“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”
John 1:9
Happy December dear friends and welcome to Monday Morning Blooms. Are you busy decking the halls, or perhaps you have finished? It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our Appalachian Foothills home! I spent the weekend decorating the inside of our home while my Renaissance Man was cutting and hanging boughs of pine on our kitchen porch. In addition to hanging pine boughs, he crafted his Williamsburg fruit fan to hang above the entrance to his workshop. I still have a little more to complete before I can prop up my feet, drink cappuccinos, and eat fruitcake!
This is a most exciting First Monday in December! Our dear friend and leader, Shirley is back with us today. Lidy, Mary, and I are just so thrilled that she felt well enough to join us. I have missed her these past few months, just as I know you have. Her talent and creativity are beyond amazing as are her kindness and sweet spirit.
I am also excited to share a fabulous centerpiece giveaway today. Be sure to read to the bottom to see how to enter! Seasons Greetings sweet friends!
If you are a long time reader, you know I enjoy setting a pretty table. There is nothing that evokes more warmth and love than making sure your table is inviting for your guests. I particularly love using blue and white any time, any season…
…especially mixed with tartan for Christmas!
The links for my talented blogging friends are provided at the bottom of this post.
Once again we are collaborating with Lynch Creek Farm, a family owned business established in 1980 producing sustainable evergreen products.
A centerpiece is most important for your holiday table and I chose this woodsy, beautiful, and fragrant Woodland Birch. A striking birch-log pillar LED candle provides a soft flickering luminescent glow that adds warmth and beauty to any room or table. The birch candle is encircled by a lush ring of fresh noble fir, incense cedar, and white pine. Pine cones, clusters of red ball ornaments, and gorgeous red burlap bows finish this striking ensemble.
Queen’s Seasons Greetings blue and white dinnerware was discovered at Tuesday Morning many years ago. We use it for everyday during the Christmas season. I paired the Seasons Greetings with tartan chargers and Ralph Lauren cutwork placemats that rest atop a wool tartan throw. Yes, I mix tartans…the more the merrier!
The centerpiece slipped so easily inside this blue and white bowl. It isn’t an antique or anything special, just a piece I picked up somewhere along the way! It does make a statement with the stunning Woodland Birch centerpiece tucked inside!
Tip: look for cute ornaments that can be used as napkin rings, they are half the price of a real napkin ring. I think I picked these up at Walmart.
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”
-Norman Vincent Peale
The gorgeous centerpiece is low enough not to block the faces of those seated across from you. That is most important for warm conversation.
Caring for the centerpiece is quite easy. With proper care the centerpiece should last at least three weeks. My centerpiece from Lynch Creek Farm last year was beautiful until mid January. Upon arrival, add 1/2 cup water to the center of the oasis form. To properly care for the centerpiece, add 1/2 cup water and spritz every 2-3 days to bring out the natural fragrance.
To the center of the table, I added fresh cut cedar, vintage sterling candle stands…
…and hurricane globes filled with blue and silver ornaments.
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.”
-Peg Bracken
Now for the GIVEAWAY!
Lynch Creek Farm has generously offered to give away a centerpiece to one of my readers. The Woodland Birch centerpiece has been extremely popular and has sold out. But my lucky winner can choose from any of the centerpieces found on the Lynch Creek Farm website. There are a few that are sold out, but still so many beautiful ones to choose from. How fabulous is that?
So how do you enter? Leave me a comment about your most cherished Christmas ornament or decoration. Now, isn’t that easy?
This giveaway is open to residents of the continental U.S. through midnight (EST) Thursday, December 5, 2019.
Please be sure your email is correct in the comment section so that I can notify the winner.
For more chances to win be sure to visit Shirley, Mary, and Lidy and comment according to their directions.
Shirley @ Housepitality Designs
Mary @ Home Is Where The Boat Is
Thank you so much for your lovely visits and a special thank you to Lynch Creek Farm for providing me with this lovely centerpiece and one to giveaway to a reader. Be sure to come back tomorrow for a Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop. Wishing you a joy-filled day!
The winner of a Lynch Creek Farm centerpiece is Sandra L. Thank you to all who entered!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country
I love my tea pot ornaments from childhood. I collected sets so they are precious
What a beautiful table! I’m especially fond of the blue Christmas dishes. There are so many ornaments and decorations that come to mind as I have several of my Grandmothers and my moms. I do love the 2 ornaments made by my children in preschool – pictures of them dressed as Joseph and Mary cut to fit inside of a Ball jar ring with lace around the edges. Every ornament has special meaning as we hang it on the tree!
Thank you for the opportunity to win a beautiful Lynch Creek Farm centerpiece. Everything they have is lovely!
I love the Santa Claus figures that my grandmother made many years ago. Also I cherish the figures Marilyn and I made in the 1st grade. The teacher had to put our middle initial on each one so she could tell which one belonged to who.
The ornaments I treasure are the small dogs my father carved . I was nine when he passed , but these little dogs make me smile . Your table is so special. I’m a fan of the blue and white too. I went to the Lynch Creek Farm website – BEAUTIFUL ! I can’t wait to pick a centerpiece … ; -)
The Santa Claus figures and the figures we made are special to me too. A little stocking for Rudy our Parakeet is hung on the tree every year. We received Rudy when we were 7years old from our cousin who was 11 years old. When her mother (my aunt) got terminally ill ,the bird’s singing bothered her .
Marilyn
Your table is beautiful using blue white and silver on the tartan plaid! Your table setting is stunning! The color combination is exquisite! Being of Dutch ancestry I am also very fond of blue and white as I love to collect Delft pottery made in The Netherlands. My most favorite Christmas decoration is a stand of small metal bells that my dearest Dutch Grandmother made into a garland with tiny baubles. She made this beautiful decoration when she was in her 80’s using old bells from her 1940’s Christmas. This precious keepsake was passed on to me and when I listen to the sound of the bells tinkling I feel her presence so close to me although she has been in Heaven for 21 years. Our children and now our grandchildren also find these bells to be such a sweet Christmas treasure. The bells are a reminder of a very special lady who graced our lives with her beauty and charm and deep love for everything Christmas…Your blog posts are so inspiring. You have such a wonderful talent in tablescaping. Thank you for being so generous in sharing your works of art through photos.
Your beautiful dinning room is stunning!! I love every detail you have placed on your table!! My favorite Christmas decoration is a heirloom- hand painted figures and nativity my mother-in-law passed down to me before she passed. Thank you for sharing your many talents. Merry Christmas!
While I’d like to get into the Christmas spirit, it’s a challenge right now with all that is going on in the house to make it work after all the changes made in preparation for moving. I will enjoy seeing how you apply your endless creativity and will surely be inspired.
Your pictures are gorgeous! My fav decorations are the cinnamon stick ornaments my son made with me when he was a little boy. It was a kit and had greenery, moss, ribbons, etc. and he didn’t do many crafts, but he did like this! We made houses, bundles of logs, and wreaths, etc. Smelled wonderful, too. His 3 year old son saw them the other day and was so intrigued and we told him how Daddy had made them with me. Wonderful childhood memories bring tears to my eyes.
That centerpiece is lovely and your table setting is lovely as always. My most cherished Christmas decoration is the Nativity that was used all through my childhood. My mom let me have it many years ago. It brings back so many good memories.
I have a nativity painted by my late sister that is always the first and last of the Christmas decor.
Merry Christmas, Pam!
My most cherished Christmas decoration is a creche built by my husband’s father and the nativity that was purchased when they lived in Germany. It is truly a treasure! Merry Chistmas!!
I don’t have one Christmas ornament but a group of my vintage Hallmark houses I treasure! I hope my daughter will cherish them one day.
Your table is beautiful! Love the use of tartan and the blue and white dishes and your gorgeous centerpiece. I went to Lynch Creek Farm’s website and picked out a favorite! My favorite Christmas decoration is my nativity set.
My mom died when I was seventeen. I had two of her ornaments for the last 50 years. This year one of the ornaments disintegrated in my hand when I was decorating my tree. So sad.
I love my hand blown ornaments that I purchased while we lived in Germany. They bring wonderful memories every time I bring them out. Your table setting is absolutely gorgeous!
I love the paper ornaments my boys made for me in Sunday school when they were little.
My most cherished Christmas ornament is the English Christmas Fairy that my beloved Auntie made for me many years ago. As a child I always admired her fairy tree topper, and so when she asked me what I would like for a wedding present I asked for my own Christmas fairy. As I carefully unpack my fairy each Christmas season I think of my dear Aunt and smile.
My most loved ornament is an ceramic oval with my daughter’s thumb print on it. Her first grade teacher then too a fine tipped marker and turned that thumb print into a reindeer. The ornament is now 41 years old!
I love how you worked the blue in with the red and green. So festive! We collect cat-themed ornaments, some elegant and others silly or just cute. They are a lot of fun.
I have many favorite ornaments but the one that evokes the most sentimental memories is a silver bell that hung on my parents’ Christmas tree each year. It is plain but when I look at it I’m transported to my childhood home that was so filled with love. Of all the ornaments, it speaks to me of beautiful days gone by.
I have a small painted wooden Naivety scene that was in my family home. I remember playing with it on the windowsill in our dining room as a small child. I do treasure this decoration as it is only one of two decorations I have from my family. The other item is a metal painted Santa ornament, that I loved as a child. It is those special things that bring back memories of Christmas as a child with my family.
My cherished ornaments are the ones my son has made. I also have a picture of him in ornament form from his first Christmas. I will keep those for forever!
A gorgeous table! I love your blue and white plates. Your guests are sure to love it.
Amalia
xo
Love the Southern Centerpiece!! Love your tablescape!!!
Your Christmas table is gorgeous! My favorite Christmas ornament is my brother’s first ornament, a Santa with his name on the back.
What a lovely combination- blue China with tartan. I’m inspired to get cozy-making! My favorite Christmas ornament is our groom teddy bear carrying his bride bear, which we bought on our honeymoon. We were married December 11, twenty years ago. 🎄💖
My favorite ornaments are a clown and snowman my parents had on their very first tree over 60 years ago!
Pam, you always amaze me with beautiful tablescapes. I adore the blue and white with the tartan. The Southern. Enter piece looks lovely on your table. My favorite ornament is two angels holding hands. A treasure from my daughter. Since my family is Scottish, I am admiring the Tartan centerpiece. Happy December.
My favorite Christmas tree decoration is an old fashioned spike that we hang deep within the tree to remind us of Jesus hanging on the cross for us all. The Reason for the Season.❤️
Michelle Holland
hollands4him@yahoo.com
What a Beautiful table setting ! The layers of red tartan , white placemats, and blue/white dishes is lovely. The fresh greenery is the perfect accent and smells wonderful as well.
thank you to Lynch Creek Farm for providing this lovely centerpiece and one to giveaway!
Pam Your table scape is so pretty! Mixing the blue and white with tartan is beautiful and the Woodland Birch center piece complements your table in all the right ways. I really can’t choose a favorite Christmas decor piece, but I purchased a Lenox swan and can’t wait to figure out how to decorate with it and where it will end up! Please enter me into the drawing.
Thanks, Denise
I love your table and the tartan the most! My favorite Christmas decoration is the German stable and Italian crèche figures that are more than 65 years old. I always loved the set my mom put up each year, and then years ago found an identical one at an estate sale almost by fluke, and it is the first decoration that goes up in my house. My little granddaughter is now old enough to help me set the figures in place. It takes a good while to re-wrap and store away.
I love the magnolia centerpiece. I’m using magnolias with copper,gold,and silver in my decorating this year. It would be the perfect finishing touch.
Your table with the blue and tartan is stunning! I love the combination. My favorite decoration is a small child’s sled, it was my Grandmothers and made for her by her father in 1900. I prop it by my front door and hand a small green wreath with a plaid bow on it! Have a Merry Christmas!
I love your centerpiece. I have blue and white china and have never used tartan linens with it. This year will be the first thanks to your post! I have a cloth Santa doll handmaid by a dear friend of my mother. It was made in 1954 for my first Christmas. I bring it out once a year and now protect it with a glass cloche.
Pam, Who would have put plaid with Blue Willow? Wow, it looks amazing. Since I have been reading your blogs, I have realized that you use your blue willow china as a neutral. It is so classy–just like you. JOLLY HOLIDAYS TO YOU!
I just purchased an oriental blue and white vase. I think I’ll try poinsettias in it. You’ve really inspired me.
My favorite ornament is one that my mother made for me many years ago. It has a black and ivory victorian print paper decoupaged on it and is trimmed with burgundy velvet ribbon.
So festive. I love blue and white. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Tammy!
Pam, how beautiful your Christmas setting is! Truly, you have created an invitation for others to experience your blue and white holiday setting with you. Hoping your Christmas is blessed with the joy that it represents!
The Woodland Birch centerpiece looks great in your container. I like that look better than putting it right on the table. Since that one is no longer available I would have to choose the Golden Magnolia centerpiece.
Every year when we were growing up my mom would buy only one gorgeous ornament. I still have one of her special ornaments and have learned that one fabulous ornament is better than a box of inexpensive ones. So the tradition has continued and I too will pass down my collection of exceptional ornaments. So my favorite would be the special ornaments that belonged to my mom…
My favorite ornament is my child’s handprint made into snowmen!
I too LOVE this color combination Pam – how creative and beautiful! And the centerpiece is lovely! 💗 My favorite decoration is really two ornaments – one for each of my sons’ first Christmases. The memories are just as lovely as the decorations!
My most cherished ornament is my Belle ornament from my sweet niece Jilly!
Lovely & delightful Pam! ♥
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer!
My most cherished ornament is a silver and blue ball with a church and the words “Silent Night” in glitter on it. My mother loved it and it always hung on our tree every Christmas as a child. Now I have it and it holds so many happy memories.
My most cherished ornaments are all of the ones my children have made through the years. I can’t pin it down to just one because they are all special to me. I love your centerpiece and the way it looks with your decor.
My most cherished ornaments are the ones made by my children when they were small and now those made by my grandchildren. I know that a lot of love and attention went into making those special handcrafted ornaments. They are dear to my heart!
My favorite ornament from my childhood is a tiny bell, about an inch big (which seemed bigger when I was a child), that was covered in white glitter with colored stars. It was so pretty and unusual! It’s now 65 years old and still a cherished ornament this time of year! Seems trivial and not so special as an adult, but I thought it was wonderful when I was little!