April Showers 2016

It's time again for the April Showers that bring May flowers! I decided this year to set up an April Shower tea table in my parlor.

My centerpiece is flowers set in glasses of water tucked into these children's rain boots. I added a small brass watering can and used a teapot with a gardening theme.

I love the flower pots on top of this teapot.

Even a trowel on the back!

The tea cups have butterfly handles and a butterfly motif.

Some bright floral napkins with dragonfly napkin rings complete the table.

Here's a view of the tea table in my parlor bay window.

I will be sharing this with Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Tea Time in my "Pumpkin Patch"

The table I usually spotlight in this blog is my dining room table. Today I am going to feature my parlor tea table. Every Fall the mantle in my parlor is covered with pumpkins, ceramic, plastic, glittered, plain, big and small. I jokingly call it my "Pumpkin Patch" - so today is Tea Time in my "Pumpkin Patch!"



The piecrust table sits in the bay window of my parlor and is covered with a round lace tablecloth. I have several glass pumpkins that I have been given or have bought through the years and I love how the light coming from the window lights up the pumpkins. I have a pumpkin tea set that I got from Cracker Barrel years ago. And at each place is a pumpkin plate and a pumpkin mug from Dollar General a few years ago. I then scattered silk leaves and acrylic leaf "jewels" all around.
Here is the "Pumpkin Patch!"



Speaking of mantles, I showed my dining room mantle last week. My theme was metallics: copper, silver and gold.


Here is the mantle in our library/study. Can you tell it's my husband's room? All he would let me do to the mantle was add the leaves. I did put a few turkeys around the room also!

My last mantle is in the billiards room and it is my favorite. I went with a pheasant theme.




I love how this little pumpkin glows at night!

I will be joining
Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen
and
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Valentine Party with Laurie

Just for the Valentine's Day Party with Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie!

I took all the snowflakes of my Dining Room table last night just to have something to fresh to show at Laurie's Party. I went with a Red and Gold Valentine theme.



I started with a burgundy red tablecloth I got from Target years ago and then put a runner with cherubs on top. The closest I have to Cupid!






For the centerpeice I used a gold beaded charger from Tuesday Morning clearance. There was only one, so it is perfect for a centerpiece! On top of that is a stacking set of glass cakeplates with hearts along the edge. I accented them with blown glass hearts attached with heart ribbon and then threw red and pink acrylic heart scatters all over. On top is a vase with red roses. I once blogged a tutorial about how to do this centerpiece CLICK HERE.



For the place setting, I used gold chargers and Spode Pink Tower. The stemware- gold/silver Greek Key goblets and red wine hocks. Completed with my faux Grand Baroque silverplate and gold napkins with a red napkin ring. Someone asked last night where I got the Spode Pink Tower and I will answer them directly but in case you wonder too - I was lucky enough to get a whole set before Spode discontinued it. Wouldn't it figure that after I pick a new everyday pattern - one that has been in constant production since the 1830's - that Spode would discontinue it? SIGH!







I was very happy with the results!





Around my house I have a few Valentine touches along with the winter and snowflakes!

My parlor







And in the bay window on my parlor



Aren't the wine glasses gorgeous? My daughter Emily had them shipped to me from Ireland where she went with her college. They arrived the day before my birthday from Celtic Crystal!



In my foyer I have some more glass hearts.



And that's about it for my Valentine's Day decor!

To see more fun Valentine post go to Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie!

Step into My Parlor

Step into my parlor for a Pumpkin Tea Party!



I will be joining Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Be sure and see all the wonderful ideas on that site!

In the bay window of my parlor I have a tea table and it is decorated for the season!



My pumpkin teaset is from Cracker Barrell many years ago.



And the mugs and plates were from Dollar General last year.



Rounding out the decor are some glass pumpkins which catch the light from the bay window!



Across the room is my mantle, which I call the "Pumpkin Patch" this time of year!







And on the tea table in front of the sofa you could be served either tea or hot chocolate.



The turkey tea pot was from Cracker Barrel and the chocolate set was a gift from my aunt. It was passed down to her from her family.

We could play some Pumpkin Carols on the old organ for a musical tea party!



I hope you have enjoyed my parlor and make sure to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!
I have set my tea table with my rosebud chintz tea set. I got the set with 6 cups and saucers years ago from Ross Simon and later found the almost matching compote at a local Dollar Store!




Here is our antique pump organ in our parlor. It makes a nice place to display seasonal doo-dads.





This antique book was on display in the shop when we bought the organ, so we bought it also. The copyright date is in Roman numerals and my math is a little rusty!!!!


This heart was at Big Lots a few years ago and I thought it went well with my Victorian decor.


In my foyer, I have some conversation heart, but please don't try and eat them! They are glass ornaments.



Finally, for Debbie at "Confessions of a Plate Addict", here is my ironstone set which matches not only her mother's tureen, but her latest find!!!!


I hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day! :D Jewel