After putting up the new tulip wreath on the front door, the rest of the porch looks a bit tired after winter. If you missed yesterday’s post on how to make the front door tulip wreath, click here. Inspired by the pinks of this wreath, I am excited to come up with some new Spring front porch ideas.

Since I do not like to waste anything, many of the plants and colors from Valentine’s Day will continue on through the Spring. The pink geraniums and Latinia Rose cyclamen from Whitfill Nursery still look healthy and colorful. The stone rabbit will wear the pink polka dot ribbon for a few more months.

By the door, we have an iron bench and it is fun to place a blanket or pillow on it to soften the edges. The blue thrown has some of the same tones as the front door. Below, the Rose Bible by Reyford C. Reddell is one of my favorite rose reference books.

The two 5 foot cedar trees (artificial) flanking the front door are holding up well and require NO maintenance! I almost want to convert everything to faux plants because they are so easy! The quality is superb and can anyone really tell the difference?

Before you step up to the front door, the planting bed is looking exceptionally good this year. Only one plant didn’t survive the winter, but the rest are healthy and abundant with lavender, geraniums, scented geraniums and snapdragons.

If you have been following me for a while, you may recall the re-do of the rocking chairs on the porch. Repainting the chairs makes such a difference. Click here to see that post on sprucing up the front porch. It’s fun to see the before and after photos.

I was tempted to head to Target to buy some new spring pillows, but felt a bit lazy. Convinced I must have something here to use, I find these two sweet red/pink tulip pillows from my store. The colors are just perfect with the tulip theme. If you didn’t know I have a store, check out the Store tab at the top of the page.

The extremely heavy stone and concrete table is a yard sale find. Luckily we have two of them and they are weather-proof. And just big enough for a couple of cocktails and nibbles. Perfect for cashews are the fluted porcelain bowls by Epure, a recent treat in My Stylish French box subscription.

Scrounging the house and property for old items to put in new places is part of the fun. These two ducks have always been sitting by the front fountain….for years. Now they are integral pieces of the front porch spring decor!

So with minimal effort, I am able to transform the front porch from Valentine’s Day to Spring without any significant, additional cost. The wreath is less than $20 and the rest is just re-imagining my old stuff in new places.

This front door just makes me happy! I hope like my Spring-inspired changes.

It is typical of March to be warm one day and chilly and drizzly the next. Just when I pull out my first pair of shorts of the season, I am back wearing multiple layers. Crazy weather!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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This post shared with Farmhouse Friday Link Party #197, Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday #635

Who doesn’t love roses? Personally, I envy those who are knowledgeable about growing roses, and extra envious of those who know the names of all the different roses Growing roses in Phoenix? Even in our withering heat, many varieties thrive, often in neglected conditions or without tender care.

Know your Planting Zone

There are multiple rose locations on our property. On the south side of our home, a rose garden is planted, with approximately 20 rose bushes. Quite honestly, I do not know the varieties of my roses, as these were initially selected by our landscape architect long ago. But now that I have the time, I am excited to be involved with all aspects of our roses.

Learn to Prune

Here is the last bouquet I cut before a hard pruning in January. This pruning is done for shape and to foster vigorous spring growth. Care of roses can be as complicated or straightforward as you care to make it, depending on the varieties you are growing and the zone in which it is grown. Remember to always select roses that are well suited to your area.

Rich Soil, Fertilizer, Water

Roses grow best in rich, fertile soil that is kept evenly watered throughout the year. In March, I add new compost soil around the beds of the roses, removing weeds and turning up the dirt. In addition, I check the watering system and add a rose fertilizer. This rose food can be found at Whitfill Nursery. The dogs LOVE it so you need to be extra careful that they do not ingest it.

Creating small berms around each plant helps with water retention.

Heirloom Roses

Next I move onto the heirloom roses that are on the periphery of the orchard. These 10 bushes are the original roses that we were able to save through the restoration. To read more about our house restoration, click here.

I believe these are Quatre Saisons (known as “Rose of the Four Season). This rather gawky, prickly rose produces the most fragrant blossoms. To read another story about these heirloom roses, click here.

Ramblers

In the front of our home, we have an additional 8 rose plants in front of the large Lady Banks’ roses. This old rambler, introduced in 1807, is very tolerant of the hot and dry conditions. Since we are growing it up the existing fence, Lady Banks’ provides a thick privacy hedge to the busy road. It is just now beginning to bloom with its small, yellow flowers. Soon this hedge will be one solid row of yellow.

Rose Hedge

The last of our roses is an enormous shrub rose. I do nothing to this because it is so huge. To give you an idea of its size, the wall behind it is 6 feet tall. It is approximately 12 feet x 10 feet by 12 feet tall. The bush is so thick with cane too and is the perfect habitat for birds.

Just starting to bloom, this shrub produces these delicate pink blossoms with a faint fragrance. If anyone knows anything about this rose shrub, please let me know. I imagine it has been here a very long time.

So all in all, we have 40 rose bushes, several Lady Banks’ bushes in both white and yellow, and this mysterious hedge above.

As I mentioned earlier, my goal is to tend to them this year and learn as much as I can about their origins, official names and classification. With most things in life, there are lessons to be learned, like wearing a long sleeve shirt while doing rose work.

“Death offers you thorns, eternity offers you roses, and life offers you both.”― Matshona Dhliwayo

Happy Wednesday to you! If you grow roses, please share. If not, I hope this post inspires you to do so. Roses are tougher than they look.

This post shared with Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday #634

So happy you are here with me today to see the Valentine Dinner Party Ideas, Part 2 blog post. If you missed Part 1 yesterday, you can view it here. There is so much that goes into this party, it would be overwhelming to do it in one post, so I hope you enjoy the rest of it today.

The Table

Setting a beautiful table is something I love to do. It sends a message to our guests that they are important to us and that this evening is special. Whether you like Valentine’s Day or not, we think this is the perfect holiday to gather with those we cherish. So why not make a spectacular table?

For the last Valentine dinner party, I did not use a tablecloth. This year, though, I am drawn to the colorful Indian block prints. One of my Instagram friends, Darviny @dayswithdarviny, sources this beautiful fabric. I sent her pictures of my china and she gave me pink options to choose.

My husband made the raised 12″ x 6′ long center shelf (see post here). This focal point is the perfect place to stage all the flowers. Using individual vessels of different heights and sizes, I made the centerpiece out of an abundant display of roses, tulips, hyacinths (which smell heavenly), hydrangeas, snapdragons, and eucalyptus.

This year I ordered the flowers from Torchio Nursery in San Francisco. Instead of going to 3 or 4 locations to find a nice array, this nursery sends out a weekly list of what is available and then ships them to me.

Adding tapers and votive candles, the centerpiece is complete.

This year, I also hung heart-shaped garlands – some purchased, some homemade (see post here) – from the ceiling using clear Command hooks. The white heart garland came from the shop at Whitfill Nursery, and the 3-dimensional heart garland came from LaMia Casa on Etsy here.

Since this is a Valentine celebration, I decide my Royal Doulton Romance Collection china is most appropriate. Napkins are pink linen, found on sale at Pottery Barn. I also opt for Wallace Napoleon Bee Gold accent flatware, which can be found here. Very affordable brushed gold chargers (link here.) The printed menu cards are at each place setting.

Typically we have rattan chairs around the table. However, in attempts to make it more elegant and comfortable, we bring out upholstered white wing and Parson chairs.

The Day of the Event

The table is set; gifts are in place at the table and the caterers arrive. Now it is time to get ready. Unfortunately I tend to leave outfit selection to the last minute. The black taffeta skirt (from Ann Taylor) I decide to wear is many years old. It seems that the zipper doesn’t quite make it to the top without a great deal of not breathing. The dreaded thickening of the waist after menopause…ugh!

Nonetheless I wear it. Fortunately, it fits beautifully beneath my dusty rose cashmere sweater (J. Crew), which covers any malfunctions. I slip on heels just before guests arrive.

Cocktail Hour

A few days before the event, I collect all the answers to the guests’ questions and create a “Who Am I” sheet printed on yes, pink card stock. During the cocktail hour on the front porch, each guest is given a drink and the Who Am I sheet.

The goal is to mingle, ask questions and write in the name of the person who provides the answer. Naturally, it is a fun way to spark conversation and get to know other guests on a different level.

We serve champagne and Ruby Red Grapefruit Greyhounds with Rosemary Simple Syrup, both a pretty pink. Recipe is here. One of our guests always brings some fun cocktail additive. This time it is Rose Gold Brew Glitter, an edible glitter that we add to the champagne flutes. Very pretty and festive! Resource it here.

The hors d’oeuvres are individually plated for couples. Our bartender and servers wear masks. After fun games, delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks, we make our way to the back terrace for dinner.

At the Table

Once we are seated at the table, the guests open their gifts. We get to share what we discover during the cocktail hour as the salad is served. This helps keep conversation flowing and stimulates lots of laughter!

The Wine

My husband carefully selects the wine pairings to go with each course. When the wine is being served, we share a thorough description of the wine region, year of harvest, maker and tasting notes.

The wine glasses are mostly vintage pink glass and add to the dinner theme.

Toasts about friendship, love, wisdom and peace are printed on paper ahead of time. Female guests read them to welcome the wine, salad, entree and dessert.

Dinner

By this time, conversation is very lively and the food is delicious. As I look down the table, I see happy faces and beautiful flowers.

After Dinner

After the last course and wine, we continue to play the game of getting to know everyone a bit better. Soon a Waterford crystal biscuit jar filled with questions makes its way around the table. It is a delight to hear stories and shared memories from each couple.

Though a great deal of planning and work go into this evening, it is one of our most favorite events.

Expect the Unexpected

We were watching the weather all week. The temperature predictions kept dropping, saying it might be really chilly. Then, the day of the dinner, the wind picks up. In my mind they seemed to be gale force winds, blowing everything over on the table. The candles will not stay lighted and my beautiful heart shaped garlands become a tangled mess.

But what can you do? The addition of propane heaters are a big help. Blankets and shawls are available for guests. Try and focus on what is important: engaging with your guests and living in the moment.

I hope you enjoy all the details and ideas regarding our Valentine Dinner Party. Even though our party is much smaller this year, we cherish our friendships and time together.

This post shared with Charming Homes & Gardens Link Party 47.

Most of our entertaining is rather casual, but once a year we try to have a formal event that requires a bit more planning. Since the pandemic hit, almost all entertaining here is done outside in the fresh air with a small number of people. Today, I want to share the Valentine Dinner party we had on Saturday night. This post is long, so I am breaking up into two parts. Enjoy Part 1 today; I will continue Part 2 tomorrow. Hopefully you will glean some tips and ideas for when you host your next dinner party.

The Guest List

Even though we would like to extend invitations to a larger group of friends, we know that big gatherings are not smart right now. Since we are having the dinner outside, we reduce the number of guests to 8 (even though the table can comfortably seat 10 or 12). This allows us the chance to spread out a bit and be respectful of social distancing. A few weeks before we send a Save the Date email to make sure our guests are available to attend.

The Invitation

A few blog posts ago, I shared my homemade Valentine note card using watercolor pencils. If you missed this post, click here. The invitation is printed using my computer/printer on pink card stock (found at Michaels). The edges are decoratively cut using Fiskars decorative scissors, hole punched, affixed with ribbons and placed inside the decorative notecards. Date, time, and location are expressed for this event, as well as attire.

We hand-deliver invitations to the guests along with a box of homemade Linzer heart-shaped cookies with jam filling (recipe here from King Arthur).

Determining the Menu

This is one of the few events where I hire a caterer to do the cooking, serving and cleaning. This gives me a chance to really engage with our guests. The accomplished Julie Greder always caters our events and knows what to do…. and with excellence! Beforehand, I do ask each of the guests if they have a food dislike or allergy and design the menu accordingly.

The dinner will be plated and served, but first Julie and I discuss our options on appetizers. She suggests we individually create plates as a precaution.

Next, my husband and I determine the wines that will be paired with each course. Lots of time and research go into selecting the proper vintage and varietal.

Menus are printed on pink card stock, decorative edges cut. A pretty satin ribbon graces the top.

The Preparation

From designing the table/color theme to extensive yard work, my husband and I spend many hours the week prior to the event making sure everything is in tip-top shape. We plant new flowers, rake the leaves, mow the lawn, wash the windows. In the above photo, I hang heart-shaped garland (both purchased and homemade) over the table from small, clear Command hooks on the ceiling.

A few days before the event, we assess the weather, sun patterns. What will the temperature be? Do we need outdoor heaters? Will we need to provide shawls or blankets? What time is sunset? Will there be enough light?

We also walk the house to determine entrances and exits. Do I need more candles? More ambiance? Where will flowers go? What bathroom will be accessible?

Where will we serve cocktails? What path will our guests take to get from the front porch to the back terrace? How will it all be illuminated?

Gifts for Guests

For this event, we select a gift for each guest that will remind them of this evening. For each woman I choose a piece of jewelry. My dear friend and talented jewelry maker, Tanya Lochridge, sends bracelets that are similar but different: friendship bracelets we can all wear. You can visit her website here.

The men get novelty wine glasses with a funny inscription (source here). Utilizing pink card stock, I make a heart shape, punch a hole, add the guest name and tie the name card to the gift bag. Pretty pink-themed wrapped gifts serve as place cards which is helpful in seating arrangements.

The Homework

Prior to the event, the guests are sent a list of 5 questions to answer. We try to inquire about things that are unknown. Once I compile the answers, I create a game during the cocktail hour where each guests needs to find out whose answer is whose. More on that tomorrow.

That’s a wrap on Part 1 of planning our formal Valentine dinner party. Tomorrow we will cover the table, flowers, place setting, my outfit and the details of the actual event.

Happy Tuesday! I hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend and a Monday off.

This post shared with Charming Homes & Gardens Link Party 47

Happy February! The next few weeks are one of my favorites because of all the pinks, reds and romance we see before Valentine’s Day. It’s not quite spring but it is fun to decorate parts of the house with Valentine’s Day decor.

The front porch is a good place to start. I am doing something a little different this year~keeping up my holiday wreath and just adding simple touches for February. Since it still feels like winter here, the evergreen wreath feels appropriate to stay right where it is.

I remove the red plaid ribbon and faux berries and replace it with a sweet 1.5″ pink polka dot wired ribbon that I found on Amazon here. I thought about using the pink and white striped ribbon that I used in the dining room over the holidays, but I did not feel like digging it out.

Using a pipe cleaner, I pinch the center of the ribbon tightly and then secure it to the wreath. I actually like the simplicity of the bow but add the wooden heart/beads also. It is okay, not great, but conveys a Valentine message. Beaded wooden heart found here.

The two faux cedar trees on either side of the front door get bows too, but again, not sure I like it (too cutesy?) or not. Let me know what you think. By the way, I am still loving these 5 foot topiary cedar trees. No water required and they continue to look good. Link to cedar trees is here.

A quick trip to Whitfill Nursery and I locate various pink flowers. Who knew there are so many shades of pink? From a coral pink to a deep purply-pink, Whitfill has quite the selection now. Two shades of pink geraniums, Latinia Rose cyclamen, pink petunias, and Lamium purple dragon beef up the front entrance with color.

So with just a few minor changes, the front porch now has a bit of Valentine’s Day decor.

Haven’t done much on the inside of the house but slowly adding a few touches here and there. Of course, I do like to bring out seasonal art and here is one of my very early paintings to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The kitchen pastry shelf always gets a bit of Valentine color with my Wedgwood Wild Strawberry pattern tea pot and cups.

It’s a gloomy day here as I write this so I am ready to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book. Aren’t these heart shaped tea bags just adorable? I ordered them last year and trying to reach the resource to see if they are still available. Will let you know.

I hope you are having a terrific Tuesday! If you are in the winter storm areas, be warm and safe.

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Even though we may still have a larger group for a Valentine’s Day dinner, we are ready to remain flexible this year. So, I wanted to create a pretty, festive Valentine dinner table for two. And today, I am part of a Valentine DIY Blog Hop so please read to the bottom to see other Valentine inspired posts.

The Tablecloth

The tablecloth generally sets the mood and this year, I am looking for something a bit different. Fortunately, I own a few lovely 1950s vintage tablecloths with brightly colored roses. It is hard to believe that the color is still so vibrant after nearly 70 years. For this tablecloth and more, check out my Store.

The Setting

Changing up the dinner table location always add a sense of adventure to the meal. Here I chose the corner of the living room where a game table is always set for play. The square table is perfect for the 51″ square tablecloth.

The Place Setting

Since there is a touch of gray in the pattern, the melanin silver chargers are the perfect choice. As you may recall, I did use them at Christmas time and many of you are surprised that these are not real silver. I found this set of 6 chargers on Amazon and they are very affordable. To see the Christmas tablescape, click here.

The Emma stoneware is a standard item at Pottery Barn and can be found here. Since I do not own plain white dishes with a silver rim, the bead along the edge pairs nicely with the vintage embroidered napkin.

Silverware is Oneida Ballad Country Lane and the rose design seems appropriate!

The Bling

The unique heart shaped silver/glass ornaments are a purchase from my trip to Paris in 2010. My friend, Susan and I came upon a Christmas shop and I fell in love with nearly every ornament. Thankfully I had room in my suitcase to bring a few of them home.

The water glass is from Waterford and I just finally replaced the few broken ones from my collection. It literally took years to find them, but persistence and Replacements, LTD saved the day.

My sweet friend, Louise is the reason I own these incredible wine glasses. Found on eBay, these Rogaska Gallia crystal glasses stand 9 1/4″ tall, and feel so good in your hand. Every time I use them, I feel joy. To see these glasses in another table setting, click here.

The Ambiance

What is a romantic table without candles? These candlesticks are my husband’s favorite as he purchased them directly after we toured the Waterford glass factory in Ireland. All the glassware sparkles in the candlelight.

Generally, I love loading a table up with fresh cut flowers. But this time, a simple small bouquet of roses graces the center of the table.

The barley twist chairs are an old antique store find and are part of a set of four. I love the contrast of the dark wood (which is now in style!) with the crisp white/red/green tablecloth on this Valentine dinner table for two.

The menu is still coming together in my head, but since this is the time of year for acquiring fresh citrus (and our orchard is abundant with fruit), I may make lemon pots de creme for dessert. These are so simple to make, delicious, and just the right size after a good meal. Ingredients are easily obtainable too! To get the recipe, click here.

I hope you enjoy my Valentine Dinner table for two. To see last year’s pink Valentine table for two, click here.

So what are your plans for Valentine’s Day?

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This post shared with Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday #644 and Sundays on Silverado #26

DIY Valentine Blog Tour

And now onto the Valentine blog hop. Niky from The House on Silverado creates a Farmhouse Valentine Vignette here.

Kirsten from Tribe of Burton has a Boho Valentine decor on her mantel. You can see it here.

Kippi from Kippi at Home makes this sweet Valentine pom pom wreath.

Chas from Chas Crazy Creations makes miraculous things from the Dollar Store. See her Heart Wall Art here.

Sam from Raggedy Bits makes these Stamped Farmhouse Wooden Valentine Block signs here. So cute!

Maria from Simple Nature Decor makes this sweet Valentine tree ~ you can see the tutorial here.

Olivia from OliviaHern.com makes these adorable yarn wrapped hearts.

Leanna from Pretty DIY Home shows how to make this Heart Warming Valentine Craft Heating Pad.

Rebecca from Zucchini Sisters shares a Dollar Tree Valentine’s DIY Puzzle Piece Heart Craft.

Cindy from Cloches and Lavender adds French Valentine decor to her home. See it here.

Thank you for joining us today! As you know, we appreciate all your comments and feedback. Have a safe, healthy and wonderful day!