Easter Table

It's time once again for "Tablescape Thursday" with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.  To celebrate the long awaited arrival of Spring 2010, the Easter table is outside!

Believe it or not, those dried hydrangeas are lime green in person, but I like the fact they look green and gold here since that's the "theme." The Lenox Autumn plates are an Easter tradition.  The motif is Fall but the colors are Spring - it's an "all rounder." I got the gold flatware about a zillion years ago at Old Time Pottery.  The glasses and napkins are, of course, from Homegoods.  I learned some valuable lessons on photographing tablescapes outdoors on this shoot.  I'll try to do better next time.  Happy Easter!!

Out and About

For my Peeps in the West and the Northeast, and especially Meredith's aunt in Connecticut, there IS warmth and sunshine.  Do not give up hope!

Spring has officially been declared in Brentwood, Tennessee - zoom in on those yellow banners if you can.

Spring Green!  My favorite.  Please stay tuned for tomorrow's Easter tablescape - it's outside!!!!

For Gina

Springerized

I found some pillows at Homegoods to freshen up the living room.  Springy!

 Someday, after I make a slipcover for the couch in there, the green pillows will jump over there.  I do have a tendency to over pillow, but furniture looks so barren without them.  Just toss them on the floor when company comes over and are too intimidated by them to sit down.

Gift of Blue

My 4 year old son brought this to me.  His father has taught him well. Happy Blue Monday!  Join Smiling Sally for more blue.

Bon Jour Jean Claude!

Here is yet another icon at the Ranch. No matter how many times we've moved and lightened the load, some things absolutely must "come with." I bought this little guy at an antique store in Edmond, Oklahoma and hauled his extremely heavy personage all the way back to Tennessee. I apologize again for the bad lighting, still no sun..............Oh they tell me of an uncloudy day!



Such a serene expression. You would never know he is sometimes ruthlessly subjected to holiday and party attire.

This is an older post that somehow disappeared from the blog.  I'm still a novice at this.  I can't bear the thought that Jean Claude was somehow forgotten.  So, with your indulgence, allow me to share him with you again.  It makes that post about Ruth a little more clear.  By the way, she has a home on the back patio guarding pots of spring flowers.

Isn't she........PRETTY IN PINK?

Here is the latest arrival to The Ranch.   This diva bunny is bestowed to women in a time of crisis.  I had a "crisis" but nothing compared to the other gals who were helped by this garishly cute and a little bit frightening, bunny. My loved ones are all  present and accounted for and ya know.......that's all I need. To my gals.........you are amazing women.  Your friendship has made all the difference.  Onward and upward!

Her eyes follow you..........creepy.  Those teeth give her a rather predatorial look.  Predatorial's not a word?  IT SHOULD BE.

A bit deranged I think.  Obviously in need of some hormone replacement therapy!

Thanks again, Amy and SuRu!  Oh, and the bunny has been telling tales about you both!

Update

The sconces are out, but applied molding and paint are in as soon as we have access to scrap lumber again! Maybe Mr. Landlord will take the "improvement" off of our rent for that month.  After rummaging around the storage shed - glad the wasps are still hibernating - I unearthed these old friends.  I just need some candles and we're half way there for a wall upgrade.

I just went ahead and shot it as is.  This is what the table usually looks like anyway.  It also functions as the home office.

Yellow and Blue

Even though the cold, gray weather moved back in yesterday, we are expecting sunshine and warm weather tomorrow and for the rest of the week!   In the meantime, I am enjoying my "dining area."  Please notice the new light fixture, another Overstock bargain.  It puts the previous one to shame (re: Lana Turner Blog for a peek at the original light).

There's a bit more work to be done to this area if I can talk my husband into it.  I would love some applied molding on that back wall.   Perhaps some sconce lighting on either side of the painting?  Lastly, all you blue and white fans, please don't get upset, but I'm thinking of slipcovers for the wing backs in a white twill for the summer.  I know, I'm never gonna get up the nerve to attempt it so the point is moot.

Happy Blue Monday.  Please join Smiling Sally for more visions in blue.

Ode to Audun

Spring is here.  Really.  I have a tulip blooming and all the flowering trees in my town of Brentwood will not be far behind.  I can't wait to show you the Yoshino Cherry display on Wilson Pike!  With Spring, comes the Kentucky Derby and in Nashville, Steeplechase.  I am ready to don an overly decorated hat and sip some juleps on the porch.  Til then, an Audun Chasse tablescape................

So that's Villeroy and Boch - Audun Chasse pattern, everything else is generic from Homegoods or Target.  That's just the kinda gal I am.  To see even lovelier table settings, please hook up with Susan at  Between Naps on the Porch.

Springy Blue Monday

There is hope...................
Thank you Sally for hosting Blue Monday. Click here for more blues, Smiling Sally.

The Corral at the Ranch

I'm getting ready to start a huge drapery job (YAY!) so I guess I won't be painting the Den this weekend.  In the meantime, meet some of the "livestock" that always get to come along on every move.

Race horse Haynes has been a long time favorite

I got this guy at the flea market years ago.  He is always a hit at Derby/Godfather parties and has even been off to college in South Carolina.  I wonder what he has to tell me?

Some of you have already recognized this guy as a Bombay Co. purchase.  RIP Bombay Co.  Won't he look fabulous against Knoxville Gray walls.........someday?

Last, and maybe least after all, I got this one at a great shop in Nashville called William's Home Place.  I'm not sure what he is actually made of (resin?) but it doesn't occur naturally.  For some reason, I am almost compelled to spray paint him turquoise.  Oh, I'm sensing a "tablescape" comin' on!

And so, adieu from my happy "Blog Spot."   What a lovely way to spend a Friday afternoon!  Have a great weekend!!!!!

Wearin' O the Green!

St. Patrick's Day table......much more tame than last week's offering!

I hope you all have a happy and fun St. Patrick's Day! I'm part Scotch Irish so I'm never sure how I should feel about it.  Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more tablescaping.

Zee Boudoir

I jump around on projects, I must admit.  I now have the funds to paint the Den and I've decided to stick with Knoxville Gray.  There is only one hour a day that I don't like the color so I'll just leave the house then.  Painting probably won't happen for a "couple" of days so in the meantime, let's visit the Master Bedroom or actually, just the bed.

That would be Benjamin Moore's Bittersweet color behind the headboard.  LOVE!  It would look like liquid chocolate except for the wallpaper bubbles.  Mr. Landlord took the easy way out on that one.  The light blue is Sherwin William's Oyster Bay.  I've seen this color in three different rooms and it has looked different every time!  Just a heads up.

Nice little vignette over there on the table, huh?  That's my husband's side and it rarely looks like that.

I am very happy with our headboard but not as happy as when we finally got the bed up off the floor and onto a frame!  We were very Bohemian for about 7 months.  The pillow is a little tattered, but I will keep it because it reminds me of when I would change Jack's diaper and he would pull on the fringe...awww! This little corner is complete except for whatever window covering I finally decide to make.  Tomorrow, I will share another corner and then you'll have to wait til I finish the Den before I jump back to finish the bedroom.  Thanks for humoring me!

Blue skies, smilin' on me!

It's Blue Monday and I'm just getting around to this post because I have been outside all day enjoying the gorgeous weather!  Here are some blue skies over Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville.  I joined a Jane Austen Book Club that meets there the last Saturday of every month - what felicity!

And as for that BRING IN SPRING!!!! dance................

I don't know about YOUR part of the world but it has worked wonders in mine!!  Well worth making a spectacle of myself!

Tablescapin'

So I'm at the beach in Destin, FL and tell my hostess that it's  "Tablescape Thursday", can you help me out?  So we raided her cabinets, and set up this lovely shot on the beach!  Unfortunately, after staging the shot, I realized I left the camera in the car!   Friend volunteered to go get it while I explained to Beach Security why, exactly I was bringing glass onto the beach........a big no no.

See this guy?  He was one of about 30 seagulls who began to terrorize me while friend was fetching camera.  By the time she got back, I had evacuated the "shoot" but they followed me!!  Friend would have photographed the traumatic moment if she had not been doubled over laughing at me.  Why is it you can never find a phone booth when you need one?  But that did not help sweet Suzanne, did it?  I fully expected to see Alfred Hitchcock strolling along the beach.

And he's off.  Most likely in search of Suzanne Pleschette or Tippy Hedron.  Happy Tablescape Thursday.  See more with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.  

Happy Trails..................

Bon voyage Music City, cold, gray, barren days..........

Hello sandy beaches, r and r, and adventure!

An angel of a friend has proposed a road trip down to her condo in San Destin, FL for winter recovery.  This is much needed as evidenced in the fact that I am now photographing footwear.  I may freeze my toes off, but I am determined to don some strappy sandals to do a "bring in SPRING dance!"  Wish me luck!