March Madness

A few nice days in March does a lot for a spring-like outlook - even though we know we still have to suffer winter -like weather. 

But, fortunately there is a lot to celebrate in March, such as the Ides of March........

.............the day when Julius Caesar's  friends assassinated him.

Mr. Bill challenged me to do the Ides themed table.

A few days later, with a few quick changes - we have St. Patrick's Day.........

.......and  are all set for a bit 'o Irish stew.

Even the tiniest leprechaun sized bouquet is a feast for the eyes these cold March days!

Going Green

Today it is 10 degrees and going much lower tonight.  The ground is mostly snow covered with a few patches of very dead looking brown grass.  The idea of Spring seems almost like a myth. There is absolutely nothing green outdoors.  I am craving green, so I went around the house finding green things for my table.

I am wondering if the colors show well in these pictures.  I usually take them in the morning, but I think the light is too harsh then.  Next time I will wait until the afternoon.  I went thrift shopping a few weeks ago and picked up these adorable plates.  I love the plaid rim.

Actually there are two different designs.

The green napkins and brass rings were treasures from the same trip.  (I may have to move the napkins to the side.  It looks like my place settings are wearing hair  bows and if Mr. Bill has that thought it would really gross him out.)

I paired new $1,00 pressed glass goblets from Dollar Tree with vintage Czechoslovakian crystal wine glasses.  Surprisingly, they have a similar pattern.  The crystal does have a much higher monetary 

value, but mine are actually priceless.  They were a gift to our family from relatives in Slovakia.  My in-laws traveled there in 1976 while Slovakia was suffering under Russian rule.  The people had little, but were very generous in sending such beautiful gifts to us so that we would remember them.

Two brass candlesticks (stacked), some faux ivy,

 and a gently used light green candle complete the "greening" of my dining area.

I  think my new favorite color is green!

La Fleur de Fevrier - Violettes

How could I let February pass by without a tribute to its lovely little flower - the humble violet?  That would be impossible since violets are my favorite flower!

So delicate and sweet, they are the perfect decoration tea things.  (For full disclosure, I have mixed in some pansies with my violets - but after all, the are really called Violas.)

The hot chocolate station has become a tea tray.  Much more springlike don't you think?

These beauties deserve a closer look.

Can you believe that these were all gifts - including my 'new modern' teacup that I received on my fiftieth birthday more than 20 years ago!

What could be better than a lot of violets? More violets!

One day one of my daughters pointed out to me that I was a violet person and she was a rose person.  She was right!  So I traded her my rose dessert set for her violet set and I have been very happy since!

This little pitcher, a gift from another daughter, was one of my first violet pieces.

Well, I have more pretty violet things, but I'll save them for next February.

Meanwhile, select some special tea, find a flowered teacup, and join me for teatime!

And above all - THINK SPRING

Staying on Top of the Weather

An overnight temp of -10 and a high of  2 degrees for the day is very unusual for mid February here in Northwest Indiana.  More snow is expected today.  Winter still has us in its grip!  But like true mid-westerners we soldier on and try to stay cozy , warm, and cheerful.

New Haviland plates and brass napkin rings.

This winter we developed a little hobby of setting up a pretty table once a week using things that were usually just stored away.

For some reason the tablecloth looks red in this light.  It is actually burgundy.

Mr. Bill said we should keep the settings up all week for our use.  What a great idea!  It is so nice to have a pretty table to sit down to for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  And speaking of cozy things, there is nothing like a cup of tea mid-afternoon.  This week I am using an heirloom teacup from my Grandmother.

I love the little pedestal on the bottom of the cup.   The markings say "Hand Painted" , "Nippon", and there is  a small logo.  I have done some research on it and discovered it was made about 1912 in Pre-WWI Japan.  The cup has 1 miniature painting on it and the saucer has two.

Click on any of these pictures to see the paintings close up.  

So much beautiful artwork for such a tiny cup!  Needless to say, I am very careful with it.

Stay warm and cozy - and THING SPRING!

Joyeause Saint Valentin II

Cupid sent some beautiful Spring flowers my way.....

So, I changed my table to show them off to their best advantage.....

In the corner of the picture above, you can see Mr. Bill's liqueur tray.  I have my cocoa station, but he has his Chamord station.  I wonder if you can combine the two......

Actually I prefer tea to both cocoa and Chambord.  I chose a pretty rose teacup to use on Valentine's Day.

And, through some crazy string - pulling, Cupid arranged for me to visit a tea shop this week....

Where tea and lace and all things pink are the rule......

and where everything is cute and quaint and tastes really good!

I hope you have a Joyeause Saint Valentin celebration, too!

Joyeuse Saint Valentin

I believe this translates to 'Yours Forever'

A subtitle for this post could have been 'Fifty Shades of Red'.

I really, really like red.  

Ice and Snow: the Beauty of Winter

Many of my friends are 'snow birds'.  They have flown south for the winter.  I wonder - do they take little snowman figures along to remind them of the fun of winter?

Do they have hot chocolate stations in their kitchens for a treat on a cozy winter afternoon?

Do they set up little vignettes here and there as reminders of what they are missing?

Do they celebrate winter?  Or, do they just forget about it?  I don' think I could, because I am really a four seasons gal.  I love the beauty of each one, and winter can be very beautiful here in Indiana.  Even on the days it's not, we still celebrate it at our house.

We haven't had a whole lot of snow here so far.  Not like last year - that was glorious :

And, as the Canticle from Sunday Morning prayer in my breviary says:

 Cold and chill, bless the Lord.

Dew and rain, bless the Lord. 

Frost and chill, bless the Lord.

Ice and snow, bless the Lord.

Nights and days, bless the Lord.

Light and darkness, bless the Lord.

Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.

Let the earth bless the Lord.

Praise and exalt him above all forever.