A Carpenter's Box. . .

Our family Christmas On Crooked Creektt
consist of a meal in the upper level Dining Room
then, we open gifts and enjoy dessert in our lower level Family Room!

Once retired, and with ample "free time",
I asked "Mr. Ed" to make a carpenter's box for holding dishes.

A simple carpenter's box made from pine boards,
except with some unique modifications!

Notice in the photo above that the dowel rod handle is missing.
"Mr. Ed" left the dowel rod loose enough to be removed
so that varying heights of dishes could be stacked within the box.

For stacking stability, "Mr. Ed" used his router to cut grooves 
in the bottom to align the plates.

A carpenter's box was chosen to be the centerpiece 
for our Christmas On Crooked Creektt dessert tablescape.

 I've chosen a Winter Woodland theme for our lower level Family Room!

Filling the carpenter's box with two stems of faux snow crusted pine boughs,
real pine cones, copper, gold and bronze swirled ornaments 
and a rustic metal snowflake makes a natural appealing centerpiece.

Setting the carpenter's box atop a natural hued runner
with bronze, tan and gold oak leaves balances the wood tones in the oak table top.

I surrounded the carpenter's box with zinc pots filled with real pine cones,
vintage pine cone dinner plates and  an oval serving platter, 
found at our local Antique Market, and a trio of faux birch votives.

My 'men' refuse to use cloth napkins.

So~o~o. . .
I was thrilled to find these paper napkins 
with all the Winter Woodland theme details for our celebration!

While we could sit at the Family Room dining table,
we prefer to sit in the conversational seating area and meander as we please.

By re~positioning the seating area, and placing the sofa on a diagonal,
I was able to use a vintage 'find' desk as a drink bar.
( This view gives you a "sneak peek" at our forthcoming Christmas On Crooked Creektt celebration.)

I was thrilled finding this unique mother~of~pearl planter with the stag details 
and will fill it to the brim on Christmas Day as our ice bucket.

The presents are wrapped, the table has been set.

A carpenter's box, 
filled with natural elements and decorated 
for a celebration of Christmas On Crooked Creektt!



Until next time. . .

* * * FYI * * *
The effects of "Mr. Ed's" stroke has made many changes in life 
as we have come to know it On Crooked Creektt! 
This carpenter's box centerpiece holds precious memories for us.
It was made at a time in our lives when we both created and designed items 
for ourselves and others enjoyment!

(photos taken 2012)

We are unsure of the continuing effects from "Mr. Ed's" stroke.
We will take it one day and one step at a time in 2015!

( photo taken May 2014)

Again, we thank each and every one of you for your prayers in the past, 
the present and the future on our behalf.

With a grateful heart,
Pat
* * * * * * * *

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday!

And. . .

Christine @ Rustic and Refined for Table It!

And. . .

Jody and Stan @ Rooted In Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays!

And. . .

Kathleen @ Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish!

Be sure to visit each amazing host and hostess 

for inspiring decor ideas for your own home!