Happy February, dear friends. After some very cold weather, we will experience a tease of spring this week! Today’s high is supposed to be 73.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
Winter days can be cloudy and gray like we experienced last week. But, today I am offering you a table arrayed in color!
It is Monday Morning Blooms with my friends, Mary and Lidy.
We welcome our special guest, Sarah, from Hyacinths for the Soul. Sarah’s styling and attention to detail is always a lovely addition to Monday Morning Blooms. You will find the links at the bottom of this post for Sarah, Mary, and Lidy.
Our theme for February is winter citrus!
We are all familiar with the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” In other words, taking a difficult situation and making the best of it!
Lemons, limes, and oranges, the best of winter citrus, were used with pink and white carnations for a centerpiece. Carnations have a long vase life and were a holdover from My Love, My Valentine Tablescape.
Lemon-flavored desserts brighten a sunless morning table set for a late brunch. Slices of lemon cake with lemon icing, lemon poppy seed muffins (a personal favorite), and lemon pastries will definitely satisfy one’s taste for citrus!
I never remember sharing this gold and pewter bird stand. It is perfect for a simple centerpiece of seasonal fruit. Placing a layer of moss and then adding lemons, limes, and Halo oranges to each tray, it was simple to then tuck in the carnations. This might be the easiest arrangement that I have ever made. No skills necessary!!
Lemon napkin rings were a long ago purchase from Sur La Table. They cheerfully hold navy napkins.
When it is cloudy, taking photos can be challenging. Even with a triple bay window in the back and double windows in the front, the dining room was still dark.
Of course, fresh-squeezed orange juice was a must for the citrus theme. It was served in a ‘Blue Willow’ pitcher, a gift from a friend. I enjoy French-pressed coffee especially served in Johnson Brothers ‘Blue Willow’. The Blue Willow dishware is at least forty five years old and is showing some wear, so it is seldom used.
The faux lemon topiary belonged to my beloved Mother. I am consciously making an effort to always share something on each table that have memories and stories attached. Memories are precious, especially as I get older, and I love sharing those with my grandchildren! Spode ‘Blue Room’ dinner plates elevate ‘Spring Prelude’ salad plates, with their bright yellow border, that I found at Tuesday Morning several years ago.
I repurposed a lovely lemon-colored scarf as a table runner. I visited Buenos Aires, Argentina with a life-long friend in 2009. It was a ladies trip which was extremely well planned with a stay at the Four Seasons and a day trip to Uruguay. We enjoyed fabulous meals (Argentina is known for their Pampas fed beef) and a fun dinner that included the traditional tango that originated in the streets of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century. A visit to the famous San Telmo Market, which is a national historic monument for culture, provided an opportunity to see Argentinian artisans’ beautiful work. I was drawn to the original oil paintings (of course, I purchased a small 5×7), exquisite sterling silver jewelry, world-class leather, their famous dulce de leche, and this lovely hand-crafted alpaca wool scarf. I try to always buy something that is easy to pack and will remind me of my trip!
“I love fresh citrus and always keep lemons, limes, and oranges on hand; they come in handy for spritzing up quickly grilled meats, seafoods, and vegetables, especially when followed up by a quick drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.”
~ Emeril Lagasse
You will not want to miss my friends’ beautiful floral and citrus arrangements! Just click on the links below to be inspired!
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Sarah ~ Hyacinths For the Soul
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
What a beautiful array and way to brighten a winter day Pam! Lemons and blue and white go hand in hand and I love your ‘Spring Prelude’ plates…how fitting for a February day when the temps will reach the 70s. I’m smitten with your bird stand…perfect for an easy centerpiece with flowers and lemons or serving treats! So many pretty elements and sweet treats to enjoy. Your ‘Blue Willow’ pitcher really pops with the orange juice…I’ll take mine with a splash of bubbles for a mimosa! 😊 As always it’s a treat to join you for some flower therapy. Enjoy this reprieve from winter and beautiful weather! 🌞💙🍋
Lovely, Pam. The blue and yellow are a classic combination. Love your china choice too.
Good Morning, Pam. You have set such a cheerful table with the beautiful Spring Prelude plates and Spode Blue Room dinner plates. Blue and yellow are always such a pleasant combination.
I am swooning over your bird-tiered stand. What a beautiful added element.
I always enjoy the memories you add to your tables. Thank you always for sharing them with us.
Enjoy your day of warmth! Happy Monday!
A perfect winter pick-me-up, Pam. We are also having the same warming trend as you, just a few degrees cooler. I love your mother’s lemon topiary! Lemons are my favorite, my year-round go-to, and I love any citrus dessert. I don’t think I’ve ever seen your bird stand in any of your posts. What a great way to reuse your flowers from the Valentine’s Day table. Very pretty. Happy February!
Pam, your table is lovely with the Spode Blue Willow and Spring Prelude plates. The navy blue just pops with those fabulous lemon napkin rings. How special to have your Mother’s lemon 🍋 topiary. All of those desserts look delicious.😋 Your gold and pewter bird stand is so lovely with the flowers and citrus. How fun to be in the 70’s.
Your table is just gorgeous. It is nice to see some color during this grey days of winter.
Have a great new week. Hugs. Kris
Citrus is my favorite and so I would be the happiest guest in the world at your tea! Glorious lemons (love that Spode) and as always, an exquisite table setting. Meanwhile, those treats look divine!
Wow! Sunshine on your shoulders was missing but not on your table. Your ability to put the table together without the suns help is outstanding. Lemons remind me of Italy and your remembrance of a very fine vacation sets the scene. Your mother’s
Topiary brought it all together. The bird stand Is really pretty and I can imagine it being used in wedding. And the carnations you used from RM added a nice spicy aroma to go with the citrus one.
Oh Pam, I am in love with your gold and pewter bird tray! It looks gorgeous styled with citrus and blooms! So simple and so elegant! I love the Spring Prelude salad plates with their yellow border and the navy napkins with lemon rings look so pretty, I love the contrasting colors! Your mother’s lemon topiary is perfect and such a lovely memory. Such a happy table for this warm spring like day! Beautiful!!!
Happy First Monday of February 2025! I’ve already pinned this post first thing! Oh, Pam, this is truly a bright and cheerful post! Like you, I’ve been living with gloomy days and need some sunny vibes. That said, we did get sunshine yesterday, and can you believe, we back up into the 80s! Not ready for the heat, but the blue skies with a touch of sun was welcomed.
I’m so happy you shared the cake stand. I’ve never seen one like it, but as you might imagine, I’m going to start searching. I like to use pieces to elevate serving plates, flowers, and just about anything!
The carnations still look lovely. They are my birth month flower, and growing up most people didn’t think much of them. They were considered so ordinary! I’m thrilled to see a trend to make them popular. Their ruffled blooms are so pretty, and yes, they last a long time. I frequently buy the new antique variety that is sold, and this week I bought small pots of blooming dianthus to plant in containers. Dianthus, mini carnations, make sweet cut flowers for little vases.
I keep scrolling up and down, taking in all the beauty in this single post.
A big thanks to you, Lidy, and Mary for sharing the beauty of flowers and pretty dishes each first Monday and throughout the years of your many amazing blog posts. As always, I’m honored to be included as a guest host!
Pam, what a beautiful citrus table. I love your bird stand that could hold lots of pretty things. Of course your Mother’s topiary is perfect. Happy February! I had some wonderful news on Friday.. God is so good!
Your citrus inspired table with all the lemon desserts is just lovely.