welcome fall was needed.

 

A Bit of Whimsy at the End of Summer

Despite the temps pushing 90 (and the humidity levels right up there, too), all the signs point to the end of summer. Or at least the calendar does! I've set a table to begin the transition at our house.

A Snapshot of Container Gardening

Something's gotta give.... I know we've all felt that way at some point. Due to family responsibilities we've spent nearly every weekend since November taking care of one thing or another. And so the thing that "gave" was my garden. I didn't have the time or the energy -- the garden was pretty much left on its own. Spring brought the return of the flowering trees and shrubs which were soon followed by the dependable perennial show.

The last of the perennials to bloom

But summer? Well the deer ate every daylily bud the night before they would have bloomed

A Pastel Table with Turquoise Accents

August has brought with it high temperatures and repeated thunderstorms. I've retreated inside once again to avoid the heat and rain and to set a table that feels refreshing and serene.

A Summer Table with a Citrus Centerpiece

It all started at the grocery store. I was picking up lemons and limes to add to the iced tea that we love to drink in the summer. They were stacked next to several varieties of oranges. 

Glassware...Everywhere!

I was lucky enough to attend the 42nd annual glass show sponsored by the Peach State Depression Glass Club last weekend in Marietta, GA. Their theme was "What's in Your Cabinet?" and featured the wares of 28 dealers as well as seminars and exhibits. Glasswares ranged from antique and depression era through mid-century to (almost) contemporary.

There were so many beautiful examples of the glassmaker's art in all sizes, shapes and colors. Most were functional but some were purely decorative. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and of course couldn't resist picking up a few things!

I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the glass — be prepared for lots of photos!

Fresh Flowers on a Summer Table

I've always liked the idea of dining outside. Fresh air, dappled shade, the scent of flowers, a gentle breeze. But I'm brought up short by the reality of 90+ temps and humidity, alternating with a week's worth of thunderstorms.

Flowers in July

For July garden parties, I opted to go to Miss J's place. She is an hour north of us in the mountains and experiences somewhat cooler temperatures.

She has a small area in the front and back of her townhouse where she and I have planted several perennials. She took this photo of her Siberian irises before heading off to class on a May morning. They bloomed a week or two later for her than for us.

Iris sibirica 'Caesar's Brother'

I visited her two weeks ago and managed to snag a few photos in bright sunlight.

Recreating the Table at Kilkenny Castle

In May, Greg, Miss J and I spent almost two weeks in Ireland. For the table this week, I'm following Greg's suggestion to recreate the table set at Kilkenny Castle. The stone castle (Caisleán Chill Chainnigh) was built by the Normans in 1195 on the site of a wooden fort which guarded access to the River Nore. The original stone castle, with four large circular corner towers and a massive ditch, was altered and added to several times in the past 800 years. In 1967, it was presented to the people of Kilkenny in return for a token payment of £50.

The table seems to be set in the style of the early Victorian period. My challenge was to set my dining room table in the same style – without buying anything new (or old as the case may be, lol!).  I'll be alternating photos of the castle's table with mine.

The castle's dining room is quite large; the expansive table was set with a crisp tablecloth. For some reason, napkins weren't included, although they were certainly in use in that time period. 

A Patriotic Table for the Fourth

Are you ready to celebrate the Fourth of July next week? I've set the table indoors, but it can easily be taken outside if the weather permits.

Early Summer Flowers

Welcome to the garden! Come with me to see the early summer flowers.

First up is a cultivar of milkweed native to eastern North America, beloved of butterflies. It's commonly known as butterfly weed.

Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow'

   

An Everyday Table

I totally enjoy designing tablescapes for holidays and special occasions, but of course we don't celebrate special occasions every day. That doesn't mean we can't put a little thought into the settings we have from day to day.

 

The Birds of Toulouse

After three days of rain we had a short break in the weather. I had been enjoying the return of birdsong this morning and found it to be the perfect inspiration for a table setting!

To bring birds to the table, I selected these luncheon-sized plates, in a pattern named 'Toulouse'. They're a pretty pale aqua, with spring-green leaves. A butterfly in a soft coral and blue flits above a wood thrush still sitting on its eggs.

Spending Late Spring Afternoons in the Garden

Spring is my favorite time in the garden! Trees and shrubs leaf out with the softest of greens, and the profusion of flowers lifts the spirit. Come with me to the garden -- these photos were taken from mid-April to mid-May and bloomed in roughly the order shown. 

Clematis 'American Beauty'

  

A Brunch for Mother's Day

Today I thought I'd share a table I've set for a Mother's Day brunch. Although we are more than a week away from Mother's Day, we will be traveling that day so we're celebrating early.

How Do You Pick a Favorite?

I have always loved creating tablescapes. Growing up I would volunteer to set the table for special occasions, knowing I would get to use all the pretty plates and silverware and other things my mother kept for "good". Greg enjoys entertaining as much as I do (probably more!), and encourages my finding the perfect things to style our table.

So I was excited to stumble upon Susan's Between Naps on the Porch. Here was a blog all about tablescapes! She hosts weekly parties that share all sorts of inspiration and ideas for tables and home decor. Reading her posts have provided me some of the most delightful moments in the week. Susan is holding a very special 'Tablescape Thursday' party this week – her 500th! What an achievement! She has invited us to join her celebration by featuring our favorite tablescapes.

How do you pick a favorite? I've liked all the tables I've designed. Some expressed a mood or theme. Others tried out new ideas or tweaked old habits. Some tables struck a special chord with you. That's it! You and I will pick our favorites!   

(Click on the titles to see more pictures from each post and information about the table items.)

Christmas Eve Dinner has had the most views of all the tables I've posted. Holiday tables seem to always be at the top of our lists!

Closely following it in the number of views received was A Winter's Song.

There was a tie between two tables in the number of lovely comments you left me. The first, Lunch with Violets and Irises, celebrated the coming of spring and featured flowers from my garden.

The second, Year of the Dog, featured another type of winter holiday and is among Greg's favorites. (Hint: dragons have something to do with it!)

I asked my biggest fans what their favorites were. Greg and Miss J selected A Merry Plaid Christmas, I think because Christmas is their favorite holiday, hands down.

Miss J added Thanksgiving in Blue and Gold to our list.

I've always loved the allure of France, so I picked la Fête nationale with its celebration of what I imagine France to be like.

To round out the top favorites, I wanted to include a table done just for fun – September Transitions, Italian Style.

My, that was hard! Did we pick your favorites? I'd love to hear which tablescape you would have included!

Congratulations to Susan and Between Naps on the Porch on an awesome milestone!

    

  

  

  

 

Setting a Spring Table for Lunch

With yet another freeze warning looming, I decided to set a spring table for lunch, using flowers from the garden.

Covered in Blooms: the April Garden

Guided by the lengthening daylight hours, the April garden is suddenly covered in blooms.

Early Spring Flowers in the Garden

Flowers nearly exploded into bloom in March in the garden! These photos were taken over a 3-week period in the order I've posted them below. Although I haven't had a chance to do a full post on them until now, a number of flowers were featured in Simple Elegance for St. Patrick's Day and Bunnies and Blossoms.

Bunnies and Blossoms

Spring is officially here! Time to set a table for spring and Easter brunches!

Simple Elegance for St. Patrick's Day

I had such fun celebrating St. Patrick's Day last year that I thought I'd set another table to honor my Irish heritage with simplicity and elegance.

Hints of Spring

Normal levels of winter rain (okay, more than normal!) combined with brisk days alternating with warm, sunny ones means the garden has begun providing hints of spring.

But first we will back track to the first weeks of February, when the garden was cold and the only flowers blooming were indoors.

Tea and Cookies . . . and Olympics

As anyone who knows me could tell you, I am totally entranced by the Olympics, particularly those held in the winter. I am astounded by the athletes' skill and touch of dare-devil. I love to watch the lesser-known sports that they feature. And the mountain scenery is just awesome! So for these two weeks, you can find me in front of the TV.

Year of the Dog

The Lunar New Year begins on Friday, February 16, with celebrations that can last for two weeks. Last year it began in January. Each year it falls on a different date because the calendar is based on the cycles of the moon.

Hearts and Flowers

I don't always decorate for Valentine's Day – in fact I haven't done so on a regular basis since my daughter J was small. But I remember how much fun she and I had putting together her tea parties with hearts and flowers. So in the past few years I have once again begun decorating for Valentine's, although usually only in the dining room.

Of Ice and Snow

Two rather rare snowfalls in one winter here in Georgia has me longing for more! So what's a girl to do? Design a table of ice and snow!

January's Winter Greetings

After an unseasonably warm December, January arrived with winter greetings. Cold temps and snow left no doubt that it's winter! Which is all right by me, since I like experiencing all four seasons (in their proper months of course, lol!).