~Table Tops & Dragonflies~

Beginning anew, comments on, after time off from regular blogging and Memorial Day weekend.

One table times three…

I’m adding these new back porch vignettes and table settings to Marty’s Table Top Tuesday.

The pair of ducks formerly sat atop a narrow cabinet at our lake place.  They make an ideal summertime addition to the back porch wicker dresser.

Sunday Breakfast

When we moved the wicker dresser to the back porch, I didn’t think there would be room for a table and chairs. 

We used a small wicker end table, for meals in front of the settee, until over the weekend, when I moved an old green metal table from the garage and two of the breakfast room chairs, to the porch.

The table fits very well in front of the fireplace and can be moved easily when more room is needed.

I played with dishes and linens, setting the table for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Lunch

I found the fabric, for the table cloth, stored away in the basement.  I covered the chair seats in this fabric not long before we moved into our home in 2003.  The chairs were also stored away in the basement.  I used silk peonies, to mimic the peonies in the fabric.

Supper

A rooster is usually heard from in the morning.  This time, it’s roosters in the evening. 

The third table is set, with burlap and roosters, for a simple supper on the back porch.  The red chairs were brought out from the breakfast room.  There are 8 ladder back chairs, around the 9 foot pine farmhouse table, in four colors…red, green, gold, and orange.

 

I found the dragonfly lights, last month, at Home Goods, St Peters MO.

Memorial Day

REMEMBER

Perform, then, this one act of remembrance before this Day passes - Remember there is an army of defense and advance that never dies and never surrenders, but is increasingly recruited from the eternal sources of the American spirit and from the generations of American youth.  ~W.J. Cameron

~Celebration in Pink~

 

 

Thank you Beverly, of How Sweet the Sound, for graciously hosting this wonderful event, each Saturday, during the past 2 years.

In honor of the celebration, a bouquet from our gardens, loosely arranged in a pink vintage vase. The plate is Spode, the cloth vintage linen and crochet.

The second photo was edited in Photoscape, using Text, Water Painting, Watercolor Pencil, and Texture, found in the Filter drop down menu.

Due to the holiday weekend I have de-activated comments for this post and a Memorial Day post, to be published Sunday. Monday I will return with a regular post, with comments activated.  Until then, please e-mail if you like. I love e-mail.

~Updates Around the House & Computer Woes~

Feed trough in the hearth room and more. 

So sorry I haven’t been around to visit or post, this week. 

I have a very good excuse.

A word from lakeside, Tuesday morning. 

I began this post, Sunday May 23rd; took a little detour along the way.

Monday Morning

This was taken, approaching Mineola Hill, going west on I-70.  It’s one of my favorite views along I-70, on our way to Hwy 54 and the lake.

A Minor Glitch

We arrived and settled in around 1PM, Monday.  I was about to check the mail when I discovered there were no flashing lights on the contraption, shown in the photo, above!

Lots of cable is being replaced.  No Internet.

I must say I have enjoyed time away from the computer relaxing on the deck and reading Peter Mayle’s wonderful book,  A Year in Provence.  It is peaceful, here at the lake, this week before the holiday weekend that marks the beginning of the Summer season.

Finally, if you are still with me, the updates…  

The iron deer head above the hearth room door was moved from J’s lodge room, after I found a deer candleholder for the living room at Three French Hens, last weekend.  I’m making a few more updates to this room as I find new accessories.  I am looking for antlers to add to a vignette.

We are also preparing to paint and update J’s lodge.

I don’t recall where I found this piece.

The candleholder that inspired more living room changes.

 The living room is slowly evolving into a new look.

 

I borrowed an old feed trough from J’s room, for the breakfast room.

The floor is ceramic from Mohawk.

Paint color is Laura Ashley Gold 3 (Lowe’s).

 

 

 

Monday May 24th view, from our deck, Lake of the Ozarks

Wednesday morning May 26 sky shots, Lake of the Ozarks.

Misty May Morning Sunrise

We arrived back home, this morning.  I hope to repay your visits over the weekend. 

Thanks so much for stopping by the Back Porch during my absence.  As always your visits are very much appreciated. I read each and every one of your comments.

~Three French Hens~

 

I found the container, at Three French Hens. 

I’ve combined several different subjects in this wandering post; books, table tops, decorating, and garden art. 

Friday morning, bright and early, we shopped the Friends of the Saint Charles County Library Book Fair. Attending this event is a family tradition.  This year, J and I joined our eldest and youngest daughters, at the fair.  A huge event, the Book Fair attracts people from several states.

We spent three hours browsing thousands of books.

My purchase included, among others, books for children, cookbooks and two biographies. 

We are a family of avid readers.

Books are priced beginning with books for children, at 25 cents.  Hardcover books are $2, paperbacks $1.  There is a section, at the event, for specially priced books.  The cookbook, in the last book collage, is one of those books, priced at $3. The Peter Mayle two volume set was $5.  Cookbooks, in the regular stacks, were $2 for hard cover and $1 for spiral bound.  The stack of childrens books cost just over $5 total. Where can you find a stack of books, in great condition, many with library binding, for that price. 

All proceeds go to the Library Foundation.  Books, purchased by our family, are read and donated back to the book fair; recycle/reuse.

If you live in the Saint Charles Missouri area, you might enjoy attending the three day Book Fair, next year.

Kid Books

Cookbooks

 

Beautiful Cookbook

Lunch, at McGurk’s Pub, in O’Fallon, MO.  McGurk’s is on our list of favorite restaurants.

Another stop, while weekend wandering; Three French Hens, located in west St Louis County.  I was able to take these exterior shots, however, interior photography is not permitted. If you would like to take a virtual tour, click the store site HERE.

This store is absolutely beautiful.  I could spend hours just going from room to room. 

There is a variety of antiques, new furniture, accessories and gifts. Custom pieces are also offered.

 

I managed to find a few things to bring home.

The black and white placemats and napkins were found at Three French Hens.  The placemats are reversible, with a bold black and white paisley on the opposite side.  I’ll use them in another table setting, soon.

• Rooster salad plates are garage sale finds, from last year.
• Other plates and flatware from Marshall’s.
• Napkin rings, Pier One.
• Goblets from Target. 
• Rooster and hen salt and peppers from Tuesday Morning. 
• Black pedestal, Nell Hill’s.
• Silk flowers, Evergreen Mfg. Osage Beach.

I will be featuring other treasures found at Three French Hens, in upcoming posts.

For now, the bike has found a home on the patio, next to the wall and Knock Out Roses.  I found a wicker basket, with a flat back, at Michael’s. It was lightly sprayed creamy white and wired to the handlebars. A bouquet of Iris, 2 books and a bottle of Coppola Chardonnay were placed in the basket for photo taking.  I have plans for a geranium, in the basket, and perhaps some sort of ribbon.

As much as I would love to ride this old bike, I am no longer able to, due to a couple of minor physical issues. Nothing really bad, but possibly bothersome, should I try riding a two wheeler.

Continuing our weekend wandering, we are taking a couple of days off, for a little R&R at Lake of the Ozarks.  I’ll be checking in from the deck.

Enjoy your week!

(I am not compensated for mention of businesses or products)