Sunday, November 8, 2020

Savoring the Colors of Autumn


MacKenzie-Childs Wittika Peanuts 
offers a perfect compliment to autumn. 
This simple but charming pattern named for 
Wittika MacKenzie-Chaplet, granddaughter of Victoria and
Richard MacKenzie-Childs was introduced in 1999.

I've long admired American red ware pottery,
so this older MKC version enchants my 
MacKenzie-Childs sensibilities..

The Wittika series was offered in three color ways.
~ Peanuts ~ Pickles ~ Picts  ~

I think the Peanuts is a perfect partner for my 
Nicole Miller beaded sunflower placemats
atop folded plaid napkins to introduce a touch of gray.

Then I could easily bring in these 
simple striped Crown Linen Design napkins.

The final touch to the plate stack, 
classically elegant pumpkins!

A natural gourd with beribboned stem among
fall leaves served as an easy, no fuss centerpiece.

The colorful leaves may be faux, but with natural leaves,
burr oak acorns, and seedpods added to the mix, 
it all yields an organic feel.

I'm savoring these last days of autumn and
not yet ready to Fa La La just yet.
What about you?  
Have you begun your winter holiday decorating?


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Wednesday, November 4, 2020

~ Grackles ~ Ravens ~ Crows ~ An Autumn Table

 
November has arrived, and I for one am 
savoring the colors and textures of autumn.
Blackbirds have always fascinated me, and this
fall tabletop post is a nod to those intriging creatures.

There are so many grackles in Austin, that some
consider them the unofficial mascot of the city.

Known for their iridescent feathers and long tail, these noisy birds
often roost in large numbers in trees, creating a cacophony of squawks.
Not what one wants outside their bedroom window!

Perched on outdoor fountains or walking about tables, if one
is dining outdoors here in Austin, grackles are likely there with you.
These aggressive birds are so brazen they may hop right
up onto the table and help themselves to something off your plate.

With fall and the hordes of pumpkins that arrive at local stores 
and garden centers, you are sure to see grackles perched about,
their piercing golden eyes daring you to help yourself to a pumpkin.

They walk about squawking, 
"Caw, Caw!  Caw, Caw!"

Crows are twice as large as grackles, but not often seen in the city.
Their feathers are a true black, as are their beaks and feet.
As one might expect, the resident crow here at Hyacinths for the Soul, 
proudly wears Courtly Check breast feathers 
and a crown upon his head.

Beautiful crisp air and sunny skies called to me and 
inspired a November table on the terrace.
Fortunately no grackles joined us.

One of our local flower farms sells these beautiful plum sunflowers.
I'm drawn to the gorgeous depth of color and 
how they reflect the feel of autumn .

These Creative Co Op plates were spied while on a 
hill country day trip with girlfriends summer 2019.
They are the perfect fall touch for lunch on the terrace.

I paired them with MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check chargers atop ruffled burlap placemats, all to set them apart from the wonderful block-print details of the MacKenzie-Childs Vendage table linen.
Gray and yellow plaid napkins, rattan napkin rings with yellow beads,
 our Christofle Talisman silver flatware ~ each offer texture and continue the compliment to the rich colors of Ventage.

Real grackle feathers gathered from our garden
with a few fallen leaves add organic touches of nature.

One of our favorite refreshing drinks is 
Fentimans Mandarian and Seville Orange Jigger.
Have you tried it?

Fly on over and join me on the terrace.
The sun is shining, but there is a nip in the air.

We are enjoying perfect autumn days in Austin.

If you are so inclined, an older post here shares some crow 
inspired vignettes and an interesting Native American Legend about crows that I shared each year when I was teaching.

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Sunday, November 1, 2020

Let's Make Halloween 2020 Beary Special

Rabbit, Rabbit!

Here we are leaping into a new month again!
Welcome November!

October was truly a delightful month here in Austin.
A dear, long time friend sent me the beautifully calligraphed rendering 
of a favorite poem, October Gave a Party, by George Cooper.
It pretty much sums up our beautiful October.

October definitely gave reason for a party in the garden.
A Beary Special party!

A very talented and generous friend, 
Bobbie of Rollinghill Cottage and Studio
mailed me a package for a Halloween gathering 
she knew I was planning for my little great nieces.  
Making memories with these two precious girls
 in my life is a priority for me.

Definitely treats in these bags!
No tricks in sight!

Our cooler sweater weather was perfect for 
hot chocolate among the profusion orange zinnias.

I added lots of pumpkins to give the feel 
as if we were in a pumpkin patch.

\
Caramel corn, chocolate Jack-o-lanterns, and 
Halloween Oreos were tasty treats.

I used a special Halloween kit from Bobbie 
to add hats and masks to baby pumpkins.
Bobbie packages up  and sells wonderful themed 
kits for making holiday decorating a snap!

Marshmallow ghosts were an added fun touch.

This charming duet look as if they 
are off to a masquerade ball!

With all these whimsical touches, I couldn't 
resist setting up a little tablescape.

I simply used my placesettings and flowers from my previous
table here, and added a black plate to hold the baby pumpkins.

Take home treats for the girls were cute ceramic kitty bowls 
filled with chocolates, a stack of the Oreos, a cute face mask for school, and their special bears from Bobbie.

I packaged it all up in a gift bag 
along with the baby pumpkins.
And that, my friends, made 
Halloween 2020 Beary Special!

Our lone Trick or Treater!
Sadie is always ready for a treat!


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Monday, October 26, 2020

Black Hat Society Breakfast




It's the last week of October 2020, and
I've noticed a lot of activity around here.

The girls, as I call them, you know, 
members of the Black Hat Society,
have flown in to gather round the table.

They each have their own personality, and
rest assured, each one is a good witch, 
ready to help with Halloween fun.

I was asked to style a Halloween table with elements 
from my collection of French Quimper pottery.

19th Century Quimper Plate Marked HB Only
Photo Courtesy of Lucy Williams

Quimper pottery comes in various forms and decor,
though Halloween isn't a typical motif.

The antique witch plate is not in my collection, but it inspired this pair of
limited edition witch plates which were produced in 2010.

Join me for breakfast with "the girls".
Let's eat, drink, and be scary!"

We can start with a pumpkin muffin.

A mug of coffee or tea?

Sit and visit with these sweet girls 
while I prepare our breakfast.

You might note the plates are not as detailed as the antique version,
yet I find them  charming for a touch of whimsy on the table.

A different witch and border on each plate.
Do you have a favorite?

I used my favorite black and white ruffled linens from 
Crown Linen Designs as my base and layerd them 
with a smaller ruffled black placemat, green rimmed charger,
and orange and black buffalo check napkins.  
Silver flatware. with French ivory handles, is vintage.

Our dining room table is a dropleaf that opens to an oval.  
It is not easy to find table linens that offer a good fit, 
so generally I simply use placemats.  
For this table, I wanted to repeat the orange and 
black buffalo check, but my round cloth was too small.
What I did was lay it crosswise on the center of the table and then folded it to make pleats on either side of the center line.  
I liked the look, especially the ruffle effect that was 
a nod to the ruffled placemats and napkins.

My friend Rita @ Panoply  taught me how to
make these cute witch hat napkin folds.
You simply roll a ruffled napkin, slide down a ring,
and then fluff out the ruffle at the base to create the illusion of a brim.
They stand up perfectly and make the cutest witch hat!
Be sure to pop over to visit Rita where she shares beautiful tables.

Waffles with berries and whipped cream and 
a side of sausage is the menu for the morning.

You will find previous posts on this group of ladies below.

Eat, Drink, and Be Witchy

Tea For Two and Witches Brew


Witches Tea Party


To read more about the Quimper witch plates go Here.

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃


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