Tales of the Traveling Tote #30

Rabbit, Rabbit

Bee Mine, Valentine!

A Look At Christmas 2021~ Table Settings and Highlights

Christmas 2021 is but a memory now, but before the year's end

I want to look back to document a bit of our Christmas this year.

Our tree, as in years past, is decorated with special

ornaments collected through the years.  

Our Sadie girl likes to nap under the tree, and she

loves her new Christmas bowl and Santa lamb.

She likes to nudge her way among

 the gifts, sniffing out any food items.

The adorable Santa lamb, a gift from Joelle,

 her very thoughtful and loving groomer.

My Mother-in-law traditionally gifted us a small Christmas cactus

each December, so I like to continue the tradition in her honor.

A blooming plant provides the perfect floral centerpiece all season. 

Just the two of us for a simple Christmas Eve Dinner, 

but I made certain the plate stacks were festive.

A generous friend sent me an early Christmas package.

Included were a pair of gorgeous Kim Seybert tartan linen napkins

beautifully woven in a traditional blue and green. A delicate

embroidered gold star motif adds sparkle on the borders.

They set the stage for my choice of plates for dinner.

I've long been a fan of lighthearted checks and the complexities and historical significance of tartans from the Scottish Highlands. 

I knew immediately I would use the napkins with my 

MacKenzie-Childs Limited Edition Royal Check Star Plates.

My newly acquired Crown Linen Design black velvet ruffled placemats were a perfect base for green Zrike chargers, 

Juliska's Stewart Tartan dinner plates, vintage Spode luncheon plates,

Arte Italica Finezza salad plates, and the Royal Check stars.

The antique Mother of Pearl silverware added a touch of elegance.

Did you notice the darling Tuxedo Stewart Tartan napkin rings?

I've admired these Juliska charmers for a year, 

so Merry Christmas to moi!

We happen to have 

the perfect blue stemware.

The theme of the evening: 

~ Imagine Magic ~

A simple tabletop tree on the buffet will

take us through the coming winter season.

The branches of this Bethany Lowe green feather tree 

offer the perfect perch for the glitter birds and acorns.

Each bird carries a message.

 ~ Wish ~ Hope ~ Dream ~

A trio of reindeer wait below.

Petite fours from a friend 

were the perfect sweet ending.

Christmas Morning started with ruby red grapefruit.

                                                                                                                                 

Same Stewart Tartan Tuxedo napkin rings, same Zrike chargers, and 

same velvet placemats, but I switched out the napkins for favorite 

Crown Linens with a crown design, Robert Stanley Home Collection winter plates, and cabbage leaf Bordallo Pinheiro bowls.

My guy requested waffles with .   .   .  

Maple syrup and melted butter.

Velvet and needlepoint stockings were hung,

but this year we opted to forgo any gifts to each other.

       

We did make deliveries to family and friends.

Vintage Santa figures were tucked here and there.

Including one from my childhood 

and one from my guy's.

The Santa figures like to mix and mingle

among the French faience.

Darling Byers Choice reindeer and a sleigh full of gifts

arrived as a surprise from a friend.

Vignettes feature Christmas 

needlepoint stitched long ago.

I've not had a needlepoint finish in a few years, 

so my goal this year is to finish a work in progress,

a Woodland Santa by Melissa Shirley.

A favorite counted cross-stitch pillow 

sits in the kitchen sitting area.

It's fun to pull out Christmas pillows.  

The needlepoint button tree was stitched decades ago and

embellished with vintage buttons from my Mother and Grandmother.  Are you a button collector?

I created a new tabletop tree this Christmas

that sits on a chest at the side entrance.

Some years ago, I discovered the unique ornaments offered 

at Coral and Tusk, and began to add one or two each year.

It was fun to pull them together along with a few other 

woodland theme ornaments to create a Woodland Tree.

Coral and Tusk offers unique designs embroidered on linen in

table linens, towels, pillows, and ornaments.

If you sign up and make a purchase,

you can use my code for $10 off.

Just copy and paste:

8c5dabceg49168c32

Coral and Tusk

Still savoring the season here, but the elves and I will 

soon pack it all away and welcome a new year.

Joining

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado 

You're the Star @ Electric Red BarnHappiness is Homemade @ Bluesky at Home  Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia    Celebrate Your Story @ Celebrate and Decorate  Keep in Touch @ Let's Add Sprinkles  Over the Moon @ Marilyn's Treats 

Tuesday Turnaround @ Bluesky Kitchen 

All About Home @ Common Ground  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn
Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Charming Homes and Gardens @ Shiplap and Shells  Embracing Home and Family @ The Everyday Farmhouse   Farmhouse Friday @ The Painted Hinge

Tradition ~ Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop

Tales of the Traveling Tote #29

Rabbit, Rabbit

Can you believe it is already December 2021?

Gratitude ~ Thanksgiving 2021