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! 🌞💙🍋
Thank you, Mary. It was a beautiful day for working outside and there was plenty of garden clean-up that RM accomplished. I wanted to do a little painting project but never got around to it. Have a wonderful week!
Lovely, Pam. The blue and yellow are a classic combination. Love your china choice too.
Thanks so much, Carole!
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!
Thank you, Nancy. I have had the stand for several years and use it on my dining room table often, but don’t know why I have never used it for a blog tablesetting!
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!
Thank you, Rita! I also love any citrus dessert. Carnations really have a long life, and I am glad they have made a comeback as a popular flower again!
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.
Thank you, Linda! Color was needed after cloudy and gray skies. Yes it was sunny and low 70’s today!
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
Thank you, 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!
I love citrus, it certainly gives a zing to meats and fish. Thank you, Jeanie!
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.
Thank you, Alice. Lemons remind me of Italy also. I was glad the carnations held up for so long! Yes a spicy and citrus aroma!
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!!!
Thank you, Jenna. I have had it for several years and use it on my dining room table often, but don’t know why I hadn’t used it for a blog tablesetting. After clouds and gray skies, I needed a colorful table!
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!
Thank you, Sarah. Your sweet comments warm my heart. I love carnations and I am so happy they have made a big comeback in the flower world. We always love having you as a guest. Enjoy the blue skies and sunshine!
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!
Dianne, you made my day sweet friend. I am so excited about your wonderful news. Yes, God is good!
Your citrus inspired table with all the lemon desserts is just lovely.
Thanks so much, Karen!
Pam, what a bright and cheerful table! I’d love to join you there! Using the scarf is inspired, your bird stand is just about perfect with flowers and citrus piled on. So pretty! Blue and white is always elegant, and your table is a wonderful way to beat the winter doldrums with lively colors and those plates, wonderful! As always it’s a blessing to join together on our Monday Morning Blooms! Xo Lidy
Thank you, Lidy. I love blue and white, and had a need for lots of color during these winter months!
You had me at that tray of lemon treats….can whiff the aroma from here. This is an outstanding table setting with the contrast of classic blue and lemon yellow. Your beloved Mother’s topiary is the perfect
touch of loving memory. That bird stand is so unique and a “go to” for so many table arrangements.
You have combined all elements so flawlessly that they flow one into the other…what a gift you have.
Elevated temps this week make the Zephaniah verse ring so true…. praise you, Lord.
Thanks so much, Mary. I don’t know why I had never used the bird stand in a post. We had a beautiful day of warm sunshine!
Pam, lemons along with blue &white are at the very top of my favorite design ideas. It is the summer look for my kitchen. And any lemon dessert or drink gets my attention…I’m talking to you, Chick-Fil-A lemonade! The tiered tray is beautiful. Including special memories in your tablescapes is such a wonderful idea. I certainly enjoy the stories, and it is wonderful documentation for the grands. Well done, my friend!
Thank you, Roxanne! You are funny,so you like Chick-Fil-A lemonade🍋😍 I am glad you like the stories, my friend!
How clever to use a scarf as a table runner! That tablescape does indeed sing “SPRING!”
Thank you, Nancy!
Pam, I also love citrus and I always have lemons, limes and oranges…many times they are on my counter as well as in my fridge. I use them alot. (I also like the way they give me color in my white kitchen.). The juice looks so inviting in your pretty blue willow pitcher. My set of blue willow dishes are very old also…about 45 years! We must of been thinking blue willow at the same time. I fell in love with the pattern when on our wedding night, our reception dinner was held at the old Brookville Hotel in Brookville, Kansas and we all ate fried chicken all you can eat dinners on blue willow. The restaurant has since moved to Abilene, Kansas but still uses the blue willow dinnerware. I am enjoying the warmer weather as we get nearer our normal temperatures. Happy February to you my friend.
Thank you, Kari. We have much in common, including blue willow. What a memory of your reception including all you could fried chicken on blue willow, love. it! Happy February!
What a colorful and cheerful table! I love the citrus theme. Your bird tiered server is beautiful! Blue, white and yellow are perfect together. They remind me of Greece! Your trip to Argentina sounds fantastic! I always love to bring home a special item that can be used later and jog your memory of the trip! Your Mom’s lemon topiary is charming! Have a great week! Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara. Yes, those colors are reminiscent of Greece. Wishing you a wonderful week ❤️
Beautiful and interesting post as ever. I do love Blue Willow pattern! Visiting San Telmo market in Argentina is in my bucket list! Hugs and blessings.
Thank you, Maristella. I hope you can visit the market one day! Hugs, my friend!
Hi Pam! Your citrus inspired tables so pretty, especially with the yellow and blue accents. I’m truly crazy about your tiered stand and also your mom’s faux lemon tree. Sharing memories of loved ones and places you’ve visited always warms my heart.
Thank you, Kitty. I love sharing memories with sweet readers!
Pam, your tablescape filled with blues and yellows just seem to dance well together! Now that winter has melted into spring it’s time to bring on the flowers and you have done an excellent job sharing some inspiration today! Thanks!
Thanks so much, Mary. After days of clouds, I needed a burst of color!
Pam, your citrus inspired tablescape is just the thing to brighten a cloudy winter’s day. Your centerpiece on the tiered bird stand is gorgeous! Your plate stack is so pretty, and I adore the precious lemon napkin rings. Your brunch treats look scrumptious. I love anything lemon. I enjoyed reading about your trip to Argentina. It sounds like such a fun trip. We had a false spring with temps in the low 80s yesterday, but ice is predicted for Sunday. I sure hope they are wrong. I wish you a wonderful rest of your week, sweet friend! Sorry, I am so late commenting. It’s been a busy week.
Thank you, Shannon. Enjoy the rest of your week. Cold temps are returning here next week!
Very beautiful Pam! I love the bright, sunshiney yellow with the navy and white and that sweet little pop of pink from the beautiful carnations – they have always been one of my favorite flowers. Your mother’s lemon topiary is so pretty and what a beautiful memory. The tiered bird stand is a stunner and I can’t wait to see it on other tables too. The treats sound absolutely delicious. We are sunshiney here but oh so very cold so thank you for brightening my day with this beautiful table.
Thanks so much, Kim! I also love carnations, it seems they have come back in favor! Have a wonderful weekend!
Oh, the citrus really does add so much color and freshness! I love it!