Luncheon-time for Soup! (T)

Two classics - buffalo plaid and paisley!  I used the galvanized charger to create a subtle transition between the two patterns.  Tiny checked red napkins with pewter napkin rings help repeat color and texture.  The glass snowflake coffee mugs can be used for coffee, tea or hot cocoa. The little blue tid-bit plates work perfectly as a saucer for the mugs.

Using my three tier stand I created a decorative centerpiece that also has some functionality for the dining experience!

Starting on top is my favorite little "Porcelain China Vendor- Incense Smoker" piece that Dan bought me during one of our visits to Frankenmuth.  I keep him displayed under a glass dome but today he's holding centerstage!

I thought a candle would be nice so I added some pine cones for a rustic touch...

I put saltine crackers in this crystal gravy server which will be easy to pass around.

He comes apart in two pieces. 

You set a little cone shaped incense piece on the round metal plate and air comes up through the back hole to help keep it burning and the smoke escapes through the mouth. 

I didn't have the proper kind of cone shaped incense so I used a piece of regular incense that I broke as small piece off of to light.  It probably produced more smoke than the other kind but I wanted to demonstrate how it works.

I chose soup bowls because  I was thinking about making soup after reading a post by my blogger friend Martha Ellen at "The Joy of Home With Martha Ellen" who posted a recipe for her Chicken and Wild Rice Soup.

Well there you have it!

Eat well and stay warm!!

I am joining the following parties

Tablescape Thursday

Share Your Cup

Living Room With a Fresh Look

Last week I started putting the living room back together.  I switched up a couple of things on the mantel borrowing items from other areas.

The big wood bowl had little Christmas trees in it during the holiday.  I still wanted to use it in this room and decided to give it a go up on the mantel.  I mixed in the deco balls and artichokes I've used in other containers and I think it worked out nicely.

The candlesticks were new last summer and offer some softness which I thought would look nice next to the portrait.  

This white lantern was already here before and so was the candle votive but set up differently.

The lantern/conservatory has moved around the room but is now back on the hearth.

I pulled it apart and re-did the bottom with a layer of dark green moss.

I added this combo of natural and green reindeer moss.

I picked up this cherub early last fall but hadn't used it yet.  I love how it looks like such an old piece.

The Christmas Cactus now resides out in the living room as it outgrew it's space near the kitchen.  I open the bottom of the shade when it's sunny.  Our windows have a UV protective coating so it doesn't really get a full shot of UV.  This is a south facing window and it was used to an eastern exposure so I hope it will continue to do well.

The sun was dipping in and out through the afternoon...

A little more greenery for the room- once again using the metal planter that I've used many times.

I swapped places with the large dark stained tray and put it on this game table which offers a nice contrast.   I like how it mixes with the darker tone in the chairs.  Two of these pieces used to be on the coffee table came along with it. 

This tray had been on the game table but I like how it looks here better- again a better contrast.  Using some more decorative pieces I had on hand gives a whole new look.  I got the tray a few years ago at Pier 1.  I would like a small glass object to sit on there too but don't have what I am looking for yet.

So thrilled when the sun comes out during these long winter days.  

I've been tearing through closets straightening things up.  We have made some nice donations with things I've decided to let go of so I feel good about that.

New Lighting for the New Year!

Dan and I have been wanting to change out the chandelier over the kitchen dining area for some time.  

This is the light fixture that has been here for 10 years.  At that time my choice for this fixture was to go with a finish that picked up on the new stainless steel appliances we had gotten.  After a while we were frustrated with the lack of light it offered (we've tried various bulbs) and the three shade shape wasn't real appealing.

I wanted something that had a more modern appeal but it still had to work well with my current furnishings.  I ended up on-line at Lamps Plus.  I'm not compensated for this but I wanted to share something.  I needed a question answered so I called their toll free number.  I also asked if there was any free shipping offers available and she said just a minute let me take a look and came back quickly and said "I'd be glad to offer you free shipping let's do this over the phone and I can manually  process this and give you the free shipping".  So of course I went that route.  We also got the lamp with no tax and with the free shipping so I was super happy!  I did go to 5 places locally but no one had anything that would work for me.  I am lucky that Dan is fully capable to handling the installation so I didn't have to pay anyone for that part.  The lamp is made by Minka Lavery.  

Fast forward to now here is a picture showing how it looks with the table and I imagine you will agree it's a much better look!

We have dimmer switches so we almost never run our lights full power but if I do turn it up it is a lot brighter and makes doing a task much easier. 

I slid the black table to the corner- I decided to keep a winter theme going.   I moved the étagère to the glass doors.  I was going to try the Christmas Cactus on the bottom shelf of the étagère but it's become too large.  It's now out in the living room by a window and I hope it will do well there. 

I'm still deciding on what to put on the shelves.  I might try some more live plants- as long as they don't tend to get too large!

The sun made it through the clouds for a bit which is a joy to see.  I've left the dishes on the plate rack continuing the winter theme.  Still playing with the bottom shelf.  

Still waiting for the amaryllis to bloom that I planted in mid November.  Any day now any day!

When I got up this morning it was -5º  It's too bitter to go out and do anything but it was pretty to see the sun casting shadows through the woods!

Have a great weekend everyone- stay warm!!

Joining the following blog parties:

Share Your Cup

Dishing It and Digging It 

Metamorphosis Monday 

Happy New Year and Snow!

We got dumped on with about 24” of snow on Saturday.  It started suddenly and just kept coming all day and into the night.

It’s a winter wonderland and very pretty.
Dan cleared the driveway twice on Saturday and again on Sunday along with the deck which was loaded.  This is a bit early for us to have such a large snowfall at one time.

My little Japanese Garden is completely covered in snow.  It’s so cold (4 deg.) out I’m just snapping pictures through the windows. 

The sun made it’s way out on Sunday and it was quite a welcome sight especially after being covered in a gray dome for two days.

This is  why I like blue spruce trees- they can handle the big snow and ice.  I started this one with no more than a little branch size that I got on Earth Day about 20 years ago. 

While Dan was outside I started to take down my Christmas decorations.  We were going to go downstate to see the family for a belated Christmas gathering but because of the deep freeze and heavy winter storm we opted to stay home.  

I prepared a cup of hot chocolate for Dan when he came in.  

My big plan to start the New Year is to put the holiday deco away and put my regular deco accents back out.   My office area is a disaster so I have to get to work in there, clean my china cabinet, etc., etc., etc. 

In many ways I am glad to say goodbye to 2017 and look forward to 2018!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!