Merry Monday! Christmas is three weeks from today, how is that possible? Have you finished your decorating? I have fallen behind this year, but have chosen not to fret over it!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Please come inside and join me at a cozy table in the Sunshine Cottage!
It is Monday Morning Blooms with my friends Lidy and Mary. You may have guessed that our common theme is Christmas!
You will find my talented friends’ links at the bottom of this post. Also, the winner of my Lynch Creek Farm giveaway is announced at the end of this post.
My arrangement for this edition of Monday Morning Blooms is quite simple! There are only a few months every year that I have to purchase flowers. December through early March finds my garden sleeping. There wasn’t much to choose from at the grocery stores and I didn’t have time for a sixty mile drive to Trader Joe’s! However, I do love carnations, a most under-appreciated flower. Their fringed petals, spicy clove fragrance, vibrant colors, and long vase life make them a great choice for arrangements, plus they are inexpensive! A few green pompom button mums, freshly cut cedar and voila, a sweet and compact arrangement for the small table in the cottage. A favorite English blue and white vase, a gift from a friend many years ago, was placed on a distressed charger with fresh cedar and brightly colored balls!
The round table is covered in a tartan throw, so cozy and warm. I have never met a plaid that I didn’t like!
Ruby-colored stemware, April Cornell floral napkins…
…and red velvet bow napkin rings!
Holiday church accent plates and red bows are from the Southern Living Collection at Dillard’s. I tried to talk myself out of the plates and bows…but “self” didn’t listen!
“If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: God with us.”
~John MacArthur
Queen’s ‘Seasons Greetings’ blue and white dinner plate frames the church accent plate nicely.
December of 2011, RM and I traveled to Asheville, NC to experience Christmas at the Biltmore, America’s largest home. We had reservations for the candlelight tour and it was truly magical. We stayed a couple of nights at the Inn on Biltmore. It was a memorable trip as we enjoyed 8000 acres of glorious gardens and grounds, delicious dining, shopping, and outdoor activities. I purchased this little book to journal Christmas memories. Each year memories of the most wonderful time of the year are written. Perhaps, my grandchildren will enjoy reading it one day!
The tree in the cottage is decorated with our three grandchildren in mind. I still have a little more decorating before I can share the Sunshine Cottage!
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play.
And wild and sweet the words repeat, of peace on earth good-will to men.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“ A little child, a shining star, a stable rude, the door ajar.
Yet in that place, so crude, forlorn, the Hope of all the world was born.”
~Anonymous
“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.”
~Corrie ten Boom
For beautiful and festive Christmas inspiration, visit my talented friends, Lidy and Mary!
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
Congratulations to the winner of my Lynch Creek Farm giveaway, Nonie H. Thank you to all who entered.
Please join me tomorrow along with 16 creative table stylists for a Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop. Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. May the joy and peace of Christmas fill your heart!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
I was just wowed when I opened your beautiful post. The beautiful blue and white vase with these carnations and ornaments are amazingly beautiful. I love your new plates and bows. Emmanuel-God with us! That was our message yesterday at church. Thank you for the joy Pam.
Thank you, Dianne. Yes, Emmanuel God with us!! Merry Monday! ✨❤️✨
Festive and elegant. I glad you talked yourself into buying the church bldg plates
Thanks so much, Gail! It seems I can always find room for more plates. Merry week to you✨❤️✨
I love your carnation arrangement Pam, it is beautiful! You took simple carnations and turned them into an elegant holiday arrangement with greens, ornaments and the lovely blue and white vase! I understand how it was hard to resist the church plates and bow napkin rings, so pretty!! The plaid through adds the cozy element as well as the special Christmas journal. I can’t wait to see the rest of the Sunshine Cottage decked out for the holidays. I got my decorating almost finished this weekend and we are putting up the tree on Tuesday, can’t wait! Have a wonderful week~
Jenna
Thank you, Jenna. I almost fretted over the lack of flowers, but then decided to just go with what I had available to me. Looking forward to the hop tomorrow. Merry week to you ✨❤️✨
Pam, that’s a very beautiful arrangement in its simplicity, and I love your newest plates and bow rings. My favorite photo is with the window behind the arrangement, and the small tinsel tree in front. Very lovely! Can’t wait to see your Sunshine Cottage all decked out!
Thank you, Rita! It was pouring rain the day I made the photos and I had to pull out the big light! Never like doing that but sometimes there is no other choice. Merry week and see you tomorrow ✨❤️✨
Your plaid is the perfect base for your lovely table. Your details are perfect from the red bow napkin rings to the pretty plates and ruby glassware. We may be able to do Biltmore Christmas this year for the first time. We’ll have to see if we can find a time to go.
Thank you, Carole. You will love Christmas at Biltmore!
I have goose bumps. Is it Christmas tidings or Isaiah 9:6. So I will listen to that piece of music today. I was reminded to pull out my red glasses when I saw yours. Stopped reading your post to do exactly that☺️ Your Christmas journal book is lovely. Wish I had thought of that many years ago. Oh I would love the red bows on my table too. Are you getting the idea that your posts are inspiration to us?
Alice, if I think of something it pays for me to stop what I am doing and go immediately to do what I thought of, otherwise I will forget. Merry week to you and thank you, my friend ✨❤️
Pam, this is such a beautiful setting you have created in your beloved Sunshine Cottage. I adore anything plaid, and your throw makes the perfect anchor to your table setting. Your flowers in the gorgeous blue and white vase are so pretty.i love the new plates, and I can see why you had to have them. I can’t believe Christmas is only 3 weeks away. I wish I could slow time down. My dear friend, enjoy every moment of this joyous season!
Thanks so much, Shannon. Wishing you a Merry week dear one!
Your arrangement is simple elegance. I love all your shots of your table but I do love the ambiance of the bokeh from the tree lights. You were so clever to include a silver oranament on your tray to accent your silver tree. I’ve always loved blue and white and adding red makes it perfect. Carnations are underrated. Your new plates are perfect for you and Christmas. Love your AC napkins. I’m still enjoying mine from your giveaway years back.
I think of you often. My blogging break has been much needed.
May all the joys of Christmas be special to you as you decorate and prepare for Christmas. Bonnie
Thank you, Bonnie! I do love the new plates and bows. I really don’t need to buy any plates, but the accent church plates were irresistible. I am glad you are enjoying the blogging break, but I miss you!
Pam, your table is o pretty and festive. Love the plaid backdrop. With your new blue church plates and red bows, they compliment the striking blue vase you have with your lovely florals. A beautiful table at Sunshine Cottage. Your littles will love it.😍 I am looking forward to seeing it fully decked out. Have a merry week.
Thank you, Linda! I look forward to hopping with you tomorrow!
Good Morning Pam. I love all the traditional colors in your Tablescapes. Adding a little blue with your vase and plates is so gorgeous. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you, Kris! Merry week to you dear one!
Such a lovely table! I just adore the little Christmas book you purchased at the Inn on Biltmore! And the fact that is being filled with family Christmas memories takes it over the top! What a beautiful thing to do! I’m going to add staying at the Inn on Biltmore to my travel list.
Thank you, Linda. I know you would love the Inn! Merry week to you!
You had me at the Sunshine Cottage!! I love everything you create with each holiday and season in this very special cottage! Beautiful dishes. You find the best for each setting! I love how the simply elegant arrangement showcases the beautiful blue and white vase gifted by your friend!! I wish you a most a merry day Pam!!
Thank you, Shirley. I miss your gorgeous contributions to Monday Morning Blooms!
Carnations are just so easy to work with and I think we sometimes forget them in favor of showier blooms. Yet you look at this and go, WOW! It’s just lovely, Pam.
Jeanie, you are so sweet! Thank you.
Wonderful post my dear friend… Always a great inspiration! Always a pleasure stopping by… Best wishes.
Maristella, thank you for always stopping by!
Your post today brings me peace and joy. I enjoy what you have done with flowers we all can find at the store. This arrangement is simply stunning in the blue and white vase, along with the tartan plaid and your new church building plates and bows!
Merry Monday, Pam!
Thanks Nancy! Simple arrangements are easy and I need easy!
Merry Monday Pam! I’m sorry I’m late visiting, I was out the door before the sun was up this morning for an appointment and then had a whirlwind day. Carnations are the unsung hero of the flower world for all the reasons you mentioned. They’re so pretty in your blue and white vase, mixed with the greenery, mums and ornaments surrounding it. I’m mad about plaid and your tartan throw is so cheery and makes for a cozy table covering! I adore the sweet red velvet bow napkin rings, as well as your new Holiday Church Accent Plates. They’re so pretty framed with blue border of the ‘Seasons Greetings’ plates. What a sweet tradition your Christmas journal is! It must be fun to look back and read and I know your grands will enjoy reading it when they are older. I have visited Biltmore numerous times living in NC, including school field trips, but have never been at Christmas if you can believe that. Love your pretty tree in the Sunshine Cottage, looking forward to seeing more! As always, it’s a treat to share blooms with you on these Mondays. Wishing you wonderful week ahead. ❤️🎄
Thanks so much, Mary! I hope your week is going well ❤️🎄
Pam, this is so beautiful! Your arrangement is so lovely, those red carnations are stunning in your blue and white vase. I never met a plaid I didn’t love either, your tartan throw is perfect for this setting. I really love your new church plates, how special they are. And you added my very favorite quote from Corrie ten Boom…it just doesn’t get any better than your post today. I know you and your family are going to enjoy many special times celebrating the birth of our King…yay! It is a blessing to share our blooms on these first Mondays. Wishing you a brilliant and relaxing week ahead, dearest friend! xo Lidy
Thank you, Lidy! I count it a blessing to be in your company for MMB’s. Merry week ✨♥️🎄
Pam, I love carnations – they have such a lovely scent – and you have showcased them beautifully in that gorgeous blue and white vase with the greenery and pretty balls framing the bottom. The plaid throw is perfect for your table, and I’m so glad that “self” didn’t listen because those church plates look so pretty on your Season’s Greetings dinner plates. Love the bow napkin rings too encasing the AC napkins and accenting the beautiful red goblets. I hope you are having a wonderful week and I know the grands are going to love reading your Christmas memories some day!
Absolutely beautiful. Tartan plaid is my favorite at Christmas and the perfect pattern for your table! Have a blessed Christmas season!
Thank you, Sonia. Christmas blessings to you!
Pam, The Sunshine Cottage is beautifully decorated. I love the church plates and red bows. I’m so glad your “self” person won out and that you shared your pretty finds with us. You have a lovely table with a pretty centerpiece. It’s all so festive! Clara ❤️
Thank you, Clara. I love the sweet church plates❤️
Congratulations to Nonie for winning the giveaway! I trust you are enjoying this Christmas season, sweet friend, and may the Lord richly bless you and your family!