It's all in the covers - fabric covered chairs with flair.

I got this picture in an email today! From Char out of Santa Fe, NM. The store closed across the street from La Fonda, but she's now opened a new place at 206 McKenzie Street. I will be going to visit the White Studio. I have to see the chair.  For a fabric-aholic, this chair speaks volumes. It's a look I love.

1. It's not a recliner

2. It's not boring

3. It's a traditional wingback design 

4. I really want this chair!

 Of course my husband would prefer this. It looks comfy enough, but I don't think it will make it's way into our living room. Crow's Nest Trading

 

 The Walden Chair from Thomasville. I love the curves and the feet and the tufting. And it can be covered in a variety of fabrics, such as the one below.

Which chair would you chose?

Welcoming Spring Patio Tablescape Style!

How did you celebrate the first day of Spring? Did you do as I did, rejoice with sheer joy that winter is officially behind us? Knowing that spring in West Texas can be freezing one day, really hot the next and fraught with frequent dust storms, hail and tornadoes, we chose to take advantage of the day. We dined outside!

I laid down a Provencal blue tablecloth. It's debut was HERE.

I used handled woven twig placemats from World Market. On top, our new kitchen dishes. I went for more color this time - World Market's Passaro. Made in Portugal. Sturdy, colorful, happy. Replaceable. 

Topped with a pasta bowl purchased very, very long ago. Not quite in a galaxy far away, but it sure seems like it. I loved the blue rim, the hand-painted quality to the flowers and fruits, and the size. Not too large.

The Ralph Lauren napkins were casually placed through the left side handle.

Loving my new wine hocks, etched glass purchased from Cielo Tabletop, Santa Fe.

The centerpiece was our wrought iron votive cup candelabra (purchased in Mineral Wells, Texas).

Small vases (99 cents from Tuesday Morning!!) hold 3 stems of cheerful yellow daisies.

If you live in West Texas, and are not sitting at the table, you learn very quickly to lay the empty glasses on their sides, lest an unexpected wind gust comes through!

So what did we eat? Risotto. Once you get the hang of letting the rice absorb the liquid before you add more, it's pretty easy fare! A Risotto salad and fresh bread. Recipe follows! Here's a blooper photo! Can you spot it?

Cast:

Tablecloth - Via Mediterranee

Placemats - World Market

Dinner Plates - World Market's Passaro

Pasta Bowls - Toscana Versilia Made In Itally

Flatware - Horchows

Napkins - Ralph Lauren

Wine hocks - Cielo Tableware, Santa Fe NM 

Wrought Iron votive candelabra - Mineral Wells, Texas

Mini vases - Tuesday Morning - 99 cents each!!

Insalata di Riso

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 cups (21 oz Baldo, Vialone Nano, or Arborio rice

1/2 cup diced zucchini

2/3 cup (5 fl oz) extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 package (6oz) oil packed tuna, drained and flaked

1 tomato, peeled and diced

1/2 cup diced celery

2 tablespoons salt cured capers, rinsed and drained

10 Mediterranean black olives, pitted and coarsely chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

8 large butter (Boston) or Bibb lettuce

4 hard-boiled eggs, quartered

In a large pot of boiling water over medium heat, cook the rice, stirring occasionally, until tender to the bite, but slightly firm in teh center, 15-20 minutes depending on variety. Add the zucchini and cook for 1 minute. Pour the rice and zuddhini into a colander and rinse with cold water until cool. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. 

Stir in olive oil and lemon juice into the rice mixture. Add the tuna, tomato, celery, capers, olives and basil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss to mix.

Arrange lettuce leaves on a platter. Top with the rice mixture, garnish with the egg quarters and serve. Makes 6 servings. Courtesy Williams Sonoma, Risotto cookbook.

In a small pot cook the zucchini in boiling water for about 1 minute.

Thank you for dropping in and joining me. I treasure your visits and your comments provide sustenance! Be sure to check Susan's Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch for more inspiring table settings starting late Wednesday evenings! Also for more recipes, Drop in at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday beginning Thursday evenings!  Thank you ladies for providing these lovely weekly events to keep us decorating and cooking!

I get by with a little help from my friends...

Just what is the face of friendship?

Friendship, like the sun, warms your body and soul.

It does not cage you, it enhances your flight.

It enhances your core values and allows for your differences.

It is full of surprises.

It nourishes you so that you can grow.

 It blossoms in the most unexpected venues.

It scales the most difficult situations.

It waits patiently.

It spans great distances.

It endures.

I woke up this morning seeing my good friend's daughter's face in the paper (wedding section) and was grateful that I was able to text her. I was able to reach her even as she is with another set of good friends. And wish her well and say a prayer of thanks and well-being for her. And got a text back from another friend. It made my day. Isn't technology wonderful?

I thank you all my friends (and this certainly includes my blog friends) for being a part of my life, for making it whole, for being my rock. I keep you in my prayers....always.

With a little help from my friends..

(C) Joe Cocker

What would you think if I sang out of tune,

Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song

And I'll try not to sing out of key.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

What do I do when my love is away

(Does it worry you to be alone?)

How do I feel by the end of the day,

(Are you sad because you're on your own?)

No, I get by with a little help from my friends

Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody

I need somebody to love

Could it be anybody

I want somebody to love.

Would you believe in a love at first sight

Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time

What do you see when you turn out the light

I can't tell you but I know it's mine,

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody

I just need someone to love

Could it be anybody

I want somebody to love.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With a little help from my friends.

And for your enjoyment.. 3 versions of the song.. pick your favorite:
Joe Cocker - very early years

The Beatles

Joe Cocker, the later years

Springing into Spring

one lone daffodil has shown it's pretty face

I thought I'd share some of the signs of spring in our neck of the woods. 

It was freezing two nights ago. Today it as 92. 

The per-emergent was just applied. I need to water like crazy but can't.

I could leave the house in a jacket in the morning and wear sandals by the afternoon.

This is West Texas. The weather is crazy!

From William Wordsworth (1798):

Early Spring 

I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

 

a few tulips have sprung from the parched West Texas soil

To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.

 

Not very many crocus made an appearance this year and this one looks pretty dismal ;-(

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And ’tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.

four volunteer spruces have shown their pretty frocks. two will stay and two will go.

 

The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure:--
But the least motion which they made
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

 

excuse the focus, the wisteria are going to be pleasing us with their wonderful scent very soon!

The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.

 

no sight is more pleasing (except babies sleeping) than to see Regan take a nap in the sun by an open window

If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature’s holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?

If the weather is nice, I'll be spending my time outside this weekend. Planting my planters, watching the birds, testing out the hammock. I wish you a weekend to refresh, rejuvenate, and to enjoy. Be happy. Find joy.

Thank you for dropping in. I appreciate your visits and your comments, they inspire me to be a better person. 


I'll be linking up to the Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday - on Sunday. Please go over and visit all the beautiful posts created just for you.

Éirinn go brách - Ireland Forever! Happy St. Patrick's Day tablescape

Ireland: land of verdant greens, Guinness, Irish lace and shamrocks. Why do we celebrate St. Patrick's Day?  I asked several people. I felt like Jay Leno on his Jaywalks! These are some of the answers:

 He drove the snakes out of Ireland.

Patron Saint of green beer.

During the potato famine Patrick decided everyone need to celebrate.

Somebody who witnessed a miracle.

He drank a lot and still lived so now we celebrate that.

Dunno!

St. Patrick's day is celebrated on the day St. Patrick died, 17th of March 493. He is credited with bringing the Irish into Christianity.

When he was 16, Irish marauders captured Patrick and took him to Ireland, where he was sold into slavery. 

Who could have known that the 6 years of slavery were to prepare him for his future apostalate. 

He learned the native Celtic tongue.

His master was a Druid and Patrick learned all the details about druidism, which later helped him to free the Irish from this bondage.

He fled after 6 years of slavery and headed back to Britain.

From that point on he devoted himself to the service of God.

 After several years he was ordained into the priesthood.

According to legend, he was drawn back to Ireland by the pleas of the children:

"O holy youth, come back to Erin and walk once more amongst us." 

After 18 years in the ministry he was able to begin his plans for his return to Ireland.

He had been entrusted with the mission to gather the Irish into the folds of Christianity.

He returned to Ireland in the summer months of 433.

He also wanted to pay his old master off and therefore be a freed man.

In God's plan, he met those who could help him the most in his mission.

And although the Druids were adverse to his mission,

soon God's plan was to come to fruition and

Patrick won over the people.

And Ireland came to be a Christian nation.

One of the "arguments" he used to defend his ways is this:

But St. Patrick, filled with the Holy Ghost, made answer:

"God, whom we announce to you, is the Ruler of all things."
"The God of heaven and earth, of the sea and the rivers."
"The God of the sun, and the moon, and all the stars."

"The God of the high mountains and of the low-lying valleys."

"The God who is above heaven, and in heaven, and under heaven."

"His dwelling is in heaven and earth, and the sea, and all therein."

"He gives breath to all."

"He gives life to all."

"He is over all."

"He upholds all."

"He gives light to the sun."

"He imparts splendour to the moon."

"He has made wells in the dry land, and islands in the ocean."

"He has appointed the stars to serve the greater lights."

"His Son is co-eternal and co-equal with Himself."

"The Son is not younger than the Father."

"And the Father is not older than the Son."

"And the Holy Ghost proceeds from them."

"The Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost are undivided."

"But I desire by Faith to unite you to the Heavenly King, as you are daughters of an earthly king."

St. Patrick's Day is a holy day, a day of obligation (in Ireland): on Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass. 

Moreover they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body.

So let's all take the day off!!!

 

The beautiful prayer of St. Patrick, popularly known as "St. Patrick's Breast-Plate", is supposed to have been composed by him in preparation for this victory over Paganism. The following is a literal translation from the old Irish text:

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the poop [deck],
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

Cast:

Green linen tablecloth - Williams Sonoma

Lace tablecloth - estate sale

Napkins - estate sale

Napkin rings - Dillards

Dinner plate - Wedgwood Windsor

Salad plate - Bordallo Pinheiro

Bread and Butter plate - Granada, Fine China of Japan

Silver - WMF

Crystal knife rests - husband's grandmother

Green water goblets - Handblown in France purchased in Santa Fe, NM

Crystal wine glasses - estate sale; Libbey Rock Sharpe

Silver candlesticks - gift

Crystal candlesticks - Home Goods

Revere bowl - gift

Butter dish and sterling salt and peppers - estate sales

Crystal decanter - Tuesday Morning

Shamrock plant - grocery store

Thank y'all for dropping in. I'd love to read your thoughts, so leave a comment if you'd like.

I'll be linking up to Tablescape Thursda and Holiday Haven's St. Patrick's party and Cuisine Kathleen's St. Paddy's Day bloghop!  Be sure to drop in there for lots more inspiration!!