Valentine’s Day Tablescape 2016

Valentine’s Day Tablescape 2016….

Oh my gosh, my dear readers….you know what a romantic I am and so Valentine’s Day has just got to be special, doesn’t it?

I think the day that I quit decorating and cooking for Holidays and Special Occasions is the day that I have “hung it up” for good…you know what I mean?

Sooooo I would like to share with you my Tablescape for Valentine’s Day this year.  As soon as the end days of January literally swirled by….I just had to get my Valentine’s Day Tablescape going on.  AND, on Friday, the Captain and I celebrated with a few of our friends for dinner.

I decided to use “love birds” as my theme….I mean, after all….Valentine’s Day means love, doesn’t it?

I happen to love all birds but I have a beautiful pair of cardinals that visit my Secret Garden every day.  It is so cute, the female literally comes up to my patio doors to say hello.  

Well, she doesn’t actually speak hello, but she cocks her head as if looking for me….as she sits at the bottom of the door looking in.  Yes, I say Good Morning or afternoon to her because she does this twice a day.  Her mate, sits atop the pergola as if watching to be sure nothing happens to her.  Sooooo romantic.

Needless to say, these beautiful red glass cardinals were a “shoo-in” for a spot on my table.

The centerpiece has changed from day to day….I love peony’s and they remind me of my grandmother’s garden…. and her row of red (really maroon), stark white and delicate pink peony’s, ….the bright green bushes drooping with heavy blooms!  And the fragrance….oh, there is nothing like the fragrance of peony’s, unless it is the spring lilacs!  Love them! I found the delicate pink peony’s at Pier 1, the vase (which is not really a vase at all…on line….good old Amazon!)

I also used the little white bird cage that I picked up at Hobby Lobby several years ago.  I loved the little crystal bird perched on the top…and I added a pretty bouquet of white and pink roses. (another fav)…I carefully placed a doily around the bottom that my Mother made (hand-crocheted) and gave to me.  Did any of your Mothers crochet? My Mom would sit with one leg tucked under her and her needles would fly in and out of the yarn resulting in beautiful lacy patterns. But that is another post.

Valentine’s Day is all about love, isn’t it?

I couldn’t resist these pale pink, sachet packets with the sweet fragrance of Fresh Scents when I saw them at our local Cracker Barrel. I grabbed them up and  placed one at each table setting as a party favor for the ladies. (I wasn’t sure the men would enjoy them as much as the ladies) 😉  The place card holders I have had for years and I honestly can’t remember where I purchased them.

I used one of my burlap table runners….I know, I seem to have a thing for rustic these days…and topped it with the red and white gingham table cloth.  I tucked a red rose into the wooden napkin holders, along with a white linen napkin.

The red ombre’ glasses are a purchase from Target…and the red, salad plates sit atop the white dinner plates, which are placed on rattan chargers. The dessert plates are heart-shaped with paper, white heart-shaped doilies.

I also placed two mercury glass, red hearts at each end of the table and one of my favorite DIY efforts was the banner above the door to the Secret Garden.  

I took the letters and spelled out one of my favorite Bible verses….“we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19) and I used the cutest little clothespins with a little red heart glued to the end to hold them to a piece of twine. (there goes that rustic again)!!

Yes, hand made and not perfect, ….rustic mixed with a bit of formality….but I feel the juxtaposition is what makes it special….AND it all comes from the heart (yes, pun intended!)   😉

I will be posting the Menu recipes later….but for now…Happy Valentine’s Day Week-end!  Do you have special plans?

UPDATE: The Valentine’s Day Menu and pictures of our guests and the recipes can be found here!