Easter Tablescape 2013

 

Hello, everyone!  Do you remember the rabbit on Alice In Wonderland who say’s I’m late, I’m late….?  That’s how I feel!  Last week I shared some Easter table inspiration with you because I just couldn’t decided what to do!  Well, I just finished about 15 minutes ago!! 

 

 

I decided to go with a little rustic theme…after about 4 other themes!  Awhile back, I purchased a basket from Goodwill.

 

 

As soon as I saw it, I envisioned a moss basket similar to the one that Pottery Barn sells.  I purchased some sheet moss at Wal-Mart.  I really needed another pack but they only had one left but I improvised!

 

 

 

In addition to the sheet moss, I used some regular moss…I think it’s called reindeer moss.

 

 

In the back half of the basket, I inserted a glass vase that holds a mixture of fresh flowers and faux greenery. I used the Spring is Here sign, which is from the Dollar Tree, along with some carrots, burlap ribbon and plastic eggs. For Easter, I plan on removing these and using real boiled eggs.

 

 

 

In keeping with the rustic look, I used a burlap runner with rattan chargers.  White dinner plates are topped with Bordello carrot salad plates.  Pretty floral napkins add a little more color and pattern to the table.  The tea glass is from Gorham and the purple glasses are from Old Time Pottery.  I removed the lids of the little cabbage bowls and added a pillar candle for a little ambience!

 

There’s Peter holding the salt and pepper shakers!

 

 

1847 Rogers flatware in the Daffodil pattern is always on my Easter table!  Over the years, I’ve compiled about 24 place settings along with quite a few serving pieces.

 

 

Is your Easter table ready?  Do you need some inspiration like I did?  If so, you can click here to see my inspiration post.

 

Thanks for stopping by!  I wish everyone a Happy Easter!

 

Sharing with:

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace

Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove

Afton Villa Garden Tour–Part I

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Hello, everyone!  Today I’m sharing a fabulous garden tour!  I have lived in this area all my life and a couple of years ago, the husband and I went to the gardens and I was hooked!  I’ve been back every year!  First let me show you what it looked like before…..

 

This photo came from an old book called Ghosts along the Mississippi by Clarence John Laughlin. He was also the photographer. 

 

The history of Afton Villa is entwined with that of the Barrows, one of the richest and most prominent families in antebellum Louisiana. Bartholomew Barrow purchased the land in 1820 from his brother William, and in 1839 he sold it to his son, David. David would eventually carve out a thriving plantation empire of some 2,000 to 3,000 acres, which would make him, according to the 1860 census, the wealthiest planter in West Feliciana Parish. Originally there was a two story home that I was unable to find any pictures of, if any exist.  After the death of his first wife, David married Susan A. Woolfok. Susan wanted a larger and more glamorous home but David did not want to tear down the original home.  He told Susan that she could build another home but the original had to remain intact.  In 1849, work on Afton Villa began.  It was built around the existing small house to create an imposing Gothic Revival villa of some 40 rooms.  It took 8 years to build, as well as the the gardens that covered 25 acres. David Barrow died in 1874 and his wife continued to live at Afton Villa until 1876, when she sold the estate. The house was struck by lightening and destroyed by fire in 1963.

 

Photo from AftonVilla.com  Click on the pic to go to the site where there is also a virtual tour.

 

This is the front view of the gardens today as it faces the driveway.

 

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Instead of the house, you would see the statues lined up down the front.  The driveway is still in the same location.  As you come up the steps….

 

 

you can see piles of bricks and concrete.  Flowers and ground cover have been tucked in open spots.  I was so struck by the textures!  It’s funny how a pile of bricks can make such an impression!  As you walk straight, as if you were going through the front door…

 

 

there is a circular terraced area that is surrounded by overflowing flower beds and shaded by trees draped in Spanish moss.  This is the view from the back.

 

 

 

In the background, behind the butterfly chairs, you can see the ruins of the old kitchen area.

 

 

As you exit the terraced area, to the left is a set of stairs that leads down to the kitchen area, at least I think I remember being told that by a guide on one of my previous trips.

 

 

This MIGHT be my favorite area!

 

 

It is just so beautiful!  Every area is accented with plants.

 

 

This is looking up from the kitchen area to a set of steps that were outside the home leading to the upper floor.

 

 

Even the cracks in concrete have plants tucked it!  And don’t you just love this massive concrete table!

 

 

This is the wall kitchen wall from another angle.  Since this is the back of the house, I’ll share a picture that was taken in 1938 of that area.

 

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It looks different from the front.  Well there were different materials used.  The back appears to be all wood and the front is stucco and cypress.

 

Since I don’t want to overload your brain with too many pics, I’ll finish the tour on Friday.  Thanks for much for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of the Afton Villa tour!

 

Sharing with:

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Make it Pretty @ The Dedicated House

Spring Thing Linky Party @ Simply Klassic Home

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST A Housewife

Working With What You Have @ Emily A Clark
Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Winter Blues Party @ DIY by Design

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Easter is More than Bunnies!

 

Do your children or grandchildren know the real reason of Easter?  Do they know that it is more than bunnies, chocolate and dyed eggs?  If they don’t, could you please share Jesus’ story with them?  Tell them that they can live forever with Jesus!

Buy those babies some candy for their baskets but don’t suppress the real, fascinating truth of Jesus' triumph over death.

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On Palm Sunday, Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus in to Jerusalem the week before His death and resurrection.  This marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday.  He rode upon a colt of a donkey, which fulfilled the ancient prophesy in Zechariah 9:9.  This is the only time in the Bible where He rode an animal.

The people threw their cloaks on the ground and put palm branches on the road before Him.  Others waved palm branches in the air.  In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness and victory.  They were often engraved on coins and important buildings.  In Revelation 7:0, it tells us that people from every nation will raise palm branches to honor Jesus.  Immediately following the celebration, Jesus’ journey to the cross began.

The crowds refused to see Jesus as He truly was, placing their personal desires on Him instead.  They were looking for a military Messiah who would overthrow the Romans and restore Israel’s independence. Who is Jesus for you? Is He someone whom you want to satisfy your selfish wants and goals, or is He Lord and Master who gave up His life to save you from your sins?

 

 

 

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Now, back to the babies!  Here are some coloring pages along with a helpful link to Easter stories for children.  To print out the pages, click on the picture which will take you to another link where you can print it.

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So please, hug those babies and tell them Jesus’ story!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed week!

The biblical account of Palm Sunday can be found in Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19.

 

Sharing with:

Imparting Grace @ Grace at Home

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

The Scoop Party @ The Farmhouse Porch

Easter Table Inspiration

 

Hello, everyone!  I’ve been so busy painting the living room and foyer that I haven’t got a tablescape ready for this week!  I did make some time to look for some inspiration for the Easter table.  Last year, it came easy to me…this year not so much.   I just can’t seem to make up my mind!  Do I want to go with a little rustic charm?

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Source:  Pottery Barn

Or maybe a table with a little touch of whimsy?

 

Source: ivillage.com

I could always add a little height to the centerpiece using some tiered trays.

 

Source: MarthaStewart.com

What about this bright and fun table?!?  It is so cute!  I couldn’t find the original source but if this is your picture, please let me know and I will give you credit!

 

Source: Unknown

Maybe I should just keep it simple!

 

Source: northwestlovelies.com

Have you got your Easter table ready yet!   Thanks so much for stopping by!

Tammy

 

Sharing with:

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Snippets of Spring

Hello, everyone!  I hope you had a good weekend!  We stayed pretty busy around here.  Hunter and I went to the Audubon Pilgrimage Friday and toured some local plantation homes.  They don’t allow inside pictures but I will be sharing a fantastic garden tour with you later this week!  On Saturday, we all went to a boat show!  Sunday afternoon was spent painting the living room!  Since it will be awhile before I get finished in my living room, I thought I would share some Spring décor that I’ve got out.  First up is the mug tree!

I removed some of the mug and used jelly jar tied with jute string to display some carrots….

and daffodils!  I tucked some burlap ribbon in the jar to cover the stems and to add a little texture!

A little chick and some moss rocks set up top on some plates!

The mantel was also spruced up a bit!  On one end is a white vase of forsythia and dog wood branches.

I purchased the little faux chocolate bunnies from Hobby Lobby.

I love the chocolate color with the green and white!

My mercury glass votive cups that I made seem to fill the space nicely.  To see how I made them, click here.

The white bunny sits on top of some old books to add height in the center.

A trio of white and greenery finishes off the other end!  Are you ready for Spring?

Thanks for stopping by!

Tammy

 

Sharing with:

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Make it Pretty @ The Dedicated House

Spring Thing Linky Party @ Simply Klassic Home

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST A Housewife

Working With What You Have @ Emily A Clark
Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Winter Blues Party @ DIY by Design

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

 

 

 

Trash to Treasure Finds

 

Hello, everyone!  Want to see what I got at last week’s Trash to Treasure sale?  Let’s take a look, shall we?  Last year I purchased smaller things so this year I wanted to purchased a few good pieces with some history!  Since I still had some money from my birthday last month and I have a 25th wedding anniversary in a few weeks, I wanted to get something that I would keep.  I think I found the perfect piece.  (If you missed last week’s post on the sale, click here.)

 

 

This is what I found!  The label stated that it was a plantation desk and since I live in “Plantation Country” and I love history, I decided this would be that one special piece!

 

 

I just LOVE it!  It looks really good in my office on that huge baluster table.

 

 

I think I’ll use it to store some of my genealogy papers.  Hey, my husband had some plantation owners in his family maybe this came from on of theirs!  LOL!  We’ll never know!

 

 

Another piece is this HEAVY old tool box!

 

 

I’m loving the old wood!  A few other things I got were…

 

 

This cute cheese and cracker server.  After I washed it up, the “Cheese” came off but that’s alright!  Some votive cups and a vintage tablecloth were some other finds.

 

 

A bright and beautiful crawfish platter!  A nice lady in front of me in the check out line told me where I could find matching accessories if I wanted them!

 

 

A few clear acrylic clam bowls and some crawfish spreaders to go along with the seafood theme.  I got a few more odds and ends and even went back on the 1/2 half day.  As soon as I got in the door after they opened, I headed to the art section to grab an Audubon framed print but someone beat me to it, just like the chair I told you about in my first post.  I love my finds and am already looking forward to next year!
 

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharing with:

Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm