POTTING BENCH LUNCH FOR TWO

As you can see I am still obsessed with the potting bench...

Well the flowers are so beautiful and the weather is still so warm, even Chef Boyardee came for a visit...How can you blame me....





I found this chef at the S.A. store for 5.00...he was a mess...dark heavy brown antiquing, you could hardly see his face, wish I had taken a picture...
...his clothes were brown and black...I sprayed him with white primer, repainted him then lightly antiqued him for a little aging then sprayed him with a high gloss spray....he loves how he looks...




Chef Boyardee usually lives on the kitchen counter. I devised several different types of trays for him to hold as well as a chalkboard.. I attached a square dowel to the underside of each tray, that dowel slides into the hole in his hand.....Today he is holding his tomato tray...




The number plates and the " too darling " garden tool napkin rings were birthday gifts from my daughter Michelle and her family ....I love them so much and could not wait to show them to you...they go so perfectly with my "numbered potting bench"
I will be using these plates for a very long time...lov em




The little french pots I stamped with a number stamp from Michaels... The large number stamps are all on a plastic clear rubbery sheet, Mr. S. cut some small square wood blocks that I glued the numbers too...you could also buy acrylic blocks, this was a lot cheaper....The ink is permanent..




The napkins are stamped with same number stamp and really wash well....perfect for today..




Of course the star of the show is always the flowers, and in Ca. we have such beautiful flowers that love the warm days and cool evenings...





The Chef thinks he's the star...




Mama bear stool and Papa bear stool....just the right fit...




A little strawberry wine....ahhhhh perfect





The garden tool napkin rings are just delightful...I will have to ask her where they are from...probably an Etsy store...shes such a fan...you can visit her store on the sidebar of my blog...wow she is a great writer...her description and knowledge about the items is informative and charming...





A little taste of the wine before I continue ahhhhh...






A great chicken salad with a little celery and a sprinkle of walnuts and just a little sprinkle of red pepper flakes...yummy






The chrysanthemums are beautiful this season, the colors so vibrant...










The faux candy apples are a gift from my friend Jannay....they look so real, don't you think?






I like the little white lantern...I put a little battery flicker light in it when I am working in that area in the evening....There is also a light on the garage that helps...






Maybe Mr. S. could could put an outlet in and I could have a lamp....probably not this year the weather will become too cold in the evening...oh well...

Doesn't a fresh peach dumpling sound great for dessert...actually I am going to make my friend Yvonne's baked peach dumpling, she bakes it in puff pastry....she is located at Stonegable ( I am sure you all know that) always great recipes you can trust, well Bon Appetite....thanks for indulging me( my probably last visit for the season at the potting bench)...Leave a comment, I love hearing from you and if you are not already a follower, please join me...Phyllis

Don't forget to stop and visit Tina the black and white tuxcedo cat that lives on my sidebar...she has her own blog and has some big news...she is in desperate need of some comments.....send your pets over...
I am joining Susan, Tablescape Thursday


treasure hunt thursday

Wed bunnyhop party

wow us wed

FOR THE BIRDS

Turn your sound up to truly appreciate the chatter....
This is a special place on the side of the house where the birds live....they have houses, a rock pathway and lots of flowers and ferns....It's their small village and we've come for a little wine, some dinner and some wonderful chattering....This little village is located on the side of the house and the kitchen window overlooks this area....there is a wall water fountain hanging on the side wall for their community bath they love it.....

I used my trusty gorilla glue and attached the ceramic bird to the ledge to help show the way to the bath...

Just a little sip......when the jasmine vine blooms and the fountain is on, wow the aroma is so wonderful in the kitchen.....

It is so bright today, hard to get the pictures right......

The little birdhouses that are used for napkin rings are from Michaels..they come unfinished and are 1.oo each....you can paint or decorate them anyway you like.....I put the napkins through the ropes that are attached to the tops.....

The swirly white plates are from Marshals, I'm sure I will be using these often this summer, they are so versatile...The lovely bird pillow is a loan from my sister Bobbie, (oh by the way, thanks for all your prayers, her surgery was very successful).

The flatware is from Ross, I have used it before, it's always so pretty in the sun....

I love the wonderful white flowers that hang off the wall...this is the side wall of the back yard...and only this last section is for the birds and their houses.....the gate leads to a small work area before entering the side of the garage...

The table is ready and soon we will pour the wine....The little cherub reader I have had for years and was a gift from my dear friend Mary....

The birdhouse salt and pepper shakers are so cute, they were a great find at GW...the birds on the table were another gift from Bobbie...I love those fat little birds...

The little flower plates go with a set, you may remember them from the butterfly tablescape...they were purchased at Ross, I believe last year...I like them because they are so colorful and they go with almost every solid color....

This could be a lovely romantic table for dinner for two, but this evening , its for the birds....

I have a collection of old beat up salt and pepper shakers (the more worn out the better) many of them belonged to my mom, these are especially cute, wonder what tables they have adorned...

I don't remember where the little painted glasses are from, they have butterflies and bees painted on them with the flowers, just right for our birds, you will see them again this summer I am sure...

Well, the sun is setting and I'll light the candles, the lighting is all on timers and should click on soon...............

This wall has outdoor lighting as well, so with a few candles on the table we should have just the perfect setting for our little get together.....I do love the outdoor lighting, it is all around the house and is always inviting you out for a sit and a chat...or sometimes just a quiet moment....







It's great to look out the kitchen window and see the birdhouses nestled among the flowers and ferns, sure makes washing those dishes easier.....

I think it is just the right time for a little glass of wine, maybe I'll just stop and smell the roses....

ahhhhh, that really is good wine, ( Chateau St. Michelle) . The weather is perfect with a tiny hint of a breeze, crisp and clean, one of those ideal kind of early evenings, you know what I mean, I'm sure you've experienced an evening like this ...

Can you just hear this little guy starting to give us a song, you know you can almost hear him...

The little blue birdhouse seems to go with the blue evening, don't you think?

Wish you all could join us for a little dinner, maybe next time....

Clairese the reading cherub looks like she is reading a bedtime story to the mother bird and her new egg...............

Thank you for taking the time to visit and hang AROUND THE HOUSE for just a little while...Maybe you have a special bird village for your birds.....if not maybe you have been inspired to create one in your own special little place...Thank you susan at betweennapsontheporch for hosting Tablescape Thursday.........Don't forget to leave a comment, I love to know what you think and am always inspired by all of you...Phyllis