Easter with Peter Rabbit

Once upon a time there were four little rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail . . .

. . . and Peter.

Peter Rabbit reminds me of everything that was wonderful about my children's childhood:  The innocence, the mischief, the simple pleasures.  Oh, Beatrix Potter!  How I've missed you!  

When I saw these salad plates, I instantly new they were coming home with me.  I didn't even care if my husband, who had come along, was silently judging me.  I love all the charming details on these plates.  The insects put me right over the edge, especially the bee.  I love little bees.  If next year they come out with Jemima Puddle-Duck or Benjamin Bunny plates, I'm going to be in trouble again!

Since the setting of the Peter Rabbit story takes place in the countryside, I pulled out my Wedgwood Nantucket dinner plates and coffee cups with the lovely basketweave pattern.  They are quickly becoming my favorite dishes. 

Of course, willow chargers and napkin rings seemed to fit right in as well . . .

Here's the bird's eye view of the table.  The table cover picks up the color of Peter's jacket, and the gingham pattern provides another sweet country touch.  Does the table feel a bit French to you?  Whenever I take one of those "What's Your Style" quizzes, I'm usually identified as Cape Cod, Country French and Traditional.  That sounds pretty accurate, actually.

I found the flowers at my local grocer, in the perfect colors to match the Peter Rabbit plates.  In fact, I took the plate with me when I went shopping for the flowers.  See those tiny daisies?  I just learned that they are called Fleabane Daisies.  Before they bloom, the petals are closed so tightly that one might suppose they are giant fleas, but then, when they open up you have a plethora of cuteness!

I set up a Bread and Butter Station on the kitchen counter.  Would you prefer a slice of the French Cheese Brioche Braid, or a Hot Cross Bun?  Or a jelly bean? 

You can't have Easter at our house without jelly beans!

The menu was very simple:  A traditional Spanish Omelette with Onions and Potatoes, by popular request. I added fresh berries and coffee; for dessert, my mom's Vanilla Pudding, which I forgot to photograph.  I hate when I do that!

It was a quiet day for us, as it was for most of the country, staying at home in order to keep ourselves and our neighbors healthy.  My most fervent prayer this Easter is that we get past this tragic chapter in our country's history, the overwhelming challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Be safe, dear ones!

Dinner Plates and Coffee Cups and Saucers - Nantucket by Wedgwood

Peter Rabbit Salad Plates - Williams-Sonoma

Juice Tumblers:  La Rochère Napoleon Bee

Flatware:  Napoleon Bee by Wallace

Gingham Table Cover:  Pottery Barn, Sky Blue

Napkins:  Williams-Sonoma, Bluebell

Chargers and Napkin Rings:  Pottery Barn, Honey Willow

Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail figurine:  No markings, bought in a vintage shop

Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see some wonderful tables!

In a Sturbridge State of Mind . . .

Won't you join me on this wintery day for a little catalogue shopping?

I've been receiving the Sturbridge Yankee Workshop catalogue for years and years, and, this latest copy didn't disappoint.  So many pretty things!  If you don't have a hard copy, you can always let your iPad do the walking and visit the Sturbridge website.  C'mon!  Let's browse!

These awesome ladderback chairs are still offered on the catalogue, and they're on sale!  They look a little bit like my kitchen chairs!  In fact, I remember that these were the inspiration for the ones I ultimately bought.

Except I think I like mine better.  The seats are wider and more comfortable . . .

See the decorative grooves on the finials?  I love those extra touches!

Reds can be found all over my house from December through Valentine's Day. Certainly, January needs a pop of color, don't you think?

Beyond that, I'm mad for plaid!  I love these darling lamp shades on page 8 of the catalogue.

Wouldn't they look fabulous on the Dining Room chandelier?  I'm really fond of the red ones we use during the Christmas season, but it would be nice to have a different set for variety . . .

This Bunny Pillow is simply charming!  I adore bunnies!

I'm not usually into faux flowers, but I'd make an exception for this Fern and Grapevine Wreath . . . and I know just where I would hang it!

But before Easter, we have Valentine's Day, and these stained glass hearts would gladen mine if they appeared dangling from my kitchen window . . .

What an irresistible collection!  Will I succumb?  Were you inspired?

Linking to:  Share Your Creativity

Easter Dinner with the bunnies

With my son, David, leaving to go into the Army in two weeks time, my head is too full of worry to leave room for a great deal of creativity.

Still, it was Easter, and we were together!  Two great things for which to be grateful!  So with this little pep talk to myself I went to the basement and started pulling things from the boxes.  There's Peter Rabbit!  Did I ever finish reading all the Beatrix Potter stories to David?

No wait, that's not Peter Rabbit.  And that egg belongs to John!

What am I doing?  They are too old for bunny ears, aren't they? 

 

 

What if they were a manly brown . . . ?

 

 

Perhaps if I used some tactical diversion . . . like carrot cupcakes . . .

 

 Topped with violas from the garden, which are completely edible . . .

And some lemon parfaits . . .

 

With lots of jelly beans tucked among the flowers . . .  They may be men now, but they still love sweets!

 

Brown eggs and woven mats evoke a garden setting anybunny would enjoy . . .

 

And an easy guy-pleasing menu of Baked Honey Ham, Rosemary Potatoes and Green Beans - An easy-peasy meal that left us plenty of time for playing board games! 

I hope the kids remember this dinner.  I hope they remember the bunny ears . . . I hope they remember how much we laughed.  May the Risen Christ bless us and watch over us all!  Alleluia!

Easter Brunch

We celebrated this special day with simple comfort foods.

The rabbits left the mantle and got closer so they could join the celebration . . .

They were very attentive, hoping we'd drop a carrot or two . . .

 

Yellow tulips and blue delphiniums . . . Don't they just scream SPRING!!!

The most scrumptious candy-coated truffles, laced with some sort of cherry liqueur, are disguised as robins' eggs. I found them at Williams-Sonoma, along with the nests.

You wouldn't believe how much cream this little cow holds - enough for four cups of coffee, Boston-style! Another find from Williams-Sonoma. I could move right into W-S and live happily ever after. I love that store!

Moo! Happy Spring!

Rabbits! Getting ready for Easter . . .

On the left corner of the mantle . . . ?

Or in the center . . . ? With the little guy in the middle . . . ?

Or from tall to short . . . ?

Smile . . .

Hmm . . . I think I like the big guy in the middle . . .

. . . for now . . .