Valentine Winter Mantel

Since I consider the month of February, the "LOVE" month, I still have my mantel decorated with a Valentine theme.  So even though  Valentine's Day is officially over, I hope you don't mind seeing it now.

Here's the full view of the fireplace.

Here's a closer look.

 



 

 

 I had left my white mini-lights on the mantel after Christmas and decided to "stuff" them into a cylinder vase filled with small pine cones.

 

 

I added branches and hung red hearts as well as icicles on them.

 



Shiny silver candle holders, red hearts and a LOVE sign complete the look.

You've probably noticed snowflakes play a major role in our house in the winter and this Valentine mantel is no exception.

 

 

 

I've left the rod we hung for Christmas stockings under the mantel. I don't mind the look of it even with nothing on it though now I'm thinking I could have put some hearts/snowflakes, or if I was crafty, a banner on it!

 

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you were still "feeling the LOVE" in my Valentine mantel so late in February!

 

I will be linking this post to:

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Wow us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Winter Blues Wednesday at DIY by Design

 

 

 

Red Rose and Chocolate Brown for Valentine's

This past weekend, we were fortunate to be able to host a Valentine's Dinner Party for Mr. Delight's  siblings and their spouses.  It is not often all 10 of us can get together so it was an occasion to celebrate!

Inspiration for my tablescape started with these red table runners I purchased on sale at Christmas. I bought multiples so I could lay them width-ways and have a "placemat effect". When placed on a brown tablecloth, of course, I thought of a "roses and chocolate" themed t'scape for V's day!

Secondly, I knew I wanted to use these heart-shaped red vases I've had for a few years now.

I combined them with 2 of these crystal tealight lamps (Partylite years ago).

By placing 3 of the vases filled with roses and tulips and 2 of the lamps on square mirrors, I created a centerpiece that ran the length of the table. 

Below is a pic of the center ones.

 

 

Here, you see how they looked running down the center of the table.

 

 

Placecards were created by taping names (done on computer) to these styrofoam glitter hearts and setting them in small white bowls with a chocolate.

 

 

The placecard heart bowls were set on top of a chocolate brown napkin.

 

 

I did a "cross-over" fold with the napkin and  placed the fork and knife inside with other required flatware set above the plate/charger.

 

 

I filled little "lacy" bags with chocolates and tied with red and gold ribbon for each guest to take home.

 

Christmas dishes can serve double duty as shown here.  This red plate with snowflakes has a lacy edge which works well for Valentine's.

 

Unfortunately, the other red plates with Christmas trees and gingerbread men didn't go quite as well but I "hid" them with a white vinyl dish "silencer". (The soup bowls were eventually placed on these and then the red plate and soup bowl were removed together)

 

 

Multiple place settings altogether.

 

 

Each guest had their own Menu Card placed beside their place setting.

 

 

A red wine glass alongside a white wine glass were ready for guests to choose their preference.

 

 

 

 

Just before the guests arrived...

 

 

The other view...

 

Here's a look at what is on the sideboard wall area. First, my "Valentine" tree, left out and redecorated with hearts after Christmas, sits at the left of the sideboard.

 

My feather heart hung over the mirror above the sideboard.

 

 

A closer look at my snowman family who are ready to ski!

 

 

Three large hurricanes are filled with pine cones and hearts atop faux snow in the bottom.

 

 

And on the right side of the sideboard sits a faux arrangement I created in another heart-shaped vase.

 

 

I've given up trying to capture pics of the food while serving our guests (never remember in the heat of the moment!) but I did take a couple of the dessert!

On this Valentine's occasion, we celebrated the

 

LOVE of FAMILY ...

 

...and had a wonderful evening with lots of laughs, reminiscing and later on, even dancing!

 

Thanks for sticking to the end of this photo intensive post!

 

 

I will be linking this post to these fabulous blog parties:

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen
Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming
Tutorials,Tips & Tidbits at Stone Gable
Be Inspired Fridays at Common Ground

 

Ash Wednesday

I had intended to post my Valentine tablescape tonight but upon returning from church this evening where we had the imposition of ashes marking the first day of Lent, I decided to postpone it. Instead, I am reposting this Lenten Tablescape I did last year. 

_______________________

 

 

Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 13th this year which marks the beginning of Lent.  I've always wanted to create a tablescape with this theme in mind but wasn't sure how to go about it.  Lent is not a season that one usually "decorates" for and in fact, often, decorations are removed from churches/homes.

I couldn't find very many suggestions on the Internet but while searching through some items around my home, I came up with the idea to use everyday pieces to symbolize the events that we remember during Lent. 

Let me take you on a "tour" of the table and explain what each item symbolizes.

Below are faux leaves/grasses which represent the palm branches which were waved to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem. 

Below, the rooster symbolizes the following 
bible verse 
"Before the Rooster crows, you will have denied me three times" (Peter denies knowledge of Jesus) Matthew 26:34

This Bible is open to the same chapter (Matthew 26) which depicts Peter's denial of Jesus.

These gold coins by the cross represent the "30 pieces of silver" Judas received for betraying Jesus.

This weathered cross reminds us of Christ's crucifixion.  The wheat and grapes symbolize the bread and wine of communion which Jesus instituted during The Last Supper.

This Lenten place setting includes a red napkin to remind us of  the blood Jesus shed for us on the cross. The clear glass plate has a grape pattern etched on it again, reminding us of the institution of wine = blood in communion.

 

Beside each place setting, I've placed a purple (the colour of Lent) compote filled with water (reminds us of Baptism) and a rose candle (Jesus is often referred to as "The Rose")

 

Pussy willow branches symbolize the promise of new life we have in the Resurrection of Jesus which we will celebrate at the end of Lent at Easter.

A trio of candles to represent Father, Son & Holy Ghost are filled with purple (the colour of Lent) beads and grass leaves.

The candlelight reminds us that Jesus came to be "a light to the world"

Another look at the items altogether...

 And some evening views...

A black tablecloth is used to depict the somber tone of Lent. Purple is the colour of Lent and napkins in this shade are placed under the centerpiece.

I hope and pray that these Lenten tablescape "symbols" might provide a "refresher" on some of the events we reflect on during this season. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you in His care during this season of self-examination and repentance.

I'll be linking this post to these terrific blog parties this week.

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life 
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style 
Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.  
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home  
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen
Sunday Showcase at Under the Table & Dreaming