Monarch Spring Tea Table

I love waking up to a sunny spring morning and having fresh 
flowers on the table! 

 I put together a butterfly table to celebrate the monarch's spring migration. 

This week the monarchs started migrating through Oklahoma.  Wildflowers are blooming along the roadways and providing a steady food source for their journey. 

Monarchs are so amazing and I am always happy to see them return to my garden.
Giving them a place to land, eat and reproduce is one of my goals every summer.  I not only want to attract them but to help them along their way.

Planting a butterfly bush in the garden guarantees lots of visits and lots of nectar.  I also plant many other species of flowers they love to visit like Pentas.   
Pentas come in shades of pinks, white purple and red.

Pentas


Several years ago we had hundreds of monarchs clustered in our pecan trees as they stopped for the night and took a break from their long journey down south.  They can't fly if it's too cold so we were thrilled they decided to spend a chilly night in our trees. 

The next morning when the sun came out and warmed the air we watched as hundreds started to flutter about and 
then fly away!


  We have recently visited two Monarch sanctuaries in California where thousands migrate for the winter.  What an amazing journey they make!

Pacific Grove and Pismo Beach are  along California's
 central coast and have abundant eucalyptus groves and pines where the Monarchs love spending their winters.

The monarch is Pacific Grove's city mascot and you see them depicted throughout the city.

I love this garden bench that was in the butterfly sanctuary...wouldn't it look great in a corner of any garden!?

Pismo Beach has the largest colony of monarchs in the western United States!

Monarchs hang in clusters with their wings closed...they look like brown leaves on the trees and are somewhat hard to see.  

For a nature lover like me seeing this many butterflies in one place 

was a real treat and a reminder of how wonderful God's creation is!  


So my table this week is a celebration of their arrival to Oklahoma.

Monarch napkin rings set the 
tone for the table.

I purchased the napkin rings while in Pacific Grove several years ago at the cutest garden and gift store Trellis . Such a beautiful place to shop, click the link for more pictures.      

The tablecloth and napkins were purchased  at Stein-Mart this year.  I love the bold  floral pattern and that the fabric is indoor/outdoor.          

My sunflower plates seemed perfect with the butterflies.

I added this candleholder with the monarch motif.

This grocery store flower bouquet is a combination of  favorite flowers and spring colors.  Fuchsia pink gerbera daisies are so pretty!

The cake stand is one my favorites and is used for a teapot/coffee pot pedestal on many occasions. 

The ironstone tea/coffee pot was purchased from Goodwill for $5
and I was so excited to find it!

The cups are Johnson Brothers from England and were also found at a thrift store four for $3.  Hard to resist that price! 

Place settings

Tiny bud vase with flowers
 from my garden. 

When planting your garden this spring remember to add a few butterfly flowers to your border.
Milkweed is one plant that is really needed to help with their life cycle and migration. 



source


Have a Blessed and Happy Easter!


Linking with:


Show off your Cottage Monday
Marty's Tabletop Tuesdays
Kathleen's Let Dish 
 Tea Time Tuesday  and
Tablescape Thursdays

Country French Breakfast Table

The sun has been shining in Oklahoma this past week and is coaxing our flowers to bloom.  The grass is turning that beautiful shade of spring green that I welcome after a drab winter.   My daffodils are blooming but not as vigorous as in past years but I'm happy to welcome them back.  
I cut a few to make a fragrant little bouquet for my table. 
 Yellow is my happy color!

All the sunshine inspired me to set our little breakfast table.  I found this wonderful french tablecloth at Whittaker's (one of my favorite shops in Carmel) on our recent trip.  I was so excited to find this pattern as I had already purchased the coordinating napkins and placemats several years ago while shopping in Wimberly Texas.   That's the fun of collecting things you love...finding a few coordinating pieces here and there, in little antique shops or while traveling instead of trying to purchase or find everything all at once!   

The tablecloth pattern is Blue Monaco and I just love the extra stripe of yellow flowers that runs through the pattern.   This fabric has a protective  finish and just cleans up with a damp rag.   It has a less glossy finish as an alternative to the traditional heavier oil cloths.  

I found these Wedgwood Etruria plates at a going-out of business sale at little consignment shop a couple years ago.  The pattern is Ranunculus and there were an odd number of nine plates (3 of each size) for less than $20!!   I just love the floral pattern and the textured edge on the plates.   I don't have the matching cups but used my transferware pieces from the Liberty Blue set.   

The egg holders were purchased in Solvang, California  and they are Delft Blue from Holland.  I think they are the cutest! 

The store only had two...wish they would have had
 a set of six!  I think they would be perfect for
 an Easter table too.

 

The coffee/tea server was a find at a local antique mall...and was on sale.  I really like the pretty floral pattern and shape.  
The pattern is from England and is Avondale,
 Royal Staffordshire.     

I collect little honeypots and found this sweet set in a gift shop near Solvang....I had purchased the tea bag
 holder in Carmel earlier in the week because of it's
 honeypot shape.  Such a nice surprise to find
 the matching honeypot and creamer! 














My little baby chicks are right at home on the table.  

The napkin holders are ceramic and I found a set of four at a charity thrift store. 

This is my favorite color combination for a tablescape.  
Hope you are enjoying sunshine and 
getting ready for spring!









I'm linking with 


House of Roses Show off your Cottage Monday
Smiling Sally's Blue Monday
Marty's Tabletop Tuesdays
Tea Time Tuesdays
Susan's BNOTP Tablescape Thursdays
Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday
Fresh Cut Friday at Rose Vignettes
and 
Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays


Go join in the parties!

Be Mine Valentine's Table

I love setting a Valentine's table because Valentine's is such an extra special day to me. 
 I met my husband while in college at a 

Valentine's party 36 years ago!  I set our little breakfast room table in honor of our special day.

We celebrated a little early this year with a trip to the California coast and stayed at one of the most romantic inns in Pacific Grove... 
the Seven Gables Inn.  

Seven Gables is truly breathtaking and deserves an entire post so I'll save that for next week...so on to our table...

On our trip I purchased new placemats in Carmel while shopping with friends in the most 
beautiful shop.  

Thanks ladies I had the best time!!

 Red geraniums greet shoppers entering through  the open dutch door.  Table linens, Easter bunnies, unique home and garden gifts abound at Casa di Campagna and it was hard to leave without making a few purchases.  
 I love the black "frenchy" floral  pattern and reversible black check pattern on the placemats.   I plan on also using them for a sunflower table this summer. 
  I purchased the coordinating napkins as well.

 The black mats look great on a red linen tablecloth.

The large red Portugal chargers are some of my favorites and I use them frequently.

I have a collection of  all white dishes with patterned borders.  I selected a basket weave dinner plate and a leaf motif edged salad plate to
 add some pretty textures.

 I topped the white plates with my cute little polka dot saucers that can be used for 
bread or desert plates.

I love the heart shaped ramekins I purchased at Target several years ago.  I filled them this year with conversation hearts to be read during dinner.

Chocolate is also an option!!

The sterling flatware is Westmoreland and originally belonged to my mother-in-law and I love using it for the holidays.

The tea set was my grandmother's and it is by far my favorite.    The "girly" curves are so pretty and look wonderful on a romantic table.   I try to include a teapot on all my tables. 

The Valentine's heart was purchased at Picket Fences in Solvang, another adorable place to shop.  I placed it in a heart shaped card holder and thought it was the perfect way to display it.  

Simple heart shaped votive candles finish the table.

Wishing you and your Valentine a 

very special day!

I'm linking with 

Show off your Cottage Monday

 Tabletop Tuesday
Tea Time Tuesdays
Tablescape Thursday
Seasonal Sundays