Dining Delight: April 2017

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Butterflies & Daisies Mother's Day Tablescape

With the calendar already turning to May, Mother's Day is definitely not far off. With that in mind, I've been busy putting together a pretty tablescape for this special occasion. Combining feminine colours with a spring feel is the perfect way to decorate for Mother's Day.

My inspiration began with these fabulous plates that I received as a recent birthday gift from my SiL. There are four terrific colours with two plates in each colour.

Butterflies and daisies were chosen to provide a bit of a theme to the tablescape.

Three pots of faux daisies were used as part of the centerpiece.

In between the daisies, I placed a taper candle with a glass hurricane set on each of the extra plates.

A metal butterfly was attached to the hurricane with a pink ribbon.

The butterflies were part of a metal wreath I've had for ages. I decided to free the butterflies from the wreath so they could fly on to more decorative surroundings. :)

The yellow butterfly below is one from my stash. It came with a bouquet of fresh flowers years ago.

White square plates were paired with the coloured ones and multi-checked napkins help coordinate all the colours on the table.

Pretty stemware is a must for Mother's Day and some pink champagne says Let's Celebrate!

Fortunately, the water goblets fit the theme perfectly with the butterflies etched on the glass.

More of the metal butterflies were used as placecard holders. They have a metal tab on the back which helps them stand.

A spot for my mom...

Now, I just have to come up with a menu for our luncheon.

Yes... I plan my menu around what dishes I want to use ;)

Have you started planning your Mother's Day activities?

If it involves some type of sit-down meal, I hope I've inspired you to try creating a pretty tablescape.

It's the little details that will let mom know you care.

Thanks for visiting!

I'll be linking this post to these wonderful blog parties:

Saturday Sparks on Pieced Pastimes

Share it One More Time at Everyday Home

A Bouquet of Talent at Life on Lakeshore Drive
Sundays at Home at Love of Home
Silver Pennies Sunday at Silver Pennies

Dishing It & Digging It at Rustic & Refined
Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Show & Share at Coastal Charm
Celebrate Your Story at Celebrate & Decorate
Brag About It Tuesday at My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies

The Scoop at Stone Gable

Inspire Me Tuesdays at A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesday at Our Home at Our Home Away From Home

Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Swing Into Spring at DIY by Design
Share Your Style at Essence of Home

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olson
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Grace at Home at Imparting Grace

Home Matters at Life with Lorelai

Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Foodie Friday & Everything Else at Rattlebridge Farm

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Easter Buffet Decor

Do your Easter Day plans include a get-together for a casual morning brunch or a relaxed buffet-style dinner? If so, this post might help inspire you to add a bit of decor to the buffet set-up. Sure, you can just put out the plates and cutlery beside the food ...but what fun is that? :)

Just because you are not having a sit-down meal, doesn't mean the buffet area can't look festive.

Adding seasonal or occasion-themed items to a buffet backdrop makes it seem all the more special and inviting.

When I serve buffet style, most of the food is placed on the kitchen island so this table is where guests pick up their plates, cutlery, glasses and napkins.

The plates were placed in burlap-covered baskets on either end of the table.

I was happy to use these new floral plates from Pier 1 that Mr Delight gave me for my recent birthday.

This adorable little lamb was also a recent gift. Just love him!

The flatware was put in mason jars inside these small burlap bags which are held in a wire basket.

Champagne flutes are ready to be filled with cranberry-orange mimosas!

These blue bowls are perfect for fruit salad.

The most pleasing look is achieved when the items in the display are arranged at gradually varying heights.

The items along the back were placed on top of sturdy platforms (like books, boxes, etc) which were covered with an additional tablecloth.

Now, let's look at some of the decorative elements placed around the practical items.

Did you notice this fellow hiding in the blossoms?

And next to the vase of blossoms, this Easter bunny is hopping in to say "hi".

This bunny couple are gathering eggs near the front of the display.

They are by Partylite from years ago but still remain one of my fav Easter decorations.

All of the bunnies have their eyes on the carrots I placed around the display for a pop of bright orange colour.

A birdhouse and...

...nest speak of springtime.

Pink pip berry garland was placed along the back of the plates in the basket.

Battery-operated lights were added for a soft glow.

Faux greenery was tucked in the bare spaces.

I know this display is probably a little over the top for most people but if you are hosting a buffet-style meal this Easter, you may want to try incorporating a few decorative touches to the area. It will add to your guests' enjoyment of the occasion.

Here's a simple Easter Brunch menu:

Wishing you a Blessed and ...

Thanks for visiting!

I'll be linking this post to these wonderful blog parties:

Saturday Sparks on Pieced Pastimes

Share it One More Time at Everyday Home

A Bouquet of Talent at Life on Lakeshore Drive
Silver Pennies Sunday at Silver Pennies

Dishing It & Digging It at Rustic & Refined
Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Show & Share at Coastal Charm
Celebrate Your Story at Celebrate & Decorate
Brag About It Tuesday at My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies

The Scoop at Stone Gable

Inspire Me Tuesdays t A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesday at Our Home at Our Home Away From Home

Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Swing Into Spring at DIY by Design

Share Your Style at Essence of Home

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olson

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Grace at Home at Imparting Grace

Home Matters at Life with Lorelai

Inspiration Gallery at Design,Dining, Diapers

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Foodie Friday & Everything Else at Rattlebridge Farm

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Palm Sunday Display

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and marks the beginning of Holy Week. On this day, we commemorate Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem when the people welcomed him by waving palm branches and laying them before him as he rode into the city on a donkey. (Matthew 21:1-9)

During Lent and Holy Week, I like to have some reminders around our home of what the time leading up to Easter is truly about.

Thus, I created this Palm Sunday display in an area next to our front windows.

Faux palm branches were used as a backdrop and also arranged throughout the vignette.

I added a faux candle reflective of the celebratory nature of Palm Sunday.

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!" Matthew 21:9

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life" John 8:12

I made a Palm Sunday sign using clip art in MS Word on my computer and put it in a frame.

Five days after welcoming Jesus, the same crowds shouted that he be crucified.

But they kept shouting "Crucify him, crucify him"
Mark 15:13-15

The items inside this black lantern are symbolic of the events that happened later in Holy Week which include Jesus' arrest on Maundy Thursday and His crucifixion on Good Friday.

A small grapevine wreath on the cross represents the crown of thorns the soldiers placed on Jesus' head.
And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.
Matthew 27:29
Three nails at the foot of the cross inside the lantern represent those used to nail Jesus to the cross.
Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were....John 20:25

A Bible,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God John 1:1
a wreath of thorny branches (crown of thorns) and some faux palm branches were arranged next to the lantern.

Of course, the best way to reflect on the true meaning of Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter is to read about it in the Bible.

Matthew Chapters 21 -28.

Mark Chapters 11 - 16

Luke Chapters 19:28 - 24

John Chapters 12:12 - 21

I pray that God would grant you a blessed Palm Sunday and Holy Week leading into the joyous occasion of Easter when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour.