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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Winter Blessings



One of my favorite things about winter is how stunning the beautiful Cardinal looks against the bare branches, its striking red color draws the eye, and holds me captive.  Actually it is one of the few things I like about winter.  I am definitely more of a spring and fall girl.

I decided to tie that to this tablescape, I used my dinnerware with the pine and antlers...well because this is the time of year that my honey and I spend in Mexico hunting the elusive Muy Grande, so it was a perfect marriage of my two loves.


Once I had the vision of this tablescape tucked away in my mind, I knew the table cloth I wanted.  It needed to be something that looked like an old flannel or wool blanket from days gone by.  I was fortunate enough to find material at my local fabric store that fit the bill perfectly.  I wish you could feel it, it is so soft and feels like a time worn friend.


I used my red napkins and wrapped it with a napkin ring with a sprig of pine and holly.




Each place setting is on a square Madras mat, topped with a creamy white Italian Countryside platter used as a charger and a little birdhouse with a bright Cardinal sits on each salad plate.



Much to my surprise, I found these great goblets with the pine detail at a local resale shop months before I had the vision of this tablescape.  I just loved the frosted wintery feel of them, so yes they came home with me.

My red goblets are from JC Penney 3 years ago on clearance, I have to be honest, I have a hard time walking away from red goblets, much less ones that are on clearance.




I wanted my table to have the feel of winter, to me nothing says that like pine, maybe its because as a little kid, our christmas tree was always one that we would go out in the woods and cut down, and my mom would always put pine here and there to make it smell yummy in the house.  So that is what I used with this table.  I used a centerpiece of pine with lots of pinecones, as well as a beautiful snow covered birdhouse, and the prettiest pine trees...in my neck of the woods there would be no snow, but in my vision...let there be snow!










I added in lots of beautiful Cardinals all around the house, I can almost hear the little chirp that they give out each evening when they come to the feeders.  No one else sounds like the Cardinal, I always stop and look when I hear that first little chirp, they really are a Winter Blessing and here is to wishing you many Winter Blessings.



22 comments:

Kathie aka dishgal said...

Hot Damn Girl!! You done it GREAT again. I can't belived the talent you have and you are not doing it for a living. You could so easy go decorate homes for people and make money at it. There is no way that I the reason you do this Your talent and love for life (and the love of your life) is the reason you do such wonderful tables. (spreading to the whole house decorations) Hugs to both of you. Can't wait to see you again. Let make it soon.

Audrey said...

Oh my Gosh Donna ... you did it again. Just love it with all the Cardinals, pine and bird houses. Just Beautiful as usual and I know how you love red glass. Blessings. Audrey Z.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness... I love the dishes with the tablecloth. Where did you find the tablecloth? I have an idea for the same thing in the fall.

Love it. Great Job!!!

Cynthia

Donna said...

Well, after perusing all the tablescape pictures, yours is the first that caught my eye. I want to tell you that I LOVE it. Great pic of the red bird. I can never get that close with my camera. Love those pine cone goblets. What a find. Very pretty, wintry table.
D
Thanks for stopping by to visit me, too.

Apple of His Eye said...

Hi Donna
I love cardinals as well. We only see them in the winter months in Florida. Your table is lovely and feels warm and cozy.
Loving all the reds too!
Hugs
LaDonna

Rettabug said...

This entire scene is just gorgeous, Donna! The cardinal is my state's official bird (Ohio) & I loved seeing how you featured it in so many places.

This is my first visit to your pretty blog, so I'm going to poke around a bit after I get a second cuppa tea. I'm your newest follower, too.

fondly,
Rett

Nicole said...

Beautiful Aunt Donna!

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Oh my gosh!

Your tablescape is AWARD WINNING! It is amazing, truly.

Every attential to detail - perfectly executed without being over the top too much - I looooove your post. I think I drooled on my keyboard, even!

Cardinals are Ohio's state bird. I love them too and their song is unique and welcome.

VERY well done! And thank you so much for visiting this new blogger and for your comments. It is very much appreciated!

Alycia Nichols said...

Hi, Donna! You outdid yourself here, young lady! My goodness...this is beautiful!!! I love the table covering you chose. It does remind me of the warmth of a blanket on a cold winter's day. That's just the kind of feel you want when you sit down to a cozy January dinner! What a great find on the pine cone glassware! It is perfect!!! I LOVE the dishes, too! They could be a Christmas thing if you wanted them to be, but here they just speak of the Winter season. Your centerpiece is so cool, too!!! My best friend and I went out deer antler hunting yesterday morning when the temps were in the upper 40s with lots of sunshine. We didn't find anything this time out, but it sure was fun to get out there and give it a try. I don't like the outdoors much, but I did OK. The woods are scary, and a LOT of animals poop out there. Ugh! The weather turned ugly late yesterday afternoon and snow rolled in overnight. We don't expect to get out of the lower 20s today. Oh, well...c'est la vie! Beautiful table, Donna! Enjoy your weekend!!!

Kendall Tullis said...

Another great table mommie!!! It looks great...I loved how you tied in the glasses to the pine cones and even the towels in the bathroom coordinate!

Anonymous said...

Donna I love your table and decorations. Your pine cone plates are gorgeous! Red cardinals are so Christmasy, and you are right...pine just says Christmas, doesn't it! Visiting from TT.

Tricia said...

What a great, wintry table! I really love the dishes with the pine cones and the cardinals together. And I'm with you -- red goblets are a weakness of mine!

a quiet life said...

very sweet~

Donna (My Mothers {favorite} Daughter) said...

thanks for all the sweets comments everyone

Tess said...

Two of my favorite things!! Winter and cardinals! Your table does justice to both! It's gorgeous. I have one lone cardinal who comes to my feeder
:-( What's your secret?

Dianne said...

I just love this and I am story away idea. I have had a similar table in mind for several months and have been gathering special things to use. You did a great job bring all these wonderful woodsy things together. Dianne

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

So nice to meet you! I love the name of your blog! Well, I love your whole blog too! I'm your newest Follower!

This Cardinal theme tablescape is beautiful! I'm going to send it to my daughter, she collects cardinals! Those pine embossed goblets are great!

Katherine

Ivy and Elephants said...

What a perfect woodland scape! Everything goes together so well. I know the birdies would love to move into that cozy little home!
When I saw your blog name it made me smile. I was my Mom's favorite, too.
Hugs,
Patti

Denise said...

Hi Donna,

You certainly don't need to be shy about posting your tablescapes; you are very talented! This table is really great. I love cardinals and winter, and all the details on your table are perfect. I really like the pine cone votive holders and all the bird houses. Your pine tree is beautiful, as well.

Thanks for your visit and for your kind comments. Hope you have a great weekend!

Denise at Forest Manor

A Cottage in the Clouds said...

The cardinals, plaid and pine all go together so beautifully. Love the birdhouses on the pretty dishes. The twiggy chargers are perfect for it. Well done on the tablecloth - just the right colors and texture to set off such a lovely winter tablescape.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

What a perfect Winter tablescape. Love the cardinals and the plaids. This is one of my favorite tables this week.

Anonymous said...

I love this table Donna! Every single bit of it!!

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