Hello all, after a short break I am back! I was on hiatus due to work obligations. For the past few months, I have been working on certifications for work and have reached a serendipitous break. I’m glad I was able to finish most of the certs but I have a few more to go! I have a bit more time on my plate and thought it would be a great time to put out a new blog post with spring and Easter decorations!
Snow covered trees
It’s funny though, looking outside the window one wouldn’t know it was the first day of spring. Mother Nature surprised us with rain, sleet, and snow in one day! I grabbed my camera to capture a few pictures of the winter wonderland.
Cardinal taking a break from pesky squirrels.
The Bronze Bunny is the main star of this snowy adventure! On the first day of spring Mr. Bronze wanted to play with his friends. He left his cozy home without a jacket or boots, hoping to be warmed by the sun. To his surprise the yard was covered in snow!
Mr. BronzeWhere are my friends?Looks like everyone is still in bed.
Now for some indoor decorations! I created a variation of spring and Easter trees.
A colorful Easter tree is perched on my barn wood tray made by my handy hubby!Friends of Mr. Bronze 🙂
Thank you all for visiting!! Tell your friends about my lovely Spring and Easter blog. If you have any questions, send me a message for more information. I would be more than happy to discuss my decorations and how I made my DIY creations! Stay tuned …more to follow.
The dessert table set with gold etched champagne glasses, dessert plated on polka dot cupcake stand. Tartan plaid plates forms the base for this dessert setting .
Red berry hearts and rose petals adorn this colorful table.
Dessert plate set on an hand embroidered table cloth.
Raspberry chocolate wine ready to be served.
Tea time after dessert
Pink ruffled carnations along with red roses.
Dessert table!Happy Valentines Day from Tableswearspearls
Chocolates that spell, “I LOVE YOU”, pink Carnations blossoms in a Kenilworth U.S.A. vintage pottery beverage carafe. Spode caramanian red and white dinner plates layered on pewter chargers make the foundation for this table. The table is scattered with hearts made of sparkling beads and red berries.
Chocolate box relays the message, “I Love you”.Hearts made of white beads and red berries adorn the plates.
Hidden surprise to follow!
The Spode Archive Collection ‘RUINS’The Spode Archive Collection ‘PAGODA’The Spode Archive Collection ‘TROPHIES’Little cups filled with heart shaped candy and red & pink beads.Pink Carnations and red hearts fills up the vase.
Champagne for two ❤Cheers my dear!❤ ❤ ❤Chocolates ,Champagne and candy hearts.Cheers to all my fiends!
For the past few days we have had on and off heavy rain and strong winds in the DMV area. Grey, wet, and gloomy looks like soup weather to me. I search my pantry for a can of soup, but to my surprise there is none! All I found were onions, chicken broth, and baguettes. These ingredients call for homemade French Onion Soup. I’m pressed for time with needing to put away Christmas decorations so I’ll fall back on one of my old recipes that is quick and easy (recipe to be listed at the end of the post).
Even in a hurry I always set my table! This is my Onion soup plated with classic blue and white Johnson Brothers salad plate. I anchored the plates with my white Studio Nova soup bowl.Blue cotton napkins serve as a charger for the soup setting. Cheese melted beautifully on the baguettes form a lovely brown crust.
Dark blue napkins complements the blue Johnson Brothers soup set. Mini Dutch Oven Cocottes are perfect to serve soup from oven to table.The baguettes were also the perfect size for the Mini Cocottes.
Dipping sauce for the baguettes is easy and fast to make. Two tablespoon of extra virgin oil,add a pinch of Italian seasoning and red few red pepper flakes. Give it a good stir, ready to serve:)
I had leftover baguettes which were lightly buttered and rubbed with fresh crushed garlic.Silver and Golden butter dish houses fresh garlic butter
I accompanied the baguettes with Extra Virgin Olive oil dipping sauce.This dipping sauce is served in a white ceramic long handle sauce dish making it easy to handle.
My rainy day French Onion soup is served!
The Nutcrackers waiting to be packed away! Each one of the Nutcracker is carefully wrapped in tissue paper placed safely in their container till next Xmas season.
Village set and glass bulbs awaiting to be packed away.
Recipe for the French Onion Soup with a few variation from the traditional soup. Vegetarians can substitute vegetable broth.
In this recipe I substituted beef broth with chicken broth
Preparation time 15 minutes cooking time 40 minutes
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter (I used 1tsp)
2 tablespoon of olive oil
4 cups sliced onions
4.cups beef broth (I used chicken broth)
1 teaspoon dried thyme (I used Italian seasoning)
Dry Sherry 2 tablespoon (I used dry red wine)
salt and pepper to taste
French Bread 4 to 6 slices
Provolone cheese 4 to 6 slices
2 slices Swiss cheese diced
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions
Melt butter with olive oil in a thick bottom stock pot 8 quart on low heat.Add onions and stir until tender and translucent. Do not brown the onions.
Add broth, sherry and thyme. Add salt and pepper as needed. Let it simmer for 30 minutes on the stove top.
Heat the oven broiler, Ladle soup into oven safe soup bowls,place bread on top. Layer with a slice of provolone cheese and half slice of swiss cheese.
Place soup bowls on a baking sheet and leave it in the oven till cheese bubbles and browns. ( this happens in few seconds)
Remove from oven and serve . Soup is extremely hot.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
Poem by: Clement Clarke Moore (1779 – 1863) wrote the poem, “Twas The Night Before Christmas,” also called, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” in 1822.
Nutcrackers awaiting the arrival of Santa. We have the troops all lined up for inspection before the Christmas parade .My Nutcracker collection is displayed on the stairs below the garland.
The Dickens village collection I started twenty plus years back. In this particular picture I have a combination of Lenox, Dickens, and some antique houses in this collection.I have placed two lighted pine trees on either side to balance the village setting. I did decorate the tree with apples and winter berries.
This year I used the wood panel as my backdrop for the village display. Look closely and you will see red lights intertwined in the wooden panel. My dear Hubby did all the light work which he hooked up to one outlet.City hall resides above street level. This majestic building takes prime spot in the village.Franciscan Brother’s ring the church bell at very hour. Both the brothers enjoy this part of their daily choresSide decoration for the panel with my favourite red berries. A cardinal by his winter home adds a festive flare.Christmas TreeChristmas Tree all decked out! Gifts wrapped with care and placed under the tree! Elves have managed to collect all the gifts and are holding them for ransom (most likely for cookies and milk).The ladder is placed carefully by the Christmas bin! Once the elves have all the gifts it will be easy to kick of the ladder for a quick escape. If you look closely, you can see one hanging on the tips of his fingers! Naughty as always. This lantern was too heavy for the Elves to move. Safe for now …
Mr. Nicodemus and Ms. Helena are dressed for the Christmas Eve ball. Ms. Helena is decked out in her double layer pearls which she accompanied with a plaid skirt, long sleeve wool blouse, and red scarf. Mr. Nicodemus is in his new crop pants, suspenders and a black necktie to match with Ms. Helena.Trying out their new sleigh, Mr Nicodemus made sure Ms. Helena had a new satin blanket for the ride to the ball. The reindeers are on a tight schedule! They have to be back for the big night to help Santa deliver presents for all little girls and boys. The mister and missus were very grateful for the ride. Ready for the ride! They need someone to take care of the ladder though.
Ms. Holly Holiday waiting to welcome her guest by the village gate. She is standing on a gold acorn layered with beaded carpet.Mr. Snowman has joined the welcome party.Still no sign of the Mr. Nicodemus and Ms. Helena.Guest has arrived !Lady apples and Gala apples with fresh evergreen makes a beautiful arrangement by the fireplace
Cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer (we have used this Santa’s plate for the past 25 years).
Kitchen chandelier with red poinsettias
A dear friend – Pauline’s village display.Merry Christmas and a Happy New year from our family to yours!
Lanterns filled with red, green, blue, and silver glass balls. Merry Christmas and Welcome All!
The outdoor porch invites guest with an old vintage sleigh, grouped with lanterns and winter snow boots. I filled the boots with winter evergreens and berries (they were frozen from the ice rain we had last night).
Close up view of the frozen berries.
Love mother natures art work! I just had to share with my friends.
A lone nutcracker watches over the village church. Dressed for the occasion, he has gemstones adorning his crown, a velvet cape, and his polished wooden boots. Mr. Nutcracker is ready for duty!
Table with all the trimmings!
The Soup Tureen I used for thanksgiving is transformed to a centerpiece for the Christmas candy cane tablescape. I pulled out my green Christmas balls to fill the tureen and incorporated long-tailed birds. The golden long-tails offered to be part of the tablescape before flying off to the south to escape the bitter cold of the East Coast. Fresh cranberries and golden stars brightens the tureen and adds a dash of holiday color.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus by the tureen.Mantel decorated with a handmade wreath, golden Christmas trees, reindeer, and cherubs. Stockings hung by the fireplace with care waiting for Santa’s arrival.
I wrapped the chandelier with red and white toile ribbon. Hand blown ornaments were hung from the arms of the chandelier and evergreen leaves to add a splash of color.
Lovely gingerbread houses created by my eldest daughter. She’s so talented!These Christmas trees were made with care. My daughter put these trees together by icing ice cream cones and placing holly leaves by hand (credit: Pinterest).
Santa on his sleigh – he’s got a friend who seems to love cupcakes!Mrs. Claus looking for Mr. Claus.
Kate Spade candy cane tablecloth lays the foundation for this festive table. Golden chargers layered with red and gold dinner plates are topped with gold trim dessert/salad plates. The napkin ring is homemade. I clipped an ornamental hummingbird onto a simple gold napkin ring. This hummingbird can be used for other projects so be sure to keep a lookout for Mr. and Mrs. Hummingbird.
Winter birds were part of the tablescape. Mr. Cardinal stopped by before leaving for his Xmas vacation.
Elves watching over the Christmas tree!Fitz and Floyd SnowmanA nutcracker stands watch while protecting Mrs. Claus’ favorite birdcage.Santa’s BootsMerry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thanksgiving is a time where the kitchen and dining room shines as the heart of the home surrounded by love and laughter. My favorite Italian Soup Tureen pops its head out as to say “I am the Master of ceremonies.”Silver and gold Butter DishTable set with serving dishesA Thanksgiving table scape! I have incorporated Fox figurine as a theme.Golden chargers have been layered with Charter club plate trimmed with burgundy and gold. To add to the festivity,I also layered Queen’s turkey plate. A red fox to top the setting.White fox sits, guarding the butter tray.You can also use pumpkins as a finishing touch to your plate setting .
