Cheerful Birdies on a Gloomy Day

Be sure to visit Cuisine Kathleen's linky party featuring birds, nests, and eggs.  It's sure to be filled with inspiration galore!

Listening to the birds chirp the other day, I decided that I needed to do a bird themed table.  This periwinkle blue and white palette came together so easily.  When I started poking around, I couldn't believe how much bird stuff I had.

This Robert Allen fabric was the inspiration.  It seemed to blend traditional and contemporary in its simplicity.  I just hemmed a length for a tablecloth.

I chose the drop-leaf table in the bar for this lunch.  I like to leave it pushed up against the wall and set the ends when we only have four.

Then I replaced the fish plates in the antique French shelves with some old bird plates.  There are no markings on these at all, so I can't share any information other than to say I bought them at an antique show years ago.

 

I love this wicker plant holder for small spring pots.  Today I added a small glass filled with water to each terra cotta pot and then placed a blue hydrangea moppead in each one.  I love the way this watercolor of Cape Cod shares the colors of the flowers.

The double-faced satin ribbon comes from The Paperie at Sam Flax, one of my favorite sources for beautiful papers and ribbons.

Here it is used again as a napkin "ring" on a crisp white napkin from The Palm line of linens at Homegoods.  The little vine nest that I used as a placecard holder is from Michaels and was very inexpensive.  These white bistro plates are some I've had for a very long time.  I think everyone needs to have a simple white set of dishes to play with, and they are available many places at very affordable prices.

I am so fond of the look that a mixture of silverplate flatware gives to a table.  Here I've used it with these mother-of-pearl handled knives that pull the white into the design in another interesting way.

Waterford's Lismore pattern of water and wine stems keeps the look crisp and simple. I think it is the most popular pattern that they make.  I have so many friends that have this pattern.  Great for borrowing!  My mom has gifted me with these pieces for many years.  Thanks, mom!  I love them.

This white faux bois cup held the cream of asparagus soup on a similar faux bois plate.  

 

A larger faux bois plate held a simple salad of arugula, avocado, and fresh apricots dressed with a lemon cream dressing.

My white bread and butter plates were a little large for this table, so I used these little fluted dishes for the rolls with a twig butter spreader.

I almost forgot I had this little French white porcelain butter dish with the bird on top.

This casserole dish has been a favorite of mine for many years.  I am always careful not to bang the bird on the top.  It held a delicious orzo primevera.

This might be one of my very favorite tables I have ever set.

I found this roll basket at the Flower Factory in Chagrin Falls, Ohio last week.  They are closing and everything is drastically reduced.  I think I paid about $3.50 for it.  Great bargain, don't you think?

I used this sweet little dish to serve lemons and dill for garnishing the salmon.

Coffee in these cups with the faux bois design were served at the end of the meal with dessert.  The dessert was a meringue shell (made extra rough to look like a nest) filled with lemon curd and garnished with a whipped cream "egg".  I wish I had taken a picture of it, but I never remember to photograph anything once I start serving. 

One more birdie item held sweetener.

It was a gloomy day, but the friendship was warm and the conversation was light and fun.  We have lots of spring flowers blooming, but the rain has kept me out of the garden.  I did a little clipping a few days ago, but things will have to wait for a sunny day for any more gathering.  I didn't even stick my head out to get a picture of the bird welcome sign on the front door.

The guest bathroom vanity even got a nod to spring and birds.

A metal nest.......

and a cute hand towel round out the theme.

Menu:

Asparagus Soup

with Radish Micro-green Garnish

French Rolls

Arugula, Avocado and Apricot Salad

with Lemon Cream Dressing

Soy-glazed Salmon

Orzo Primavera

Meringue Nests filled with

Lemon Curd and a Whipped Cream Egg

Coffee

Don't forget to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her weekly blog party featuring lots and lots of fun tablescapes.  Thank you, Susan for this forum.



Daffodil Dinner

Last weekend was a fast-paced, action-packed one with houseguests and lots to do.  Dinner one evening was a very quick, child friendly one and I put this table together in a blink.  It was such a simple design that I almost decided that it might not be of interest to many readers.  Then, I decided that I shouldn't try to kid you......I DO simple!!!  We all do!!!  These daffodil napkin rings from Pottery Barn together with some daffodil themed dishes made a simple but cheerful tablescape.

 

Green ribbed placemats on the bare dining room table, light yellow woven napkins and light stained wooden handled flatware kept this very casual.  These placemats didn't photograph very well.  They really are a brighter apple green.

This china pattern is a cute one, isn't it?  But, it's easy to see why I only use it in the spring and the back to "the vault" it goes. The daffodil and the border are my favorite things in the design. 

Here are the particulars on the pattern.  I should also mention that it is dishwasher proof and that makes it easy to throw on the table for a simple meal.

Salad plates feature an iris and some more yellow.  I'm playing with an idea for a soft lavender table, and I'm making a note to remember to see if this piece works.

These water glasses are sturdy and dependable.  We chose then when we got married many years ago.  They are Imperial Glass.

This little doily was from the dollar bin at Michael's from their Shabby Chic collection and the urn is one I use a lot, but I can't remember where it came from.

These little votives are from the floral wholesaler.  I got a bunch in pink, too.

Same Imperial glass in the salt and peppers as in the stems.

I thought I would put lots of cut daffodils in this urn, but I found a small pot of bulbs and just dropped it in.

They did the trick!

It was a great evening with dear ones around the table.  What more could you want?

I'm linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday blog.  Don't miss the opportunity to visit her and see tons of interesting tables.

Here's the link:

betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

Black Forest at Scott's

Last week I posted about the fabulous tartanware I found at Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta.  I also

found several dealers who displayed my other obsession, black forest wood carved pieces.  Terri Lightmas is right inside the front door of the building on the left (I can never remember if that's the north or the south building) and I am always awed by her pieces.  She has a knack for beautiful display and she is delightful herself.  She also has her mother with her in the booth and they are a lovely pair. 

Birds are a familiar theme in this genre.  Look at this box.  Can you see the eggs in the nest?  Darling!

How many times have I told you that I love dogs in decor?  Well, this piece is love worthy!  The wood is beautiful and the carving is fabulous and this little guy is just precious.

You have to see this.........a pair of lamps with

the hound on one,....

and the fox on the other!!!

Love! Love! Love!

I thought these fruit garlands were really beautiful, too.  The photo is not great, but the subject is!

These aren't black forest, but she has such a wonderful collection of biscuit barrels that I had to show them to you.  These are also some of my favorite antiques to collect.

How about this beauty?  This cow embelishment on the butter dish is wonderful, as is the banding, and Terri keeps her pieces in such beautiful condition.

I am also lusting for these salts.  What character they would add to a table. 

Terri also has a space at a delightful antique co-op shop, Historic Roswell Antique Market in Roswell, Georgia, as well as Antiques and Interiors of Sandy Springs, also in Georgia. Something tells me I might be visiting her there looking for these lamps. They have been calling my name at all hours of the day and night. 

Contact info for Terri:

Terri Lightmas

404-274-2991

404-255-1307

lightmas@mindspring.com

This booth belongs to Beth Bain, a dealer with some great and unusual pieces.  This box is designed with the carving depicting ferns.  Very Victorian.  What skill it must take to do the carving for the wicker as well as the ferns.

Here are some more birds.  This work is just outstanding.  I so appreciate the beautiful sheen on this lovely piece of wood.

This piece shows a lot of my design favorites.  Black forest, dogs, wicker - I love it!  The wicker basket could hold so many clever things, but who needs it to function when the expression on the dog's face is so charming.  It just cracks me up.

I use a lot of these in my decor.  Photos, post cards, and needlework all look good in these frames.  For some reason, old bird prints are my favorite subject, though.

Can you guess how much I love this one?

Desk accessories are another favorite black forest item.  This nut on a leaf is an ink well.  Here it is closed,.....

and here it is opened.

Deer and stags are other common subjects.  Beth has lots of both and she's quite willing to share her knowledge. 

Doesn't every ski lodge and mountain house need some black forest bears?

And I think this guy is very distinguished.

Beth's wares are also for sale at the 14th Street Antiques Market in midtown Atlanta (530 14th St., 30318)  It is 40,000 sq. ft. of a great variety of dealers. 

Contact info for Beth:

Beth Bain

bbain@bellsouth.net

Jim Pruitt of Tusks has a lovely display of antlers and mirrors.  I have bought several pair of large antlers from him in the past, but didn't buy anything today.  He left his sweet mom in charge of the booth this day and I had a great talk with her.  Pay no attention to the lady with the camera in this mirror, just look at the delicate work on the frame. 

I think Jim's display is as good as his merchandise!

Here's a treat! A matched pair of nice sized frames.  Oh my, they were nice!

The mounting plaques on many of these are so interesting and add so much to the piece.  Notice how the quality of carving, color of the wood and subject matter change the look of the antlers so greatly.

And which do you think were my favorite?

 Contact info for Jim:

Jim Pruitt

704-527-7043

(c) 770-968-7053

tuskoldworld@aol.com

Do you have a favorite????