scripture – Page 6 – Cottage Green on the Lake

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.” <3

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 … <3

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. <3 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! <3

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

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

FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST!

Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining:

Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

EASY RECIPE for Tuscan Tomato Soup … and Winter Weather

When I was a little girl I remember coming in from the cold with cheeks stinging and hands frozen (inside inadequate mittens) and seeing bowls of steamy tomato soup that our mother had made. I loved the flavor of the soup, but I always liked to add a little “flotsam and jetsam” to the broth! (: I would get a slice of American cheese, fold it into smaller pieces and drop them into my soup.

I can remember how scratchy this little wool hat was and couldn’t stand to have it tied under my chin! See the gum in my mouth?!? (:

Just a little detour before I share my recipe. Here are some interesting FUN FACTS I discovered when I was looking up Campbell’s Tomato Soup that I thought you’d be interested in, also. Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup is still the top 10 grocery items that American buy … it has been in the market since 1895 (123 years!) … 85 million cans of Campbell’s Tomato Soup are still sold each year …Campbell’s sent the Tomato Soup to the Paris Exposition of 1900 where it won the Gold Medallion of Excellence which is still displayed proudly on every can of Tomato Soup … out of 100+ varieties of Campbell’s Soup available today, Tomato Soup is still one their 3 top sellers along with Cream of Mushroom Soup and Chicken Noodle Soup! (:My mind still links Tomato Soup and cold winter days together and we had a “snow day” this week which made me want to make “Tuscan Tomato Soup.” (first pictured on my blog “Al Fresco Dining in Autumn”) This soup is just a combination of ingredients I keep on hand … a can of Tomato Soup and a bag of frozen Beef Ravioli (which provides the “flotsam and jetsam” I still love adding to my Tomato Soup!) It’s so easy to make … in 20 minutes or less, you’ll have a delicious soup Mama Mia herself would be happy to serve to her own family! (;

Tuscan Tomato Soup

Ingredients:

4 cups frozen beef ravioli (or if you prefer, cheese tortellini) from a family sized bag, cooked and drained according to directions (mine cooked in only 6 minutes)
1 Tablespoon butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3 cups chicken stock or 3 cups of water with 3 cubes or 3 teaspoons of chicken bouillon granules or reduced sodium chicken bouillon added
1 Family size can (23.2 oz) Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh spinach or kale (I used and loved Trader Joe’s Triple Washed Organic Baby Spinach! Even after a week in the refrigerator, all spinach leaves are still so fresh)
grated Parmesan cheese
black pepper

Directions:

Cook frozen ravioli (or cheese tortellini) according to directions, and drain
Meanwhile, melt butter in another large saucepan or Dutch oven
Add onion to melted butter and saute until translucent
Add chicken stock or water with chicken bouillon added and turn heat to medium/medium-high
Pour in condensed Tomato Soup and stir with whisk, continuing to warm
Add chopped spinach or kale
Add cooked ravioli and warm all ingredients in saucepan until thoroughly warmed, without bringing to a boil
Dish into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled with black pepper

Woodland free printable tags decorate sweet napkins rings made of miniature grapevine wreaths and are tied on with a satin ribbon …
Winter weather managed to push past the borders of Texas earlier this week, and obliged us with a deposit of sleet and snow! We were excited when the weather forecasters predicted the possibility of us getting a wintry mix and began to look expectantly for our guests’ arrival. At 10:00 pm Monday evening the sleet arrived, right on time and entertained us for 2 hours before tiny snowflakes began falling! Snow is always a thrilling sight in our area of TEXAS and Richard and I watched the enchanting display from our opened door until shivering, we reluctantly left our vigil to warm up, before checking again. We finally went to bed around 2:00 am; the flakes were still swirling and our driveway and deck were covered. The weather forecasters deserve a gold star … not only did they get their predictions correct, our winter guests were punctual and came exactly when expected! (;

Front Deck …Side yard and cobbled pathway …Waiting for Spring …Backyard and lake …View from our bathroom the next, sunny but cold day!Hope you have a wonderful weekend with moments enjoyed padding around in warm fuzzy socks, mugs of coffee in hand, snuggled under comforters, comfy within and without!

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

FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST!

Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining: Lynn from The Vintage Nest

Chloe Crabtree from Celebrate & Decorate

Sandra with Sweet Sensations

Christmas at Cottage Green

What a special season Christmas truly is. It’s not just one day, but a culmination of days. Days of … cookie making, shopping and wrapping, decorating the house, watching Hallmark movies, drinking hot cocoa, setting up the manger, being with family and friends, caroling, and worship . Then, hanging up stockings, putting out cookies for Santa, sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn, and finally (there’s a sermon in here!) “joy, comes in the morning.” It’s a season of busyness, frenzy, stress, wonder, love, sadness of “memories of happy years gone by” gratitude, reflection, and marvel. Here’s a last tribute to our Christmas season and moments at Cottage Green. There’s lots to re-cap and lots of pictures, so get yourself a “cup of cheer” and make yourself comfy!

Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright …

“Not a creature was stirring, not even a …” porcupine!

… or a hedgehog! (:

“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed. The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.”

“The stars in the sky look down where He lay The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.”

“Angels we have heard on high, sweetly caroling o’er the plains.”

“Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays”

“O Christmas Tree, o Christmas tree how lovely are thy branches …”

“Rockin’ around the Christmas tree …”

“Santa Claus is coming to town …”

“It’s a marshmallow world in the winter …”

“I’ll have a blue Christmas without you …”

“The holly bears a prickle, as sharp as any thorn, and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ, on Christmas Day in the morn”

“Here we come a-wassailing …”

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire …”

Then … family photos with little and big kids! <3

“When it’s Christmas time in Texas …”

“It might just look like a summer day There may not be snow in San Antonio But it’s a Texas Christmas to me.”

“Thank God for Kids”

“Thank God for kids there’s magic for a while …

(grand son <3)

A special kind of sunshine in a smile …

(grand daughter <3)

Do you ever stop to think or wonder why? The nearest thing to Heaven is a child.”
“Daddy, how does this thing fly?”

“And a hundred other where’s and whys …”

(dear daughter-in-law DDIL <3)

“You really don’t know but you try, thank God for kids …”

(grand daughter and daughter <3)

“When you look down in those trusting eyes that look to you, you realize …”

It’s a love that you can’t buy thank God for kids.”

Thank God for kids, there’s magic for a while …

A special kind of sunshine in a smile …

Do you ever stop to think or wonder why? The nearest thing to Heaven is a child

When you get down on your knees tonight To thank the Lord for his guiding light And pray they turn out right, thank God for kids Thank God for Kids” ~ songwriters: Edward Futch/Edward G. Futch

(our kids <3)

Oh, I hope you enjoyed seeing our Christmas at Cottage Green and I hope you had a wonderful, blessed Christmas filled with moments that will warm your heart throughout the year. Our grand daughter told me, “Grandma, I’m sad Christmas is over” … I’m sad Christmas is over, too, but I promised God I am keeping Christmas in my heart, all year long! <3

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

FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST!

Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining:

Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

Barbara from 21 Rosemary Lane

Christmas Tablescape “Up on the Housetop Reindeer Pause …”

The table is set and ready for a Christmas Brunch with Fitz and Floyd “Florentine Christmas White Stag Reindeer” dressed and ready for their important flight on Christmas Eve! Saddles are trimmed with holly and tassels and lie cushioned on the reindeer’s back atop cheery red and green blankets (that look like they were made by Santa’s elves!) Encircling their necks are pine branch harnesses festooned with pine cones, holly leaves and bows.

Antique snack sets are stacked and ready to be filled with finger foods. Christmas punch or Percolator Spiced Tea will fill the matching cups that set in special compartments on the glass trays.

A gauzy runner with beaded edges weaves around a pine garland with tiny twinkle lights that add a touch of Christmas magic.

Shimmering gold is repeated in the brass stand holding a carafe … a shiny picture frame, … and a line of dessert spoons. The colors in the picture “Noel” are a perfect match to the colors of the reindeer and serving pieces, so it became a bit of “whimsy” and a part of the tablescape, propped on a golden easel. Nearby, a sweet little creamer and sugar bowl are nestled close and adorned with Christmas bows.

. NOEL … From Church Latin in reference to the birthday of Christ, from natus, past participle of nasci “be born.”

Gold forks and linen napkins edged in lace are lined up for easy buffet-style serving.

This Fitz and Floyd “Florentine Christmas” Canape Plate will hold Peanut Cluster Blitz-ens! (; topped with Christmas sprinkles!

Fitz and Floyd “Snowy Woods” stacked serving platter is waiting to be loaded with Cheesy Bacon Pinwheels shortly after the Christmas guests, arrive.

Fitz and Floyd “Jolly St Nick” platter awaits Delicious Yuletide Appetizer – Chicken Enchilada Dip

Everything is set and ready …

“Ho-Ho-Ho who wouldn’t go …” ??? (:

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

FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST!

Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

I’m joining Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

Christmas Advent Calendar “Countdown to Christmas” DIY Project

It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to,

"Deck the halls again now...
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet
And we need a little Christmas
Right, this very minute
We need a little Christmas now."


~ written by Jerry Herman for the Broadway musical Mame

The countdown to Christmas has begun and these miniature envelopes you make yourself (use free link below) are a charming way to mark off the days until Christmas.

The Last of Autumn … “Something Told the Wild Geese”

As I was taking a picture of this glorious Ash Tree, I recognized a sound above me, like the whoosh of a wave approaching the shore. I hurriedly snapped the picture and was thrilled when I saw I had “captured” these pelicans in flight! As I stood there and marveled, phone still poised and ready, 3 more “squadron” of pelicans flew over! I felt like I had just been presented with a gift … as indeed, I had! (: NOTE: A group of pelicans have many collective names … BRIEF, POD, POUCH, SCOOP, and SQUADRON … are all names for a group of pelicans.

As I stood there reflecting on what I had just seen, I thought of this poem …

Something Told the Wild Geese

Something told the wild geese

It was time to go,

Though the fields lay golden

Something whispered, “snow.”

Leaves were green and stirring,

Berries, luster-glossed,

But beneath warm feathers

Something cautioned, “frost.”

All the sagging orchards

Steamed with amber spice,

But each wild breast stiffened

At remembered ice.

Something told the wild geese

It was time to fly,

Summer sun was on their wings,

Winter in their cry.

~by Rachel Fields

Here are the pictures I promised I would share with you of Autumn in November at Cottage Green on the Lake.

Golden leaves on this young Eastern Redbud and more golden leaves on our Ash tree down by the lake contrast beautifully with the red bark and the red roof on our boat dock and stand out brilliantly against a backdrop of green.

The red leaves of the Sweet Gum Tree and the golden yellow leaves of our Ash trees blaze against the blue of the lake and autumn sky. Fallen leaves cover the lawn in gold!

Chartreuse Sweet potato vine rambles over a treasured hand pump that Richard’s mother used in “days gone by.” <3

Flowering Kale and Cabbage and sweet-faced pansies line the the paved sideyard.

Azaleas, Coleus, and Impatiens in varying shades of vivid pink.

“It was November … the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate winds songs in the pines.” ~ L.M. Montgomery

” … let the whole earth be filled with His glory.” Psalms 72:19

Today is the last day of November and Autumn. I hope you enjoyed seeing “The Last of Autumn” on Cedar Creek Lake! Tomorrow is the beginning of Winter and December and I will be showing you how to make a fun and nostalgic Advent Calendar to begin the countdown to … C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

This week I’m joining:

Lisa from Feathering My Empty Nest

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered directly 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

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece and Autumn in November

by Trenda

Today was a cool day with gray skies that made the autumn colors so vivid, they almost glowed! I went outside to “gather” some cuttings from our yard to make our Thanksgiving Centerpiece and afterwards, I walked around just taking pictures of beautiful Autumn in November at Cottage Green on the Lake! (: And those yard “gatherings” I clipped and snipped from our yard made a lovely and grand arrangement on the dining room table that only took minutes to make; my only cost was the fresh Eucalyptus I bought from Trader Joe’s, for $2.99!

If you want to keep this arrangement on your table throughout the Thanksgiving season you will need to use soaked floral foam (protect your table by placing the floral foam in a container!) or use floral vials to insert your live clippings into. Both the floral foam and the arrangement vials are available at your florist or any craft store on the flowering arranging aisle. However, this arrangement is so easy to assemble, you can do it the day of your Feast!

Much like setting out and marking your serving dishes with what you will be serving in them … set the preliminary stages of your arrangement. I placed my table runner down the length of the table, set my candlesticks where I wanted them, then interspersed my pheasant and pumpkins down the length of the runner so I could easily come back and tuck in my Loropetalum and Eucalyptus, later.

Any time you want to make an arrangement like this, just clip your branches the morning of “your event” and keep any live branches or flowers in a vase of water until you are ready to make your arrangement. Then dry the ends of your branches before placing and tucking them along your table runner and light your candles!

Fresh Eucalyptus in a vase filled with water awaiting placement on table runner.

Here is a great picture showing how I mixed the “faux” garland with autumn leaves with the live burgundy leaves and branches of the Loropetalum and the fresh Eucalyptus. Even as I look at this picture I have a hard time distinguishing what leaves are real and fake! I love making arrangements and since we serve our Thanksgiving meal buffet style, we only need enough room on our table for the plates and glasses, our Fitz and Floyd Pilgrim salt & pepper shakers, a basket full of yeast rolls, and a beautiful Golden Carnival Glass compote filled with ruby colored Apple-Cranberry Salad

A brass pheasant matches the brass candlesticks I used in my arrangement and looks at home among the autumn foliage.

Tiger striped miniature pumpkins are nestled among the burgundy foliage of the Loropetalum branches.

Carved wooden pilgrims bring gifts of vegetables to the gathering.

Nestled among the real and “faux” flora and fauna, this miniature pumpkin looks so perfect, it almost looks unreal and reminds me again what a Master Artist and Creator the Lord is!

Candles glow in the lengthening shadows and “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart.” <3

AND those pictures I told you I took after gathering my clippings for my Thanksgiving centerpiece … I’ll share with you in my next blog, but here’s one I particularly love, this sweet moss-covered cherub pondering in our birdbath.

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered directly 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

This week I’m joining:

Carol from The Red Painted Cottage

Courtney with Feathered Nest Friday

	cottagegreenonthelak… on Spring Gardening in the Cottag…
	sbowie1229 on Spring Gardening in the Cottag…
	cottagegreenonthelak… on Cottage Core Decorating Ideas…
	cottagegreenonthelak… on Cottage Core Decorating Ideas…
	sbowie1229 on Cottage Core Decorating Ideas…

~by Trenda

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