a winter table
It doesn't seem like long ago that the children and I were setting up a little table in the entrance of our old house laden with things from the park and our garden that reflected the summer we were experiencing. So, it made sense that we set up a winter table last week in celebration of this amazing northern season.
I packed away a little collection of my favourite cards, drawings and letters to bring to Norway and found that a few happily fitted the winter theme. (Thank you, kind bloggers who have sent such lovely things to my letterbox in the past.) The card on the right is an Applehead collage/drawing by Marianne that I adore:
It was snowing when we made this display so the children gathered together some pinecones (different from the ones we know), twigs and branches for the table. We've since added some pieces of moss and lichen that we found fallen from trees on our walk yesterday.
And the tablecloth underneath? It's my first piece of Norwegian-embroidered linen. (After that I found my second piece in the basket of fabrics from Emily.) Tom bought it for me from a small antique shop he found near his work. It's so perfectly 'here', if you know what I mean.
I love it.
what a beautiful arrangement... i am in love with the embroidered linen!!!
happy day to you!
Posted by: jen | January 16, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Hi,
Well you've really changed seasons that's for sure!! I'm glad things are looking good and you're starting to feel in tune with your new country... wonderful! x
Posted by: Debra | January 16, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I love you winter table and the collage from Applehead! I also love the embroidery - definitely makes me think Scandinavian! My mum was a teacher of 5 and 6 year olds and they always had a nature table in the classroom with all of these types of things on it!
Posted by: Di | January 16, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I love the winter shrine, and it's so amazing about the sewing machine - the human spirit of kindness is so amazing!
Posted by: kate Shuttleworth | January 16, 2008 at 10:53 AM
What a beautiful tablecloth! Sometimes those shops hide little treasures!
Posted by: abbehope | January 16, 2008 at 11:05 AM
How perfectly lovely!
Posted by: Kineret Willowgreene | January 16, 2008 at 11:15 AM
I'm happy to hear you are all settling in and making new friends too! I think the nature table is a great idea that I might just pinch for my own house. Good for the kids too since it lends some continuity from your previous home (and gives you something to do with all the bits that inevitably get collected on walks;) I really enjoy your blog!
Posted by: Suzannah | January 16, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Fabulous embroidery, I'm so pleased that your gentle daily celebrations continue on the other side of the world. How is Tom getting on with the new job?
Posted by: Pauline | January 16, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Lovely cloth, and what a wonderful collection of localness. Have you had a chance to take the 'nina for a spin??!!
Posted by: Jo | January 16, 2008 at 01:53 PM
The linen and the nicely placed twigs and all makes such a perfect reflection of where you are..
I was just sharing your previous blog post with Brian and it's a wonderful way to start my day with such a nice story of generosity. I'm still in awe! :)
Posted by: Fiona | January 16, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Oh Melissa, how lovely for you that it feels like home!!! Your Thom knows just what to give you. What a sweet idea that table, giving your children a chance to add in a meaningful way to the decor of the house.
I'm so gald you (and A and K) are making good good friends there, with sewingmachines no less!
How's the jet lag now?
X Lies
Posted by: Lies | January 16, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Oh Melissa, how lovely for you that it feels like home!!! Your Thom knows just what to give you. What a sweet idea that table, giving your children a chance to add in a meaningful way to the decor of the house.
I'm so gald you (and A and K) are making good good friends there, with sewingmachines no less!
How's the jet lag now?
X Lies
Posted by: Lies | January 16, 2008 at 05:21 PM
hee hee, sorry.
Posted by: Lies | January 16, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Beautiful embroidery! How fun to discover new to you nature. Looking forward to more Norwegian op shop finds :)
Posted by: Jessicah | January 16, 2008 at 05:49 PM
He bought you embroidery! Why can't I find a man like that? Or any man at all for that matter ;)
Posted by: alisonmc | January 16, 2008 at 06:19 PM
To find such a treasure...Tom you are so amazing and thoughtful!I have sent you a parcel today with some Nelson goodies.
Posted by: Sally Anne | January 16, 2008 at 07:09 PM
What a beautiful display! It speaks.
~Elaine~
Posted by: Elaine | January 16, 2008 at 07:17 PM
(delurking) Living in Sweden I've been looking forward to seeing how you like it here up north. Even though I'm in the south of Sweden - and not in the same kind of nature or temperatures as you are - I see my winter and my surroundings differently with every post you make. Thank you!
And welcome up north! :)
Posted by: Anna | January 16, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Love the table cloth, and the idea of a winter table is wonderful.
Posted by: Ruth | January 16, 2008 at 08:30 PM
I love your seasonal table! This is something I'd like to do with our kids, but our house is *so* small that we don't have a display area where we could things undisturbed from one mealtime to the next.
Your embroidered table linen is gorgeous! What a find!!
Posted by: Barbara | January 16, 2008 at 11:19 PM
That is a beautiful cloth... and I'm very touched to feature in your collection too! Big kiss! loving these northern posts, we are in same-ish timezone now!! Cx
Posted by: caireen | January 17, 2008 at 01:21 AM
Oh that linen is absolutely lovely! Your winter display is just beautiful too!
Posted by: Chara Michele | January 17, 2008 at 03:20 AM
I am really enjoying seeing your new surroundings. It sounds like things are going well. That is a beautiful embroidered piece. Your husband has a good eye. The display is very nice. We have snow too, so I can relate.
Posted by: Brenda | January 17, 2008 at 05:44 AM
I am so proud of you M! You are doing so well with this huge adjustment and somehow managing to make it beautify and artful for your family. Lovely!
Posted by: africankelli | January 17, 2008 at 09:58 AM
What a lovely winter collection.
Posted by: Regina | January 17, 2008 at 10:38 AM