The weather has just been divine.  It’s been sunny and warm but not too hot. Just about everything in my yard is in bloom.   Today was just too beautiful to eat inside.  So, I set this red and white table in my backyard.

  I couldn’t resist adding a rose from one my rose garden to the table.

This red and white table was inspired by these lovely red and white Laura Ashley plates I picked up this weekend from my favorite thrift shop.

 In fact, I also bought the scalloped plates and the bowls at that thrift shop.  It is a wonderful resource with affordable prices.  The only drawback is, there are usually only two or three matching pieces.  I would have bought a 10 or 12 piece set of these Laura Ashley plates if I could have.  At $1 per plate I would have made out like a bandit!  Unfortunately, I will have to make do with only two.  I may check out eBay but I doubt I will find them at the thrift store price.  Thank you so much for visiting!  I hope you are having a wonderful summer filled with happy memories.

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Today has caught me in an exceptionally good mood.  I wanted to set a bright and happy table to reflect my perkiness.

Nothing here is new except for the square orange quatrefoil plates.  I picked them up at Hobby Lobby this week.  They were on the Spring clearance rack so I snagged the last two.

Here’s a little closer look.

Love this little dragon.

And a touch of my vintage Fiestaware is the last ingredient needed for my table.

Thank you for stopping by.  I appreciate you taking the time to visit.  Please come back and visit anytime.  I am linking this post to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

I love shabby chic and I love rustic.  I think it is so pretty to combine crystal with burlap, or moss with silver.

Here are some of the shabby chic pieces I have collected.

Here are some of the rustic things I have made.  My little moss-covered Easter Bunny above (tutorial coming soon).

and this homemade bird nest with moss-covered Easter eggs.

I Love this picture because it shows all the texture so well.

 Thanks for stopping by.  Please join me over at Between Naps on the Porch.  Have a very joyful Easter!

It was cold and snowy today.  I’m not complaining though.  We have had a very mild winter and haven’t had many days that needed cozying up with a fire.  I thought today would be the last chance for a fire for a long time.  I had my sweet husband light a fire while I set out this afternoon tea.

Four views of  our tea.  Each showing off the reproduction antique warehouse cart coffee table my husband made me for Christmas a couple of years ago.

On the menu for this afternoon tea are mini blueberry muffins, lemon bread and green tea.  I have also set out some fresh fruit.

And last but not least a closer look at the dishes.

The blue speckled dishes are Mikasa.  The  little peacock plates are from Home Goods.

The little bowl holding the Clementines is Crate and Barrel.  I used my Fiestaware teapot and cream and sugar.

Thanks for joining us for one last cozy afternoon tea.  I am linking this post to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

I think I am the only one in my neighborhood who decorates for St. Patrick’s day.  I decorate for most of the holidays though.  I always have.  I don’t think that I have shared before the fact that I used to be the owner and operator of an in-home daycare.  I also worked at a couple of daycare centers.  I have always loved kids and enjoyed being a daycare provider.  I always looked forward to each new month and making projects with the kids and using those projects as our decorations.  I still enjoy doing projects with my kids, but they are growing up fast.  They aren’t as enthusiastic as I still am so I tend to channel my decorating in more grown up ways now.

 Like tablescapes.

I picked up the top ringed green plate, Royal Norfolk, the white plate, Mikasa (Parisian Ivy), and the green goblets at my favorite local thrift store.  I have had green chargers, Target, and the white placements and napkins, Homegoods, and the flatware, Oneida, for a while now.  I think they mix well even though they are from all over and not matched.

 A closer look.

I love the green glass.

I borrowed these green bottles from a larger collection I have displayed on the window ledge in my craft/laundry room.  These have been collected through the years.  My favorite source for glass bottles is eBay.  Thank you for visiting.  I am linking this post to Tablescape Thursday over at Between Naps on the Porch  and Centerpiece Wednesday over at The Style Sisters.  Happy St. Patrick’s Day!