Hymn of Promise

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise; butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. ~~ words & music by Natalie Sleeth, 1986 United Methodist Hymnal

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Sunday Favorites


Well, I'm finally going to join my bestest, sweetest blogging friend Chari @ http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/ for Sunday Favorites! Chari has such a beautiful blog! She is one talented lady, and have I mentioned how sweet she is? Well she is! So be sure and go by and say hi and check out other blog favorites you might have missed the first time around! But before you go I wanted to revisit my very first tablescape! This was March 2009! So long ago! (LOL)

I was just mindin' my own business! I had the day off and was in the kitchen baking a birthday cake for my son, nephew and brother-n-law (they're birthdays are the 11th, 9th and the 6th of March) and I was thinking about all the beautiful tablescapes I had been privy too that morning via Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ and one thought led to another and before I knew it I was imitating Laurie at bargainhuntingwithlaurie running all over the house looking for just the right thing to complete my tablescape! I hope you enjoy it! I really did have fun!


It's a garden theme! I didn't use placemats because there wasn't room and I really love my handpainted table! Can you see the tree branches? There's a wren and nest under my plates! I did it myself! Painted right over the top of an antique oak pedastal table and my husband hasn't forgiven me yet! Recognize the green glassware from Old Time Pottery?! I told you they would go with my everyday china!


This pattern is George Briard and you had to buy it in sets of four because each plate has a different flower! Wasn't I a horrible bride?! It's discontinued now but I have seen it on China Replacements, Inc. And this is gonna hurt ya...years ago I had alot more of it including some serving pieces I had displayed on a wall mounted shelf in our kitchen in our first house and one day I was mopping the floor and I had moved the table and chairs out from under the light fixture... when I raised up from bending over mopping my back hit the bottom of the shelf which pulled it away from the wall and CRASH! Not much survived. Luckily I only had 2 plates and 2 salads up there or I probably wouldn't have what I have now!



Lupinus, texensis or better known as Texas Bluebonnet! Do you see my little butterfly and bunny Sabino glass?



Persicum Giganteum or Cyclamen. See the little Sabino squirrel chewing on a nut!





Viola Pedata or Bird's-Foot Violet. Over in the left hand corner you can see my Sabino garden statue. It's a little cherub holding a bouquet of flowers!


Chrysanthemum Segetum or Corn Marigold


The flatware was my grandmothers. The white chargers are actually plates from Southern Living! I'm trying to collect the whole set! So far I've got 4 plates and 4 bowls. The butterfly napkins were a gift from my dad who was always perusing a good garage sell. I have the tablecloth to match! He found so many great things at garage sales! Alot of junk, but alot of good things too!


Don't know if you can really see. I used a bird's nest and faux violets in my Southern Living toile pots and of course my Sabino glass pieces and a Goebel bird and I had the little garden urn...it was a candle that had burned down and this Christmas I was putting up things and there was this silver ball and the urn and I thought hmmm if I turn it upside down in this urn it looks like a miniature garden reflectory ball! Aren't I just so clever?! LOL


Thanks for taking a look at my first tablescape! God Bless! Now be sure and go over to Susan's to see all the other great tablescapes! I'm going too!

57 comments:

  1. Hello Miss Laura Lu!! Beautiful tablescape! I love your dishes...gorgeous! I'm so glad you decided to join us....warning...it's addictive!!!...lol..Debbie

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  2. Hi LauraLu, you did a great job! That is some story about your beautiful plates....glad you didn't lose the whole set! Are your large white plates by SL called Southern Gallery? I bought 2 salad plates and 2 mugs a few years back. I really do like them! Linda

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  3. I don't like your tablescape, Laura Lu. I LOVE IT! The plates are gorgeous and do we have the same pewter bunny napkin holders? Love your plate chargers too. Everything is so pretty!...Christine

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  4. Laura Lu I Love this! Those plates are beautiful! You are so creative and talented!

    Smiles :)

    Lou Cinda

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  5. I do love your dishes. Even though I'm not from Texas, I've always liked bluebonnet, so I was particularly drawn to that plate. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Oh Laura Lu I just love this- and I really do - It is such a sweet setting. I had to enlarge and just stare at those sweet little birds on the branch. I imagine they are singing their little hearts out to the Lord!! Is that an old piece do you know?? I would love to find some sweet singing praising birdies like that!!

    Im off to the big city tomorrow for wallpaper paste and other stuff on my list which is a mile long!!

    blessings
    mary

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  7. Laura, You hit a homerun with your very 1st tablescape and in the middle of baking too! I see your love of flowers goes a long way back! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. That last comment was from me. Everytime someone visits they fiddle with my computer!!!

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  9. Your dishes are gorgeous and your table looks so inviting. Happy Tablescape Thursday!

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  10. Oh, Laura Lu, what a gorgeous table! I love your dishes! They're gorgeous! Those glasses and your centerpiece. Honey, you've outdone yourself. Oh, I wanna see the top of your table. You're fantastic, lady!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  11. Well hello! I love your dining room first of all, it is wonderful. And your table is lovely. I love stacked plates like that. All the different plates...I really like that. Hope you have a wonderful day!
    Blessings,
    Debbie

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  12. Those dishes are so pretty and I love that they are all different flowers. Wonderful 1st tablescape!

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  13. I love, love, love your china with all the pretty little different flowers. I posted my first tablescape too. Mine is pretty plain. I just took a picture of the table pretty much how it looks when I set it for dinner.

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  14. Thank you for stopping to see me the other day. I just had to come say hello & I really enjoyed your tablescape! Your china is lovely. I always hate to hear of broken china. When I saw your Sabino butterfly I had to smile. I had a dear friend that had a huge collection of many collectibles & one night during the night the pins holding the glass shelves in her display case came loose & one shelf after another crashed. Her large Sabino butterfly wing broke off. She couldn't stand to see it so it came to me in a box of broken things that I told her I would love to have as pieces to do a "broken china" mirror surround. I just couldn't stand to use the butterfly that way. I glued that wing & now he sits on my fireplace mantle & no one knows our secret.

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  15. I couldn't cover up that table either! Especially if I had painted it myself! Those dishes are lovely - I would cry to break one!

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  16. GM...I just love your table and it so matches your beautiful table..love that china..its all just lovely..thanks for sharing..Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  17. Pretty dining room. Love the blue glasses.
    Blessings, Candy

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  18. Mornin' Girlfriend...

    Aren't you just the sweetest!!! Thank you so much for stopping by and for all of your sweet comments! and...move what??? Hehe!!!

    Girl, this tablescape is absolutely stunning!!! I love your china...what a beautiful pattern!!! Honey, I almost cried reading about your dish breaking accident...if it had been me, I'd have probably just sat down on that wet floor and cried!!! So sorry!!! Those pretty creamy white charger/plates look beautiful with the place settings! Your flower centerpieces...beautiful and I love all of the little details...so sweet! Girl, your dad did great finding those pretty embroidered napkins! I say he has a pretty good eye!!!

    Well my friend, I already know how talented you are in the painting dept...just adore your kitchen and dining walls! You'll have to take a photo of your table top and post it...please!!! What I could see of it...it's lovely!!!

    Have a terrific Thursday, Sweetie...loved your beautiful Spring tablescape!!!
    Love ya,
    Chari

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  19. Beautiful tablescape! I love the dishes.

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  20. Hello! Your table is beautiful!! I am so sorry about the mop attacking your other dishes...there is actually a lesson there...be mindful of your surroundings at all times! LOL
    I think you did a fantastic job! Isn't Laurie inspirational :)
    Have a beautiful day!
    Lilly

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  21. Great tablescape! Thanks for sharing with us your gorgeous dishes! Happy TT!

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  22. I really love your dishes! Each plate with a different flower to see, each individual, but yet it all goes together! Loved your little urn with the gazing ball in miniature!!

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  23. What a beautiful tablescape. You did a great job pulling out pretty things. That is my favorite thing to do too, it's amazing what you can come up with.
    I love your flower arrangements too now matter what RMS says. I'm affraid to even go there.
    Happy Tablescape Thursday.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  24. Beautiful tablescape, Lauralu! Your dishes are lovely!
    Have a fabulous day!
    ;-D

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  25. You have such pretty dishes! And the tablescape is so pretty, too.

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  26. Oh, such a magical table setting! I actually have four of those salad plates. For years I had them hanging in my bedroom. They are in storage now while the room is redone. I'll have to get them out and have a little luncheon. :)

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  27. Oh, I just LOVE your china. It's so pretty and soft. The butterfly napkins looks really nice with them. Perfect job on your first tablescape. How nice it was of you to share it with us. I get such pleasure seeing other people's china. I am glad you could use your Grandmother's flatware. It looked perfect.

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  28. Hi Laura Lu.Thank you so much for coming to "my house".I see you at all my friends' places.Now FINALLY,you came to see me.I am honored.
    And I have zero idea where I found this.Probably pbs or the history channel.But whoever it was.SAID--------Scottish and Irish are the same.............duh-they just got into a fight,as our irish kinfolk LOVE to do(tempers).Sometime a long -way back.The irish went to what now is Ireland.And the scottish went to what is now Scotland.
    It always puzzled me,.because we all basicly have the same names.the same tempers,sh.the same features.Until the indians came along that was.haMy moms name was McDonald.Irish.Scottish would be MacDonald.come on,gimme a break,haha.
    And what is this?Your first TT?I'm quitting.You are fabulous your first time out.It truly is lovely.I adore those dishes.And as our friend Deb says,it is so addictive.
    Welcome...Ann

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  29. OMG!! Lu I'm totally in love with your George Briard china!! It's soooo fabulous!! And it just figures that it's discontinued! *sobs* Speaking of sobs, I could cry big crocodile tears for your loss!! You'd have heard my screams all the way to your house if they'd been mine! OK nuff about sadness....your tablescape is beautiful! I LOVE everything you do!! I seriously wish there was a magazing "Laura lu's world" I'd sign up for a subscription in a heartbeat!! You are sooo inspiring to me!! And your table is killer! Poo poo on the hubster! Lol!! *winks* Vanna

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  30. Fabulous. I love those plates & your tablescape. Boo hoo to the shelf crashing down & everything breaking. I had a shelf in our bathroom go crash in the middle of the night once without any provoking. Luckily I was able to salvage alot of items. My husband is great at gluing things back together.

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  31. Beautiful tablescape! Love the light blue glasses too! I'm working on all your GREAT ideas on my mantle! :-) L~

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  32. Very pretty dishes. The table looks great!

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  33. I love your table setting. Lovely.

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  34. I LOVE your tablescape. It is so gorgeous!!

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  35. hey you demanding follower you! lol
    I love the photos! those plates are so pretty.
    now..the soil ammendment post will be done hopefully for Monday... Just making sure I have all my ducks in a row first! I will let you know when it is posted!

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  36. A quick HI to you while I am here at work! I did get my wallpaper paste while in town yesterday. We leave tomorrow for a week so (boo hoo) not finishing it this weekend!
    Came home to Jesse our dog having gotten sprayed by a skunk! He is traveling with us so Bill is working at scrubbing the smell off him- poor dog is going to be hairless by the time he is done!! Actually we have an ozone machine and left him and the machine in the basement all night and it did a pretty good job- just a little whiff still here and there.

    Well friend I probably wont have time to check in much so we will see you when I get back!

    blessings
    mary

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  37. Oh, Lauralu, I am IN LOVE with that china pattern! I've never seen that pattern, and it's a good thing I haven't, since I'd be buying it if I did, and I do NOT need any more china-so glad it is discontinued! It just made me sick when you told about breaking it!
    It is perfect with your table top. I wish, when Laurie runs around the house gathering stuff, she could come up with something this pretty! laurie

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  38. Hi Laura Lu! Yes, you've got to make some of these dishes!! If you make some, show me!! Have a great weekend, Dear One!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  39. Hi! nice post!
    besos
    visit me anytime...

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  40. table scapes are among the things I cannot seem to do! I try and try and finally say some "bad" words and quit!
    yours is wonderful!!! there are so many out there ....I am collecting plates now tho..maybe that's a good sign...
    I have just finished your soil question....the answer is going to be up at midnight my time....on Monday morning. It is my first attempt at helping you! If that doesn't work....let me know...I will try to dig up some professional information for you!
    have a great week friend!

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  41. Hey Girlfriend...

    Just read your note over at my place...so nice to see you on this sweet, sunny Sunday! I'm glad that you enjoyed the scripture...I really would like to do more of this on Sundays!!!

    Well my friend, I love your new blog dress too! I have "eyed" this blog background for sometime...I just love the soft grayish lavender...so pretty and soooo you!!! It's so "frenchy" too...hehe!

    Have a super Sunday, Sweetie!
    Love ya,
    Chari

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  42. Ohhh...you changed your blog background again..hehe! Or am I going crazy? I was sure that you had the lavender laurel background. Well, you know that I love this aqua background, I had used it for several weeks!

    You mentioned wanting different font for your header so I thought I'd stop back by and tell you what I do. I use Photobucket...it's a photo software...free online. Here is the link if you're interested....http://photobucket.com/
    I download my photos to photobucket...they have all kinds of fun things to play with as far as enhancing your photos. If you download your header photo...you can use there "text" for different fonts. They don't have a whole lot to choose from but more than what blogger makes available to us. Anyway, best wishes with all of that!

    Love ya,
    Chari

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  43. Ooops...I really wanted to say that if I can be of any help to you with that just let me know!

    Love ya, my friend!
    Chari

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  44. Now, I knew I would love your tablescapes, such a natural thing for someone with your wonderful eye and amazing arranging talents.. but I LOVE this tablescape, and I have to say those are the most beautiful dishes I have ever seen.. Oh I cried for you with your dish loss.. I am so glad you didn't loose every thing. I am putting out a little prayer that some where there will be some more of these beauties so you can complete your set again.. Hope you are having a great day. Love, Cindy

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  45. Those dishes are so pretty! I love the uniqueness of them. Such a pretty tablescape!

    I hope you enjoy your Sunday!

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  46. OH I love your china with all the different botanicals! What a beautiful tablesetting. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Miss Bloomers/Sonia

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  47. LOVE the botanical china! It's spectacular. Such a pretty table, and it looks so sweet and refreshing to see such pretty colors and lightness at this time of year. Lovely!
    Cass

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  48. This is a great tablescape but what really caught my eye was the color of your walls. I love that rich color.

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  49. Hi Lauralu, I love your tablescape. It sure becomes addictive doesn't it? I agree, placemats weren't needed. Why cover up your beautiful table. I love seeing a peek into your beautiful room.. hugs ~lynne~

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  50. Hi Lauralu! thanks for visiting That Old House...and about your question regarding the re-posting on Sunday
    Favorites.. here's the trick:
    Re-open your old post in "edit" mode. (To do this, go to Dashboard, then where it says "Manage Blogs", click on Edit Posts. In the list of already published posts, find the one you want to use again, and click "edit.")

    Now this will bring that old post up in an editing window, just like it was when you were writing it. At the upper right of the window, where it says "compose," there is a tab for "Edit HTML." Click on that tab -- and your post will be shown in computer lingo. Highlight and copy everything in that window! (Oddly, some posts copy better top to bottom, others bottom to top, but that may be just my odd computer.)

    Then ... you open up a New Post window! and in that empty window, you PASTE the HTML from the old post. Then click "compose" at the upper right of the window, and VOILA! you will see your old post appear. Pictures and links and all.... but no comments. You can add your Sunday Favorites introduction at the end or you can edit the post however you want -- and then add Chari's link for the blog party, and you are done!

    Whew that was long but I hope helpful!
    Cass

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  51. Oops I meant you can add the sunday favorites intro at the beginning, not the end. Duh.
    Cass

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  52. Mornin' Dearheart...

    My dear, sweet friend...I was just elated to see you join in with us for Sunday Favorites this week...what a sweet treat!!! And...thank you so much for "sweet mention" at the beginning of your post...you know I love ya, Girl!!!

    Ohhh yes...I remember this post with this fabulous "Garden" themed tablescape...it's gorgeous!!! I love, love, LOVE your china! I really like the sets that have the different patterns on them...in your case...all the different flowers! Sooo pretty! And...they couldn't be any prettier than to have your pretty hand painted garden scenes from your table as a background!!! Girlfriend, I just love this dining area in your kitchen...all of that beautiful painting on the walls!!! You're so creative and talented!!! It all reminds me of when we first met on RMS...this pretty room!!! Hehe!

    Well Darlin'...I'm just tickled pink that you participated with Sunday Favorites...what a fabulous post to share with us all! I do apologize at being so late to get by...we ended up going out of town yesterday to take the kids back to their mother's. I didn't get home till very late last night!

    My dear, sweet friend...have a wonderful week!
    Love ya,
    Chari

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  53. Ooops...just lil' ol' me again. Just wanted to tell you that I love your pretty new Christmas blog look!!! What a pretty blog background and I love your new Christmas header photo...soooo pretty, Girlfriend!!!

    Love ya,
    Chari

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  54. Hi Miss Laralu,
    It's so nice to see a sweet comment from you my friend! For some reason I thought you had stopped blogging. I'm so glad you are still here!

    Your tablescape is gorgeous in the prettty garden theme. ~Ah Spring...Sigh. I know they all enjoyed it for their B-days. ~Lovely.
    Your dishes are really beautiful.

    Many Blessings, ~Melissa :)

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  55. Oh wow! well done your table was gorgeous :)

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  56. Hey you got a new look for Christmas!! Like it!
    My picture of the mess on my cloche blog was the neat part of the mess!!! Oh my it looks like a hurricane came through this place. Every year I tell my self I am just going to work on one room at a time....never does go according to plan with that ADD thing of mine!

    Have a great time in San Antonio! That beats decorating any day- well most any day!

    blessings
    mary

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Hello and God Bless! Thank you for visiting "Hidden Promise"! It's wonderful to get comments from you all! I think they are a great way to show our love, care and support of each other! Have a wonderful day! Lauralu :)