Fall Tableau

With the recent rain and cooler days, there is now a hint of fall in the air. That combined with all the wonderful fall nesting going on around Blogville, I've been inspired to do a bit of fall nesting myself. I do love this time of year, but there is never a real noticeable change in seasons here in central Texas like in so many other areas of our country. So one has to provide their own touch of seasonal change around their home.

I picked up these bags of pumpkins at the grocery store last week and found the faux acorns at Hobby Lobby. I wasn't certain what I'd do with them, but decided I need to start with something to get a little fall going on in our home.

I thought I'd start with something for the dining room table. I often like to arrange a tableau on a tray so it can be easily moved if I need something different for a dinner. I decided to start with a silver tray and this beautiful pashimina that a friend brought back to me from her summer trip to Egypt.

This silver dish was an eBay purchase in a box lot of silver pieces. You can see that it is very dark with little silver left, but I rather like the look. It gives it a shabby chic look,and actually I don't think shiny silver would look as appropriate for the theme. I was charmed by the squirrel detail. This was my favorite piece in the box.

Next I pulled out a silver bride's basket. It too was an eBay find. I decided to give it a good cleaning with some silver polish, but as you can see, this too is a bit shabby chic.

With these basic pieces I now had a theme in mind. The squirrel offered an obvious link to the acorns and the shawl would guide my choice of flowers.

I found these lilies at the grocery on special for the week.

In addition to the price, I also liked that they were still tight. I know from experience that lilies open slowly, unlike many flowers. I'm having some friends over on Tuesday, so they should be perfect by then.


I cut some yellow blooms from my garden. The yellow bells and golden thryallis make wonderful filler for arrangements.



I filled the silver squirrel dish with the faux acorns and started to place some of the pumpkins across the shawl. I only used the white ones. I didn't like the typical orange pumpkin color with the shawl.

I liked that the bag had a nice mix of plain white pumpkins and some with a dark green and gold in the veins. I scattered more acorns across the pumpkins and the shawl and about the large silver tray.

I mixed in a few purple asters to give a little punch of color. I think the color of the lilies compliments the shawl. I love the deep color of the center as it fades to a lighter orange.

The shawl is beautiful handwoven cotton with deep rich colors.

Mr. Squirrel is very happy with his new found bounty. I think he's set for winter!

Perhaps he'll share with all his brothers and sisters who enjoy our backyard.

I love the look of the contrast within the group of pumpkins and the acorns scattered among them.

Found this little squirrel with his own acorn at Hobby Lobby. Decided he would fit right in.

So there you have it....a simple fall tableau for our dining room table.

Hope to see you again on Tuesday for Rhondi's Welcome Fall Gathering and again on Thursday for Tablescape Thursday. By then I hope to have a fall table setting to compliment this fall tableau. In the meantime you should scurry on over to Susan's @ Between Naps on the Porch for a list of others participating in Metamorphosis Monday.

Pink Celebration

Sweet Sixteen Surprise

A Haiku by Hyacinth

Waiting to surprise

Precious daughter of sixteen

Flock of pink delight

September 2009

I came upon this flock of pink flamingos settling in along the walkway to a neighbor's home. I stopped and asked if there was a special occasion. He smiled and said, "My daughter is sweet sixteen today. The flamingos will greet her this afternoon when she arrives home from school." Needless to say I had to record the event for Pink Saturday.

Sweet Sixteen Pink Surprise!

Please click on "Comments" below to leave a note to let me know you stopped by today. I so appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!

Then click here for more

Pink Saturday Fun.

Happy Pink Saturday to All!

Hallelujah! We've Had Rain

Not quite sure if Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch will think this is a legitimate Met Monday post, but just had to share this wonderful sight. Of course I don't take credit for this metamorphosis, unless the rain dance I've performed each day for the past year counts. I'm also linking this to Outdoor Wednesday with our hostess Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer.

This is the creek that runs behind our home. With drought conditions approaching two years and a summer of record breaking triple digit temperatures, the creek had basically become "rock dry".

Then the rains came starting Thursday, and by Saturday the creek bed filled with rushing water.

I took a little walk along the trail after the heavy rain had subsided. Some reported that after the heaviest downpour there were "white water" conditions along this creek. The creek didn't fill its banks with this storm, but this part of Texas is sometimes referred to as "flood ally" because creeks and rivers can go from drought to flood in a matter of hours.

Hallelujah! It's wonderful to hear some rushing water once again. No doubt, it will soon be back to a gentle little stream. But for now, I'm rejoicing with the sound of flowing water.

Thanks for stopping by. Please share a comment below before you paddle on over to Susan's @ Between Naps on the Porch for a list of those with their own metamorphosis to share.

Will link this to Outdoor Wednesday as well, so on Wednesday head over to Susan's @ Southern Daydreamer to visit the other outdoor posts.

Cloche Party Pink

Cloche Party Pink

a Haiku

by Hyacinth

Crown of creamy pink

Waits beneath total splender~

Sweet tasty delight.

September 2009

Welcome to Marty's Cloche Party and Beverly's Pink Saturday. This little cupcake stand is the only thing in my home that qualifies as a cloche, so it's the best I could do. But hey, I wanted to join in Marty's fun!

Now you need to hurry on over to Marty's @ A Stroll Through Life. There are some amazing cloches to discover. Then on Saturday, please go on over to Beverly's @ How Sweet the Sound to see more Pink Saturday fun.

Birds of a Feather

Metal Flowers and Birds, Round Top Collection

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch. The birds are gathering here at Hyacinths for the Soul for lunch. Glad you could join in the fun!

Bécassine Figural from HB Quimper Tabac Series

Bécassine is here to greet our guests with bouquets of

fresh flowers and seed for our feathered friends.

Unmarked Desvres Figural Salt

As are our sweet young French friends, 

Monsieur Jean Marc and Mademoiselle Sophie.

Jean Marc loves to talk to Sophie's sweet little yellow finch, but young Sophie worries that her little birdie may take flight and not return to it's own special birdcage where he lives in Sophie's home.

Unmarked Desvres Figural Salt

So here she is patient and at the ready 
should the little finch take flight.

And yes, here comes more feathered friends to join the feast.

Detail on Brass Serving Tray

The sweet natured cockatoo 
with his fluffy head feathers is here.

Detail on Brass Serving Tray

And listen, did you hear the flutter of wings 

as this little parakeet flew in to the perch?

Detail on Brass Serving Tray

Could this be a large African grey parrot? 

 No doubt he got word of the party and 

definitely didn't want to be left out.

"Un Verre D' Amitié" Glasses, Simon Pearce Water Pitcher, HB Quimper Porringer, Brass Tray w/ Birds

So take a glass of blackberry sage ice tea 
and join in a toast to friendship.

"Un Verre D' Amitié" - A Glass of Friendship

Here's to friendship and our fine feathered friends!

I see the little chickadees are gathering on the table. 

 Let's see what the chef has planned.

Porte-Carte, Formaintraux Coquin

A nice light lunch for each of you with double
chocolate brownies for dessert!

Hand Crafted Victorian Gardener's Cottage 
for Wren or Purple Finch

Looks like a few of our friends live right here on the table.

Cast Iron Bird Feeder w/ Birds

Yes, I see they have begun on a lunch of their own.

Arthur Porquier Double Sided Porte-Carte

HenRiot Quimper Plate, 9.5"

The morning dove, no doubt a cautious mother, 

has brought along her little family to keep a watchful eye.

HenRiot Quimper Plate, 9.5"

Mr. Peacock is here to strut his feathers in 

celebration of joining all his feathered friends.

HenRiot Quimper Plate, 9.5"

And the crane, carefully and delicately approaches the group.

HenRiot Quimper Plate, 9.5"

Oh just listen to this sweet song bird 
as he flutters in from the garden.

HR Quimper Fan Shaped Porte-Carte

Little feet are scampering everywhere!

Unmarked Quimper Sugar Bowl with 
Bouquet of Zinnias and Fresh Basil

Does he think he is in the garden?

Unmarked Quimper Covered Casserole w/ Handles

Don't let them jump into our 
basket of fresh pain de campagne.

Chicken Salad Served in Avocado Boat in Blue Glass Bowl, Christophe Silver, Placemats by Lenox

Would you like your chicken salad with avocado?

Chicken Salad Served w/ Vine Ripe Tomato in Blue Glass Bowl

Or perhaps you prefer yours within a vine ripened tomato.

Birds Eye View of "Birds of a Feather" Luncheon

I think the birds are up on the chandelier eyeing our table. 
 Bon Appétit!

Buffet: Metal Cake Stand w/ Birds, 
Desvres Yellow Dessert Set w/ Blue Bird, Quimper Lady,

Desvres Figural Salts, Copper Planter w/ Peace Lily and Round Top Collection Accents, Brass Tray w/ Glassware

Don't forget to have a brownie before 
you flay away to visit more tablescapes.

Cosi Tabellini Italian Pewter Charger, French Appliqué Napkin

Hope you enjoyed our little birdie celebration. Click here to fly over to the QCI blog where I'm spotlighting another little party with just a few photos. Then don't miss the other beautiful tables that are listed here @ Between Naps on the Porch.