Pretty In Pink

Towering over my small table on the back deck is a glorious tree.

For a few weeks each spring it bursts into blossom, 

and sunlight streaming through the petals 

casts a pink glow on everything around.

From our two rear bedroom windows on the second floor 

we see this every morning.

Sitting underneath the spreading boughs 
I can drift away into my own pink heaven.

This is my view from eye level.  The branches are growing larger and longer and need to be trimmed, but I haven't the heart to remove them!

Before the rain comes and all these zillions of petals carpet the deck and railings, we try to have a few meals at the little table.  It really feels like a magical pink land where a princess would love to dine.

I have my own princess named Charlotte, who is the reason I collect many dish patterns named "Charlotte"

~~

so I decided to set a table 
under this beautiful tree 
with Pfaltzgraff Charlotte dishes 
for my Princess Charlotte.

After all, she is the reason I am a Mom, my FAVORITE job, of the many I've had!

(now, you may remember there is a Prince William who also lives here, but he really doesn't care what dishes he uses ... it's all about the food, in mass quantities, all day, and besides, I haven't found any William dishes ... yet ...)

My other girl, Nellie, always helps me.  This time she decided to guard my table as I hurried in and out of the house, because she spied two robins building a nest in the branches right above the table!  Their swooping and warning calls don't bother her at all.  I purposely have not put the umbrella on the large table yet, as they moved into it for the last two summers, leaving us without a place to dine outdoors until after Independence Day!

Before the blossoms are fully open they appear to be darker pink, almost burgundy, similar to the flowers painted so daintily on these dishes.

Isn't the delicate turquoise color perfect with the pink and green?

I considered using pink placemats and linens, but the throw was just enough pink!  It's easy to overdo pink, even when it's a favorite color. 

The robins reminded me to add some nature elements to the floral dish setting:





Pink dragonfly napkin rings, 

bumblebee flatware,







and daffodils from my front yard.

The daffodils actually inspired the yellow accents on the table ~~ the placemats and linens, and more flowers in a french wire urn.

I tried pink and blue with the dishes,

 but the yellow turned out to be perfect. 

These beautiful daffodils came from a mixed bulbs bag I found at White Flower Farm.  They are huge and perfect and absolutely gorgeous, but I don't know the names of the varieties ~~ can you help?

Everyone knows about Christmas in Connecticut, but I really wish you could all be here to enjoy Springtime in Connecticut, under my pretty tree!

This is Nellie's view.  

I spied a little brown nose sniffing along the edge of the table, but apparently nothing tasty was detected, so she went to sleep on the job.

I must admit, dozing under this tree with the sunlight softly peeking through the blossoms, is a very enjoyable activity ...

... especially after a delicious meal served on pretty dishes.

This glorious color scheme from nature ~~

~~ will be going into my bedroom ~~

(Mr. Fun doesn't know yet)

I am joining these wonderful hostesses ~~ many more parties than I usually join, but my tree is just so pretty, I want to share it with you.
I wish I could send you all a bouquet of daffodils!


Kim ~~ Wow Us Wednesday
Kathleen ~~ Let's Dish
Kathy ~~ Home and Garden Thursday
Yvonne ~~ Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits
Susan ~~ Tablescape Thursday
Sandi ~~ Home
Claudia ~~ A Favorite Thing
(she would love these dishes with the turquoise!)

Linda :)
p.s.  we think our pink tree is a kwanzan flowering cherry ~~ it was here when we moved in and I plan to dig it up and take it with me if we ever move. :)

Waveny Mansion Tablescapes 2013

Let's Dish about Waveny Mansion's latest Tablescapes!
Believe it or not, two years have passed since my post of the last table event at Waveny.  
You can see the beauties from 2011 HERE .  

  
I was missing all of you dish/tablescape lovers during the tour, so even though the mansion was crowded I was determined to take some photos to share!
  
This year almost every table was centered with a glorious floral arrangement.  It was hard to concentrate on the dishes, even for me.  


Let's start in the library.

  

 A local garden shop displayed this galvanized table and chair set, 
topped with moss covered pots. 

Would these chairs be freezing in the shade and scalding in the sun?  
I don't know but they were very attractive.

Don't miss the olive picking bucket filled with a small evergreen and white flowers.  Now I know what I will be doing with my bucket!













Another local garden shop set a more romantic table, complete with a twig arbor and chandelier.

The pear pot with the chubby bird worked perfectly with the colors on the china!

And a third flower shop contributed these gorgeous succulents -- are you beginning to see why I was focused on the flowers and not the dishes???

This orchid table could come and live with me!  
Look at the gorgeous salad plate.

And here's a perfect use for the garden stools everyone seems to have.

Was this my favorite?  Well, it certainly was the prettiest!  
Lavender, green and pink.  Truly gorgeous!

Three small bouquets of peonies and hydrangeas

and vases with lilies 
TIED WITH RIBBON so the stems would be beautiful in the glass!!








Three tables were done in classic BLUE and WHITE!  ALL were gorgeous.  

The first was set with Juliska china, on a table in the beautiful front parlor of the mansion.

Did you see the pussy willow trellis in the centerpiece?  Love it.

Little bits of pale yellow and purple accented this beautiful table.  
I could take this home too.

Another blue and white was being closely watched by one of the guard ladies.  I really really really wanted to fix this table up, straighten the flatware and center the glasses properly, but she wouldn't have any of that!

Of course she picked it up to show me that it was Royal Copenhagen.  I checked it out online when I came home (see it here!!) and now I'm really glad I didn't touch it.
$$$$  

It was truly exquisite china, but I also loved these glasses.

And oh, did I mention this centerpiece???
Hydrangea again, this time with pale roses.

The third blue and white table used all white hydrangeas in the centerpiece.

I think the pop of orange was the perfect accent to this table!

Now I was taught that if you can't say something nice you shouldn't say anything at all.  So I'm going to try to find something nice to say about this bridal shower  
(are you kidding me??) table.

Nice # 1: I love these little old vase heads, and the flowers in them.

Nice # 2: And the chair covers were impractical but pretty.

Maybe this incredibly garish table would be better without so much putrid pink.  
And you know I love pink.  

One table that was so silly it was actually FUN and very popular was this 
Kentucky Derby luncheon setting.

Red roses for the winner of the Derby, horse head napkin rings and horses prancing on the table left no doubt as to the theme here.  
There's even a flask to help drown your sorrows or celebrate your winnings!

But the centerpiece was the perfect final touch.  Yes, those are horses filling the vase.  This table was the perfect blend of whimsy and elegance.

But the most special part of this entire event was 
the table in the dining room.

Members of the League set the table with heirloom china from their families, with a description of the pieces and a photograph and short bio of their beloved moms, grandmothers or aunts.

This, to me, was a more appropriate bridal table setting!

There were so many interesting pieces.
~~
a sugar scoop

a fairy napkin ring !!!!!

And what about this Cartier strawberry basket ???

Even with a different china setting at each place, 
this table was truly beautiful.

Well, what do you think?
Which table do you like best?
What do you think of the putrid pink one?  Am I way off?
Which one would you like to take home?
And the flowers!!!  Oh my my my. Did you love one?

Tell me!

I'm joining the lovely ladies at

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday at BNOTP
Fresh Cut Friday at Rose Vignettes
and
The Polohouse for Favorites on the First
where the theme is flowers
(and I'm sure she will love that horse table!)

So glad to be back!

Linda