Slowly Falling Into Fall

Scarecrow, Scarecrow

What do you see?

I see Blackbirds looking at me.

Blackbirds, Blackbirds

What do you see?

I see Frisky Squirrel

Looking at me.

Frisky Squirrel, Frisky Squirrel

What do you see?

I see hoards of acorns

Falling from the trees!

Yes, here in Central Texas we are slowly falling into the fall season. The temperatures might still be in the 90s, but the mornings are cooler and the evenings are dipping into the low 70s. One thing for sure is that there are acorns scattered about everywhere, a sure sign of fall.

I'm joining The Tablescaper for her weekly Seasonal Sundays. Click here to see what seasonal changes others have to share this week.

Soon To Be The Season For Witches In The Air

It's beginning to feel a bit like fall around Blogville. I've yet to pull out any fall decor here at HFTS, but I've noticed that others are full steam ahead for this change in season.

And Fall means it's soon 

to be the season for witches in the air.

19th Century Quimper Plate Marked HB Only

Photo Courtesy of Lucy Williams

Some may think that Quimper faience was painted only to depict the familiar Breton folk, but take a look above at this 19th century plate from HB. Not only is the shape of this plate unusual and charming, it is painted with the whimsy of a gaggle of witches on broomstick flying across the sky.

19th Century Quimper Plate Marked HB Quimper

Photo Courtesy of Lucy Williams

This plate is thought to depict the infamous witch in the story of Hansel and Gretel. I find the vivid colors and the interesting border to be perfect for the Autumn season.

19th Century French Faience Plate

Photo Courtesy of Maggie @ Normandy Life

I don't have specific information to share on this plate. It was an auction item some years ago at a French Auction.

Detail of 19th Century French Faience Plate

Photo Courtesy of Maggie @ Normandy Life

It's a perfect plate for Halloween with its flying bats, a witch on broomstick, and a winged devil.

Faïencerie d'Art Breton Witch Plates

Photo Courtesy of Brittany Byways

As you can see, witches on Quimper pottery go back to HB production at the end of the 19th century. The two charmers above are plates currently produced by Faïencerie d'Art Breton and feature witches from the era of the original HB production of these plates.

10" Faïencerie d'Art Breton Witch Plate With Ghost Border

Photo Courtesy of Brittany Byways

The plates are scalloped, and the decor is on a white background that is not as blue as it looks in these photos.

10" Faïencerie d'Art Breton Witch Plate With Jack-O-Lantern Border

Photo Courtesy of Brittany Byways

Each is pierced for hanging, but wouldn't they be fun for a special Halloween tablescape?

If you would like to add these to your own Halloween decor, they are available from Brittany Byways, an online shop offering French pottery both old and new as well as related items. Brittany Byways, the Gateway to Quimper Pottery, has been selling online since 1998, and is offering readers of HFTS a special discount of 10 euros off on the price of these plates if purchased by September 30, 2010.

Click here to go to Brittany Byways. Use the coupon code: HALLOWEEN at checkout.

I'm happy to be joining The Tablescaper for her wonderful weekly meme, Seasonal Sundays. Click here to see what The Tablescaper is sharing this Sunday and for a list of others with something to share.

Happy Fall!

With all the blue in these wonderful plates I decided to also link this post to Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally's and Tam's Three or More Tuesday @ The Gypsy's Corner. Please visit each of these ladies to see what they are sharing this week.

Barnyard Bash ~ English Style

Detail of Hand-hooked Pillow

Welcome to the English countryside for the 

First Barnyard Bash 

hosted by Happier Than a Pig in Mud.

~ Barnyard Bash English Style ~

Detail of Dinner Plate by Royal Stafford

It's nearing the end of the 
day in the English countryside.

The farm animals have 
gathered around the table to celebrate.

Big beautiful sunflowers

Held in a Black Toile canister, 
set the stage for a shared meal.

The toile tells 
the story of the farm

Where roosters and hens 
scratch about while song birds flitter above.

Sweet furry bunnies nibble on the fresh green grass, 

and baby chicks look for tasty bugs.

White Porcelain Egg Holder by Kaldun and Bogle

The rooster crows to spread the word that there 

are fresh eggs a plenty from his brood of hens.

Petite Cow Pitchers Made in China

Gentle British White Cattle 
roam the table.

These beautiful creatures 
are known for their gentleness

Which begins before birth.

Royal Stafford Dinner Plate

The table is set with plates of Royal Stafford featuring 

a beautiful transfer-ware scene of the English 

countryside produced in shades of black.

The borders are laced with bands of rope 

and clusters of fruit and blooming flowers.

And layered above white 

Vintage Garden chargers by Ambiance 

which are placed on woven black ruffled placemats.

Vintage flatware with sterling ferrules 

is marked Universal L.F. and C.

Crisp white napkins layered with napkins 

in a black and white paisley are held together 

with pewter napkin rings.

The the color of the bold sunflowers 

is echoed in the embroidery of the initialed napkins.

Individual Butter Tubs by Sadek

Various little farm animals in the form 

of individual butter tubs are gathered for the occasion. 

First to the table is this little piggy.

Small Square Plate in Dotty Black by 222 Fifth

The baby calf seems 
to be tired after a long day.

Butter Spreaders Made in Italy

One of the 
many resident poultry.

And even a small bunny 
has joined in the fun.

So pull up a chair 
and join these little critters . . .

As they gather 
round the table . . .

For the First Barnyard Bash!

Blue Ribbon Vignette by Debi Raitz

Thanks for joining me for my first Barnyard Bash, and a huge thank you to Happier Than a Pig in Mud, our hostess for the First Annual Barnyard Bash. I hope you will also join me at Quimper Club International for a Barnyard Bash ~ French Style. There you find everything is French faience much like the pieces in the farm scene above. This award winning scene, using French faience figural open salts, was created by my friend Debi Raitz. Debi won a BLUE RIBBON on this vignette. Click here to see Barnyard Bash ~ French Style.

Hope to see you there!

This post is also linked to the following weekly memes. Thank you to each of these gracious hostesses.

Cindy @ My Romantic Home

Laurie @ Bargain Hunting & Chatting w/ Laurie

A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch

Tablescape Thursday

The Regal Hue ~ Violet

Do you see it?

It's there at the base of these glorious poppies . . . Violet.

Violet is the base and lavender is a tint of this royal hue.

These beautiful lavender jewels were grown

by a very kind and thoughtful lady.

Meet Bella of Bella's Rose Cottage.

Not only is this beautiful woman an amazing gardener, she is also a very generous gardener. She frequently shares exquisite photos of the beauty of her Washington state garden, but by August, Bella's stand of lavender poppies had withered.

The whimsical green seed pods that once looked like this, had begun to dry up.

Bella harvested thousands of tiny specks of rich black seeds that popped out of these pods.

Then she carefully packaged them and this thoughtful lady offered a packet of these seeds to her readers who like to garden.

Mid August an envelope, the color of delicate lavender, arrived at my home. This little package had traveled from the North West bearing a beautiful stamp of violets and containing this sweet little package of poppy seeds.

Yes, Bella, here at Hyacinths for the Soul we live by the motto:

" Flowers Feed the Soul "

Thank you, sweet garden friend. In the next week or so I'll be spreading these tiny seeds in some Texas garden soil. Come next spring I hope to have lavender poppies gracefully dancing in the breeze. My heart will be full of joy!

Click here to visit Bella's Rose Cottage where you will find delightful treats await you. Bella is not only an accomplished gardener, she is also an inspiration in the kitchen as well as in her beautiful Victorian home. She had an article published in Old Fashioned Living and has been featured on numerous blogs. Drop in to visit Bella and tell her Hyacinths sent you.

I'm joining Mrs. Matlock in the last class of Rainbow Summer School for the color Violet. Click here to see a list of other participating this week.