Happy Tuesday dear friends! Even though summer has not officially arrived, but with temperatures in the high 80’s and low 90’s, it definitely feels like summer!
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””
Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)
Summer officially begins on Thursday, June 20th. To say hello to the hot and humid season of summer, I set a table in the garden!
I am excited to join eighteen table stylists for a Summer Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by my sweet friend, Rita at Panoply. You will find all of the links for creative tabletops at the bottom of this post.
Summer temperatures in our Appalachian Foothills can be oppressive! However, I had a lovely late afternoon with a gentle breeze to set my table!
My favorite place to set a table is always outdoors…a garden table or a picnic table by the woodlands!
A love of mixing patterns is definitely front and center on this alfresco table!
The April Cornell tablecloth is at least twenty years old and is made for a rectangular table. I folded it to make a square on my round garden table. The unique ‘Artesian Road’ peacock bowl was used as a vessel for several varieties of hydrangeas!
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”
~John Lubbock
For a hello to summer, I pulled out a favorite china pattern, ‘Artesian Road’ by Tracy Porter. I purchased the pattern from Horchow when it was introduced in 2003. The pattern was discontinued in 2012. It is hand-painted with multicolor florals, peacocks, and a bamboo border. I have 8 – 4 piece place settings and several unique serving pieces. I checked prices on Replacements and was shocked at the increase in value!
Napoleon tortoise flatware is also from Horchow and is still available. I try to always have at least one item on my table that has a memory attached. I think I may have shared the story surrounding the napkin rings. While our son was away in his first year of college in 2004, he surprised me at Christmas with whimsical dragonfly napkin rings. He doesn’t like to shop and is certainly not into anything associated with tabletop accoutrements. I think I might have shed a couple of tears when I opened his thoughtful gift, which I love, and still use twenty years later. The napkins add more pattern mixing to the table. They are part of a set of reversible and quilted placemats that I almost used. Wicker chargers add texture to my summer table.
June’s light and shadows dance across the table!
The aqua colored glasses were found many years ago at Tuesday Morning. I still miss that store where I could always find something I wasn’t looking for!
“Then followed that beautiful season…Summer…Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
As I stepped out into the evening, a warm breeze brushed my cheeks, my nose tickled from something the likes of freshly mown hay, my eyes were dazzled by dozens of tiny illuminating flickers, and my ears were stimulated with sounds from the darkness; chirping, low croaks, and high pitched buzzing oscillating from the trees. Such chaos turned to peaceful harmony as soon as I realized that it was only the voice of a summer night!
~Butch Richardson
It has been an unusual and puzzling gardening season. I hope to share the happenings in an upcoming post.
For beautiful summer tables, festive ideas, and lovely inspiration, click on the links below!
Panoply – Summer Meadow Bistro Tablescape
Hyacinths for the Soul – Summer Whimsy Tablescape
Home is Where the Boat Is – Stars and Stripes Alfresco Tablescape
Everyday Living – Say Hello To Summer With a Garden Tablescape
The Bookish Dilettante – Red, White and Blue Summertime Tablescape
My Thrift Store Addiction – Flower Fairies in the Garden Summer Tablescape
Life and Linda – A Margaritaville Party
The Cat’s Whiskerz – A Tropical Tablescape for Summer
The Little Yellow Corner Store – A Fourth of July Tablescape – A Star Performance
Pandora’s Box – Pineapple Delight
Thrifting Wonderland – Morning Tea in the Garden
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Summer Road Trip
The Painted Apron – Summer Sea Shells
Red Cottage Chronicles – Summer Afternoon Tea Party Ideas
Dinner at Eight – Summertime Gardens for the Table
Belle Bleu Interiors – An Early Summer Tablescape in the Garden
Celebrating Everyday Life – Simple Homespun Patriotic Table Decor
Mantel and Table – A summer Pink Tablescape – Beautiful Indulgence for One
Me and My Captain – Small Backyard Space? Come Sit By Me
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable summer!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda