scripture – Page 5 – Cottage Green on the Lake

Autumn Picnic and “Skillet Express … Smoked Sausage and Squash”

“There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of autumn leaves.” ~ Joe L. Wheeler

Also incredibly nostalgic … picnics with charming, wicker picnic baskets with little clasp fasteners, bright, cheer-y interiors, picnic-ware fastened to the lid, and a most delicious meal served “al fresco” tucked within it’s confines.

The setting for our autumn picnic was serene among “the annual cascade of leaves” that lazily drifted down from the canopy above …

Floated atop the lake …

Drifted by like golden paper boats …

Nestled in the azalea bushes …

Rested on the green lawn and Mondo Grass …

Lay cushioned on a bed of mushrooms …

And formed a golden frame around our picnic area.

Look how the green and white “hound’s tooth” on the interior of the picnic basket became the perfect background for these bright sunflowers and bittersweet I was getting ready to use in a centerpiece. I just propped “the whole bunch” in the corner of the picnic basket … and instantly loved the color and casual centerpiece it became for our picnic!

Our picnic meal was equally casual with left-over “Skillet Express … Smoked Sausage and Squash” (recipe below) that we kept warm in a cheer-y red plaid thermos … an easy dessert of 2 crisp, autumn apples … and cups of hot spiced tea.

Through the years, I’ve created some easy meals for our family that I call … “Skillet Express Meals.” Cooking criteria that “must” be met in each of these recipes: it “must” take less than 30 minutes to fix, it “must” be delicious, and it “must” use only 1 skillet to make the recipe, from start to finish. The first “Skillet Express” recipe I shared on this blog was Autumn Dinner … Smoked Sausage, Spinach and Orzo topped with grated parmesan cheese and today I’m going to share with you …

“Skillet Express … Smoked Sausage and Squash.”

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you’re able to schedule in some nostalgia and enjoyment of “the annual cascade of autumn leaves” … perhaps with a picnic and delicious bowls of Smoked Sausage and Squash! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog. This week I’ll be joining …

Carol from The Red Painted Wagon

Chloe Crabtree from Celebrate & Decorate

Autumn Tablescape … with a “side” of Provincial France

With beautiful, tangible evidence of autumn in the air and a birthday to celebrate with “la famille” last weekend, I polished the brass candlesticks and started decorating the table. I always have a general idea of how I want to set my table … if I’ll be using a table runner, a tablecloth, or place mats … which plates, napkins, and cutlery I want to use … and what I’ll be using as a centerpiece, but setting a table and creating a tablescape are two different things. Sprinkles and touches of “this and that” are what magically transform a set table into a tablescape.

The definition of tablescape according to the English Oxford dictionary is … “A decorative arrangement of ornaments or other objects on a tabletop.” Embellishing Oxford’s definition of tablescape a little further … a tablescape for me is created by arranging a tabletop in an artful way by using decorative objects … decor … centerpieces … lighting … and color in combination with the items needed in the table setting to create a certain mood or theme.

To begin “building” my tablescape, I chose what colors I wanted. I envisioned the autumn shades of squatty, Cinderella pumpkins, golden wheat fields, and the colors of the leaves that were beginning to turn different shades outside. With those colors in mind, I chose a beautiful soft yellow tablecloth with borders edged with harvest bounty, autumn leaves and acorns. My choice of dinnerware was an elegant, ivory colored Wedgwood china that was rimmed with rich, harvest colors and had a deep cornflower blue border. A cluster of silk autumn leaves in dusty orange, burgundy, and golden yellow became my centerpiece mixed with faux clusters of deep purple grapes, and fresh sprigs of burgundy Loropetalum (Chinese Fringe Flower) that I tucked in among the leaves from bushes Richard had just trimmed outside. (click here to see pictures and instructions)

When creating a tablescape, it’s important to imagine what idea, mood, or theme you are trying to convey. In my mind I pictured a French villa on a warm autumn afternoon that overlooked a valley of the French countryside. As I visualized what I wanted my table to look like, I knew the French provincial figurines in my kitchen hutch. (click here to see) would look perfect on the table and voilá! … with the placement of Pierre and Belle, my table was suddenly transformed into the beginnings of a tablescape!

Then, the fun really began as I begin to sprinkle in a little “magic” … “this and that” … “the jewelry” to make our table gleam: brass and crystal candlesticks were placed, tall against my autumn foliage and copper and gold votive cups were tucked among the foliage and grape clusters for sparkle.

Goldware glistens atop sage green napkins and next to gold chargers …

Antique berry bowls and grape clustered German stemware with golden rims and pedestals,

Blush and gold colored stemware …

A copper colored votive and a twinkling Cinderella pumpkin are placed among burgundy leaves and purple clusters of grapes …

“Salagadoola mechicka boola

Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo

Put them together and what have you got

Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo …”

~ Walt Disney’s “Cinderella”

The autumn afternoon is ready and waiting for the family …

Chandelier draped in autumn finery … rose hips, colored leaves, grape clusters and strings of gilded acorns.

“Salagadoola mechicka boola

Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo

It’ll do magic, believe it or not

Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo …”

~ Walt Disney’s “Cinderella”

“It’ll do magic, believe it or not” creating your own tablescapes, when you use these tips … bibbidi-bobbidi-boo! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

I was reminded of this scripture when we were out on our boat last Saturday and saw this spectacular view of the eastern sky at sunset … “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:27

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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This week I’m joining:

Barb Chapman of French Etherial

Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

The Cottage Porch in Autumn and … Recipe for Easy, Cheesy Jalepeno & Pimento Dip

by Trenda

Welcome to the first day of autumn! In conjunction with the calendar, our temperatures in East Texas were cooler today with alternate periods of pouring rain … sunlight … or light rain pattering down on the still green leaves overhead. Our cooler weather inspired me to get our screened porch “dressed and ready” for the anticipated autumn days and evenings we’ll be spending out there.

A latticed topped table holds a mix of autumn colors and textures. The unframed canvas looks simple and charming painted in the “colors of the season.” Rustic textures are repeated in the bronze of the wire canoe candle holder … the bronze pine cone clock … and the bronze fish lamp – all against the rugged backdrop of the brick wall and the wooden shutters.

Daisy watches the falling rain against an array of pillows in autumn colors … soft plum, golden yellow, sage green, and crimson colored pillows are the background for a smaller fish pillow which continues the fishing theme of the cottage porch set by the Largemouth Bass on the lamp.

“A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.”

Pillows and throws are an invitation to “sit a spell.”

A miniature screen door hangs on the brick wall with a tiny sign posted … “Home Sweet Home.”

After I got through cozy-ing up the screened porch, I pre-heated my oven and mixed up a delicious recipe of “Easy-Cheesy Jalelpeño & Pimento Dip” (recipe below) and slid it into the oven. While the dip was warming, I cut clusters of midnight black grapes and placed them in an antique berry bowl. Then, I washed and julienned my celery and stacked them on another sweet vintage dish. By then, the dip was ready and all golden, bubbly, cheesy-nes. (: I removed it from the oven and tucked Creamy Tomato & Basil Crackers and Sociables’ crackers into the dip, along the edges of the baking dish … then I placed “all” on a metal fish tray to carry out to the porch.

[SIDENOTE: I’m always on the lookout, when antiqu-ing, for unusual little dishes that are charming and make even the simplest meals seem special. Antique dishes, especially singles without a “mate” are surprisingly inexpensive. The little berry bowl with it’s pedestal legs and angular cut bowl was only 50 cents and the green serving dish with 2 glass handles and etchings on the bottom of the bowl that looks “perfectly, perfect” heaped with celery … olives … or pickled okra was less than a dollar!]

Bon appétit! (:

“Tête-à-tête on the screened porch.

A “Wecome to the Lake” DIY Fishing Wreath (instructions here) hangs on the French door and a gift from our dear son and DDIL … a fishing net with bobbers and carved wooden fish is “cast” over the door frame.

Afternoon raindrops and shadows …

Easy, Cheesy Jalepeño & Pimento Dip

Ingredients:

Price’s Pimento Cheese spread (I ONLY use Price’s)
Diced, Mild Jalepeño’s

(This is the simplest recipe and is really just a matter of stirring ingredients together … but it is so delicious! Heating the pimiento cheese makes it creamier and slightly sweeter.) I always try to keep the ingredients on hand for quick snacks and/or unexpected guests! (:

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees or use microwave
Stir together pimento cheese and desired amount of drained jalepeño’s (I used approximately 2 teaspoons of diced jalepeño’s for this small dish, but adjust the amount of peppers you use according to the “degree” of spiciness that you prefer and the amount of pimento cheese used!)
spread pimento mixture into an ovenproof, shallow dish, good for dipping
Microwave or cook until edges are bubbly
Tuck assorted crackers into the dip, around the edge of the serving dish and serve warm with crackers, veggies, or bread

Have fun decorating the nooks and crannies of your cottage and getting ready for “the cozy season” ahead because the crickets have been warning us … “summer is changing into autumn.”

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@ cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining:

Courtney at French Country Cottage

Carol from The Red Painted Cottage

Chloe Crabtree from Celebrate & Decorate

Between the Months of June and August … at the Lake

It’s hard to believe it’s the end of August and our golden, lazy, summer days are waning. Another summer filled with happy laughter, cannonball splashes. bobbing rafts, sunset boat rides, locust droning and warm breezes blowing against cooled bodies in wet bathing suits.

~ Trenda

“Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August.” —Jenny Han

Days of boating …

Feeding the geese and ducks …

PaPa’s First Mate and Skipper … This look on our little grandson’s face is priceless as he samples the duck food (pumpernickel bread) and tells me … “Grandma, this tastes yucky!” (: (: (:

Days of floating …

Precious lullaby moments …

These white herons flew in from their day wandering’s to roost and “bed down” in the boughs of this tree for the night.

Deer grazing on the green grasses beside the lake at twilight.

Watching summer sunsets tinge the lake color to shades of pink and purple.

There were summer “Cousin Days” and playing hide ‘n seek …

Riding piggy-back …

Riding skate boards … painting faces … climbing walls at the park … happy faces and happy hearts! “Your cousin is your very first friend.”

Enjoying fun family tradition’s … Sand Pail Ice Cream!

“PaPa and Grandma’s House … where cousins become best friends.” This is what king size beds were made for … sleepover’s with my grand babies snuggled next to me and sweet, little hands patting and holding mine in the night.

All in all, it was a never to be forgotten summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going … ~L. M. Montgomery

Summer slips away in a lilac sky.

It was indeed “a good and magical time.” Goodbye summer, we’re going to miss you!

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

“Hooked on the Lake” … a Red, White & Blue Tablescape

by Trenda

Hang up your bunting, unfurl your flags and pull out all your red, white and blue … it’s almost America’s 242nd birthday! I love getting ready for the 4th of July and this tablescape seemed to come together effortlessly as I went around the house picking up an assortment of lake-y, picnic items and all things red, white and blue.

The focal point of this tablescape is vintage minnow bucket that Richard found for me on one of our antique-ing excursions. Some time ago, I told him I was looking a for a minnow bucket though I had a certain “look” in mind for that bucket. I wanted an antique bucket with good coloring and with graphics that were still readable, but I didn’t want it to look all “beat up” so I could use it for arrangements. I was amazed when months after I mentioned it to him, he came to me smiling with this perfect gift in hand, complete with both the bucket and the minnow strainer and with the added bonus of a little rust to enhance the patina! Now, that my friends is a gift more romantic to me than a bouquet of roses! ❤

Falls City The Angler’s Choice …

These woodland ferns are from our own backyard and are particularly gorgeous this year and so lush, they almost come up to my waist! They add color and “mood” and look charming tucked inside the minnow bucket.

A blue and white buffalo check throw is bold and sassy and looks like the perfect tablecloth for a 4th of July picnic or BBQ. Cobalt blue fish plates add to the lake theme and match perfectly with blue stemware, a special gift our son and daughter bought for me with their “pooled” allowances, many years ago. ❤

These cute clear glass bowls, shaped liked fish were another antique find and are stacked next to a chunky star filled with some red, white, and table glitz! (:

The metal rowboat is a great caddy for all accoutrements needed for a meal … star shaped dessert plates, straws, cutlery, plastic tumblers, and red, white and blue fans to stir up a little breeze in hot Texas weather.

A lake sign in vivid red ties the tablescape all together … HOOKED ON THE LAKE!

Thinking today of all our military men, women and their families. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made and given for our freedom and for our Country. ❤

Have a wonderful weekend from the “dawn’s early light” until the “twilight’s last gleaming.”

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

May Day Gift Cones … DIY Project

by Trenda

“Dear old world … You are very lovely, And I am glad to be alive in you.” ~ from Anne of Green Gables

It’s May! The darling month when everything seems possible. Look at this sweet description of May Day from The Old Farmer’s Almanac established in 1792.

“With winter’s retreat, colts and calves kick up their heels and frisk over fresh grass, seedlings seek the sun, and birds call for mates….And we humans join their revels for one day: during spring’s “May Day” festival, even serious-minded folk put work aside to enjoy Nature’s exuberance!”

Still quoting The Farmer’s Almanac … “Here are some joyful May Day traditions marking the return of spring and the renewed gift of life.

Neighbors may leave baskets of flowers on each other’s doorsteps or doorknobs.
Kids can go barefoot on May Day for the first time.
People will crown a “May Queen” for the day’s festivities.
Beekeepers will move bees on May 1st.
Fishermen expect to catch fish on May Day.
On May Day morning, if a maiden gathers dew before sunup and sprinkles her face with it, she will enjoy luck and youthful beauty for the rest of the year.
Farmers often plant corn, cucumbers, and turnips on this day.
Villagers may hold theatrical battles between “summer” and “winter” that banish the winter.
The Kentucky Derby starts off the month of May (the first Saturday of the month).
On May 1st, people in Britain welcome spring by “Bringing in the May,” or gathering cuttings of flowering trees for their homes.
May 1st in Hawaii is called “Lei Day,” and people will receive prizes this day for wearing the prettiest handmade leis.”

Hanging May Day baskets is an enchanting custom that is fun to incorporate into your own family traditions. Sweet paper cones made from stock card paper with scalloped edges and ribbons are easy to make and are a delightful surprise to find.

Supplies Needed:

stock card paper (double sided paper if you want a pattern on the inside and outside of your May Day cone)
scissors
scalloped edged scissors
ribbon
shredded paper or tissue paper
craft glue
florist vials, if using fresh flowers
candy, flowers, little gifts, etc.

Instructions:

Cut stock card paper into a 7-inch square (I used double-sided stock paper to have prints on both the outside and inside of my May Day gift cones
Use decorative scissors to cut scallops around the top edge of the square
Place pencil tip at the bottom of the paper and begin rolling paper around pencil tip to form cone
Secure outer flap of cone with glue
Punch holes along scalloped edge approximately 1″ apart, beginning at the top front center
Thread a 22″ – 24″ length of 1/2″ ribbon through the holes
Tie ribbon into bow in the front … leaving a 6″ loop at the back of the cone for hanging
If using fresh flowers, use florist vials and fill with water and flower stems to tuck into the cone, or fill with shredded paper or tissue paper and fill cone with silk flowers,candy, little gifts, etc.

What a lovely surprise to find hanging on your door … a May Day gift cone filled with silk flowers, a package of “Ferrero Rocher, fine hazlenut chocolates” and Unicorn Sparkle Nail Polish. (:

This sweet little May Day cone is filled with silk flowers, a tube of lipstick, and a small bottle of perfume.

Hope your May Day is filled with lots of sunshine and happy surprises!

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining:

Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

Bringing Spring Inside … with Spring Vignette’s

~by Trenda

Spring has arrived in Texas in a profusion of azalea blooms, perky bluebonnets and the unfurling of spring green leaves. Sweet trills and twittering’s are heard throughout the day as birds flit about gathering building materials for their new homes. Just like outside, it’s time to dress your home in Spring decor! It’s easy to do with touches of romance, charm and whimsy tucked in unexpected places. Little nests placed in crystal bowls … a gathering of eggs in decorative containers … fresh flowers “about the house” and the use of bright and pastel colors suggest all things Spring-y.

Spring wreath and birdbath filled with moss and speckled eggs.

An etched cache with blown glass finial is filled with Spring proffering’s … some spongy moss and sweet little eggs. A crystal Frog Prince and favorite childhood books are reminiscent of fairy tales and magical possibilities.

A little pewter bunny on a chartreuse pedestal … a matching chartreuse bird … and a little bird’s nest woven with spring leaves and blossoms perched on a chunky urn herald Spring’s arrival.

All things bird- y! (:

A desk corner in my music room is filled with “suggestions” of Spring and some “of my favorite things.” A mottled watering can filled with a collection of paintbrushes … antique glass frogs for flower arrangements … miniature hinged birdhouses from a precious son … and a favorite miniature from a dear daughter that says, “A Mother’s love is what make a house a home.” ❤

A chippy mirrored frame holds a picture of a pair of White-breast Nuthatches atop a twig-y silver easel.

A miniature wooden easel holds a rough textured canvas of an egg-filled nest among leafy boughs … a collection of bird nests are perched, nearby.

Books, eggs, and birds … ❤

A pair of lovebirds gaze into a mirror … a spring green bucket is filled with carved wooden pencils and a spool of twine is easily reached and handy.

What was just a resting spot for this sweet, what-not shelf (while I went to get a nail to hang it) became the new, permanent location and a favorite spot once I saw how all the “lovelies” on the shelves were reflected in the mirror. Treasures from our children, my grandmother, two of my dearest friends … fill these compartments and are looked on each day with fond memories.

Reflection …

Gazing beyond the window at blue skies and spring blossoms, and inside … lace-y tree branches reflected on my grandmother’s glass-topped table … a dreamy place to work!

Have fun finding special ways and little nooks to “bring” Spring into your home!

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining:

Lynn from The Vintage Nest

Chloe Crabtree from Celebrate & Decorate

Courtney with Feathered Nest Fridays at French Country Cottage

Bunny Tablescape and Easter Desserts … Carrot-patch Cupcakes & Cottontail Spice Cookies

“Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!”

Today was a glorious Easter and celebration of Resurrection Day! Our day was spent rejoicing in Christ’s resurrection and also reflecting on the gift of everlasting life that Jesus has given to all that believe that He is God’s Son.

(Our front yard and neighbor’s yard with beautiful Azalea Majestic and Flowering Dogwood)

Before this day is over, I wanted to share this sweet bunny tablescape with you. It all began with this soft brown table runner with white fuzzy bunny’s from TJ Maxx.

I was thrilled when I saw how well the bunny runner matched the embroidered napkins I had already ordered, made by Mud Pie. The napkins were “almost” too cute to use, edged with white pom-poms and the word “HAPPY” sewn on each napkin!

I slipped each napkin into little grapevine wreaths that I made into napkin rings. They seemed like the perfect pairing since they are trimmed in green ivy and blossoms … which every bunny loves!

White serving pieces, also from Mud Pie add to the whimsy and “hoppy” theme of the table.

White Porcelain dishes edged with swags of pink rosebuds are piled into a favorite bunny crate and are ready to be placed at each setting.

Silver Cutlery looks elegant even casually “bunched” into a matching flower vase and are ready to be passed around the table.

Time for desserts! … chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting are sprinkled with ground graham cracker crumbs dyed with Wilton Green paste dye to look like grass. A foil wrapped carrot, with the foil removed from the tip of the carrot is inserted into the chocolate frosting to look like Mr. McGregor’s carrot patch!

Instructions for dying Graham Cracker Crumbs

To blend the paste dye into the graham cracker crumbs, add dye to a small amount of water and stir water to blend
Pour the tinted water into a ziploc bag filled with graham cracker crumbs
Knead the bag until the color spreads throughout the crumbs, adding more dye as needed.
After crumbs are the desired color, spread crumbs on rimmed cookie sheet and place in 275 degree oven until moisture is removed, 10 – 15 minutes.
Remove crumbs from oven and let cool before sprinkling on cupcakes

Speaking of Mr. McGregor’s carrot patch … Here’s a sweet little Peter Rabbit vignette I have displayed in my Music Room. These Wedgewood dishes are made in England and were just the right size for our daughter’s little hands and tea parties! Each dish is painted with Beatrix Potter’s charming pictures and inscribed with the words from her book “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” This is also a little teaser to one of my next blog’s all about … “Spring Vignette’s!” (;

Back to the desserts! Cottontail Spice cookies are “Cake Mix” Cookies and they are delicious and so easy to make!

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
To any cake mix (I used a Spice Cake mix) just add 2 eggs and 1/2 cup of oil
Mix ingredients together and scoop cookie dough onto a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper
Bake approximately 9 minutes
Remove from oven and cool for 1 minute before placing cookies on wax paper to finish cooling.
Top with choice of frosting, using a decorator bag and tip.

Every bunny welcome!

Hope your Easter was filled with blessings and “sweet” endings!

From my cottage to your’s ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

Woodland Tablescape … DIY Centerpiece & Napkin Rings

I enjoyed doing some tabletop decorating last week and I combined two different decorating styles in my table setting. I love the look of fragile crystal and goldware mixed with chunky pottery, natural grapevine napkin rings and woven baskets. “Elegance meets Rustic” and “opposites, do indeed attract” (; … as this duo is lovely together and the contrast of styles makes a cozy woodland tablescape.To make the woodland centerpiece I took the plastic covering off of 2 blocks of floral foam and hot glued them into the bottom of a woven basket I had. Then I began filling the basket with a collection of grasses, cattails, pine cone floral stems, pheasant feathers and birch twigs I had “amassed” over the years. The tallest part of any arrangement should be in the center, so after anchoring my tallest pieces I began “fanning down” both sides from the center of the arrangement, inserting my filler into the florist foam. The last addition and focal point I added to the arrangement was a metal art piece … a copper stag among metal fir trees. For my place settings I used pieces of vintage Hull and Pfaltzgraff pottery, a treasure that Richard found and bought for me at an auction he went to with his brother, Bob. The dishes are a sweet remembrance for both of us since Bob passed away this past October. ❤ The pattern on this stoneware is known as “Brown Drip” pattern, a favorite of both the Hull and Pfaltzgraff Stoneware Companies during the 1930’s.These simple, rustic napkin rings are made using mini-grapevine wreaths. I downloaded my free woodland tags from Decorator’s Notebook by Bethan John. After printing and cutting out my tags, I punched a hole in each tag using a standard hole punch. Then I inserted a moss-green satin ribbon into the hole of each tag and tied the ribbon into a bow to the grapevine, making sure the tag was facing out as I pulled my knot of the bow, tight.I love these darling little bean pots and keep collecting them whenever I see them at antique stores. They look charming holding BBQ beans for autumn wiener roasts … filled with Chili con Carne on cold winter evenings … brimming with Stuffed Pepper Soup on breezy Spring picnics … or in the summer, filled with colorful Cajun Beans (recipe coming at a later date!) alongside grilled steaks! Crystal glasses and little goblets from Germany are etched with grapevines and are rimmed in gold and have golden bases. I love the look of the fragile crystal contrasting with the heavy pottery and the comparison makes the crystal seem even more delicate. And this hand painted canoe makes a darling caddy for sweeteners!A mixture of metals … the copper stag and the goldware add gleam to all the forest browns, moss greens and the deep brown dishes. For a final touch of coziness, I added this little lamp that looks like it was made for my woodland tablescape! The golden lampshade matches the carved canoe and also highlights the goldware and golden goblets while the dark silhouettes of the spruce trees and moose on the lamp shade adds more “depth” to my rustic theme.You know how I love using every day objects in unusual ways?! I pulled Richard’s cashmere muffler from the closet and thought it made the perfect table runner for my woodland tablescape! The softness of the muffler contrasted with the rough basket centerpiece and it’s color … the same browns and moss-green colors found in the forest!Juxtaposition/definition by Merriam-Webster: the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side often to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect. Hmmm … crystal next to pottery, textured, woven centerpiece sitting atop soft, luxurious cashmere, and rustic grapevines mixed with elegant goldware??? I love juxtaposition decorating! (:P.S. We saw 2 Bald Eagles, yesterday!!! Neither Richard or I had ever seen one except in books or film! Then, we saw 2 in one day! The first eagle we saw around noon just nonchalantly sitting in a tree and the second one we saw in a totally different area, near sunset, also perched in the top of a huge Sycamore Tree. After our second Bald Eagle flew off, our “Blue, Super Moon” was just begin to rise and it was gorgeous! I couldn’t help but think of the scripture I had just read that morning …“Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.” Psalms 104:1-3

From my cottage to yours ~ TrendaThank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above .. or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST!

Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

I’m joining Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

Carol from The Red Painted Wagon

Winter Wonderland Tablescape …

I had fun creating a whimsical tablescape befitting our first wintry weather, complete with snow flocked trees, a frozen pond, and miniature skaters. Little twinkle lights glow in faux white branches covered in glitter while the “real” tree branches loom beyond the window, stark and dark against the twilight sky.

A navy tablecloth covered with white lace is the snowy backdrop for crystal mugs and cherished blue stemware … reflecting sweet “yesteryear.” Memories of our own dear little boy and girl carefully choosing each jewel colored stem and buying them for me with their combined allowances … Momma’s beloved Christmas present! ❤

Christmas Naif dishes by Villeroy and Boch, painted by the French artist Gérard Laplau depict a picturesque village scene with children playing near a snowman … “with a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal” and a horse-drawn sleigh … are perfect for my Winter Wonderland!

“Come to the church in the wildwood” with windows glowing, amongst the twinkling trees and spruce.

Winter evening beckoning in the deepening twilight, within and beyond …

These little skaters, with their magnet pedestals actually pirouette around the iced pond when the music box is wound up and playing.

After dinner coffee and Dutch Almonette cookies are waiting to be served. Crystal mugs, biscuit barrel, and sugar creamer set match the “icicle” look of the frozen pond and snow flocked trees.

“Coffee?” “Yes, please!” (:

White crocheted-edged napkins are tucked inside navy blue napkins and are tied with a simple gold cord which nonchalantly holds the salad and dinner fork. Individual little tealights glow in white holders covered in “snowballs” and personalize each place setting.

Hope you’re staying warm and enjoying this special season with moments … snuggled under cozy blankets … holding steamy mugs that warm your hands … gazing at the beauty of winter through frosted window panes … with family and friends taking “the bite” out of the frost! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining:

Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

	cottagegreenonthelak… on Thanksgiving Tablescape……
	sbowie1229 on Thanksgiving Tablescape……
	cottagegreenonthelak… on Thanksgiving Tablescape……
	inspiring22cfac651d on Thanksgiving Tablescape……
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by Trenda

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~ Trenda

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~by Trenda

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