Parsley, sage, rosemary etc.

I am able to grow my own herbs year round here with one exception. My basil expects to be treated to sunny days, warm evenings and lots of water!  The nerve of it!  As a result, every few months I have to replace it.  Sometimes it gets all woody and flowery and sometimes it gets too cold.   Before I planted the latest one I figured I may as well get some double duty and use it in my table centerpiece.

While at BJ's a while back, I came across these Pfaltzgraff dessert plates hiding among the Holiday gifts.  I am using them as appetizer plates this time.  Each one has a different herb on it.

Okay, you get the idea!  I won't bore you with all six!

The weather this morning was sunny and clear so I set my table up outside on the pool deck.

I have long been admiring the ivory colored chargers I see at places like Pier One but at around $15 a piece, I haven't bought any.  I saw on one of the blogs they had painted a charger (I really need to remember to "Pin" these things so I can give credit!).  I found a set of 6 metal chargers at the Goodwill clearance center that were badly scratched and decided to give them a makeover.  I can't imagine what happened to them in their previous life to be in this condition!

  I used primer spray paint and then a few coats of Ivory Gloss.   I was pretty happy with the way they came out after an investment of less than $9 for the 6 plates and paint.

I used a placemat from IKEA, green dinner plate from Dollar Tree and a salad plate (Federalist Ironstone). 

It's always a challenge to come up with a centerpiece when you have a big umbrella pole in the middle of the table.  My carnations from last week still looked good so I arranged them in a pitcher with some greens from my yard.  In keeping with the herb theme I even used Rosemary and parsley!  Just a note-parsley wilts right away.  Stick with the Rosemary!

I used a colorful cotton scarf to cover up the pole.  Then I added some flowers to the pitcher that picked up the colors in the scarf.

I got a set of these little shovel garden markers at the Villeroy and Boch outlet.  They came with chalk to use on them but it came off when it rained so I used a white paint pen instead.

The glassware is from Dollar Tree, the napkin rings are from Old Time Pottery, the napkins are from a "vintage" shop, and my silverware is Gingko.

I placed these candlesticks on the other side of the table so the back of the centerpiece could be enjoyed too.

Yes, that shadow is me taking the picture!  I'm such a professional!

A little peek of the pool in these two!

I was hoping to get some shots as the sun went down but didn't get home until after dark so I shot a few by candlelight.

I had to take a few close ups of the flowers!   The bright green fuzzy ones are fake but I like their texture next to the smooth petals of the real flowers.

Tomorrow my basil will join the other herbs when I plant it in my little herb garden.  Do you have an herb garden?  When I lived in NJ I tried to bring the plants in for the winter but they never survived.  I  love having fresh herbs just outside my door!  Just another positive to living here.

I am joining the party at Tablescape Thursday hosted by Between Naps on the Porch.  Please stop by and visit some of the other tablescapes. 

 Also be sure to visit my sister's blog Creating Wonderful Spaces!