Monday, December 22, 2014

Herding Reindeer


I found them!




Last week I shared a green version 

of these charming guys used

for a casual tablescape with tartan plates.

You can view it here.  




French Country Cottage ~ Image Used With Permission



had shared her idea of using

these handsome reindeer ornaments here.





I was on a mission to

 find sets of the white ones.

Several phone calls later and a crosstown trip,

I managed to wrangle a herd of my own.





I added wreaths of fresh 

rosemary for a festive touch.











White linen napkins and

white china rimmed in brown and gold,

used with a woven charger

 kept the place settings

simple, but elegant.





I wanted the focus of the table

to be the winter wonderland village,

a gift from my friend who passed away in October.

Jane created the village for a luncheon to celebrate

my 65th birthday two years ago, then sent it home

with me as a birthday present.

I cherish it!





In the center is the largest structure,

a beautiful church with bell tower and spire.





Smaller, individual structures surround

the church to create a unique and charming

little village of two story abodes and cozy cottages.





Love the barn shaped roofline 

and the French poodle in the front yard.





This one, with its eyebrow dormer

looks to have multiple floors.





A winter fox frolics about

this home with its steeply pitched roof.





Who wouldn't want to cozy up

in this little charmer?





I'll take the room in

the attic here.  I suspect it offers

an incredible view of the snowy village.





This home is a bit plain, but looks as

if it has plenty of room for a large family.





What a welcomed sight this 

cottage is on a snowy evening. 

Love the red tiled roof 

and the glow in the windows.






We enjoyed a one dish meal ~

a green salad with roasted chicken,

wild rice, cranberries, and nuts.



Tiny Pies ~ Austin, Texas ~ Facebook Photo

And a one jar dessert!

I failed to get a photo of my own,

but just look at this delicious dessert.

 Chocolate cream pie with peppermint

whipped cream, a delightful treat in a jar.




Each guest now has a

white reindeer hanging on their tree!

Happy Holidays to all!

Joining

Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

42 comments:

  1. Sarah, I'm so glad you found your own herd of white deer heads. Love your collection of houses and that salad looks wonderful.
    Merry Christmas!

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  2. Dearest Sarah,
    What a blessing that you did find your white reindeer heads!
    Lovely setting and what a precious memory of your friend Jane.
    Yummy and healthy baby spinach salad your Chef created. You both accomplish each other so well at the table. One for a perfect table setting and the other for delicious food on your pretty plates.
    Merry Christmas to you both!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  3. So glad you found your deer, they look very pretty with the wreaths around the neck! That's a beautiful gift from your dearly departed friend Jane, lovely to share it with us. Yuletide blessings and warmest wishes.

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  4. Sarah,
    Your herd is adorable with their rosemary wreaths. What a special centerpiece with wonderful memories of your dear friend. Your lunch looks delicious.

    Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noël,

    Judith

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  5. Your "herd" looks absolutely spectacular in your place settings...I knew you were on to something! Love it! And the salad! Oh goodness. I want to replicate it but am not sure about it. Instructions?

    The centerpiece is simply lovely and I know it is very special to you. I'm just fascinated by the detail of each house.

    Love to you this Christmas and always, Sarah!

    Jane xx

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  6. Your setting is very pretty Sarah and your friend made a beautiful gift! Merry Christmas:@)

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  7. Love your snowy village with reindeer! Like you, I think I will take the room with the best view....that village sure does capture the imagination. And my granddaughter would love that chocolate pie in a jar.

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  8. You gave me inspiration for one of my dinners this week. Love the green salad with roasted chicken, wild rice, cranberries, and nuts. Sarah, the village from your friend is lovely. Do you have a December birthday? I'm glad you were able to round up the herd you were looking for. They were worth the trouble for sure. xo

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  9. Sarah, what a glorious scene...I'm SO glad you found your deer!!! They are beautiful. My DD has a set & had never used them until I told her about your table.
    The village is a beautiful & much treasured heirloom...so pretty & so thoughtful of your friend to make it for you.
    I'm envious of the delicious simplicity of both the table and the meal. I sure wish my DH could cook!!! I may steal that dessert idea, since my grands love French silk pie but always seem to leave the crust behind. This is the perfect solution!!
    Have a Blessed Christmas, my sweet friend!!!

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  10. Hi Sarah. What a wonderful gift your friend gave you! And how special to have that to remember her by! Then table setting looks beautiful and so does the food. Glad you found some white reindeer. When I was at Home Depot the other day they had one, so I got it. They are too cute.
    I hope you have a very happy Christmas. Your friend, Rhondi

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  11. Hi Sarah,
    I'm so happy that you found your white herd of deer. I love how your adorned their necks with rosemary wreaths. Your table looks sooo pretty! I had tears in my eyes reading about your dear friend Jane, and her labor of love gift for you. The little village is just so whimsical and the perfect centerpiece. I know you will treasure it forever and think of Jane when you look at it.
    Merry Christmas, Sarah! xo

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  12. Sarah, Hurray for your herd of deer! I love your sweet village at the table, made more special with your memories of and by your friend. I'm a fan of desserts in jars, fun for serving, they sound wonderful with the peppermint and chocolate! Merry Christmas Wishes to you and Sadie ♥

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  13. Sarah, you're the best "reindeer herder" I know...next to Santa. :) I'm so glad you found them. I even looked at our Lowe's, but all they had were green and black ones.Your addition, of the rosemary collars. is "just right".
    Loved the details of each house, in your gorgeous snowy village.
    What a special friend to give it to you for your birthday, and a wonderful memory of her. Wishing you a very merry, and magical Christmas.

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  14. I am going to have to go hit lowes real soon!! Your table and food look wonderful!
    Merry Christmas!

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  15. Your winter wonderland village is perfectly charming. Such a cherished gift from a dear friend and a loving memory of her. Your tablescape is lovely and your menu sounds delicious too! Merry Christmas dear Sarah.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  16. I am happy to see you had a successful “hunting” trip and found your reindeer Sarah. I fell for those little guys too when I also saw them at Courtney’s. I am headed to Lowes a little later for a few last minute supplies and I’m going to look for these guys. Your table is lovely with the winter wonderland village. Yes, it is “simply elegant,” my favorite style. What a sweet and thoughtful gift from Jane. I’m sure setting this table you had so many mixed emotions after loosing her this year. What a sweet way to honor her memory than recreate this adorable village! My favorite is the little plain house.
    Christmas Blessings to you and yours dear Sarah............

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  17. Where'd my first comment go???? It's gonna be one of those days huh? Your table is lovely. I think the centerpiece is beautiful and I know you cherish it. It makes me want to create one like it. I wrangled a herd of green ones last week because Lowe's only had 4 individual white ones. No boxes of two. I may have to go get them anyway!! They are for my next year's Christmas Dinner Party with Friends. I guess I should post this years. I wish you a very Merry Christmas dear Sarah. xo Marlis

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  18. Those reindeer:) Thos house:)
    Love it all..I am charmed by the sparkle homes..I have a little Eastter one..but our Christmas village is heavy ceramics..I didn't do it this year..
    Those are so feminine and magical..
    Years ago I received deer ..almost bronzed like to place name cards..I still love them.

    And yours A napkin..I have the same ones here..you cannot mistake that edging:)
    Happy happy holidays Sarah...to you and yours.
    Love the rosemary too!

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  19. So worth the trip but I am in love with you glittery snowy village! Merry Christmas!

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  20. Sarah, it is so pretty and the herd is just perfect. What a charming snow village and what a special gift from you friend. I know her memory will stay with you forever. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

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  21. the table decor . . . the napkin rings and lovely reindeer . . . the dessert in a glass . . . and that village . . . what a special setting!

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  22. Just beautiful! What a sweet remembrance of your dear friend is that charming snowy village. Merry Christmas!

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  23. Sarah, so glad that you found the white ones! They truly are elegant. Your village is gorgeous and how precious to have come from a dear friend! It will hold special memories forever. I love the little poodle and fox. Were they attached to the village or added? The salad and dessert both look yummy! Merry Christmas sweet friend!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  24. merry christmas sarah! i have been scrolling to catch up, loved the cozy fireplace, your fabulous creekside walk, right up to these darling deer place cards, but what i lingered over most was dessert in a jar! how can i be so hungry... cause its TIS THE SEASON! i hope you have a wonderful eve and a joyous christmas~

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  25. What a wonderful tablescape! I love the sparkly village, and especially love the touches of the poodle and the fox. Merry Christmas to you and yours. xoxox

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  26. Sarah, truly, this has to be my favorite tablescape in Blogland right now. I need to do this next year; the village, the deer. LUCKY YOU that you found the white ones! I too was on a mission yesterday and it was accomplished: on the hunt of antlers! And I found the smaller ones for they can be pricy!

    Dear one, thank you for the kind words this year. I want to wish you the merriest of celebrations and may 2015 be the best for you! HUGS, Anita

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  27. Just. Beautiful, Sarah! I am so happy you found them! With all that has been going on, I never got there. Your village is so special, what a wonderful momento. Merry Christmas!

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  28. Sarah, what a beautiful table. I am so sorry for your loss. Your table is a special tribute to her during this season of blessings.
    Merry Christmas. Dawna

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  29. Because of your post last week about these deer ornaments I went to Lowes in search of them I found them kinda interesting but never even made it in the door. they were cutting Christmas trees and had bins full of cut greens. I couldn't afford a tree this year but thought I could put a bunch in a pot and create my own tree and I did then decorated it with napkin rings I had sitting in a jar.So thanks for sharing this post on the ornaments and I got afree tree out of it.Merry Christmas.Susie

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  30. Sarah,
    I am thrilled that you found a herd of ornaments to share with your guests, dear friend!!!
    The Winter Wonderland Village is charming, indeed!!!
    Merry Christmas!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  31. Beautiful table, especially the winter wonderland village. I stopped in Lowe's Tuesday, but they only had the green reindeer.
    Merry Christmas, Sarah.

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  32. I'm in love with your reindeer! I just googled them and think they are available at Lowe's. i'm heading there tomorrow to pick some up (if it's not too late!). Everything is just beautiful! I hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas!

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  33. I love these deer, Sarah! They are super cute, and I really like the white ones. Just love the whole tablescape. It is lovely.

    Speaking of which, I hope your Christmas was a lovely one, too. I am late making the rounds, but I still wanted to get by and leave the greetings of the season for you.

    Am still trying to get my strength back, and hopefully I am going to remain stress free. Have to learn how to manage stress better. So far, so good.

    I just read a card from you and smiled when I saw it. I had a stack of last year's cards in a bag near my table. It really made me smile. You are truly the sweetest one.

    Love you,

    Sheila :-)

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  34. Those re so adorable, Sarah. Where did you find them? I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and hoe the New Year brings you much happiness, love, peace and health....Christine

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  35. Well you must have been really good this year Sarah, because all the white reindeer decided to trot over to your fabulous table - who could blame them! Gifting them to your guests was a special thing to do, they must have been ecstatic! Such gorgeous table decor - you truly do a fabulous job - not only with your decorations though, the food is always perfect too! The winter wonderland village is such a special gift to enjoy over the holidays, I know it brought back memories of your dear friend.

    I'm going to find it hard to pack my reindeer away for about 11 months, they are so very cute to look at aren't they? Do you have further plans for yours, or will you herd them up, wrap them up, and box them up?

    Well another year almost gone - and much too quickly! We do have plenty of travel planned starting in April. Sadly, have had to cancel the big one back to Africa in Jan. due to my current hip problem! Hoping this will be taken care of soon and I'll be able to adventure at least to Europe in 2015.
    After that, we will be staying closer to home I think so a return to Texas will definitely be on the list!!!

    Have a great New Year celebration. Bob and I send best wishes to you and M for a healthy, happy and blessed year ahead dear friend.
    Warm hugs - Mary

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  36. Sarah, The white reindeer are perfect for this table, how sweet of you to give them to your guests. I do adore the little glitter houses, they are a wonderful remembrance of your dear friend that gave them to you and they do make a for a lovely creative tablescape.... I am wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.....Candy (PS: I did not have any luck finding the white deer either)

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  37. Oh, I love your little village centerpiece. It's magical! Happy Holidays!

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  38. Hi Sarah, So glad I found a little time to visit your wonderful snowy village. I love the reindeer and will have to trot out to the local Lowes and see what I can find for myself. Your china is so beautiful and elegant. Was that your wedding china or am I remembering wrong? Dianne

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  39. Hurrah! Glad you found your white deer. The table is wonderful. Elegant and whimsical. LOve all the detail. The barn glitter house -love it! And the little white fox -want one! Merry Christmas Sarah, and a blessed New Year.

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  40. GORGEOUS table Sarah and what a lovely gift for your guests!!

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  41. I love the deer! Please tell me more about them. Where did you locate them? I must have some:)

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  42. So glad you found the deer. They are precious. The dessert looks amazing! Thanks for linking up to Monday Social.

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