Wednesday

Just Before the Raindrops ~ Tablescape Thursday




Happy Tablescape Thursday Friends!





I don't know how the weather has been in your area, but we've been experiencing an unusually chillier and wetter May than normal where I live.




Today started out sunny and clear, so I took a chance and set the table on the raised, sand stone terrace in the sunniest garden on my property.




The timing worked out well, because just after I snapped the pictures the skies clouded up and the rain came pouring down!



The clematis are in full bloom in the garden, and this is one of my favorites.
As much as I like color, I adore white flowers.








This was a strictly "last minute" table setting ~ for the centerpiece I simply stuck the clematis blooms in a vintage enamelware tea kettle and set it upon a fat mercury glass candle stick.






Little did I know when I got these plates that I would soon have real chickens!
Dishes are from Home Goods (last year), from a dear friend.


The flatware is my everyday stainless (Hotel by Neiman Marcus).
Tablecloth and napkins (April Cornell) Place mats (Ross)


Here is the clematis I featured today, "Toki" ~ the blooms are astonishingly huge,
larger than saucer size! If you have never grown clematis I urge you to look into them, they are easy care and make a wonderful accompaniment to climbing roses.
Here I paired it, one on each side of the metal arch with the thornless old rose Zephirine Drouhin. Bred in 1868, it is gorgeous with high-centered, cerise-pink flowers that fill the air with a delightful Bourbon fragrance, shade tolerant and extremely prolific. If you've had trouble growing roses... try this one!


And the grape vines are going wild this year, ours are now three years old ~ and the happy news is that we'll have our first grapes this year. I'm sure I'll have to blog about that when they ripen. :D
Thank you for stopping by for Tablescape Thursday ~ and a big thank you to our lovely host Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch".
Please click the logo below to visit Susan's beautiful blog.









70 comments:

  1. Oh my, truly stunning! I am so happy I dropped in, truly lovely.

    Nancy

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  2. The colors are so happy, this is a very pretty table! How are the chickens doing, don't think I've seen a post about them in a while?

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  3. What a shame it rained and you were not able to enjoy the table you set up longer. It is so pretty.

    I adore those plates and your flowers are just beautiful.

    You will need to set this up again and enjoy it when the sun comes out.

    Hugs,
    Joanne

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  4. I am IN LOVE with those polka dots! Such a fun setting! - www.delightfulcountrycookin.com

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  5. Sooo pretty! I love the blue and oh, those rooster plates! Well done!

    Jane

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  6. The table is just incredible. I think the aqua is such a beautiful color and the settings are fantastic. Sorry you got drenched, but I'd say those photos are SO worth it.

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  7. Your table is so beautiful! Those flowers are amazing, and I think we can grow them here in Dallas. I'll sure try next year, because they are lovely - thank you for the inspiration!
    Cheers, Andrea

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  8. So colorful - just love your plates! I never thought of using clematis as a cut flower. Good idea!
    Beth

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  9. Mari, I think this is my favorite tonight. I am in awe of your beautiful gardens- just seeing them makes me miss my NY gardens even more. Lovely setting and I absolutely love the colors in those dishes
    xoxo Pattie

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  10. What great rooster plates! I love the colors on your table and from your garden.

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  11. ANOTHER beautiful table, Mari! I love the colors! Those clematis are amazing! I have never seen any so large. Thanks so much, and I am going to look into that rose that you mentioned. Hope your rain stops and you get to enjoy this lovely table setting! Have a wonderful holiday weekend. XO, Pinky

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  12. Same thing here with the weather in the Vancouver area of British Columbia.
    Brrr. My poor little pepper and tomato plants are shivering.
    What a pretty table. I don't think I have ever seen lovely blue rooster plates before. They are really ice.

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  13. Mari, I love this imtimate setting in your garden. And the white wrought iron table and charis adds to the storybook feel!
    The pretty table and the soft and tender colors look perfect with the white clematis centerpiece. Those blooms are huge! I would love to sit at this table in your storybook setting!
    Yvonne

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  14. The colors of everything are so soothing and nice. I love the dishes! What a picture perfect setting. This should be in a magazine for sure! I love your quick centerpiece...it is dramatic. Please come and link up to my Centerpiece Wednesday link party. This is too perfect.

    Karin

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  15. The clematis are beautiful. I love the tablescape. What kind of chickens are you getting?

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  16. I love your tablesetting! I love polka dots and roosters are growing on me! These are very cute! I love the coloring of this whole setting so much! Such pretty clematis too!

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  17. Lovin' your beautiful tablescape and those cute polka dot plates!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  18. Fabulous 'scape in a fabulous setting! Your blue dishes look so pretty and the roosters are very cute! Your "simple" centerpiece is perfect - love the large bloom white clematis and especially enjoyed seeing it on your arbour, gorgeous!

    DD

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  19. I love this tablescape. Great job for such a fast put together. I love the combined clematis and rose. Beautiful.

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  20. Love the rooster dishes with the polka dots~ I'm astonished by the size of your clematis blooms...beautiful!

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  21. Mari, your tablescape is lovely and I adore your flowers. I posted about my ZĂ©phirine Drouhin this past weekend for Pink Saturday. Aren't they just wonderful roses? I love how well your clematis looks with them. Also very taken with your blue polka dot plates. Polka dots just make me happy. -)

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  22. You have set a beautiful table for us to enjoy:D Happy Thursday:D

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  23. It is all so beautiful-as always!

    Carolyn

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  24. Oh Mari, I ♥ this intimate setting in your beautiful garden. The white wrought iron table and chairs add such a magical feel to the whole scene!

    That white clematis it totally awesome...I'm amazed at their size. Those blooms are huge! What a perfect spot to sit at this table in your lovely setting! The dishes are perfect for someone who is now raising chickens. (what a nice friend!)

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  25. This looks so beautiful, could just picture settling down for a fancy sunday brunch with friends. :) And your clemantis are just gorgeous!!! I grew up with purple ones but the white are very elegant.

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  26. Hi Mari....table is too too cute...as usual you did a fabulous job...love the dishes!

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  27. I also grow grapes ... they're wine grapes,not table grapes. Never made home made wine. Keep the small vineyard just for its beauty. Your leaves show great promise!

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  28. The backdrop of your beautiful climatis made your table even more gorgeous. I'm glad you got the photos taken in time to share with u... hug ~lynn~

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  29. Lovely Tablescape. Your flowers are gorgeous. I have not seen them in this area. I am jealous.

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  30. I adore the rooster plates with the aqua color, how unusual,they pair so well with the other plates, everything looks so lovely and inviting..

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  31. I love the table setting, but I'm so busy looking at your wonderful gardens. I love that archway...oh, what a perfect spot for a glass of tea. Everything is just beautiful...as always.

    Sue

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  32. So completely lovely! Your white clematis are so beautiful.

    Sending you some warm sunny weather from Cleveland (of all places!)

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  33. why didn't you tell me you were doing a table, i was looking at tar paper!

    you know i love all of this ;-)

    the clems are spectacular, love it~

    you own me another set of pics please, i am waiting for part duex...

    heading to homegoods this morn, camera phone in hand, be prepared...

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  34. Mari,

    What a gorgeous table, as always! My question for you is this: When you come across a great find, such as the plates in your post, how many do you purchase? I came across a fun find yesterday, but 4 place settings aren't enough for our family of 5 and I wasn't sure where to store 8 or 12. Just curious how you handle this. Thanks so much, love your blog.

    Christine

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  35. I LOVE the roosters with all the blue!! Great combination and one I haven't seen much of. I have a jam server that would have been perfect with your table :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  36. Everything about this table is just beautiful..love the roosters and polka dots! How fun and those clematis are so gorgeous!! They are some of my very favorites. Hope you are having a very wonderful holiday weekend!

    Miss Bloomers/Sonia

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  37. What a gorgeous and lovely table presentation! What camera did you used to take this photos? Coz it really looks perfect.

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  38. I love this table. Your polka dot and rooster plates are stunning..

    Sonny

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  39. Hi Mari, I just wanted to run by and thank you for your lovely comments! You are such a dear friend!
    Yvonne

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  40. I admire and envy your amazing talents. Your tablescapes are so beautiful - they make me feel as if I am a guest at a beautiful restaurant. Actually, it's even more than that - they are magical. If I had someone set a table like yours for me I would feel as if you gave me a gift!! Your tablescapes are elegant, warm, and inviting. Thank you for sharing your talents!

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  41. Thank you for sharing your talents! Your tablescapes are always elegant, charming, warm and inviting. They truly make a person wish they were sitting right at that beautiful spot! I would love to know how you capture such clear photos - would you mind sharing?

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  42. I envy your beautiful talents - not just your tablescapes - but the photography is amazing. Do you take pictures at a certain time of the day? I would love to learn how to take such great photos. Your tablescapes are so beautiful, it makes me feel as if I am a guest at a beautiful restaurant. Actually, if someone set a table for me like you present on your blog, I would have felt they had given me a gift! They are beautiful, elegant, charming, warm, and inviting! Thank you for sharing your talents!!

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  43. Mari~we've been inundated with rain, but fortunately it hasn't deterred our summer guest from visiting.
    We've managed to enjoy ourselves in spite of it, with many indoor activities and a lot of dinning in.
    Your tablescape is a beautiful reminder how a little sunshine can add a wonderful light to a lovley presentation.

    Sweet wishes,
    Sara

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  44. Lovely! My favorite shades of blue.

    Here in Chicagoland it is cool and rain predicted for the next four days!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  45. Your colors are so vibrant and attractive! Love the Clematis and on the vine!
    Love your outdoor setting. We have had a lot of rain. I set mine outdoors - but, it was too hot to lunch outside - so my daughter and I reset the table and had our lunch indoors!
    Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
    Kathy

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  46. Mari you should publish a tablescape book. Your settings are all so inspirational and gorgeous.

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  47. Mari! Not only are your tablescapes gorgeous, but your RECIPES are beautiful too. I just became a Follower of your blog and your recipe blog as well. I am definitely going to try some of your recipes soon. Thanks for sharing!
    Best regards,
    Gloria

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  48. Hi love the tablescape. Found you through D. I'm discovering how great round placemats look with a tablecloth, almost like a charger. The roosters are very cute, the whole thing really. I'm a new follower!

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  49. Just beautiful...A nice cup of tea or a glass of wine and some cheese mmm...I'm there.

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  50. Those clematis are amazing... of course the whole tablesetting is!

    Enjoy some cool summer evenings~

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  51. I also grow grapes ... they're wine grapes,not table grapes. Never made home made wine. Keep the small vineyard just for its beauty. Your leaves show great promise.

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  52. The flowers are amazing and the pictures are awesome,Thank you for sharing your talents.

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  53. The roosters are very cute, the whole thing really, I'm a new follower.thanx for the post.

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  54. I think the aqua is such a beautiful color and the settings are fantastic. Sorry you got drenched, but I'd say those photos are SO worth it. thanx for sharing.

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  55. Wow! the glasses and plates are so beautiful. i want to buy same plates for my family.

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  56. These plates and spoons are so beautiful. the plates color are so vibrant and attractive.

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  57. I think we can grow them here in Dallas. I'll sure try next year, because they are lovely - thank you for the inspiration!

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  58. I'm discovering how great round placemats look with a tablecloth, almost like a charger. The roosters are very cute, the whole thing really. I'm a new follower! keep it up, thanx.

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  59. I love polka dots and roosters are growing on me! These are very cute! I love the coloring of this whole setting so much! Such pretty clematis too!

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  60. I like what you did on your table it's very lovely and I also like your utensil, you pick the right flowers for the table. I love it.

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  61. Wow! I just love this dinner set. Very Vibrant and attractive. These plates are so cute. Thanks for the share.

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  62. I like the arrangement of the table, the color, the place. Looks so relaxing for a family reunion. Thanks for the post.

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  63. I just became a Follower of your blog and your recipe blog as well. I am definitely going to try some of your recipes soon. Thanks for the wonderful post.

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  64. Great presentation so awesome so attractive to my eyes thanks for sharing what a lovely pictures..

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  65. I would have felt they had given me a gift! They are beautiful, elegant, charming, warm, and inviting! Thank you for sharing your talent with us, looking forward.

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  66. I have never seen any so large. Thanks so much, and I am going to look into that rose that you mentioned. Hope your rain stops and you get to enjoy this lovely table setting! Have a wonderful holiday weekend, thanx for the post.

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  67. I think the aqua is such a beautiful color and the settings are fantastic. Sorry you got drenched, but I'd say those photos are SO worth it.

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Thank you for your comments, friends ~ they make my day!

A Sampling of my food . . .

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