21 Rosemary Lane: al fresco

9/18/15

Celebrating Early Autumn Al Fresco Style

I know I know I am beginning to sound like a broken record but I really do LOVE this time of the year. The sun is still warm and with the cooler air moving in it makes the evenings temps a bit more chilly, you know sweatshirt kind of weather.

Mr. Rosemary Lane and myself are in the process of finishing up our back screened in porch project. All the screens had to be replaced and the wood needed to be repainted. A daunting task at that but well worth it. After I rearranged the seating area I had the brainiac idea to build a new table for the space. Previously we had a little round cast iron table my parents gave to me when they moved to Florida some 20 years ago. It only sat maybe 5 comfortably, and with the new furniture configuration it really didn't make good use of the porch's floor space. So using the base of another table also from my parents home years ago, Mr. RL built a custom picnic-like tabletop for the base. Then the entire table was painted using an exterior paint in bright white. The old chairs from the cast iron table are being used for the side seating. Eventually I would love hunky Mr. RL to build benches so to seat up to 8 people at the table.

The table was set with pops of orange and yellow sunflower plates on top of black and white dinner plates. For a little bling, silver chargers were set under the plates. Then, to make the place setting seem more casual, dark wicker place mats were placed under the silver chargers.

Pretty glass candle sticks contrast the white ironstone salt and pepper shakers from Phaltzgraff's Country Cupboard collection.

Two sweet silver love birds sit center stage to add a little more bling.

Sprigs of bittersweet which haven't quite shed their pods to expose its vibrant orange berry, are dropped into the wine glasses. I love the golden shade of the pod, it's so pretty.
(FYI: All parts of bittersweet fruit is toxic if consumed. All parts of the plant may be toxic.)

The perfect afternoon lunch venue don't you think?

Wishing you all a warm and sunny last weekend of summer!

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3/31/14

Tuscan Inspired Tablescape and a Giveaway from Pfaltzgraff

Last spring I was so very fortunate to be able to share with you a tablescape I put together based on the wonderful book The Secrets of Pistoulet by Jana Kaplan. The book's beautiful illustrations by graphic designer and photographer Mary Tiegreen were adapted by Pfaltzgraff to create a gorgeous collection of dinnerware called Pistoulet.

(To see the Pistoulet table setting just click here.)

This year I was thrilled when the good folks at Pfaltzgraff asked me to create another tablescape using their breathtakingly vivid Villa della Luna collection. This collection is based on Kaplan's sequel to The Secrets of Pistoulet, the book

"Dancing with the Moon ~ A Story of Love at Villa della Luna".

Again Kaplan's fairy-tale was illustrated by Mary Tiegreen and published in 1997. In 2004 Pfaltzgraff adapted Tigreen's illustrations to design their Villa della Luna collection, so 2014 celebrates the tenth anniversary of this stunning dinnerware.

source

This time the journey of our heroine Mademoiselle J. brings her to The Villa della Luna, a magnificent seaside abode in Italy. As in Pistoulet, the Villa is an unexpectedly delightful place where Mademoiselle J. discovers her "true self" through both daily walks with her dogs and more encounters with enchanted recipes.

Pfatzgraff's Villa della Luna collection is superbly weighted and beautifully decorated with the bright colors of earthy Terra cotta orange, sunflower yellow, and deep Mediterranean blue.

I just adore these pedestal mugs, they seem to make what ever hot beverage I am drinking that much more special. These can hold a full 12 ounces of tea or coffee.

At The Villa della Luna one can experience the magic of wonderful delicacies such as The Minestrone of Memories and Reflection which unlocks memories of the past to help one to move on with their future. I can imagine this cheery soup bowl as the perfect vessel for such a culinary delight.

I love the bright and bold design of the dinner plate and how it contrasts with the lighter more delicate and somewhat whimsical pattern of the scalloped salad plate.

This beautifully designed sangria pitcher filled with tulips is the perfect centerpiece for my rustic Italian tablescape.

And since Kaplan's tale is one of love, I could't help but to add two chippy love birds to the table.

I absolutely love the idea of dining Al Fresco even if there still is a wee bit of snow on the ground.

At about 6:30 in the evening I went outside to break down my tablescape and this is what I saw ...

The gray stockade fence had been transformed into a glowing hue of spun gold in the light of the setting sun...almost as if by magic!

I can't help but to think that possibly the enchantment of The Villa della Luna may have had something to do with this beautiful metamorphosis.

To be whisked over to Pfaltgraff and view more of the Villa della Luna anniversary collection, just click here.

Now onto the giveaway!!!!

Yes I did say giveaway!!!

It has been ten years since Pfaltzgraff first launched this fabulous collection of dinnerware, and to celebrate the anniversary they are offering this wonderful giveaway.

One of my lucky readers will win a table setting for 4 including the gorgeous anniversary sangria picture.

So there are a few ways you can enter this giveaway, just be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

1. Like and subscribe to Pfaltzgraff's Facebook page. To take this step click here. Then come back and leave me a comment you did so.

2. Leave a comment on this post or on Pfaltgraff's Facebook page about my table setting. If you comment on Pfaltzgraff's Facebook page come back and leave a comment that you did so here.

3. Blog or post a blurb to your Facebook page about the giveaway with a link back to the giveaway and/or add the giveaway button below to your blog's sidebar. Leave a comment that you did so on this post.

And Finally...

4. This is sooooo optional, but if you would like to follow 21 Rosemary Lane as a new follower, it would be wonderful. Just let me know in a comment that you are new or if you are already a follower, so another entry is added for the giveaway!

And that's it!

Remember each comment is one entry so you have up to four chances to win this Pfabulous Pfaltzgraff dinnerware! The giveaway begins today and will be open until midnight Saturday April 5th. A winner will be drawn on Sunday April 6th and the winner's name will be announced in a post that same day.

Best of luck to all who enter and wishing you all a pfantastic week!

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Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

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