Decorating our entry table inspired me to add a little sump’n-sump’n to the center of our dining table this week. I started with a cable knit runner (TJ Maxx) because I’m a sucker for anything “sweater” right now. Next, I placed a small rosemary plant (potted in one of my Grandma Beth’s old crocks) in the center of the table and surrounded it with boxes wrapped in red plaid paper (Michaels- 2014) and navy & white bowls (eBay finds from a few years ago).
I filled the bowls with an evergreen sprig, succulents, stones, a vintage ornament and some faux snow. I got the soapstone heart from one of my fellow Three Angels mamas, and the “Be Mine” rock was part of a gift from me to Kevin several years back. The salt & pepper shakers, another flea market find, usually live on top of the secretary in the kitchen, but I thought they’d be cute in this vignette for a while. I think of our “Sweet P” every time I see them. 🙂
One of the other mamas asked me how the nickname ‘Sweet P’ came to be the other day. I don’t think I’ve ever told you that story here either, have I? We came up with the nickname at the very beginning of our adoption adventure- long before we knew our kiddo’s name. The “P” stands for Palmer. As in, Mr. P, and Mrs. P, and Sweet P. 😀
I softened the spaces around the packages and bowls with some (winter) white elements: a tiny marble bowl (TJ Maxx- 2013) filled with faux snow and a twig ball, and a vintage toy trailer (a gift from my friend Mary at Urban Farmgirl). The trailer is holding another small succulent, potted in a clear punch cup that I wrapped with yarn. (Another little “sweater”- ha!)
I’m looking forward to sharing a post about the fun I’ve been having with our mantel and Christmas tree next week. In keeping with these little vignettes, I’m going with a classic cottage/”Christmas in the country” vibe in the living room, too. Live cedar, seeded eucalyptus, and Carolina Sapphire evergreen garland, a fresh boxwood wreath, cotton stems in the Christmas tree, and, of course, more plaid…a.k.a- the other sweet P. 😉
Everything is so darling! I love the s & p & the plaid gift!!
Paige.Rose
Oh, now, it’s a shot in the dark that another TJ Maxx would have that runner but I LOVE it! Might have to hunt at mine.
It’s definitely worth a look, Kristin- I got that one last week! 😀
Your decorations are lovely, Layla! I have a rosemary (a bit bigger) that I have outside right now–it’s in a galvanized container that belonged to my Dad– gotta love a rosemary. Your grandmother’s crock is the perfect container for your table with that cozy sweater table runner. Great ideas for the packages and plants, too.
Love it! What great ideas!
Loving the cable knit runner! And love the fact that you mostly used stuff you had. Very pretty!!
I like the tree in the big pot…I don’t keep growing things around here, ‘cept after I get back from my surgery, I’m going to attempt to grow herbs, again. Have all my replacements now. The one that I had living, chives, died on me. Was trying to save $ growing my own as opposed to buying the ones at the store for $4 that died on me, too. Oh well, that’s another project down the road! Happy Holidays, you all!
We will be praying for you tomorrow morning, Jane. Be on the lookout for a goodie from me in your mailbox soon! XO
This is just darling! I hope you can share it for Christmas in the Country at my site now thru December 12th. There is a link up party and over 40 blogger home tours! Hope to see you there! xxx….Brooke from
Creative Country Mom’s Vintage Home and Garden
Oh, thank you for the invite, Brooke!! That sounds like fun!
I love how you change up your Christmas look from year to year but don’t start from scratch buying Christmas décor every year. You are so awesome!
I totally believe in recycling, up-cycling, and reusing so I have Christmas decorations that are literally a decade old (or more). I keep the packaging I buy it in (or make my own) so I can carefully pack it away each January and bring it out again the next December. I guess that means I “shop the house” each December?
I’m totally going to study your Christmas look from last year (once you post your next bit – can’t wait!!!!) to see how you changed things up and reused things. Perhaps there’s a few new skills for myself in this interesting concept. That way things are always fresh but your bank account isn’t always empty. You are soooo wise!
Christmas blessings to you and Kevin!!
Maryjane
Hi Maryjane!
I’m such a homebody, and I really don’t like running around in December if I can help it- LOL! Working mostly with what I’ve got cultivates creativity, and I just love the feeling of that! It’s fun to sprinkle in some fresh greenery and a “new” thing here or there, but my style doesn’t seem to change that much from year to year. Mixing and re-mixing is my favorite! I told Kevin yesterday, “I don’t think I could frown right now if I tried!” 😀
Everything looks PERFECT!! Like it was just made to go together. I was just thinking “where did the name Sweet P come from” as I was reading, and then you explained it :). I am praying for you and Kevin and your sweet son. What a blessing he will be in your life, and you in his. I enjoy your blog so much!! Blessings from cold and rainy Missouri!
Thank you, Robbin! 😀
We sure do appreciate your prayers. I’m hoping to have a “Great news!” update to share with you very soon! XO
I love simple and country….of course, That Country Place, was the name of our BnB we owned and now the name of my blog. Your decorations are perfect. I am just finishing up on a few more touches as well. I can’t wait to see what your mantel and tree look like,,,,they will be wonderful eye candy for all of us country lovers I am sure!!
Have a wonderful weekend.
I love simple and country too, Dawna! 😀 I’m excited to pop over and see what you’ve been up to at The Country Place- thanks for visiting me here today. XO
Very inspiring, as usual! I’m especially fond of the punch cup wrapped in yarn, in a toy trailer! : ) And where did you find Carolina Sapphire garland?? Love you all!
Hi Mom! 😀
I found the Carolina Sapphire at the curbside market in downtown Montgomery. You would LOVE that place! They’re open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. You should come up for a visit on one of those days! 🙂
appreciating the pretty things you show us, as always. this looks fantastic!
<3
So very, very cute! You inspire me
That vintage toy trailer is waaay too cute!…The vignette is beautiful .. Love the other “P”
DARLING (as someone above noted) really is the word for your sweet vignette!! I have always loved your nickname Sweet P and always supposed I knew what you meant…that he was your Lil’P (Lil’ Palmer : )) I may have to try to find that super cute sweater runner and wrap it around our baby rosemary “tree” to be like Linus on the Snoopy Christmas special when he said that Charlie Brown’s tiny little tree just needed a little love : ) Looks so cozy!! You always bring light and cheer ..not just at Christmas!
Wow, I love the vignette! I have got to get over to TJ Maxx now to see if they have any of those sweater table runners! =)
Tania
Hi!
I’ve been enjoying your blog for awhile but have never commented before. I enjoy your cottage design. But also feel connected because of your open-ness in talking about your faith in Jesus Christ. I check in often because I can’t wait to hear more about your adoption story. I LOVE all pictures you have with Kit Cat in them. He is a gorgeous cat. We have two in our home and that brings me to my question today. I’m really afraid to have house plants because of them. I’ve read that most houseplants are poisonous to cats and mine will attempt to chew on any greenery. Do you know what’s safe and what isn’t?
Claudia
I love simple ideas that don’t look too “Christmas-y” – if that makes any sense? Love the tree for extra greenery
I absolutely love the rosemary in the crock! That is such a great idea and looks so perfect for a winter/Christmas scene…and what’s better than easily accessible rosemary?!
Everything looks beautiful. but I’m writing to wish you all good things regarding your upcoming (soon?!) adoption. My oldest daughter’s birthday is also November 23rd. She is 11 years old and we adopted her at age one from Hunan province, China.
GOOD LUCK!!