On the Homefront: Nature-Inspired Table

Dozer the Dalmatian naps peacefully while awaiting luncheon.

Warm weather has certainly arrived, and the rain just keeps on coming.  Everything is very green and lush outdoors right now, and with the recent acquisition of some new butterfly plates I thought this would be the perfect time to set a simple, nature-inspired table:

My usual dark brown wooden bead placemat; butterfly design small dinner plate (Nature's Journey Collection by Marjolein Bastin for DEMDACO) from Signals; white bread plate is actually a teacup saucer (Tivoli by Studio Nova); white-handled flatware from Target years ago; beige napkin with tan trim from The Cupboard in Fort Collins, CO; can't remember where I got the silver turtle napkin ring or the water glass.

Each dinner plate has a different butterfly design:

White hydrangeas in a tall green vase from HomeGoods.

Our overabundance of invasive ivy has once again
been put to good use on the table.

I just love these sea turtle votive candleholders (from
Pier 1 many years ago).  I was delighted to discover
that Pier 1 still sells these, and had to buy a few more!

Better view of the southwestern-style turtle napkin ring,

Such a simple table requires an equally simple meal.  Since the dinner plates are a bit small, I decided they would be best for a luncheon rather than dinner.  A hearty pasta salad on a bed of lettuce made the perfect meal, and the only accompaniments needed were a dinner roll and a glass of iced tea (unsweetened for me, please!).  For dessert I served some store-bought madeleines, which are great with tea whether it is hot or iced.

Simple Luncheon Menu:

Iced Tea

Dilly Tuna and Pasta Salad

Bed of Heirloom Baby Lettuces

Dinner Roll

Madeleines

Naturally, there were Lindt Lindor Truffles on the table as well, this time in Caramel and Peanut Butter flavors:

(Honestly, I do not work for Lindt -- their truffles just happen to be an obsession of mine!)

This was an ideal meal for a warm but rainy Sunday afternoon, which was also a great time for a postprandial nap!

Keep snoozing, Dozer (she's just so cute)!