Warmer days mean having meals on the veranda. Last week we had friends over for a meal, so I had to set a nice table for them. After washing the pollen off the table, I set it with white placemats, spring green chargers, white dinner plates and pink floral salad plates.
Spring green napkins are held with plastic crystal design rings, with everyday flatware. I didn’t put the drink glasses on the table, as I had several sizes for our guests to choose depending on what they wanted to drink. I put one set of salt and pepper shakers between two places to share.
The centerpiece was simple, just my white planter with pink flowers and my little gardening rabbits to carry the pink and green theme.
I set the places on one side of the table so our guests both had the best view of the valley and mountain ridge.
We had a lovely meal and a fun evening. They were amazed at the variety of birds at the feeder, and the intensity of the yellow color on the goldfinches. I think our flock of goldfinches is at least 18-22 birds. I know I’ve seen 14 on the feeder at once, with more in the trees.
Earlier in the week, our security camera caught this guy. I thought you might like to see him attempt to get the bird feeder, but it is too high for him to reach. This bear is about a year old, and I think weighs around 200 pounds. My Sweet Babboo went out with his air horn and scared him off. No, he didn’t show up during our meal outside, thank goodness!
A progression of new avian visitors have been coming by this week. While I have been keeping an eye on the bluebird house, there is no action yet. I think our lady is still sitting on her eggs. She often pokes her head up to look out, giving me the stink eye.
A rose breasted grosbeak came by the feeder for the first time this year. They are migratory, but some do come here to breed in the spring.
Then, an indigo bunting! I love the rich blue color of these birds.
He just kept stuffing his beak.
I hope to get into the sewing room this weekend. It has been several days of dealing with family stuff, so I haven’t had any time to sew. I’ve pulled a dozen table runners, baby size quilts and wall hangings to put in the show shoppe. We have 31 participants putting items in our shoppe. It is going to be very tight in that small space.
The guest room is piled with quilts to put in the show, along with a bunch of items for the library display I’ll put in the display case next Wednesday. Such creativity with our members will give a preview of the show coming on May 17 and 18 at Bonclarken Conference Center in Flat Rock. So, I hope to have a sewing day today, and maybe a couple of days next week.
What is happening in your garden and sewing room?
From My Carolina Home 
I would love to make an attempt to attend the show. Can you give us more details of place and time? I would also love to know how you manage to store so many lovely quilt items. I have very little storage space, but I can truly say, it is stuffed with quilted items. My table runners are in the hall closet, I have two quilt racks filled, quilts in a cedar chest and also quilts stacked in my closet and in my sewing room closet. I need organization skills and have none. 🙂
I love reading your posts, thank you for sharing all with us. Have a super weekend.
Hi Marilyn,
The Western North Carolina Quilters Guild’s “A Garden of Quilts Show” will be held for two days, May 17-18, 2024. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. This exciting show will not only display fantastic, award-deserving quilts, but also a special exhibit of Quilts of Valor, docent tours, arts and crafts vendors, raffle baskets, used book sale, and a boutique of handmade quilted items for sale to the public made by members. The drawing for the Guild’s Opportunity Quilt will be held on Saturday, May 21 at 4 p.m. Tickets are available through guild members and at the quilt show. Drawings for the raffle baskets will be held afterward. Some of the proceeds from the show benefit educational programs along with scholarship money for local students in fiber arts.
The location is the Youth Activities Building located in the Bonclarken Conference Center in Flat Rock, NC, just south of Hendersonville, nestled in the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains. Admission is $5 with free regular and handicap parking. Wheelchairs and walkers are easily accommodated. Bus tours welcome. For more information, see our website – westernncquilters.org
Thank you so much! Hope to see you there. Have a great weekend.
Oh that bear! I wonder if one will wander past my camera again this year? LOL ‘after washing pollen off’ – its that time of year. Your show is the same time as ours – but you are so much more ready.
we too must wash pollen off although finally I must say I think it is almost gone. Love the bear – have fun at your show.
I love seeing the stash in your quilt room and that absolutely dazzling blue bunting. I’ve never seen one before in person — lucky you!
Your table looks absolutely lovely, Carole. And very thoughtful to give your guests that spectacular view!
Goldfinches and Indigo blue bunting are beautiful birds! The bear scares me, there are plenty of sightings near us, so far we haven’t seen one on trail cameras! Happy weekend!
Our birds are just coming back. The finches are just arriving. Wevevinly seen an indigo bunting twice, such a beautiful bird. We are waiting on the Baltimore Orioles to arrive. They frequented the feeder last year daily for some grape jelly. We love watching the birds.
We are in no way ready yet for eating out in our deck. We are still having frost nightly and have to cover our tender flowers nightly. Hubby has sanded our picnic table and is staining it today. It has been passed down from his Dad and his Dad before him.
Hoping for some warmer weather soon. Perhaps you can send us some.
Your tablescape is beautiful. So inviting! Enjoy your spring everyone!
Family stuff… it never ends
I love your table scape and your garden with birds, the bear is hilarious. You have a pile of pretty quilts
Love the BEAR! And the long view from the veranda to watch his antics! Our weather (Chicago) has been so HOT 60° to 70° for this time of year the flowers are blooming way ahead of time. But somehow the tulips have lasted over 3 weeks. Odd – but I’ll take it. Have to force myself to stay in and quilt! Finished 3 small quilts this month to turn in. Love all those quilts lined up for your own show!!!!
Thanks
I cut my clematis down last Fall so it’s 24” tall today. Last year I had landscape rocks moved out and planted 6 perennials in their place. They’re about 4-5” tall. We are Zone 4, so greenhouses are just opening up.
I’m cutting up quilt kits for our Wednesday church quilters. Most of the ladies prefer working from kits. We make them any pattern, any size, but most are twin or kid size.
Your verandah is the perfect summer place for a meal, with a stunning view as well. I do so enjoy seeing your birdy visitors, they are so different than our native birds here in New Zealand.
Very nice you sharing your meals on the veranda.Nice decoration meals table. Beautiful flowers. Nice goldfinches is at least 18-22 birds. They come there to breed in the spring.
Beautiful your room is piled with quilts to put in the show, along with a bunch of items for the library display. I like you quilts.
Your setting is lovely. What a stunning view from the veranda.
The first look to be flocking in and enjoying themselves.
I am sure the bear was wondering why it wasn’t invited for a meal.
Good luck with your shop show.
What a treat for your friends to enjoy the view, a meal, and all the birdwatching on your veranda! The indigo bunting is beautiful! I’ve never seen one here in WV, but their range does include us.
That bear, yikes!
It’s been a very, very busy week for me in the garden with new perennial plantings and container gardening. Today is a nice day of relaxation outside…warm temps, but nice breeze.
Have a good week, Carole.