An Apple Unpicked - Fall Tablescape & Giveaway

  

 I think that many people favor the time of year they were born and if that's the case, then it makes perfect sense that Fall should be my favorite season.  It is.

I have posted this table in the past but it remains one of my favorites and hints at my favorite season to come, which is Fall.  I can't wait for cooler weather and to listen to the wind rustling in the trees!  Wouldn't this be a great table set inside a big red barn with hay scattered all over the floor or hay bales as seats with the doors opened on either end, or even out in an apple orchard?  Speaking of apple orchards, you can read my depressing apple poem at the end of this post.  I wrote it in my mind while on a tractor ride through an apple orchard with, I think, Kalyn's kindergarten class many years ago.  

A big strip of burlap fabric makes a super simple and rustic long runner for the table.  It sets the whole mood of 'casual'.  I have set many tables with cloths that don't fully cover the table and leave some of the wood exposed.  I love this look. My table is worn and rugged but it did not start out that way.  I still run across this very table in magazines but it still looks brand new there.  I like that we've worn this baby in.  It looks like an antique now because it's been weathered naturally ( if you call a family of eight natural). 

Inexpensive dish towels were used in place of chargers or placemats.  They are tri-folded lengthwise and allowed to hang over the edge of the table. They help define each space.  I bought these at Tuesday Morning for only a few dollars per pack of six.  I now wish I'd purchased some of the other colors they had at the time; blue, green, and black.

I crumbled up a little Raffia at each place setting as I think it conjures up the image of hay, and I love the added texture.  This is easily removed before dinner as it may prove to be a little cumbersome to eat around (that's what Ashton thinks).

I began setting the table with these Royal Doulton plates...

 ...such a pretty pattern...

...with the sweetest little butterfly trying to hide amongst the fruits and flowers...

...and then I got to the last place setting only to realize I had seven plates, not eight.

Improv time.

Take away three of the Royal Doulton plates and bring in four of these Ridgway plates for a mixed table setting.  I like mixing it up anyway.

 Aren't these pretty?  I have one of each of the plates in my every day set of mix-n-match red transferware plates.  The rest of them are for sale in my online shop, Nancy's Daily Dish.

This one has a pretty border as well.

I chose to use my faux bamboo flatware (Horchow)

 and old fashioned, mock bubble glasses (Walmart).

Believe it or not I couldn't find one of my napkins either.  I mixed them up and then wound up finding the missing one...so you might notice this in some of the photos.  What's uniform is that I tied a few strands of hemp around each napkin instead of using napkin rings.  I love this stuff.  I've found so many uses for this as of late, including my demijohn project.

I've wanted to use these grapevine spheres as a centerpiece for a while now and this seemed a perfect match.  I scrunched up a gingham tablecloth, laid a leafy, fruity garland on top and then wedged the forms into the greenery so they would be stable and not roll around.  To further evoke the feeling of Fall, I placed a few apples here and there.  Simple centerpiece!  The grapevine balls  are from Hobby Lobby, and if I remember correctly, they are only $2-3 (when you buy them half off).  

Shawn remarked a couple of times about how much he liked this tablesetting.  I hope you all like it too!

An Apple Unpicked

I took ride upon the tractor,

Bushel at my breast

Through fields of amber,

Past the birds empty nest.

On through leaves of crimson,

I arrived to look down the lane

Where apples should be upon the trees-

But already had been slain

I could see no fruit was there,

Not one apple in the trees

I just stood...still, and quiet,

And listened to the buzzing bees

Never did I pluck from the tree

A singe fruit, round and red-

Only off the ground I lifted

An apple bruised and fallen dead.

Never I got what I thought,

To pick my apple from the tree-

To taste a bite, deliciously ripe-

The experience was not meant for me.

Nancy M Roberts ©2002

Also a little reminder that my jewelry giveaway ends tomorrow.  See my last post linked above and simply leave a comment on it to enter!  Lots of cute choices!

Follow me on Facebook 
Follow me on Pinterest
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Google+
Follow me on Tumblr

Joining some of these parties:

 Create with Joy

Pink Saturday
Susan at Between Naps on The Porch
Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Cozy Little House
Cindy at My Romantic Home
French Inspiration Thursday
Share the Love Wednesday
Funky Junk Interiors
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Share It Sunday

Strut Your Stuff Saturday at Six Sisters Stuff 

Homemaking Linkup at Hope In Every Season 

Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party
Table It! at Rustic & Refined

Anything Goes Party at Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo

Fridays Unfolded at Nancherrow

One More Time Events for Share it One More Time

Thoughts from Alice for Sundays at Home

A Life in Balance

Shabby Art Boutique for Shabbilicious Friday
Pioneer Momma
The Journey Back
Amaze Me Monday