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

Friday, August 31, 2012

Plating Autumnal Vignette. . .

As Autumn schedules begin to fill,
once again comes the necessity to make life a bit less challenging On Crooked Creek!



So~o~o. . .
I've plated the frequently used dinner plates, saucers and bowls




and corralled the flatware, napkins and stemware! 


 

Filling the brown ironstone pitcher with Autumnal  bronze hydrangea, cranberry picks and copper leaves lends subtly
to the change of Seasons!




Freshly pressed and rolled napkins
mimicking Autumnal hues accent the vintage fruit print!



Simplistic, lucite handled flatware tucked neatly inside a crystal and silver bowl make replacing elements on the dining room table one of ease!


Indeed, a plating Autumnal vignette
gives the needed practicability to a hurried schedule
of upcoming events
On Crooked Creek!






Until next time. . .

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Familiar Hues. . .

With all the Traditional decor
and earthy Old World color palette here On Crooked Creek,
sometimes changing things to a familiar hue is consoling!



Pears are my fruit of choice for home decor!
I adore these two huge crackle porcelain pears!
So~o~o. . .
I gave them a place of honor in the built~in china cabinet!



Left ~ to ~ right.
 


The top shelf of the cabinet holds vintage aqua Haeger vases
filled with creamy ivory faux florals!



Right ~ to ~left.
 


Placed between the vintage Haeger vases and the crackle pears
are vintage Traditional fruit prints.
Double matted in sage green and creamy ivory with deep mahogany frames and placed atop intricate wrought iron easels for visual interest.



A petite crystal dinner bell with etched praying hands on the front and The Lord's Prayer on the back
is the perfect height for the middle shelf!
The backdrop is an heirloom,vintage blue compote dish
used for candy during my childhood!



Stacked vintage Homer Laughlin dinner plates, saucers and bowls
combined with turquoise swirl depression sugar bowl and creamer fill this minimal space nicely! 



The 7" dessert/salad plates at the rear of the shelf,
from my limited collection of
Gold Crown Lifetime China Co Semi~Vitreous  Alliance, Ohio,
gives you an idea of the challenge of this shelf!!!



Saucer less English bone china cups
finish the visual appeal for this space with those familiar hues!



Three pieces of my newest ironstone collection!
The 6" dessert/ salad plate says Johnson Co. England. . .
the oval platter says USA on the back. . .
and the dinner plate has no marking!



Green Majolica platter gives visual interest as a  backdrop
for my Homer Laughlin bowls and lidded sugar bowl.
Individual cupcake pedestals, at the far right corner,
are stacked for visual interest.





Changing things to a familiar hue
in the china cabinet On Crooked Creek,




tones down the Autumnal palette
that is creeping in each and every corner!





Until next time. . .




Just a quick reminder that I'm having a give~away with my BLOG Anniversary! The winner will be announced on Labor Day,
Monday, September 3rd!!!



To enter. . .
  1. Leave a comment on this blog post!
  2. Tell me why you began blogging!
  3. Make sure you're a follower!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

BLOG Anniversary!!!

Dear Ones,
My greatest apologies to all of you A M A Z I N G ladies
in the Land of Blog!!! I did not realize that when you pass a
BLOG Anniversary that you celebrated!!!


So~o~o. . .


"Stick 'em up, Partner, 'cause we're getting ready for the Greatest Show On Crooked Creek as we celebrate our 2nd BLOG Anniversary!!!"




On Crooked Creek will be giving away a pair of these wooden angels to one lucky follower!


To enter. . .
  1. Leave a comment on this blog post!
  2. Tell me why you began blogging!
  3. Make sure you're a follower!



The winner will be announced on Labor Day, 
 Monday, September 3, 2012!





On Crooked Creek
we'll have a Rootin' Tootin' time!!!


Until next time. . .

Friday, August 24, 2012

With A Grateful Heart. . .

Nearing the 60 day mark since I made the decision to
"s t a y   at   h o m e"!

It is with a grateful heart that I . . .



"Mr. Ed" made a chalkboard out of this petite tray!
Purchased in the early Spring at Roadhouse Antiques,
measuring 8 1/2 " long and 4 1/2 "wide, makes it the perfect fit for our dining room hutch!





Such a simple message, yet it reminds me everyday to
Give Thanks, With A Grateful Heart!



For all the abundant blessings I continue to experience
here On Crooked Creek,
I will . . .




With A Grateful Heart!


Until next time. . .


 
 
On Crooked Creek is joining Debra for Vintage Inspirations @ Common Ground! Visit and be inspired to use your vintage finds and heirlooms in your own home decor!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Flippin' The Switch!!!

On Crooked Creek,
we're flippin' the switch from Summer to Autumn!!!


Beginning with the dining room chandelier,
 we're transitioning the decor from Summer to Autumn
. . .one area at a time! ! !



Before. . .

I'm fortunate to have more than one set of chandelier lamp shades for the dining room here On Crooked Creek! Recently, I used the red and gold stripe to set the tone for hot Summer days and my Farmhouse Frenchy Kitchen.

I truly adore the Traditional style decor that I enjoyed during my youth. Since I've had more time to indulge in keeping my home, I'm finding that the Traditional style is much more soothing to my soul.



The Autumnal inspiration for the chandelier came from
Mary Carol Garrity's Nell Hill's Christmas at Home and these recent faux fall foliage finds from the Iron Star combined with berry garland and oak leaf sprigs I previously purchased locally at Roadhouse Antiques!




Consider the decorating potential that is often overlooked
in your ceiling fixture is the advise that Mary Carol Garrity gives in seasonal decor!



So~o~o. . .
aided by my ever faithful assistant, "Mr. Ed", I did just that!





In making the chandelier a centerpiece of the dining room, I needed to hide the chain link above the rubbed bronze finish!



Although it took s e v e r a l attempts to get the sprigs of bittersweet neatly and securely tucked under the burlap wired ribbon, I am quite pleased with the results!



Next came the "over ~ under" winding of the soft orange hued berry garland on the arms of the chandelier. The addition of my creamy ivory silk Traditional lamp shades keeps the Autumnal hues from becoming overbearing.



Blending sprigs of faux oak leaves, twigs and acorns along each arm of the chandelier adds to the natural elements of Autumn!


The overhead view speaks volumes of Autumn,
as you gaze across the table.



After!

Good~bye triple digit temperatures,
good ~bye to Summer of 2012!









We've flipped the switch to Autumn
                               On Crooked Creek!



Until next time. . .


www.stonegable.blogspot.com


Please join On Crooked Creek @ StoneGable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Romantic Steak Dinner. . .

Finally,
the temperatures here on the Prairie are in the double digits!
After 34 consecutive days of triple digits On Crooked Creek, this calls for celebration!!! 




A Romantic Steak Dinner is on the menu tonight!



Candlelight will set the ambiance for a romantic dinner for two!



Muted Autumnal hues create a mystical theme!



Scalloped place mat atop a freshly ironed linen tablecloth combined with stacked duo ~hued dinnerware provides an
air of romance!



Low bisque pottery filled with hydrangea and golden orbs. A
perfect centerpiece for eye contact.









Beaded organza ties drape each chair finished with an elegant bow!










The romantic mood cascades into the surroundings of this setting!





Long over ~due,
On Crooked Creek,
a Romantic Steak Dinner for two!





Until next time. . .


www.betweennapsontheporch.net
Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch is hosting Tablescape Thursday with some of the most amazing table decor you could wish to see! Be sure to visit our sweet hostess soon and be inspired to set a decorative table for your own home!!!