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!

"P" is for Porch

"P" is for Porch, Purple, Pineapples, Pentas, Pansies and Purple Kale.  That pretty much sums up the transformation of my front porch from Christmas to Late Winter/Early Spring.  This is a challenging time of year for seasonally appropriate decor.  Lucky for me, I live in Florida where the temperatures have been hovering near 80 most days and there is plenty of green and flowers to be found.  I headed in the purple direction since my door color is Raisin. 

I visited the garden section of Lowes where they had a nice variety of cold hardy annuals that would tolerate a chilly night or two just in case we have them (not likely!). 

I combined a purple kale (something I used to find in the fall in NJ) with a penta and pansies.

I filled my rustic baskets with some faux greens and berries in green and purple.  You can read more about these baskets HERE.

The greens are new from Old Time Pottery and the berries are from Dollar Tree and a thrift store. 

Two weeks ago I attended an arts and crafts festival in Punta Gorda where I picked up this pineapple welcome plaque,   I think it's made of some kind of plaster.  I can't resist pineapples! 

More of my pineapple obsession!

If you are trying to make a positive first impression of your home (especially if you have it for sale), an upgraded doorbell is a good idea.  After all, everyone who comes to visit will look for it and use it.  Nice hardware on your door is another thing to help create the feeling that this house is well cared for and special.  This doorbell is from Lowes and was around $15.  It was one of the very first purchases made for this house when we moved in.

I added some cement pieces around the flower pots to enhance the "garden" feel.  These are very inexpensive at Marshall's or Home Goods.

Yes, I realize this is an artichoke and not a pineapple (I love artichokes too!).

Go visit your garden center as soon as the weather allows in your area and see what they have this year.  I learned when I had my previous house for sale that there are some nice, colorful, cold hardy options out there.  Making your house say "Welcome" doesn't have to cost a lot of money or take much effort but the results are quite pleasing (had to throw another "P" word at you!)

I am joining the Met Monday party at Between Naps on the Porch and the Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick.  Be sure to check them out!

Love Actually!

Prime Minister: Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around.-  Quote from Love Actually

Okay, I know Love Actually was a Christmas movie but it's sentiment is suitable for any time of the year.  My daughter and I love this movie and whenever I pick someone up at the airport I am always reminded of this quote.  In my head the voice is Hugh Grant and his appealing English accent!  My tablescape for this week's Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch is more about love in general than just romantic love for two so I set the table for four.  It could be for a family or a group of single friends spending the evening together. 

A few weeks back I found this red square tablecloth (Ross).  If you read this blog, you know I love square tablecloths either for layering or letting the top of the table show. 

I started with these pewter colored chargers.  I found them at Anna's Linens in NJ when I was there in October.  I went in looking for pillows but you never know where you will find tablescape goodies!

The rose dishes are from Ross which is where I found the sparkly red salad plates too.  They were on clearance and less than .50 a plate. 

I went with the pewter color to go with the red in my napkins.  I got a great deal on these on line at Target after Christmas.

Instead of the obvious choice for my silverware (red) I went with the cream and I think the metal goes nicely with the chargers.

The napkin rings are from Old Time Pottery and were .99 a piece.

My Pottery Barn champagne glasses are making their debut (Christmas present from my husband but selected by my daughter!).  I love them!  The water goblets are from Goodwill.

I stopped in at Walmart the other day to pick up some cheap roses and can you believe they didn't have any?  I decided to get these white carnations and use some sparkly heart picks for the red color.

To stretch the small bunch of flowers I added greens from my yard and a few fake ones too.

This angel is from Ross and my sister bought the same one.  He's very versatile and was used at Christmas too.  He's also at home in a garden setting!  Sounds like good attributes to look for in a man too!

He always look a little bored though.  I added a box of candy to finish off the center of the table.

While I was at Walmart I picked up this Valentine candy corn. 

Get ready for lots of pictures!

And a little candlelight!

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and try to spend it with people you love (actually)!

Please visit my sister's blog Creating Wonderful Spaces but make sure you dress warmly.  It looks like a chilly one!