BOOT TRAY TABLESCAPE!

Well, as I am now linked to Tablescape Thursdays over at Between Naps on the Porch,  
  I decided to continue the kitchen tour and show you my kitchen table decoration. I took these pictures at about 4:30am the other day....no I am a good sleeper but my husband had to drive a young guest to the airport that morning and I got up with them. I did head back to bed for a little while as the boys had a two hour snow delay, so I was able to catch up on some sleep then!

The huge copper tray is actually a boot tray that I bought at Target with this idea in mind. 

I wanted something substantial for decorating purposes year round but that I could also remove in a jiffy for meals. 

This tray has worked out wonderfully as the deep edges contain everything beautifully. I have greenery in there in the summer, pumpkins and whatnot in the fall etc. 

So here it is decked out with a winter scene.

Under the "snow" are several "arrangements" like the one below. 

 I decided to glue these little groupings on extra drink mats I had and I also used some furniture sliders when I ran out....I know a little bit wasteful of me, but one, I don't like using this particular size of furniture mover (the really big ones or the really small ones are handier) and two I wanted to get it done!!!! Anyway, I glued different groupings on each little mat and then glued some snow on each as well. They don't fall over now when I move the tray and will make decorating quicker next year! Of course many burnt fingertips later....I was done. Now, here was an opportunity to display some kiddie treasures too. There's a little snowman, some reindeer and a little glass votive cup (baby food jar) all made by the three muskaters when they were sweet little boys....(sweet? did I actually say that???). 

 

As the burlap table runner is just a piece of burlap that I fringed at the ends, I added an old rusty bell to each end to "finished" it off nicely.

 I brought this bench in from the outside this fall. I love how it looks with my old English table. And look how perfect Sonya's wonderful pillow looks nestled between the other two pillows!   beyondthescreendoordesigns.blogspot.com/

  LOVE IT!!! I cannot praise the quality of her craftsmanship enough. Quality and reasonable prices....perfect! If you aren't a follower of her blog you will be as soon you visit it and her store!!!

I also purchased a runner from her but have decided to wait until after Christmas to display it...something to look forward too when all the pretty stuff gets put away for another year.....

Here is a candle lit scene that turned out great! I love my little birdhouse snowman (birds again!) and you can also see a little wooden tree that I bought in a market in Germany. I love the little row of mailboxes (a recent purchase). I added the glass ornaments and the white non breakable ones to the vignette to add some glow and fill in. Down the center is a narrow rectangle copper candle holder from Southern Living At Home on which I placed 3 milk glass bowls that were my mother in law's and a bisque candle votive bought on a special trip to Strassbourg, France with my husband. I love the winter scene that shines through when the candle is lit. The milk glass also glows with candles.

 

Hope you enjoyed this posting as much as I did. Have a great Thursday and here is  a quote to help you through these busy times!

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle"