Sister Surprises

This week's table is set outdoors and features a wonderful surprise gift my youngest sister sent me for no reason at all.  I was thrilled to open a big, elegantly wrapped box from Color, a home furnishings store in Nashville that I can't wait to visit, to find turquoise placemats, napkins, and nests with faux eggs!  All the makings for a spring table!  Isn't she a sweet sister?

Here's a closer look at a placesetting.  The straw placemats have a looped border and embroidered dots around the edge. 

Here's a closer look at the nest and eggs.  They look quite real.  After I set the table and took some photos, I went inside for a while.  My husband, who was working in the yard, came inside to warn me that birds had been checking out the table! 

Here's a view that shows some of the beautiful live oaks that shade our backyard.  You may also notice the solar rings on the pool, which we use to help warm the pool water to a comfortable temperature.  It's not warm enough for me yet! 

I got a new camera for Mother's Day that I'm slowly learning to use, so I'm including the next photo of a geranium bloom.  I haven't been able to take really closeup shots like this before!

Thank you for visiting my table this week!  I hope you will leave a comment before you leave to visit all the wonderful tablescapes at Susan's Between Naps on the Porch!

Something Old, Something New -- and Blue!

After missing three weeks of tablescaping due to lots of travel and end of the semester activities, I'm finally back with a table featuring a generous gift from Debbie of Mountain Breaths.  A few weeks ago, she had a giveaway, and I won!  Debbie sent me some darling blue and white teapot-shaped ceramic napkin rings!  They are all a little different, so I'm including photos of all four of them in this tablescape for a special lunch with friends.

 I think the one below is my favorite!

I wanted to keep the placesetting simple, to let the napkin rings be the stars, so I used plain cobalt blue glass plates (from Walmart, years ago) that we use when we have a large gathering.  My daughter brought me the pretty placemats and napkins from her honeymoon trip to Ireland. 

 I like the way you can see the cutwork pattern of the place mat through the glass plates in this closeup.

 Did you notice the tiny salt and pepper shakers in the placesetting?  My inlaws gave me a set of six pairs, and they really add a pretty touch, I think.

 I also included the iced tea stems from my crystal, Lenox Moonspun, set in silverplate coasters that were a wedding gift. 

 Here's a view of the whole table.

 The simple centerpiece consists of dark red alstroemeria in a cobalt blue pitcher.The silver pitcher was a wedding gift from one of my grandmothers.  You can see me reflected in the pitcher, taking this photo!

 Here's one more view across the table.  Thanks, Debbie, for your generosity in sending me these napkin rings!

Thank you for visiting my table this week!  I hope you will leave a comment before you leave to visit all the wonderful tablescapes at Susan's Between Naps on the Porch!