My Christmas wish for a WHITE CHRISTMAS was granted this year, just a little snow — not enough to delay flights or block the roads or strand Santa!
The snow began immediately following the early evening service on Christmas Eve, and fell gently through the night, until the morning light revealed this wonderland.
Presents were found under the tree, and as I was a VERY GOOD girl this year, some contained indulgences for my dish and tablescaping addictions! As I started to dream about ways to use the goodies, I decided to review the tables I have shared here.
I rarely look back at my posts, and I was surprised to see how often my tables are complemented by flowers! Really, I would have said I use other centerpieces, but here’s the proof!
If you would like to see more of the original posts of these flowers and tables, click on the titles.
BIRD WISDOM
This little birdie and her mate, and some simple white tulips, welcomed Mr. Fun home from the hospital in March.
These white dishes are some of my favorites.
LET’S DISH
For the very first “Let’s Dish” party I used beautiful pink tulips from Mr. Fun, placed them in a terrarium from Goodwill (who let this go????),
added a few yellow tulips for contrast,
and accidentally discovered how to create a tulip stand!
If I tell you these Portmerion dishes are some of my favorites will you believe me? Note the green and white checked placemats–seems we saw them in the bird table above, but in blue! Hmmm … I must like those too. And those white chargers, well, I’m telling you right now — they will make another appearance or two below!
DISHING FOR MY EARTHLINGS
Earth Day weather was perfect for outdoor dining. No snow, and plenty of pink blossoms on my tree. More pink tulips for the table, this time from my yard, mixed with cherry blossoms in a watering can.
These dishes —
both the white and the cabbage plates — are beautiful–some of my favorites. Hehehe. I could have that phrase tattooed somewhere.
“These are some of my favorite dishes! :)”
TIME TO UNWIND
I really love these exotic tulips, also from my yard.
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It was very difficult to snip them from their place in the yard, but I wanted to use them on a pretty table with Lenox Tulip wineglasses and a pink tablecloth.
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Although many plants and shrubs suffered from the hurricane and blizzards of the previous fall, my peonies were unbelievable this year!!
They filled vases everywhere in my house.
ME, ME AND ME AGAIN
And I couldn’t decide which luncheon tray was my favorite ~~
(note the same white dishes as on the bird table, and the goblets from the Earth Day table!)
This one ?
or this one?
ESCAPE TO THE CAPE
When the peonies finished bursting into those heavenly blooms, my hydrangeas had a turn.
How could I fail to be inspired by these colors??
Out came my newest (LOVE them!!!) beachy dishes!
FUN IN THE SAND
The hydrangeas changed early to their fall colors.
But with my knock-out roses and a sandcastle, they brightened this
Fun in the Sand table.
The bamboo dishes and pewter fish are sitting on the same white chargers we’ve seen before!
I know you would have noticed, but I’m pointing this out for Mr. Fun.
A PICNIC TABLE
Further evidence that I was a very good girl this year ~~ my giveaway win from Mary ~~ it’s perfect for my family for a little picnic!
Wildflowers (not protected varieties!) are just the thing for picnic tables, kept fresh in a tin can.
I could sit here all day.
Endless end of summer days.
SUNFLOWER HARVEST
But the wonderful thing about seasons moving on is that we have another flower waiting to grace our lives. My sunflowers did not bloom this year, so I improvised with these,
which looked quite right with my sunflower dishes.
TURKEY TIMES
Cold November really leaves me without yard flowers, but I like to use a large cornucopia on the Thanksgiving table. Hmmm. I know I did! But this is all I have to show … part of my napkin ring collection.
CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT
I use my Spode Christmas Tree everyday from the day after Thanksgiving through mid-January, and Lenox Winter Greetings for Christmas dinner, but this year I set a welcoming table with woodland dishes for the December homecoming of my two kids, who always seem to be too far away, no matter where in the world they are.
I always use dark pink poinsettia in my house instead of red or white. But this table was already dark and red enough, so I changed to white flowers ~~
and instantly fell in love with white poinsettia.
There will be more in my house next year!
And now I see the same white chargers we started with on the first table above.
So we have now come to the end of one year of tables, and I’m ready for another to begin. I have so many ideas and am anxious to play with my dishes, share my home and adventures, and meet many more friends in this wonderful world of blogland!
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I wish you all a very Happy, Healthy New Year.
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Nellie and I will be back for much more fun in 2013!
Beautiful tables, Linda. You have really great plates, love the green with the little brown bear. Happy New Year to you and yours! xo
Loved your year in review — lovely tables.
What a wonderful New Year’s Eve treat to look back on these gorgeous tables. Definitely more fun here!
Happy New Year……..Sarah
All of your tables are very pretty Linda, love the tulip stand trick! Happy New Year, wishing you all the best in 2013-enjoy:@)
Wowwww…what a great post !!! and your sweet dog in the snow !!!….
Een heel goed en vooral gezond 2013 !!!…….
Bedankt voor je liefde en vriendschap van het afgelopen jaar……
Ik ben zo blij met je !!……
Liefs van mij….xxx..
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A very good and healthy 2013 !!!……
Thank you for your love and friendship over the past year……..
I’m so happy with you !!……….
Love from me….xxx…
I enjoyed looking back at all your pretty tables, Linda! They have so much color with all the lovely flowers from your garden. Thank you for your inspiration and FUN. Here’s wishing New Year blessings to you and your loved ones.
Beautiful Linda, I love looking back! You’re a girl after my own heart with your flowers at your wonderful tables! I’m hard pressed to choose a favorite but if I had to choose it would be your Dishes for Earthlings table~ I love the cabbage tea pot and your cherry blossoms in bloom on your tree in the background!
I wish Santa had brought us a White Christmas…*sigh*…
Snow is a rare occurrence for us here, it’s usually ice if we get any frozen precipitation! Our last White Christmas was in 2010 and the one before that in 1947. Love Nellie in the snow drift 🙂
Wishing you a Happy & Healthy New Year!
I love your beachy dishes best and what a wonderful deck to sit on for a special meal! Happy New year to you! Love the pics of the snow, too! Hugs!
teeeheeeee….LOOK AT THAT DARLING LAB! They love the water, in whatever form it comes in!
Linda my dear, I want to thank you for coming to introduce yourself today! What a great title for your blog. I AGREE! LESS LAUNDRY and dishes, if I say so for myself, and MORE FUN!! YES, this sounds like a good start to the new year! Your flowers and table arrangements are happy reminders to think ahead of all the bright seasons ahead of us and now with blogging, they are all the more exciting.
Enjoy your new year day and your words in my comments section are so welcomed. Let us do our best to make our art, whatever form it may take, touch others.
BE WELL! Anita
Linda– you’ve been extra busy creating those beautiful tablescapes all year– the photos are gorgeous!
Thanks for your visit and comments– welcome to my blogging family– you are precious to me.
Have a wonderful happy new year–
Xoxo
Vicki
What a lovely blog…I am now following you! Beautiful and inspirational…thanks!
A beautiful trip through the year, just lovely!
Happy 2013!
Love Nellie in the snow! Beautiful tables, Linda. I am going to show my husband the green plates with the little brown bear. He loves anything with bears! Happy New Year!
I love them all!
Happy New Year, Linda!
Great minds think alike, Linda…
I too love setting tablescapes…
And adding beautiful flowers…
Thanks for the tour!!!!
Cheers!
Linda :o)
I have been so hit and miss in blog land this year that many of these were new to me. My absolute favorite is the Earth Day one, but really it was one beautiful idea after another!
I love your pretty table arrangements- especially the colorful spring flower ones! Fun!
Linda, I loved your replay!!! That phrase could be on a tape and I’d never have to speak again!! I have new favorites every darned day.. Your tables have always inspired and provided so much pleasure. Happiest of year to you! xo Marlis
It’s not until we take a moment to look back do we realize things about our creative style that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. Yes, many of your posts were punctuated with beautiful flowers. Those accidental tulip stands and your unprotected variety wildflowers in the simple tin can were among the prettiest! I’m glad you got your white Christmas, and have a wonderful 2013!
So many wonderful posts!! I look forward to what you will do in 2013 as well.
Your tables look fabulous, Linda. I see the springy ones and I am getting excited for spring now. Happy New Year!…Christine
Linda, like Debbie, some of these were new to me, and I’m so glad I didn’t miss them! Others I remembered… and they made me smile all over again. White poinsettias are my favorite at Christmas, but this year I wanted a pink one to go with my Pink Christmas tablecloth. I got such a late start on my decorating — and never found one. Happy New Year to you! I hope to be a more regular visitor here in 2013.
I loved your year in review, your winter wonderland is so magical. Happy New Year to you and yours.
hugs ~lynne~
Hi Linda, Your tour through your wonderful tablescapes made me smile all the way to the end. My friend has those white charges and I am jonesing for some. I will have to be my own secret Santa (lesson from Kathleen) and buy some for myself. HA!
Wishing you much happiness and more fun with your table settings in 2013.
xo, Jeanne
What a beautiful review! Have a Happy New Year Linda!
Sherry
What a fun look back throught the year! Everything is beautiful and all the flowers are just gorgeous!
Since I am kind of new to your blog, this was great fun to go back and see f your creative and beautiful tables of 2012. There is no way I could pick a favorite. Loved them all. laurie
Gorgeous tablescapes! I guess I can’t pick one, they all have lovely dishes and centerpieces, along with great elements! Love all of them! Thank you for your sweet and kind comment. Happy new year!
FABBY
So nice that you got some snow for Christmas! I know it just seems more magical when you have a white one! You sure have created some lovely t’scapes over the year, my faves are the ones with tulips, espec when your hubby put them in the terrarium! So pretty! Happy New Year!
DD
Wow, what a treat this post is!!! 😀 I enjoyed looking at all your pretty arrangements from 2012.
Linking from Rose Vignettes!
xo,
RJ
Hi Linda! This was such a great post to share for Fresh-Cut Friday. Thank you so much! I loved every table top!! 🙂
Happy New Year!
~Liz
Happy New Year! So glad you buzzed by and now I’ve become your follower too! Lovely, lovely tables. My friend and I enter our county fair table setting contest every year. We have so much fun with it! Lovely new inspiration here!
So fun to see the transition of seasons with your tabletops. I love all of the flowers but I do love your Christmas plates!! Happy New Year! ~Amy
Hi Linda,
So very nice to meet you! Your blog is beautiful with splendid bursts of colour, refreshing and calm, at the same time. Looking forward to catching up on older posts, and happy to be following you, too!
Wishing you a happy 2013,
Poppy
So many lovely table settings and flowers! I think the tulips were my favorite as they make me think of spring ! 🙂
There are so many incredible tables here Linda, it was a feast for my eyes!
And your flowers, the peonies and the hydrangeas…jealous!! My hydrangeas didn’t bloom this year and I was so bummed.
I would love to find plates with a bear on them…just charming!
Thanks for sharing,
Cindy
Great re-cap. Luv ur use of flowers!
Hi, Linda: I loved taking this trip! For me, there’s nothing like fresh flowers on a table, and I love how you use what’s in season. Your garden blooms some marvelous flowers! I have Winter Greetings on my wish list, as well as some sunflower dishes. I’ve always loved a beautiful table, but only recently have begun collecting dishes. I was raised with the buy-one-of-very-good-quality-and-use-it-often philosophy. I’ve decided that quality is nice, but so is variety. Oh, and I adore pink, so your pink tables are making me swoon all over again! I’m looking forward to another year of your tables and flowers! Hugs!
Hi Linda,
I shared your post as a feature on my blog. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely arrangements! 🙂
Have a great week!
~Liz
Reviewing your tables reminds me how lovely all are. I think I love the flowers as much as the settings.
Gorgeous pictures. You have some beautiful pieces and put them together so nicely. Looking forward to seeing more in 2013
Your flowers provided such amazing inspiration for your designs. I would love to stroll through your garden when everything is in bloom. Thank sor the retrospective. Cherry Kay
Greetings! Love visiting your site. Wishing you more blessings.
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Your beautiful flowers have me so longing for spring (but not necessarily the gardening work it takes to get them lol). Just lovely!
all so so fun!!
you creative girl you.
off to do some other less important things, like dishes, but I will be back.
Do you have FB page?
I’ll look for you.
blessings
barb