Thursday, December 18, 2014

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




And. . .


Christine @ Rustic and Refined for Table It!

And. . .



And. . .



Be sure to visit each amazing host and hostess 
for inspiring decor ideas for your own home!


9 comments:

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I spent a moment going through your past posts, Pat. But this is the only mention of your sweetie that I saw about the stroke. You have my thoughts and prayers for both of you. I hope all goes well. I know you are taking good care of him! Christmas is looking wonderful at your place. Your winter table is wonderful with all the woodsy touches. I love the runner and your prescious wooden box that Mr. Ed made for you. I enjoyed seeing all your white dishes and the Nell Hill plates! So pretty! Your gingerbread decorations are all so adorable. Thank you for your sweet visits dear Pat. I hope it is a sweet Christmas for you. All the best in the New Year!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Pat, visiting from Let's Dish today even though I follow your blog anyway....
This table is perfectly coordinated! From the centerpiece to the dishes to the NAPKINS (!) and everything in between. I am crushing on that MOP stag vessel - a planter, you say? It's super!
Good to hear Mr. C seems to be doing well, and the mind is such an amazing organ, here's hoping 2015 will show even more progress.
Countdown to our big celebrations - enjoy!
Rita

Marigene said...

I must have missed the post about your hubby having a stroke...sorry to hear that...hope his recovery is complete.
Your table is lovely...and those plates are just gorgeous. I will be anxious to see how you use your carpenter's box in the coming year.
Merry Christmas to you and your, Pat.

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

good job on the wooden box, Mr. Ed! I got a kick out of your pinecone trees.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about your husband but I'm glad to know he is improving! He did a great job on the carpenter's box - how awesome that he used the router so that you can stand up your plates. The drink bar is genius and I'm just going to go ahead and let you know that I'm going to be stealing that idea! :)

Shelia
House of Highlands

Pat said...

Dear Ones,
Many have commented that they had missed my post concerning "Mr. Ed's" having suffered a stroke. I posted it in an FYI at the bottom of our Annual Trout Fishing Trip. . .here's the link:
http://oncrookedcreektt.blogspot.com/2014/10/renegade-man.html
Fondly,
Pat

Alycia Nichols said...

That Mr. Ed is one smart and talented cookie...not to mention cute as a bug's ear! You guys are lucky and blessed to have found one another in this life! I saw your cute selfie that he took on FB, and that just blew me away! What a sweetheart!!! I feel certain God will find favor with him and allow him to resume doing the things he loves. The talents he has run deep, just as your affection for one another. God will take care of it. Just be still.

That carpenter's box is perfect! He even put the grooves in it for safer stackability!!! What a guy! He's really thinking ahead! I really like how you are getting double duty out of the box as a centerpiece item. It makes sense and it's perfect!

Blessings this Christmas season to you both!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Your Mr. looks wonderful and he is talented and doesn't stop at producing something as lovely as this.
Hope you are having a wonderful C'mas Day.
Thank you for your wishes too. My DD Sofia did loose de baby, she was just 1 month pregnant.
xo
FABBY

Kathleen said...

Pat,
I am sorry to hear of your dh's stroke. My dh had one at age 53. It hasn't been easy, but we don't get to choose. I love your table, simple and elegant, and the carpenter's box is wonderful! My dh was a carpenter, but he couldn't work after the stroke.
Hope you had a wonderful holiday, happy 2015!