Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Greetings — The Birds of Winter

Winter came — for a short week at least! A real winter, with cold, crisp days and blustery nights. A week that required actual winter coats. Unfortunately, it didn't last, and we reverted to what passes for winter here: windy, rainy days in the 40's. 

The saving grace is that winter comes with a large number of birds, the ones who reside here year-round and those that over-winter from colder climates. And they've been coming inside to perch on my dining room table since the new year began!

  
Today I've set the table for a weekend brunch, starting with a beautiful cut-work tablecloth, embroidered with scrolling stems and flowers, that Greg gave me.


The place setting consists of a luncheon-sized plate on a scalloped charger that reflects the gold trim on the china.  There is a bowl for fruit and a cup and saucer for coffee or tea. Vintage glassware etched in a simple vining pattern will hold iced tea. For no southern table is without it! Sweet for Greg and his family, unsweet for me. (I know, I know, I'm in the South now but I still haven't gotten used to it!)


Cute raffia birds perch among the greenery and berries.

    
I've used faux greenery for the centerpiece, since the boughs outside are too wet to use, then added a few pine cones. Faux greenery has the advantage of lasting all month long.

  
   
  
The black lanterns used on my cozy, bright and classic holiday table have remained since the holidays. 


Greg also gave me these gorgeous napkin holders with long-tailed birds that resemble cardinals. Cardinals live here throughout the year and have continually nested in our tall holly hedge.
 

The 9 1/2" luncheon sized plates in this pattern are referred to as 'accent plates'. Holly, pine and berries festooned with red ribbons on their rim are like the other types of plates in the pattern, but these plates feature a single bird in the center. I'm not sure how many designs were produced, but I have eight different ones. In addition to the ones on this table, I have a cedar waxwing and a downy woodpecker.

Cardinal and Black Capped Chickadee


House Finch and White-breasted Nuthatch


Eastern Bluebird and American Goldfinch

I was lucky to find the plates, bowls, cups and saucers together at an antique mall several years ago. The sugar and creamer set was a bargain on eBay. I particularly like their graceful shape.
 
    


Joining the other birds on the table are silver salt and pepper shakers.


The colorful table is a nice counterpoint to the gray days and long nights of winter!

  



   
The red accents are especially cheerful!


 You might enjoy seeing the dinnerware used in a different setting in A Snowy Winter Tablescape
   


  
The birds of winter have carried me through the long month of January!





Table details
China | Lenox 'Winter Greetings'
Iced tea glasses | Tiffin-Franciscan 'Margo'
Flatware | Oneida 'Juilliard'
Lanterns | Crate & Barrel 'Petaluma'

 
 
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20 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I love the touches of red, especially the cardinals.

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightFebruary 3, 2023 at 11:28 PM

      Thank you! The red is cheery, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Beautiful. I love the bird pattern.
    To think there are children who " Don't want that old stuff"

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightFebruary 3, 2023 at 11:29 PM

      Thank you! I'm glad that my daughter appreciates and wants beautiful pieces of dinnerware.

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  3. Sandra, this is an absolutely gorgeous table!! I love love the Lenox Winter Greetings pattern and you have styled it so beautifully with your collection - what a great find! And the tablecloth, oh my. So pretty and what a sweet gift from Greg. The napkins are perfect - were they an antique mall find as well? Love your centerpiece too (birds just make me smile) and I agree, the red pops of color do brighten up those gray winter days. I hope you have a wonderful brunch!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightFebruary 4, 2023 at 11:31 AM

      Thank you, Kim! I had admired the Winter Greetings pattern and just could not pass it up at such a great price. I'm lucky that Greg indulges my tablescaping -- the napkins are from him as well. I love decorating with bird themes. And of course watching the real thing!

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  4. Beautiful! Winter Greetings is a timelessly classic pattern. Finding it in an esttes sale or antique shop, you were smart to snap it up. It sells well, just like Friendly Village. I went to an estate sale once with such a huge collection of this pattern, it wasn't selling on first day (one lot, one price). I managed to talk the host into breaking it down, such that I was able to get place settings for four and not feel guilty about bringing the entire load home. 😉 ps, I drink my tea unsweetened also. Blasphemy, I know.

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    1. Thank you, Rita! I had always liked the pattern but had never bought any. The price for the lot was too good to pass up! I understand why sellers want to keep their whole set together, but once beyond the minimum set pieces (four to eight?) I would think they limit their market. Have a wonderful weekend! We finally have sunshine

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  5. Sandra, what a beautiful table. How fortunate to find other pieces for your collection. A timeless pattern.The bird plates are so lovely. I am happy to feature your gorgeous table at Love Your Creativity.

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda! I love using this china throughout the winter months since it brings both color and nature to the table.

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  6. Sandra, I have always loved Lenox Winter Greetings! The cutwork cloth is gorgeous and your table is perfect for winter! We have sunshine today and it is beautiful!

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    1. Thanks, Pam! I'm debating whether I should get more pieces of the Winter Greetings . . . I do love it . . . hmmm. LOL. We've finally got sunshine today as well. We need rain of course, but we've had too much this winter. Wish I could send some of it out west.

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  7. So beautiful and peaceful. I love the holly in the designs, too, and how the birds are showcased. Lovely. Visiting from Funtastic Friday linkup.

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightFebruary 5, 2024 at 9:47 PM

      Thanks, Jennifer! I love watching the birds from my windows and always enjoy bringing them on to the table.

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  8. Simply beautiful! Love your bird theme.
    Visiting today from Crazy Little Love Birds 23 #33,33&34

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightFebruary 5, 2024 at 9:48 PM

      Thanks, Paula! I have such fun styling tables with birds of all kinds.

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  9. Sandra, I just love visiting your blog and seeing your newest table designs. This one is so peaceful and pretty. I love the birds. Thank you for sharing your post with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #23.

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightFebruary 8, 2024 at 11:57 AM

      Thank you, Stephanie! I love that you thought it was peaceful!

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  10. Featuring your past at Funtastic Friday 2/8/24!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightFebruary 8, 2024 at 11:58 AM

      Wow! Thanks so much!

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