Hello sweet friends! Welcome to the November edition of the Pinterest Challenge. This monthly event is hosted by the delightfully talented Cindy of County Road 407. If you are coming over from Peacock Ridge Farm let me say, “Welcome to Storybook Cottage”. Didn’t Renae’s English Country Christmas decor look so pretty?!? Today’s post here on DTA features Prairie Wonderland Candlelight in our formal dining area.
This Months Challenge
This months challenge was to create an Evening Centerpiece. Our inspiration photo comes from Kelley Nan.
Advent
Each year I create an Advent wreath/centerpiece to light every Sunday evening in the countdown to Christmas.
This year the 2023 season of Advent will begin on December 3rd when the Promise candle is lit. It represents HOPE.
December 10th is the Bethlehem candle and it represents PEACE.
December 17th is the Shepherds candle and it represents JOY.
The last candle is lit on Christmas Eve. The Angel candle represents LOVE.
For me as I light each of the candles of Advent I consider that the light of the world still shines in the midst of all the darkness in our lives and the world. The flame symbolizes my hope for joy, peace and love. This time of refection helps me to live my life with meaning and purpose.
Creating The Centerpiece
You will need the following supplies to create an Advent wreath/centerpiece:
- A container. It can be a bowl, a tray, a box or something similar.
- Four candles
- Greenery ~ it can be faux or real. In this weeks video you see me cutting greenery off of my neighbors huge evergreen. (Always ask first!) You can also often find free evergreen branches at the end of the day at your local Christmas tree lot or farm.
- If you use real greenery florist oasis will help to keep it moist.
- Scissors or clippers to trim the greenery.
- Optional: assorted decor such as ribbon, berries, or flowers.
This weeks video shares step by step instructions on how I created the centerpiece.
Prairie Wonderland Candlelight and The Long Winter
The tablescape I created features elements inspired by The Long Winter written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Prairie Wonderland is the holiday theme this year at Storybook Cottage.
I began with a hand crocheted tablecloth that I found for just a few dollars at an estate sale. Its lacey pattern reminds me of snowflakes.
The centerpiece as it will look on Christmas Eve. It creates a lovely shimmer on Grandma Mary’s goblets.
The Friendly Village plates are perfect for remembering how the entire town of DeSmet, South Dakota banded together to survive the winter.
The base of the name cards were created by simply gluing two twigs, from the yard, together. They were embellished with two tiny pinecones and a sprig of greenery.
Do you remember Laura’s name/calling cards?
The napkin embellishments do double duty as a take home ornament favor.
Over on the sideboard additional greenery and sparkle was added.
Simple candles were embellished with Dollar Store ornaments to continue the snowy theme.
They match other snowflakes that decorate the chairbacks and chandelier.
While the magic of this tablescape truly shines at night, it’s rather enchanting in the daytime too.
This Week’s Video
This week’s video takes a closer look at the tablescape and shares step by step how to create the Advent wreath centerpiece. There is also a recipe inspired by The Long Winter. You can find the recipe card HERE.
If you wish to view the video in a larger format just click on the black box in the lower left hand corner that says Watch on YouTube.
Up next is Bluesky at Home. You will love Carol’s red and gold holiday touches.
I’ll see you on Friday,
Laura
More Decor To Adore
What a lovely tablescape! I love that you showed your adorable chair decor. The giveaway ornaments are such a great idea. Happy holidays!
Oh Laura , your advent tablescape is beautiful. I celebrate advent also. The placecards are a genius DIY and your lovely tablecloth does indeed look like snowflakes. I also like that you co-ordinated your buffet with those lovely candlesticks and candles. God Bless you and yours as we prepare and enjoy the season but always remembering the reason for the season…our Lord and Savior. Hugs my friend.
So wonderful! Have loved the Little House books since read aloud to our grade school class. Also enjoyed the L.I.W. Pagaent in Walnut Grove, MN. Great to see your Advent wreath & description of meaning. I use blue candles in mine as the symbol of hope. Thank you!
I love your Advent centerpiece and your entire theme! The handmade wood place card holders have to be a close second for faves. They are adorable! I hope you enjoy your beautiful table all month. It would bring a smile to my face every time I passed it. Thank you for joining us.
Oh, how pretty! I love all the details from the plates, to the snowflakes on the chairs… but that crocheted table cloth is a show-stopper! Lucky find!
Such a beautiful way to celebrate Advent, Laura. I love how you placed everything in an ironstone mold and how you added the touches of greenery and the little roses too. They’re so pretty. The whole room is lovely and has such a peaceful feel. I hope you and your family have an amazing holiday season. Hugs, CoCo PS: I made your cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving and it was a big hit. Thanks for making me look so good
Beautiful. that antique crocheted tablecloth is totally amazing!
What an elegant and serene look! Love the buffet candles too. You always have a good eye for what works.
Blessed Advent to you and your family, Laura.
What a beautiful table, Laura, and a great way to honor the birth of our Savior with your advent centerpiece. I also love all of the small touches to your dining room. The greenery on the chandelier, the snowflakes on the chairs. It all ties together so well and makes for the perfect holiday celebration.
Beautiful job, Laura. I’ll be making my Advent wreath this week with gold and silver candles and a white milk glass pedestal bowl filled with pine cones.
The Long Winter is probably my favorite book of the series. Laura sitting beside Pa in the cold, twisting hay, Pa pulling the plug from the knot hole, I can see those pictures in my mind at will.
I love your beautiful advent centerpiece Laura! Pretty greenery, your place cards and the gorgeous “snowflake” tablecloth create the perfect festive holiday table. Love it all!
This is lovely, Laura. I especially like your wreath. The place cards are a great idea.
Laura, Yes!!! I do remember the calling cards. I was so enamored with them that when I had my high school graduation cards made, I thought about Laura giving hers to friends as I gave cards to mine that year. Having the Friendly Village plates out are a wonderful reminder of that long winter in DeSmet…
What I remember most, though, is Laura and Pa taking turns twisting hay into hay sticks to keep the family warm after they ran out of firewood. That the town folks survived at all was a testament to their pulling together, as you mentioned. I love that Cap Garland and Almanzo Wilder went to find wheat seed for people to eat until the trains with supplies could get through… Heroes and bravery and a great sense of direction with internal compasses hidden in their beings!!
But I digress. 😉 Getting back to your lovely table, having an Advent wreath is very special. I used one the first Christmas we were here at the “new house.” I should pull it out again. <3 Love your sideboard, too, with its tall candles!
Enjoy your lovely home, sweet friend,
Happy Christmas,
Barb 🙂
Laura,
This is such a lovely idea! Everything is so lovely. This is one of my favorite books as a kid. It would be a great book t read again this season.