Happy Daffodil Day!

It's official.

The calender may not say it,

but Spring has arrived because I've

spotted my first live, blooming daffodil!

I borrowed this "holiday" from some former

neighbors and still good friends.

(Debby and Russell, you know I'm talking about you!)

They have a long standing tradition of

celebrating on the day anyone in their family

spots the first daffodil,

by doing something special as a family.

It might be something as simple as baking cupcakes,

but they make it a celebration!

My adaptation of their holiday is that on the day

I spot my first daffodil,

winter is over and I can bring out my packed away

spring decorating items!

We actally got two blooms to start the season!

After packing away the Christmas holidays,
I went to a very simple dining table for winter.

Today however, I brought out my basket of daffodils!

This is my favorite flower and I've had this

silk arrangements long enough that it's

starting to look a little faded.

However, it will have to make do until

there are enough blooming daffodils to

make an arrangement.

I've also added a white woven table runner

to brighten up the room a bit.

I collect animal candlesticks

and rotate them seasonally.

Time for this little guy to make

an appearance with a couple of

ceramic Easter eggs.

On the opposite side of the daffodils

two friendly bunnies

hold up their end.

Now my dining table matches my mood!

The coffee table in the living room got

a little touch Spring decorating too

with some wooden eggs.

The buffet didn't need anything added.

The violets are still blooming and

they cannot be improved upon a bit!

There's still a lot of brown in the garden...

...but here and there are

sweet little touches of Spring.

Although I'm working with wools,

my current knitting project,

(which I was able to work on outside!!!)

even has the look of Spring!

This week I'm linking with parties at

Savvy Southern Style

All Things Heart and Home

Betweem Naps on the Porch

The Shabby Chic Cottage

French Country Cottage

My Romantic Home

Dressing the Dining Room Table for Christmas

Because it will be decorated for a while, I like to keep my dining room table "dressed" fairly simply for the holiday season.

Starting first with a bare table...

I add a holiday runner.

This runner is one I sewed myself. It's reversible.
Because my dining room is a bit dark,
I need the livelier of the two sides to brighten up the space.


This is a painted terra cotta pot.
Doesn't it look as though it's wrapped in ribbons?


It holds a small artificial tree topped with a simple twig wreath.


Next comes a collection of small pots which belonged to my grandmother.
She always had them filled with violets.
I don't use a lot of green in my house,
but I love to bring these pots out at holiday time.


I'm going to fill them with these tiny trees purchased at a craft store several years ago.



I'm also going to use napkins inside the pots for a bit of layering and color.
For several years I chose a new holiday fabric
and made napkins each year.
Now I have quite a collection.
Those of you who sew might recognize some of these fabric patterns.


These are the napkins I'll be using.
Looking at them against the runner, they look a bit discordant, don't they?
It will work, I promise.


The folded napkin is placed on top of the pot...

...and in goes the little tree.

Finally, they are all lined up and down the table.

It's very organic, don't you think?

I have to confess,

this is how I have dressed my holiday table for many years.

Am I lazy? I prefer the label "traditionalist."

I find I still like it after several years,

so why reinvent the wheel?

Just a word about the french doors behind the table.

They are real doors I found in an antique shop,

but I had them backed with mirrors.

They simply "lean" against the wall.

I love that they give my dining room some depth and more light.

I had no floor space for a piece of furniture and

they solve the problem of needing something large on the wall .

This week I'm visiting

"Boring to Better" Party at Savvy Southern Style

"Thursday Tablescape" Party at Between Naps on the Porch

"Fabric Fun Thursday" Party at Cheap Chic Home

"All Things Merry & Brite" Party at All Things Heart and Home

Hand Knitted Table Runner

Last Thursday I joined the Thursday Tablescape Party at Between Naps on the Porch.

I got several very nice comments about my Fall table, but by far the thing most commented upon was my hand knitted table runner.


The knitted runner was mentioned almost as an after thought since I was moving it off my table and onto a side buffet. Since there was expressed interest in it, I wanted to remind everyone it's available at my Etsy Shop!

Here's a close up of the stitching in a 100% natural cotton.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!