Update on Umbrella Pole Problems

I know all of you haven't been able to concentrate on anything else this week, worrying about my patio umbrella problems and how I would solve them.  Your wait is over!  You can go on with your life now.  All kidding aside, thank you for all your comments and suggestions.

 In case you don't know what I'm talking about, see my post from last week HERE.  If you just want me to just get to the point, here is the condensed version.  I had no lighting for my patio table and it was always difficult to come up with some sort of centerpiece when I set a table out there.  The candle holder I bought that fit around the umbrella pole seemed like the perfect solution but it was too tall and got in the way of the handle on the pole.  I didn't think we could lift the pole up so that the handle could turn freely because the table is in the corner of my screened Lanai and when opened almost hit the ceiling of the screen cage. 

I asked my neighbor across the street (handy guy who has tools) if he could cut it down.  He said to bring it by and he would see what he could do.  Before I could do that, my husband discovered that if he raised the pole just a little it would work but he needed something strong enough to bear the weight of the umbrella.  Turns out he used the cap from a medicine bottle and it worked like a charm.  He's my own personal MacGyver!

Here's where he added the cap.  You can't even see it inside of the bottom of the table in the storage area.

Now I have a table runner to fit around the pole and a light source that is both pretty and practical.  To top it all off, look what I found at Ross this week.

A tablecloth that matches the runner.  Now you're probably saying "What are you going to do with that, you have a pole in the middle of your table?".  I used it to make napkins and I have enough left to make some place mats too. 

Fabric glue, scissors and an iron was all I needed.

And it coordinates nicely with my outdoor (plastic!) dishes from Target that we use all the time.  They are really a nice quality and I have found the matching serving pieces for less than half price at Ross. 

Even though these are just tea lights they give off a decent amount of light and there is no problem turning the handle now.

The weather looks great so let's eat outside!  And I hope that's the end of my pole problems.

Update-We had dinner outside last night and the candle thing looked and worked great.  Good $4 investment!

I am joining the following parties...

Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

Motivate Me Monday @ Keep It Simple

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Wow us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Show and Tell at mrs. himes class

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Show off your Cottage at House in the Roses

Show and Tell Monday at The Delectable Home

Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating

Reflecting on Spring!

Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men. ~Chinese Proverb

For those of you who think we have only summer year long here in Florida, I have to disagree.  In the months of December and January the plants lose their brilliant green color and the grass gets a bit brown.  As the weather warms up in February we have our own version of Spring with new growth on our plants, buds on the trees and flowers and the daylight lasting longer every day.  Just as it has been in most of the country this winter, we have experienced very mild temperatures and where it should be in the 70's at this time of year we have been in the 80's most days. 

I am celebrating our arrival of Spring, both on the calendar and with the weather  this week with my tablescape.

There's been a lot of blogging about Old Time Pottery in the last few weeks and it was a source of many of the elements of this table.  My favorite part of shopping there is arriving at the back of the store where the fabric remnant table is.  All the fabrics are $4.99 a yard and come in sizes from 1 yard to 10 or more!  This last trip I could have come home with all of them the selection was so good. I limited myself to 2 including this remnant that was just over 1 yard.  I finished off the edges to make it a table topper.

The fabric has a watercolor look to it.

While I had the fabric in my cart I was able to search the fake flowers for just the right color purple to add to a planter I had purchased months ago.

Here's a closer look at the container.

As I told you in my last post, I am always thinking ahead with the seasons.  I have been picking up "spring-like" items for months now so with my new fabric and coordinating flowers I was able to add what I already had to complete this table. 

For my place setting I started with my Goodwill chargers that got a spray paint makeover.  The dinner plates are from Ross and I love their shape and beaded edge. 

The square plate is from Old Time Pottery and the top plate is from Ross.

I prefer a big centerpiece on this round table.  I was recently reading some tips about using fake flowers and I have been trying to follow them.  One of the best was to use colors that are found in nature and this purple is one of them.

Always make sure your centerpiece looks good from all sides.

At first I used purple wineglasses but I preferred the look of the green (Dollar Tree) and my water glasses are from Goodwill.

I wrapped a silk garland around each of the candle holders.

The checked napkins are from Old Time Pottery and the green glass napkin rings were on clearance at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  The bright green napkins are from Target.

I stood on top of my breakfast bar for this shot.  My husband is used to seeing me doing things like this!

I added a votive to a purple ramekin (Christmas Tree Shop).

Remember that you aren't limited by ready-made table linens.  I've used old drapes, pillow shams and even shower curtains to make table toppers.  Stop in your fabric store and see what's on clearance.  Try to get a good quality, thick fabric for the best results.  If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I NEVER sew anything.  I love my fabric glue!

I am joining the party at Between Naps on the Porch where I am sure you will see many more takes on Spring tablescapes and I am also joining the Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday,

 Seasonal Sundays and Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll thru Life.. 

Be sure to visit my sister's blog, Creating Wonderful Spaces!

Happy Spring!!!