The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

My Sweet Little Valentine. . .


Retirement and finally having time to spend together 
has certainly made a new twist in how "Mr. Ed" and I 
will celebrate Valentine's Day  2013!



I met "Mr. Ed" when I was 13!
We are High School Sweethearts. . .
but this Valentine's Day On Crooked Creek
is all about celebrating the love of our family!





Together, we've created a Valentine centerpiece
with heirlooms and memorabilia from the 1950's ~ 1970's!


Once the Christmas decor was put away,
I wanted to utilize my cloches 
that are stored in the upper level Guest Room closet.


Because my largest cloche is really tall,
I knew I would need to fill the space 
from the tabletop to the bottom of the cloche.

As my eyes glanced across the numerous hues
and titles from my collection, they landed upon  
A Key To A Happy Heart by Chet Stein.



On the same shelf was The Locket by Richard Paul Evans.
Books, cloches, hearts, keys, lockets. . .
everything needed to make 
My Sweet Little Valentine tablescape!




I began with the books,
then I added a sweet white handkerchief  with red hearts
belonging to my beloved Mother~in~law. 
The silver embossed locket, a gift from my MoMa,
holds photos of "Mr. Ed" , our son as a toddler and I.



Three skeleton keys tied with two hues of ribbon
represents the bonding of "Mr. Ed's" family and mine
which ultimately resulted in the making of our own family! 




"Mr. Ed's" Aunt Elinor Stein 
is the dear lady in the photograph beneath the cloche.
Chet Stein, author of A Key To A Happy Heart,
is her husband.



Beneath the smaller cloche 
is a miniature heart made from vintage lace
and embroidery stitches on brown velvet!
The gold locket is a gift from my late neighbor
which holds a photo of "Mr. Ed". . .my sweet little Valentine!




Not wanting to distract from the family heirloom centerpiece,
the place settings are composed of simple elements.
Vintage Johnson Brothers China from England
in creamy ivory serves for our dinner plate. 
It is topped with our ivory reticulated salad plates for romantic ambiance. Each place setting holds a silverplated heart tied with a sheer white bow featuring embossed French words of love. 



Soft, muted floral napkins are drawn together 
by dragonfly wrought iron napkin rings.




Once again, 
I've used my beloved Mother~in~laws
silver flatware for our heirloom table setting.



My favorite vintage rose etched stemware
mimics the floral theme from the place mats and napkins. 



My sweet little valentine's completed place setting. . .


and
                                                                              a place setting for me!




Incorporating two table cloths,
I've created soft layering and draping,
for a more dramatic and romantic appearance.



 A square, vintage ecru linen table cloth
with detailed scallops gives the illusion of ruffles!
Beneath is a creamy ivory,
rose embossed damask tablecloth!



Brown velvet lumbar pillows
with sheer ribbon rosettes,
combined with ivory seat cushions,
make for more comfortable seating 
with our farmhouse dining chairs.




On Crooked Creek,
celebrating the love of family with an heirloom tablescape 
for My Sweet Little Valentine!




Until next time. . .


On Crooked Creek will be joining 

www.betweennapsonthporch.net

AND. . .

www.astrollthrulife.blogspot.com

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for
a Winter Cloche Part @ Table Top Tuesday! 

AND. . .

www.dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com

Thursday's Inspirations!


Be sure to visit
for you’ll come away
filled with amazing inspirations
for use in your own home décor!

29 comments:

Brenda said...

Your table is lovely. I enjoy connecting with the past through old photos and other memorabilia.

Could you share where you found the silver hearts with French writing? I'd love to have one if they are available for sale somewhere.

bj said...

What a lovely table...I love using things from the past.
Hope all is good with you and Mr. Ed. I haven't been able to visit much during this WORK YOURSELF TO DEATH move. :(

The Dragonfly On Iron Gate said...

Lovely ! How sentimental. I haven't gotten a clue as to my Valentines Day Dinner. Great ideas here ! How lovely you have things displayed. Jules ~ The Dragonfly On Iron Gate

Diane said...

So sweet and so full of love!! Thank you for sharing!!

podso said...

You take such care to meaningful detail in all the vignettes and table settings at your house. This one, with its history, especially touched my heart. How lovely and I hope you have a delicious meal at this table!

Diane | An Extraordinary Day said...

Beautiful!! I love the story you have for each of the cloches...and the keys are such wonderful symbols.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Visits With Mary said...

Very romantic pictures, very pretty. I met my Mr D when I was 15, we were also school sweethearts. We celebrated our 50th anniversary in December. Isn't life good? ))smiles))

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

This is the prettiest table! I love all the layers. Your lovely white setting looks wonderful with the beautiful silver hearts. And such an impressive collection of mementos. So enjoyable! As always I appreciate your lovely visits and comments! Happy weekend!

Tea in Texas said...

Retirement is wonderful! My husband said before he retired, "Work was getting in the way of what he wanted and really needed to do!". Your vintage and antique peices are the perfect addition to a special table for two. I love how you added athe sepia hues for that past time feel. The reticulated plates with the heart ornament has a special touch! Happy Retirement!

Pam

Jennie said...

I love using sentimental pieces on my table and in vignettes around my home. Yours are very beautiful and meaningful. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Christine @ Rustic-Refined said...

So beautiful, just loved everything, all the details. Can you tell me what that brown metal thing is or where you got it? The one underneath the cloche? I think that cloche and that "cake stand" thingy is my favorite!

Christine @ Rustic-Refined said...

P.S. New follower here :-)

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I love this idea of celebrating family for Valentines, I may have to steal this idea:) Your cloches are so pretty. That "ruffled" cloth is gorgeous. I have the book, The Locket too but haven't read it yet. I got it out at Christmas time to read but, HA! NO TIME:):) XO, Pinky

Alycia Nichols said...

This is just sweet beyond measure!!! What a neat tribute to the love in your family!!! Those lockets are just darling, and I love the silver hearts on the plates!!! I really like the way you layered the table linens, too. It gives the table a "petticoat" effect. (Remember petticoats? Do they even make them anymore for everyday wear?) Very pretty! I hope that you and your sweetheart (since age 13...goodness!) enjoy a wonderful Valentine's Day with the love of your family at hand!

Marlis said...

You had me with the keys, I brought out the kleenex! I love your wonderful tribute to the love it takes to grow a family. The table display is a wonderful reminder! Love the dishes and the linens.. Everything is just so pretty and romantic. My sis in law and her husband began dating in junior high.. and are still together. 40+ years. I wish you and yours a wonderfully, romantic Valentine's day. May God's blessing rain down on you!
xo marlis

Shabby Brocante, Karen said...

What a beautiful tablescape. What makes it even better is that it's so incredibly meaningful. I loved the stores behind every special piece! Just amazing that you knew each other since you were 13. So so sweet. Happy Valentine's Day!
Karen

Brenda said...

What a beautiful table scape!
I live in an old house (built in 1911) that still uses skeleton keys. Always a conversation piece when people see them on my key chain.
Your dishes and linen are lovely too.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Loved reading this post Pat ~ Jim and I have been together since we were 15 as well! We will both be turning 50 this year ~ we are so lucky to still be together!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

How beautiful your memories are on such beautiful surroundings and thank you for coming to visit me in "A Quiet Corner"!!...:)JP

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

That's so sweet that you've been with your Mr. Ed for so long! I love the sentiment behind your cloche's and table setting.

Donna said...

Your table is so pretty! I love how you used the cloches to hold such wonderful treasures.
Hugs
Donna

Unknown said...

Such a gorgeous tablesetting. I love the blue pedestal with the cloche on top. So sweet!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your tablescape is so beautiful and I love that you used your cloches as the centerpiece. So perfect and so pretty, makes everything look so elegant. Thanks tons for joining the party. Hugs, Marty

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Such a beautiful display, Pat! I love how the books you've displayed work so well with the cloche displays, especially the picture.

Pat@BPM said...

Simply beautiful, Pat!

Shane Pollard said...

It's a beautiful Valentine post showcasing your love and memory vignettes.
All precious and with so much meaning.
Wishing you both a wonderful Valentines Day 2013!
Shane ♥

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

A charming table. My husband and I enjoy spending more time together since he retired 2 years ago.
Happy Valentine's Day.

A Garden of Threads said...

A beautiful table setting, very romantic. Hope you had a marvellous Valentine.

Pondside said...

Valentine's Day must have been special at your house - such a beautiful setting!