Friday, June 6, 2014

Sweet Inspiration


After weeks of preparing for a baby shower and a reunion, I have been LAZY -  all week.


I vowed this morning that I would do something creative, but my body wasn't feeling it - I overdid it at the gym last night.


While sitting on the window seat (with an ice pack) and reading blogs, these beautiful glass bottles on the shelf at  A Beach Cottage and the welcoming front porch on Hymns & Verses motivated me to get moving.


I knew when Steve brought home a bottle of Sofia rose the other night that I would be using the bottle often - today the bottle is simply dressed in jute and wooden beads.


Adding a table to my porch meant finding a new home for my yellow bench and the driftwood sailboats I just made.


A little blue table hidden in the attic came down to be decorated with flowers.


I think I like the table on the porch and if it stays, then next week, it will be getting a patriotic display for the 4th of July.


I was still moving a little slow, but feeling creative so I decided I would set a pretty table despite the simple meal of soup tonight.


I grabbed the red striped runner and was going to use red dishes when I spotted my Pfaltzgraff Pistoulet dishes - a gift from Kris of Junk Chic Cottage - on the shelf.


The dishes have all my primary colors so they work with the red striped runner.


Natural linen napkins match the table runner ... red twine tied the yellow spoon (the only utensil we need tonight) to the napkin . . . yarrow from the garden finished off the presentation.


I had no sunflowers, but I was able to somewhat mimic the flowers on the dishes for a centerpiece.


The terra cotta La Fermiere yogurt containers my sister brings me from London matched perfectly to hold our dessert.


With the table set, all I had to do for dinner was bake the bread.


I thought I was taking it easy today, but as I look at this last photo, I guess I actually accomplished something.


The sweet inspiration I got from Hymns & Verses and A Beach Cottage kept me from having another lazy day.

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I am joining these parties

Jennifer Rizzo - Fabulously Creative Friday Link Party

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

Rooted in Thyme - Simple & Sweet Fridays

Life on Lakeshore Drive - Bouquet of Talent

Classy Clutter - The Creative Collection Link Party

40 comments:

  1. I love your dishes!! Is it the Pistoulet pattern? So gorgeous! Your home is so colourful and happy, I just love visiting.

    Have a happy weekend!

    xox

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  2. You did a great job matching the flowers ~
    Now I'm hungry again!!!

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  3. Hi Carol,
    Happy to see that you could use the dishes for dinner tonight. How pretty your place settings look. Love the wine bottle display. I love the table outside too and it will look so cute all done up for the 4th. Everything looks so great. Have a wonderful week end and relax and be lazy you deserve it.
    Kris

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  4. Carol...I've had the same experience many times over. I read a few posts and I am inspired and have a "pick me up" of sorts!! I really like that yellow bench! You are still going to have so many wonderful options for the 4th...you have so much abundant color everywhere. I love your tablescape, too. I think you really got your mojo back!

    XO,
    Jane

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  5. Isn't it amazing that just when you think you are not going to do a THING...something will inspire you and you will be off and running? LOVE It all!

    Isn't that Kris a dear? I just adore her...she is something special.

    YOur little blue table is so cute and so is your dinner table. xo Diana

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  6. I love the table setting, and I like where you put the sailboats.

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  7. love your tablescape, looks so pretty and appealing.
    You have really had a work out withal the entertaining you had to do. I love having company. but when they leave I'm pooped.
    Have a great relaxing weekend.
    Mary

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  8. Carol, I think you accomplished a lot! You set such a pretty table and I love the Yarrow attached to the spoon. I love it when we get inspiration from others. I am getting inspiration from you. I gathered driftwood when we went to Lake Powell but have been so busy lately that I won't get to them until the end of next week. Yours look wonderful!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  9. Lovely photos! Sounds like you took care of yourself today...and that is very important!

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  10. Carol, I just love how you make every meal an event. Your excitement and joy of life is contagious. You're a very special lady :)
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  11. LOL - your "lazy" day is like my creative day! Seriously, there is nothing a bit wrong with a lazy day every now and then.

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  12. Love the sailboats on your bench!!Very pretty table setting!
    Hope you have a great weekend.
    hugs,
    cindy

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  13. Carol, it all looks cheery! You table setting for two is totally charming! I want to find some of those yogurt containers. Can you only buy these in London?
    Hope you feel better and enjoy the weekend.

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  14. You have added another pretty area to your home, you colourful. Have a lovely weekend.

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  15. You deserve a good rest my friend. I know the feeling: working out, trying to get the gardening of three gardens done AND doing the housework all in one day? It feels good in the evening, but the next day your body begs of you: "PLEASE, REST!" And I hope you take a moment to just take a nap. All looks beautiful and well, and one day of rest can yield many more days of productivity. You are wonderful. Anita

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  16. Carol,
    I second what Anita has said ;-)
    I think Saturday afternoon in the garden naps seem like a peaceful and inspiring use of time. Inspiration arrives even when we are enjoying a leisurely rest.
    xo,
    Vera

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  17. hey there, hon!!!! there is time for rest, after much activity. there is. there is.

    i don't think there are any gold stars handed out, to people who keep going, until the drop. -grin-

    meaning, please know you have a right to rest. please. :-)

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  18. So nice to take it easy for a busy time. Love your pottery table setting! Hope you have a restful weekend...
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  19. This may just be the motivation I need to get moving this morning, Carol! Now, where did I leave my camera . . .

    Karen

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  20. Love using bottles as vases in the summertime. Darling blue teapot with flowers on your table. I don't think the word "lazy" would ever characterize you, Carol!
    Mary Alice

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  21. Carol,
    Back again ... Besides me suggesting you take a leisurely day of rest today, you so deserve it, you accomplish more in a day than most do in a week!
    I think the bowls from Kris at Junk Chic Cottage are very cute and perfect for your colorful and cherry cottage. Nice gift.
    xo,
    Vera

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  22. My goodness for having a lazy day, you sure accomplished a lot. Loved everything you did. Love, love your blog so cheerful and fun. Very colorful. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Karie

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  23. Hi Carol, you have accomplished a great deal and everything is so cheerful and inviting. You have such a great eye for color and details.
    All your pics are inspiring and I always leave picking up an idea or two.
    Enjoy a nice day of rest and great weekend.
    Hugs

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  24. The colors you use make your home a happy looking home. I love the little blue table...just fits that spot too. Boy, I finally painted the table on my porch a new color. Oh it is boring for you...it's cream lOL. But I do plan on a pattern on top. xoxo,Susie

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  25. A lovely table indeed. i especially love your teapot centerpiece. I hope you continue resting up a bit.

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  26. I'd say you accomplished a lot today. It looks so beautiful and fresh with 'your' colours. I love the simple table setting.

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  27. Hi Carol,

    Always fun to find inspiration from others blogs and like what you have done with all your lovely decorating. The table looks great.
    Do take it easy with your working out and hope you feel better.
    Enjoy the weekend
    Carolyn

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  28. It's always nice too look back over the day and see some accomplishments even when we don't feel all that fabulous. It seems like you're always able to find some things to move around, things to re-purpose, areas to re-decorate, etc. that keep your place fresh and fun. I love your table setting. Makes a simple meal of soup extra special. Enjoy your evening! :-)

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  29. You should feel quite accomplished! You creative a lot and beautifully. I love the way you decorated our little yellow bench as well as the blue table on the porch. It will be fun to see what you do with it for the 4th of July.

    Doesn't the meal seem to taste better when the table is set to pretty?

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  30. You accomplish more in a day than most of us do in a week and you've been going to the gym!! All good things, my friend.

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  31. Your driftwood sailboats are cute. I have a piece that I was thinking of doing the same thing.

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  32. I love your table setting and the tea pot as a flower vase. I think you deserve some lazy time after a busy weekend.

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  33. Wow that was impressive! I think I need to drop by often to get motivated by your creativity and inspirational work. I love your table setting and all the primary colours. The yarrow flowers works well as your centrepiece.
    Thanks for sharing Carol.
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
    Blessings,
    Aida

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  34. Wow that was impressive! I think I need to drop by often to get motivated by your creativity and inspirational work. I love your table setting and all the primary colours. The yarrow flowers works well as your centrepiece.
    Thanks for sharing Carol.
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
    Blessings,
    Aida

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  35. Wow that was impressive! I think I need to drop by often to get motivated by your creativity and inspirational work. I love your table setting and all the primary colours. The yarrow flowers works well as your centrepiece.
    Thanks for sharing Carol.
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
    Blessings,
    Aida

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  36. Wow that was impressive! I think I need to drop by often to get motivated by your creativity and inspirational work. I love your table setting and all the primary colours. The yarrow flowers works well as your centrepiece.
    Thanks for sharing Carol.
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
    Blessings,
    Aida

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  37. You had a busy day, not a lazy one! I love the shape of the bottle and you table was lovely, especially your flowers in the teapot.

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  38. Such wonderful inspiration! I love the bottle and letters such simple and lovely ideas. Sarah x

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  39. I was going to say, I think you got quite a bit accomplished for taking it easy, Carol! : ) Love the table you found and brought down from the attic. It suits your outdoor décor perfectly!

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