A Favorite Tablescape!

M e r r y  C h r i s t m a s !

The day I treasure all year through 
has finally arrived On Crooked Creektt!

Christmas Day, with its celebrations of Christ Birth 
shared with family and friends, has arrived at last!

Because of all the busyness, we in The Land of Blog experience,
Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch
suggested that we share a favorite tablescape created during 2013. 

This Gray Trayscape came to mind.

It is my personal favorite tablescape of 2013!

After updating my creative space, Studio One,
I set up this trayscape to enjoy a cup 'o tea in the afternoon.

I began with a monogrammed Aqua linen tea towel
gently draped over a box made by "Mr. Ed" 
and changed into a tray by me (here).

Then, 
I added this beautifully hand crocheted vintage doily.

Next, 
I added a petite white tea pot for one.

Followed by a short stack of dessert plates and saucers 
in my Gold Crown Semi~Vitreous China from Alliance, Ohio.

Still on the hunt for the matching cups in this China pattern,
I "shopped the house" for a suitable tea cup.

Since Studio One, is my creative and designing space,
I added a three~arm candelabra for inspiration with an air of romance.

Vintage embroidered luncheon napkins
add another layer of softness to the trayscape.

As you can see by the duplicates of dessert plates, napkins and saucers,
I can share with a guest or "Mr. Ed" as I take time for tea.

But, 
my favorite tablescape, served upon a gray trayscape,
is perfect to take tea for one, as well!



Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday!

And. . .

Kathleen @ Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish!

Be sure to visit and experience many inspiration tablescape ideas 

for your own families dining enjoyment!

Simplistic Styling!

When switching out the Summer decor for a touch of Autumn. . .
I already had a plan of simplistic styling for Christmas in mind.

My Willow Tree Angel collection was packed away 
and re~located to the Lower Level 
while painting the Guest Room On Crooked Creektt.

But, 
I knew I wanted to place them strategically throughout 
On Crooked Creektt's Entertainment Center for Christmas.

By keeping a subtle color palette throughout my Christmas decor,
the Willow Tree Angels are perfect to tuck into existing vignettes.

Once the Angels were placed into each shelf of the Entertainment Center,
I simply added a sprig of faux Christmas greenery.

By changing the red vintage Ogden Nash Collection 

Beginning Autumn. . .

and replacing them with my blue vintage Hemingway volumes

Before. . .

the cohesiveness of the display is in keeping with my subtle color palette.

After!

I applied the same simplistic styling 
to the opposite of the Entertainment Center, as well.

Beginning Autumn. . .

Keeping the same volumes within the vignette,
I simply turned them around, 
exposing the pages versus the spines of the books.

Before. . .

I inserted my Willow Tree Angel.

After!

Then,
I added the same faux evergreen sprig.


On the shelf below,
I switched out the red spined Richard Paul Evans Edition

Beginning Autumn. . .

for a fig hued Bible Handbook to compliment our devotional.
(Great Historic reading during the Christmas story.)

Before. . .

Just a neatly tucked ornamental package nosegay

is sufficient for adornment.

After!

I adore the simplistic styling for our Entertainment Center
for Christmas On Crooked Creektt!

The open shelf below
called for eliminating the red spine vintage editions

Beginning Autumn. . .

and the addition of a single linen vintage Poetry of Robert Frost.

Before. . .

A silk rose corsage and boutonniere 
commemorative of Wedding Reception Tables design (here)
for a very special Summer Wedding this past July was added.

A faux cedar bough sprig topped with a pine cone
keeps the natural theme while enhancing romantic ambiance.

After!

Atop the Entertainment Center,
the subtle color palette continues 
as the message N O E L rings throughout our Living Room.

Christmas On Crooked Creektt, surrounded by simplistic styling, 
allows us the time for the truly important things in our lives. . .and yours.

Until next time. . .

* * * * * * * A Special Request * * * * * * *

Dear Ones,
I ask a special request from you at Christmastime~and all year through~
that you say a prayer for safety over all of our men and women serving
in our U.S. Forces. Especially, remember my former student, Matt, as he
is away from his family and friends this Christmas 
while he continues to serve in the U.S. Marine Corp.
Fondly,
Pat
P.S. What a surprise!!!

Home For Christmas

U. S. Marine, Matt, and his Mother, Robin 

had been planning for two months to bring him home for Christmas!!!
This amazing surprise makes us all realize 
that the best presents aren't necessarily those we wrap 
and place under the tree,
but those we hold with hearts!!!

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

And. . .

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

Be sure to visit for inspirational ideas 

for your own home decor!

Paper. . .Please!

Throughout my childhood and youth,
Christmas and the holidays were the time to
dress our dining room table in china, crystal and sparkling silver!

But these days, filled to the brim with all the hustle and bustle,
has me saying, "Paper. . .please!"

While winding up our last minute gift list,
"Mr. Ed" and I stopped in T. J. Maxx 
where I found these adorable paper dessert plates and cocktail napkins!!!

They are the perfect compliment to my subtle color palette
for Christmas On Crooked Creektt!

I adore how they pair with my everyday porcelain white dinnerware,
Oneida everyday stainless flatware and our clear bubble glass stemware. . .
all dishwasher safe!

I created a simplistic centerpiece,
by removing the silver compote and tray.

In its place I'm using my ivory oval serving bowl
filled with faux juniper berries sprigs and silver holly leaves.

I arranged the champagne hued satiny ornaments atop the faux greenery.

Earlier this Spring, 
the blogger who hates to sew,
made these napkins from some left~over fabric in Studio One.

This allowed me to use the matching cocktail napkins for coasters.

Layering the tablecloths 
gives us the Traditional styling that I adore in my home decor.

I'm thrilled with the cohesiveness of the entire dining room,
combined with the ease of our dining experience,
clean~up for Christmas On Crooked Creektt is kept to a minimum.

This year, to better enjoy your Christmas celebration 
simply say, "Paper. . . please!"

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining 

Kathleen @ Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish!

And. . .

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday!

Be sure to visit for inspiring tablescaping ideas 

for your own families dining pleasure!