Winter Whites...

Today, I am joining the White Christmas/Winter White blog party over at my friend, Kathleen's blog, Cuisine Kathleen. Please click HERE to visit her blog with the links to all the other bloggers participating. As you can see there is no shortage of the white cold stuff outside at my house, it will definitely be a White Christmas here in MN.I've participated in 2 of Kathleen's white events before but had to bend the rules a little since I didn't have any all white plates. This summer I purchased a full set of 9 (and there 12 of many of the pieces) of Mikasa French Countryside dinnerware at Goodwill for $29. Many of the pieces still had the original price tags on the bottom of the plates leaving me to wonder who would have donated them. A check tonight of the Mikasa website shows a single place setting selling for $39.99 so I think I got quite a bargain.
The white 60x120 tablecloth with silver snowflakes is another GW bargain at $6.99. The glittery silver placemats are from Kmart and were purchased for the black/white/red table I did for the tablesetting fair several weeks ago.
The centerpiece is composed of a rectangular mirror topped with a lighted arrangement in a mirror vase, silver beads, mirrored star ornaments, little white ceramic birds, silver glittered trees, candles and fresh flowers. The place card holders are also mirrored and I didn't realize until I downloaded my photos that I forgot to put name cards in them...oops.
At Christmas, I like to use ornaments for vases. The silver balls were purchased several years ago at GW and I removed the tops. I balance them on some crystal candle holders also purchased at GW just for this purpose. I love how the single gerber daisy reflects on the ornament.
In fact, I love how everything reflects in the ornaments and mirrors...well, except for the photographer :)
A closer look at the mirrored centerpiece...
and a mosaic showing how everything sparkled in the bright sunshine.
The main reason I like to use the mirror in a variety of centerpieces is because of candlelit dinners.
I prefer to set the coffee cups on the side until dessert, none of my guests drink coffee with their meal but like it with a rich dessert.
The white tree is a GW find and is lit with one of those round press on lights that are usually hung in closets.
The butterfly clip on in the centerpiece has special meaning and will be put on our Christmas tree for years to come. A butterfly is the symbol of infant loss from miscarriage or stillbirth and honors the memory of Ethan, our grandson born into heaven.
It sparkles with hope in the darkness.
Wishing all those who want one a white Christmas...me, I'd be happier with a warmer one - it's COLD here.