after the storm

after the storm
Welcome autumn!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Martha days...



I always think my favorite season is fall until spring arrives. Then I wonder how I could ever have chosen autumn over spring. Every morning, I am out in the garden looking for new blooms. The iris! The lavender! The poppies! The roses! Yes, especially the roses. I channel my inner Martha Stewart, going outside barefoot, still in my jammies, clipping roses for vases. I can't quite picture Martha in bare feet, in jammies as nondescript as mine or even venturing outside so unkempt but somehow with a basket on my arm, clippers in hand, I am Martha.



One of the best parts of spring is being able to eat outside for every meal, every day. We know the heat is on its way but for now we will enjoy every moment.




This cow creamer belonged to my mother. It makes me think of being a little girl every time I use it.






The detail of the insects and flowers are what caught my eye on these salad plates.




This table is covered with an unhemmed piece of muslin that I bought for a purpose, long forgotten. It fits this little table perfectly.



This table was first a table in the breakfast nook. Then it often was used for homework and projects as well as meals. Then it became WB's worktable. It sat outside and became very weathered, a perfect background for photos. Despite its age and appearance, I like eating on it again, remembering all the meals with those two little ones who are now all grown.

Golden hour makes everything look warm.





And finally, blue hour.



P.S. I had hoped to find blooming apricot roses when I decided to set this table. They weren't quite ready. These are from my McCartney rose. Yes, named for Sir Paul and I am embarrassed to say, also purchased because of the name. I am hoping someday I will see Lennon, Harrison and Starr roses. A Beatles reunion it will be.

Happy Earth Day! Check out more tablescapes at Between Naps on the Porch and tables with an Earth Day theme Let's Dish.

37 comments:

Tricia said...

Wonderful post! I love to imagine you channeling Martha in the early mornings! Your table looks pretty and inviting -- love your mother's creamer and the salad plates, and I have those same orange checked napkins -- from Sur la Table?

a quiet life said...

just love your serenity...

Barbara said...

Barbara your yard just blows me away for AZ, it looks more like my yard along the coast of CA. I wish I could have some of your beauties in my yard here in Anthem. We are cooler than Phoenix but I just don't think I could grow what you do. It must be heaven to be able to go out with your camera in the early morning.

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Barbara, Your photos are stunning. Do I always say that? I always think the current season is my favorite. The trees are just beginning to bloom here and we set the table outdoors yesterday, but we needed blankets and today is very cold. Your chair is Martha color too. I don't think she would go barefoot but maybe the jammies or at least comfy clothes at home. Your cow is very special. Linda

Pat@BPM said...

So beautiful Barbara! Thank you so much for stopping by the Back Porch.

All The Pretty Dishes said...

Absolutely beautiful. What wonderful scenery and your photos are amazing!

Aledia said...

What gorgeous dishes!! Your tablescape looks so refreshing, light and airy...perfect for Spring!!

Your little cow creamer is adorable!
Thank You for your sweet comment on my blog!

Have a beautiful day!

Aledia @ Plum Perfect

Robin said...

Thank you for your nice comments and now I've discovered your blog. Your photos are beautiful (nice blue hour!). What kind of camera do you use? I love your dishes and the fact that you use the creamer from your childhood.

Robin
Robin Flies South

Mary said...

Barbara~ LOVE, Love, Love your outdoor table with the unhemmed muslin, mismatched chairs & flowers in attendance! Gorgeous salad plates and your I adore your sweet cow creamer! I was thinking the same thing myself~ that fall was my favorite time of year until spring rolls around :)

Barbara F. said...

Barbara, you live in one of my two favorite states. I visited Scottsdale once and it was "love at first sight" for me. Your photos are fabulous. Thanks for stopping by. (I am becoming addicted to Fishs Eddy.) xo

Entertaining Women said...

Your mama's cow creamer...Family treasures are always the best. Your garden tablescape is a beautiful poetic ode to Spring. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

Sarah said...

I so easily often say autumn is my favorite, then spring appears and I smitten. Austin is having one of our best springs in years. I'm savoring my hours in the garden and leisure time on the terrace. Yor table with its mismatched chairs makes me smile. I would love to be sitting in one and savoring that beautiful spring evening with you.

ellen b said...

Beautiful peaceful setting and photos! I'm glad you are enjoying your Spring. Have a great weekend.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Everybody needs a table like yours! You are ahead of us, but we have a similar heat and weather thing going. Spring and Fall for outside, and EARLY morning. It's so hard coming back inside when it's over, and we can't wait to get outside again. We're paying attention to our roses for the first time. We pruned them to the knees and they look happy. We have so few I hate to cut them. (none yet) Yours are gorgeous!

A Cottage in the Clouds said...

Martha could not have done it better. The perfect table for your lovely garden setting. The pink roses are beautiful with the turquoise chair. All your flowers are gorgeous. Pretty floral plates, too.

Marigene said...

How I miss this time of year in Arizona! Spring is my favorite season, followed by autumn...never summer in Arizona or here on the prairie!
What a beautiful backdrop for an Earth Day tablescape...those roses are beautiful.
Love the little touches of aqua, the chair, the dishes...
Have a great weekend, Barbara.

xinex said...

This is so beautiful and romatic, Barbara. I love the setting and all the flowers and china are gorgeous and of course, you put them all together perfectly....Christine

Kristen Rettig said...

What a beautiful blog. So pretty and peaceful. I am your newest follower and I look forward to getting to know your little spot in the desert.

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Thank you so much for visiting and for you sweet comments. I love your setting as well, especially your location. I also love that your outdoor table was actually one you used inside and holds such sweet memories. That's really neat. Your dishes are fabulous, that pattern is so pretty. Beautiful blue shots as well. I enjoyed my visit with you very much! Martha better look out!

Anonymous said...

Barbara, your table setting is gorgeous! It looks great in any light and I'm sure it's a wonderfully, romantic place to enjoy dinner.
Sue

Fifi Flowers said...

Love that floral plate! J'adore dining alfresco!

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi Barbara,
thank you for your visit and the nice comment. I haven't been here since long. Love the table and especially the salad plates. And the hummingbirds from your last post. I am always in love with those tiny birds.
Best greetings, Johanna

Scribbler said...

Beautiful photos and lovely post. I love the sweet sentiments re the table -- every time I see a little table like the one that was in our tiny kitchen where I grew up, I get all teary and want to buy it. I never do, because I know it wasn't ours, but the memories evoked by familiar things are still the same.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Wonderful post, I love everything! The floral plate is adorable. Such a lovely and romantic place to have dinner and in such a beautiful table.
Hugs,
FABBY

GailO said...

Sir Paul is absolutely stunning at your table! Martha has nothing on you!

Meredith said...

Thanks for your sweet comment. Your table is breathtaking, especially your night shots. I would have put my bird S&P out but there was little room on the table! Your roses are beautiful.

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

So lovely!
Visiting from Tablescape Thursday

Greetings from Australia♥
~Pernilla

Unknown said...

What a lovely table! And I'm sure that you are experiencing beautiful weather to go with that gorgeous table! XO Cindy

Alycia Nichols said...

Hi, Barbara! You must have a super green thumb to be able to grow roses. I just LOOK at them and they wilt/mildew/crumble to dust! I love the color of your McCartneys, and I, too, hope some day they have roses named after the other members of the band. They are a piece of American history not soon forgotten! (I can still remember screaming and crying when my Mom took us to see their movie "Help" in the 60s. I was just so overcome!!!!) Neat that you shared the history behind the cow creamer and the table in your photos and that they are both enjoying a second go round for dining. I sorely regret letting go of items that I am sure I would have deeply treasured if I had them today! The print on the plates is beautiful. Reminds me of a Van Gogh painting! The beautiful blue of your chargers is right in step with that of your chairs. I really like that color. Don't recall seeing many - if ANY - chargers that color. Beautiful!!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Alycia Nichols said...

Forgot to say that I'm sure Martha doesn't look all polished and professional all the time, either. Heck, she was always really pretty dressed down on her show. The untucked blouse with the sleeves rolled up, casual slacks and shoes, very little makeup. Nothing really special. I think that is part of what endeared her to America. She looked just like we do!

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady.
Your garden tablescape is a beautiful don't you just love Spring.Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my Tablescape. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family.
XXOO Diane

Kathleen said...

This is very pretty, and what could be a better setting. I know people who live next to Martha out here. Hmmm, she isn't perfect. No one is!
Thanks for linking this to Let's Dish, or as you put it HERE! LOL

Dianne said...

Barbara,

This is so appealing. I wish we had more days outside in TN. It's not too hot, but way too humid. I love our cow pitcher, the mismatched chairs and the photos by candle light. So beautiful. Dianne

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Such a beautiful post, love all the pink, the pink flowers are just beautiful in your centerpiece. All your photos are outstanding, thanks for sharing and for stopping by. Now I can visit for often.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Barbara, this is a lovely post! The flowers, the photographs, the memories... How I would love to be able to traipse around in the garden in my non-descript jammies and bare feet, but I live in town (and a small town at that!) so I'll have to let you enjoying channeling Martha in the mornings. Please enjoy it enough for both of us, okay?

Kathleen said...

Thanks, Barbara, I appreciate it! :)

Victoria Mische said...

I appreciate those detailed photos of your gorgeous tablescape.. Stunning! You wowed me a lot! All of your dishes are fabulous and I love everything you’ve done. Everything is set to perfection! Awesome!

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