“Happy Spring!!!” – Table & Sunset

Happy Spring! Happy Easter! The Bunnies (figurines) hop on over to join us for a Lakeside Tablescape and Sunset.

Happy Easter and Happy Spring!!

Welcome to the Lake!

I’m so glad you are here!

I’m glad you could join me for a Easter and/or Spring Lakeside Tablescape! Did it seem to you that after St. Patrick’s Day we jumped right in to the Easter Holiday? That’s how it seemed to me. Because Easter fell in March this year, I felt that any tablescape I made for Easter would need to be put away before we had even had a chance to eat at the table. Therefore, I decided that I wanted to do a table that could work for Easter or for Spring.

The catalyst for this tablescape was my blue and white bunny set of plates, which I purchased many years ago from Pier 1. They were probably the first Easter/spring items I’ve ever purchased that were not in traditional Easter colors, which was fun, but unfortunately non-traditional colors meant that I didn’t have a lot of center piece items to use with them, and lets just say my first tablescape using these plates was underwhelming. (unfortunately, or fortunately, I cannot find any old pictures of that tablescape.)

So this year I kept my eyes open for things to add to that tablescape. One of the items that caught my eye this year was tablecloths with blue and white bunnies. I saw two tablecloths I thought might work at Homegoods:

– one was part of “The Farmhouse”collection by Rachael Ashwell, and the other was by Rachel Roy – which is the one I ultimately choose as it seemed a little less “patterned” ( I thought “less patterned” looked best with the “busy” nature of the bunny plates). However, I’m glad I bought both, as I think the Rachel Ashwell tablecloth will look gorgeous with solid color plates in a future tablescape.

What day to Choose for the Tablescape?

As I steamed the table cloth and gathered items for the tablescape, I kept my eyes on the weather so I could pick a good weather day for this tablescape. I wanted a day that was warm enough to be on the dock, but also had enough clouds to promise a dramatic sunset. On March 22, I woke up to a day with gorgeous clouds and a pleasant temperature so decided to give the tablescape a try. The day was windy, which added both challenges and laughs to my preparation, and was followed by an incredible sunset. I’m so excited about sharing the sunset with you, that I decided to reverse the usual order in my tablescape post, and do the scenery and table first, and follow that with the tablescape details. Please let me know in the comments if you like today’s order, or if you prefer my former “step by step” order. (I love hearing your comments! to get to the comment section, please scroll down to the very bottom of this post. )

There were enough clouds in the sky by late afternoon, that a special sunset seemed likely. The wind picked up and although the wind often settles down at sunset, today the wind continued all evening, making for some interesting changes in what I planned to use and some funny pictures.

The Wind Brings Challenges and Laughs

The first change I made, based on the wind, was deciding to go with acrylic wine glasses instead of the planned very fragile, Morgantown wine glasses.

The blowing tablecloth made it a little challenging to set the table. Flatware occasionally landed on the dock.

More than half of the roses blew out of the vase and landed on the dock. So glad I had changed my mind and decided not to put the vase on the table. The rail on the cart seemed to keep the vase from falling, if th vase had been on the table, it might have ended up in the lake.

I tried the various centerpieces (other than the vase) on the server and on the table. I’d love your opinion on which centerpiece your like best for the table itself.

Over the course of the sunset, the Sculptured Bunny Ceramic Egg Holder lost two eggs inspite of the fact that the eggs were secured to the holder with 3M foam tape. One egg will forever live in the lake, but I was able to retrieve one from the lake using a net for fishing.

This egg survived its “swim” in the lake.

The Table – The Sunset

I loved the sunset tonight, and thought you might enjoy seeing the table and the sunset in pictures without explanations, so I am placing the tablescape items descriptions later in this post. That way you can see the sunset progression like I did in real time. I hope you will enjoy seeing the sunset from the dock!!!

The Making of the Tablescape

Table Cloth, Placemats and Plate Stack

As I mentioned earlier in this post, the table cloth was new this year from Homegoods. It is from Rachel Roy. The napkins are from Homegoods as well, they are Tahari Home. The blue vinyl placemats too, are from Homegoods, and were made for Hanukkah. The plate stack is as follows:

Possible Centerpieces and Serving Pieces

When I bought the bunny plates from Pier 1, years ago, I also purchased some adorable white bunny napkin rings, which were my first “white ceramic bunny” tablescape items. Later I saw my more white ceramic bunny items Between Naps on the Porch and just loved them. My first white bunny serving piece was the bowl with the bunny family from Williams-Sonoma:

I love this piece because it represents a bunny family that reminds me of our family – Mom, Dad and son. I often leave this bowl on my kitchen island during the whole Easter/Spring season because I love it so much!

For my next “white bunny” items, I purchased 2 of the above, with the plan to use them as centerpieces on my tables. I sometimes fill their baskets with flowers or eggs. I also purchased the below cupcake pedestal from Amazon. I love the way the bunny is holding the plate up with his feet – so funny! I first saw this piece on Between Naps on the Porch.

I love these pieces, however, when I decided to do a tablescape for two on the dock, I quickly realized that aside from the Bunny Cake Pedestal above, almost all of the serving piece items I already owned were too large for the very small round table I planned to use. This gave me a reason to look for some additional items for this year’s tablescape. Once again, Susan from Between Naps on the Porch shared some ideas when she introduced this year’s collection from Williams-Sonoma. Williams-Sonoma is one and a half hours from the lake, so it is not somewhere I go often. But I made a special trip to get the below vase, and while there, I found a few other “needed” items.

I also saw and fell in love with the adorable Sculptural Bunny Ceramic Egg Holder below and he just happened to follow me home.

In addition, I purchased the below “sculptural bunny small candy dishes” from Williams-Sonoma (rather than candy dishes I call them bunny egg cups but I’m sure they could hold either candy or eggs). They were a perfect size for my table. I was concerned about finding some dark blue eggs to go in these, since dark blue is not a typical Easter egg color, but was very excited to find the blue and white toile eggs below on a trip to Pottery Barn.

I wasn’t sure which of the above items I wanted on the table and which items I wanted on the cart. I started out by using the large bunny egg holder on the table. Later I switched the bunny cake pedestal to the table, as I would do when serving dessert. I had planned to try the vase and roses as a centerpiece for the table as well but the stong winds made that impossible to do safely. Which of the bunny items do you think would look best on the table as the main centerpiece on a non-windy day? Also, do you think the eggs are appropriate for a Spring table, or only for a Easter tablescape? I consider chicks, bunnies and duckings to be both Spring and Easter, but I’m never sure if eggs, especially decorated eggs, are considered just an Easter item. (please let me know your input in the comment section at the bottom of this post). I love getting your comments!

I hope you enjoyed our Spring tablescape and sunset at the dock. I’m wishing you a blessed Spring and a year filled with many beautiful Sunsets !!!

Table Details and Origins

for Spring Bunny Tablescape and Sunset

White 13″ Round Openwork Plate (charger) – Maryland China

White 10″ Openwork Round Plate – Maryland China

10″ Cobalt Depression Glass Plate (brand unknown) – eBay – may also be available at vintage shops and shows

Blue and White Bunny Plate – Pier 1 (back when it was open) – may occasionally be available on eBay or with other vintage and second hand sellers

La Jolie Muse cupcake stand – Bunny- Amazon

Similar Bunny Cupcake Stand – Amazon

Round Blue and White Bunny Table Cloth Tablecloth by Rachel Roy – Homegoods 2024

Scalloped Edge Napkins by Tahari Home – Homegoods 2024

Sculptural Bunny Ceramic Egg Holder (Large Bunny Holder – holds 12 eggs) – Williams-Sonoma 2024

Sculptural Bunny Vase – Williams-Sonoma 2024

Sculptural Bunny Small Candy Dish (holds 1 egg) – Williams-Sonoma 2024

Sculptural Bunny Bowl – Williams-Sonoma – Williams-Sonoma around 2018

Sculptural Bunny with Basket on his Back – Williams-Sonoma around 2018

Toile Printed Eggs (Blue and White) – Pottery Barn 2024

Blue Acrylic Wine Goblets – Homegoods around 2018 – Similar Goblets available occasionally on eBay, or Amazon

Blue Morgantown Glass Goblets – (pictured on post but not used on this tablescape) eBay – occasionally available on eBay, and at vintage/antiques shops and shows

Oneida Marquette Flatware – Amazon – possibly a discontinued pattern now, similar sets are available at Amazon and other retailers

Posts I Hope You Will Like

If you enjoyed this post you may also enjoy the following:

Peter Rabbit Happily Hops into our Easter Tablescape

An Irish Village Tablescape for St. Patrick’s Day

A “Sweet” Valentine’s Day Table at Sunset

Up Close and Personal at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – Part 1 – Kangaroos and Lunch

The “Eras of Barbie” Tablescape

Link Parties

Following is a list of websites I really like!  They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Parties” aka “Blog Hops”.

If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas.  I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well!  Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!! 

You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 

Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party ! 

Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!

The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!

Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building. 

April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday

Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  

Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  

Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!! 

The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!

Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!

Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations! 

Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at  Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at  Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes. 

Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects. 

Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list. 

Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods. 

Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities. 

Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas! 

Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well. 

My Wee Abode (Julie) hosts the “Tuesday Turn About” Link Party. Julie is turning her small home into a charming coastal farmhouse home. Her website and link party include great home decorating, DIY, craft projects and recipes.

Wednesday

Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects. 

French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared. 

Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!

Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor. 

Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building. 

Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family! 

Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!

Lydia at  Pandora and Max hosts the “All Seasons” Link Party. Lydia’s recent blog entry was all about her trip – and the sunsets are a “must see” – fabulous!

Thursdays

I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 

Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here. 

Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party. 

Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters” and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!

Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph! 

Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas. 

Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links). 

Friday

Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group. 

Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts. 

Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc. 

Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations. 

Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions. 

At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas! 

Saturday

Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!

Comments 

Thank you so much for “stopping by” to celebrate Spring with me. I’d love to hear any comments you have about this post – your comments mean the world to me! I would also love to hear about any of your favorite Spring Activities you done or plan to do – long trips, day trips, projects, etc. To comment please scroll down to the comment section at the very bottom of this post!

Thanks so much for joining me

at the Lake!!! I hope you come again soon!!