Is it bad that each and every time I write the word "bougainvillea" that I have to check to make sure I spelled it correctly? I am amazed every summer that when the prolific blooms of spring are gone, I actually do have some things that seem to like summer best. Thank goodness for our bougainvilleas, the real champs. 
I was surprised to walk in Pottery Barn this spring and see them selling faux bougainvillea stems. I was sure they wouldn’t be a big seller ($24 a stem) here where it is so easy to grow bougainvillea. I was wrong. They were almost gone the next time I returned.
Photographing bougainvillea always gives me problems. The color is so shockingly fuchsia that it almost always looks strangely altered in photographs. I can assure you this is the real color.
My dear great-aunt used to occasionally send me some things for our table. I always loved getting something special from her. Today, I am using the little bluebird napkin holders that she sent.
The last time I saw her, I was five years old. She lived all the way across the country and didn’t like to travel. I don’t even know how she knew that I loved little things for my table but she did. Perhaps it is because she did too.
And now just a little glimpse at the night...
Please join Susan and all the other tablescapers at Between Naps on the Porch.
34 comments:
Oh that is just a gorgeous table!! Those colors are so rich and pretty. Love the little napkin holders too! There is nothing more special than something given from someone dear!!
Oh soooooooooo gorgeous.. I love your napkin holder...
looks so pretty, mine bite the dust... they freeze every year and don't bloom again until so late as they recover that its no great loss... although i was just at the nursery today and fondled a pretty apricot variegated one that sorely tempted me... they do scream summer to me... and pain, those thorns are deadly!
those little birdies are so sweet~
great night shots, i fear fire to much to every use candles!
Great table, your napkin holders are really special-enjoy!
Beautiful table, love those bluebird napkin holders. Bouganvilla ? see I would have to look it up every time too :)
Thanks for stopping by.
What a beautiful table! I love the little bluebird napkin rings and the color of the napkins against the white plates are stunning. You are not the only one that has to look up how to spell bougainvillea.
The glimpse at night is so pretty. I must try making some pictures with candlelight.
Those flowers look gorgeous against the black in the room. Lovely table setting.
Debbie@houseatthelake
I had to come back by! When I looked yesterday, I could not find that runner on her site. I'm not sure if it was end of last season or something maybe. I liked it because it was atypical. Thanks for your sweet comments too. I always enjoy your visits:-)
The napkin rings are just precious and your table is just lovely.
Wonderful! I would love to dine there!
I love the tablescape at night with candlelight! Breathtaking! I am also a fan of the bougainvillea, I used to have a few bushes in my backyard in Boca... a bit thorny but oh so pretty!
Beautiful table, Barbara. The bougainvillea centerpiece is gorgeous with the white dishes. The little bluebird napkin rings are precious.
Beautiful post, and wonderful photos. I love bougainvillea too..
Your flowers (I won't even attempt to spell them!) are simply stunning! I admire the way you've left the rest of the table rather simple to allow them to be the focal point. Very elegant! Thank you for visiting my table this week, too!
Pretty bougainvillea! And a gorgeous tablescape! I would have to do spell check for sure and...the truth!...I had to copy and paste your spelling! lol Have a great weekend!...Debbie
Beautiful Bougainvillea~ the color does look surreal! Your Bluebird napkin rings are adorable :-)
What a pretty table, Barbara! The green and the fuschia look beautiful together! Love your after dark photos too. Thanks for stopping by and have a great wknd!
Beth
What a beautiful tablescape. Love your night shots especially.
Thanks for stopping by.
Shel
I grew up in Florida where bougainvillea abounds and for years tried to get it to grow in Houston without much luck. Something has happened though because now it flourishes there. Love the way you have brought the outside in.
Thank you for your kind comments for my post. I adore that you honor your great-aunt by using her bluebird napkin rings. They are precious, and it's fantastic that you can share that tiny portion of your history with friends and family who sit at your table. Kudos! Cherry Kay
Love the little birds ... beautiful table.
Hi Barbara!
I love your table...and the bougainvillea is perfect! I love love the blue bird napkin rings. Great eye. Very inspiring.
How gorgeous! I just spent a month in Florida and I loved seeing all the wonderful colors from these gorgeous flowers. Your table is beautiful...how sweet to have such special napkin rings.
Thank you for your visit today!
Sue
I love hummingbirds too and those napkin rings are so cute. Love the flowers! Thanks for your visit and kind words! Love, ~Nana~
What a beautiful tablescape! Love the little bird napkin rings!
Sweet hummingbirds in the first post!
I have just posted my cloche party designs, please come back to see!
Katherine
What a pretty tablescape... Love your beautiful flowers! The little bird napkin rings are sweet! Thank you for sharing a beautiful table.
What a beautiful table! I love the bougainvillea. I've always loved the color. Someday I want to take a trip out west to see the saguaros...I've never seen them before!I enjoyed reading through several of your posts. Thanks for your comments on my tablescape as well.
Blessings,
Ava
I have to look up the spelling each time too. Fancy word for a fancy flower. The color is spectacular. I wish I had snagged some silk ones. I think they are one of my favorite flowers. They make a lovely table.
Wonderful table! I do love bougainvillea (I listened to online pronunciations of it the other day -- the way I say it was there, but not the preferred one). I think it's so beautiful, but it doesn't do very well in West TN. It can't survive the winters, so it's sold as an annual in hanging baskets. Loved the story about your great-aunt and the pretty napkin rings.
Your candlelit photographs are amazing ... absolutely stunning!
Hi Barbara! I wanted to invite you to come over to the Etsy Cottage Style Blog where I host the Vintage Alphabet Party for them. This month's party is brought to us by the letters L and M. I'ts fun to see everyones vintage catagory for the monthly givien letters. If you'd like to join the party, just post about your vintage L and M pieces. If your hard pressed for some vintage ideas, how about showing off your Lusterware, Mochaware, Lincoln Log collection, Melamine dishes, Linens (of Course), Moustache Cups, old Library Books, Men's Cuff Links, Loving Cups, your Madge Doll, Limoge, and Memorabilia. I am sure you have some wonderful collections I didn't even think of. This is a week long party so if you decide to join in, you have plenty of time. Any questions just e-mail me
melody@brownginghamcreations.com
Hope you can stop by,
Melody
Brown Gingham Creations
Thank you for your kind comments on my TT post. The matelasse tablecloths were eBay auction purchases. I keep a saved search for matelasse tablecloth, and eBay sends me an email anytime one comes up for auction. I've been able to buy them very reasonably...I've found 3 in white, round 90"(gave one to my daughter-in-love), and one in a light blue. Don't know if you have a Horchow Finale (their close-out store...I always check there if I'm in Dallas), but I bought 3 great hot pink matelasse 90" round tablecloths for $19.00 each! Great get! You also might just Google it. Also, a king-size duvet works nicely as a table cloth, too. I try to find one as close to a true square shape as possible, so check the dimensions to make sure it will lay nicely. Most of the time, I'm working with a 48" or 60" round table or a 114" dining table. I also found a long white one made by Williams-Sonoma, on eBay, for the dining room. They are so versatile and just gorgeous...and they launder beautifully, too! You'll love them! Happy hunting. Cherry Kay
What a lovely centerpiece, and table settings. I love bougainvillea, and can't wait to use it in a few centerpieces of my own!
simply stopping by to say hello
simply stopping by to say hey
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