Ornamentally, my dear Watson!

That is the answer to the question I posed to myself today when wondering aloud how I was going to decorate the mantle.  It's an annual adventure since I seldom remember what I do from year to year.

I had no clue what I was doing, just started digging around in the basement looking for BIG things to put on it and ended up using the giant ornaments that I ran down the center of the dining room table last year. I like to do something different with table every year, so the ornaments are now classified as free-range decorating items.  I also made a big score at Michael's over the weekend by nabbing a lot of their floral and greenery items at 50% off.  Largely I bought them with package decorating in mind (more about that later in the week), but ended up using about a third of it on the mantle.  I plan on decorating BOLDLY, but sparingly this year; with the house on the market, this is a must.  I don't have time for extensive set-up or tear-down or dusting so many small things, so by using fewer, but larger ones, I'll get a big punch of holiday cheer without having to knock myself out.  Is it possible that I'll enjoy them this year?  Here's hoping!

These big ornaments are from Sam's and were purchased last year by my husband!  I knew what I wanted to use to decorate the dining room table, so just told him to find me some BIG cranberry and gold ornaments.  He did!  I was gobsmacked.  And I liked them!  (Ditto.)  They're actually for outdoor use and are shatterproof, so both pretty and durable.  And who knows, since I do something different every year, one day they may end up outside.

The two large poinsettias were purchased with the intention of using them to decorate large holiday packages, but I really liked the way they looked here.

The small poinsettias, cranberry, and gold berries (also from Michael's and purchased with package-wrapping intent) added some life to the lighted greenery (and yes, it is lighted and was illuminated when this picture was taken).

Apparently I collect brass candlesticks.  I didn't realize it until I counted up nine of them.  Most of them are by Virginia Metalcrafters.  I love them all.

 
 

After decorating the mantle I whipped up a batch of DELICIOUS mocha fudge sauce.  We had it over generous scoops of peppermint ice cream for dessert after dinner (and when I say dinner I mean sloppy joes consumed during the Rams game).  It was so good I could have eaten it as a side dish.  Watch for the recipe later this week.

This is linked to Metamorphosis Monday, Seasonal Sundays and The Holiday Home Linky Party at The Lettered Cottage.

On Safari

Tablescape Thursday is hosted by Susan from Between Naps on the Porch.

This great pair of salt and pepper shakers have the raised words "Trader Vic's" on the back. I love them and thought they went very well with this particular theme.

 People often ask me where I get the ideas for designing tables.  Most of the time an entire table will spring from just one item.  Such was the case here when my father passed along this "Big Game Hunter" decanter to me after years of ownership.  My mother made it in a ceramics class that she took back in the 70's, I later learned.  I had no idea where to put it, so it sat on the dining room table for more than a week while I contemplated.  Then I needed to move it in order to set the table for company and a light turned on. I had a theme!  So I built the centerpiece around him.

The table covering is a piece of safari print fabric.  I love fabrics of all kinds, so if I like something will buy 3 yards of it.  That will usually get me a table cover and set of napkins.

If you saw last week's tablescape you'll recognize the flatware and goblets.  I told you they were versatile!  The wine glasses didn't photograph well, but each stem is a pewter jungle animal.

The palm tree candle holders I pulled from another room.  They looks perfect in this setting.  The African masks are actually bookends.

I had to add this little bowl of chili-spiced almond so that I literally served everything from soup to nuts.

It was mom to the rescue again with the napkins.  She made these from a remnant of black fabric that she just happened to have on hand.

I like to hide things in the centerpiece of the table so there's always something for the diners to discover. This wonderful carved and hand-painted stone egg was tucked into a small basket.



Hope you enjoyed viewing my safari-themed table!