Having a friend over for dinner tonight myself. I always set the table and make my dessert first thing in the morning, or the night before. Those are my favorite parts so I like to take my time with them. My pretty new dishes are a birthday present from Andy's parents. I just love them. They're called "Pie Crust" from Anthropologie. I have to find a place where I can get these chair seats reupholstered. They're too squishy. I don't want to spend a lot of money on them because are in pretty rough shape, from an antique mall. But they are charming. I think they were recovered very quickly, just to sell. Upholstery is something I have absolutely no talent for or interest in. It's like doing alterations. (You know how whenever anyone finds out that you know how to sew, they start listing all of the pairs of pants they would like you to alter for them? Since you love to sew?) The thought makes me twitch.
Spring fever has hit me. Once January is over, I figure Mr. Snow has had his chance and I get pouty. I ain't got no more use for that guy. Spring comes early in the Northwest. Our plum trees will bloom in February. I've redone my mantle with a fern and weensy daffodils, bought some shamrock-looking things (sorrel?) for the dining room, sat at Powell's for several hours drinking chai and looking at pretty pictures in gardening books, started receiving my seed catalogs, and put a bunch of herbs on my windowsill. Weird how the fever hits. It's like you really just can't help it. It's still too early, but I can't help it.
Everything looks just flawless! Can't wait to see your Spring mantle. I love seeing your mantle at all times of the year. Thank you for posting all the sources, too. Anthropologie really has some gorgeous stuff. I go crazy with their images on my Pinterest. Meanwhile, bring on February, the stepping stone month to Spring!
Posted by: WanderChow | January 31, 2012 at 09:42 AM
I want a little sign that says "If you please, I don't mend" for all the hem-needers. Or "Yes, this is my sewing machine. No, I won't hem your pants."
Posted by: pieceLove | January 31, 2012 at 09:42 AM
What's for dessert??? Beautiful spread. Have a fabulous dinner for two!
Posted by: Allison | January 31, 2012 at 09:44 AM
Beautiful plates!! And I think that's a wonderful idea to set the table and make desert in the morning, what a great start to the day too! I love the napkins you have also, o charming! Happy dining!
Posted by: Marian Griffin | January 31, 2012 at 09:47 AM
gorgeous, I love how warm and cozy your photos are!
Posted by: alison | January 31, 2012 at 09:53 AM
Hey Alicia,
What kind of cake it that? Such a beautiful mold.
Did you request a Seed Savers catalog?
Ciao Bella,
`mls
Posted by: MaryLundShu | January 31, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Everything looks so pretty, and I'm hint-hinting around for a set of those plates for myself. Your blog is always so inspiring!
Posted by: kate | January 31, 2012 at 10:06 AM
lovely lovely photos and those plates! oh my, and don't they have an apt name?! yummy things to come and i, like the rest, wait breathlessly for the mantle pics.
Posted by: sharon from farm and fru fru | January 31, 2012 at 10:30 AM
It has been somewhat warm and springlike here, which is unusual for this area of BC. I'm afraid to be hopeful because I figure we'll be smacked down with some -21c weather for sure then :P
Posted by: Angie R | January 31, 2012 at 10:32 AM
Ugh I know what you mean about the alterations thing (I sew too), but try being an ex-hairdresser!!!!!
My daffodils have NEVER bloomed in Jan. before, but they have this year~WAAAYYYYY too early!
Posted by: Jan | January 31, 2012 at 10:49 AM
I always drool over your table settings. So so lovely. I'm enamored with those new plates. I always loved traveling that way in late winter because spring does come so early. I lived in Eugene from February through May one year, and the weather was fabulous (even including the many rainy days.) We've had mid 40s in temps here (eastern Oregon/Idaho border) and it's got my spring fever raging. If it could just stay like this through the tail end of winter, I'd be just fine with it.
Posted by: Cassie | January 31, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Its a beautiful table and your friends are lucky to have you as a hostess.
OOOOOMG, you are so freakin' right about the alterations!
As soon as a make a friend and they learn I have a sewing studio, the piles of pants are brought over, sigh...I am keeping the sewing part a secret from now on ;)
Enjoy your decorating for the Spring to come. It starts....well it really never ends here. ;(
Amy
Posted by: vintage market place | January 31, 2012 at 10:50 AM
I love your dishes. They are so beautiful. I also always make dessert before I start other parts of the meal. I guess I like to know that something sweet is in store.
Posted by: Janine | January 31, 2012 at 10:51 AM
I'm feeling the same way! Mr. Winter is not nearly over here though, it can still snow even in April. I have started to bring out the spring colors and bed linens in hope that spring will come early.
Posted by: Amanda | January 31, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Daffodils? Are you kidding me? It's been snow-snow-snowing here today. Husband is taking the six-year-old skiing after school at our little local family-friendly ski mountain and I can't even fathom seed catalogs yet.
Dessert looks great.
Posted by: Abbey | January 31, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Love those dishes - hope you had a great time! :-)
Posted by: tinajo | January 31, 2012 at 11:04 AM
The pants hemming comment made me laugh out loud. So true!
Posted by: Melissa Crowe | January 31, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Lovely table, as always. I especially like that you incorporate live plants into your tablescapes.
Posted by: Heather | January 31, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Those are some fine looking plates you've got there! Dreamy!- like the rest of the scene.
Posted by: Linda in Waterloo | January 31, 2012 at 11:11 AM
I love your table. You always have such a romantic setting! But let me tell you, its all about the cake...oh my you need to give us the recipe! What a cake! My biggest downfall.
Thanks for the post,made my day.
SC
Posted by: SherryC | January 31, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Cozy little dinner scene...I have been inspired to keep my table set and have done so all of January....I love it and don't know why it took me so long to do so. As soon as breakfast is over, I reset it for dinner and it is so nice to have that done! I get to look at it all day too!
Posted by: Only in Louisiana! | January 31, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Lovely plates, and a very nice cake - could you please post the recipe sometime?
Posted by: Sarah | January 31, 2012 at 11:16 AM
That cake looks amazing! I was going to ask for the recipe too :-)
I love all your photographs, as usual! Very lovely!!! And yes, to Spring fever too-- I raided the library for gardening books last week :-)
Posted by: Eliz. K | January 31, 2012 at 11:24 AM
I so relate...I'd rather start from scratch on a dress than mend a seam or replace a button. Drives my husband crazy. But, it does induce him to repair his own clothes and make his own alterations...See, I'm not so dumb. :)~
Posted by: Susan M. | January 31, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Oh, Alicia! Your table is so beautiful. How I'd love to put my feet beneath it!
I love those dishes and you are a lucky girl to have such lovely in-laws. I keep looking at them on-line.
The cake! Last Saturday my best friend came over for dinner and I wasn't really ready for it. I wasn't sure if she was going to stay and I just didn't take the time. Looking at this table makes me realize that I need a do over, and soon!
Tailoring and slipcovering is NOT sewing. It's something else.....
Posted by: colleen | January 31, 2012 at 11:40 AM