The Magpie Top Ten (or rather, Twelve), Some Bloopers, and All Good Wishes ...

...from your blogging friend in exile!



Thank you so much for your comments and concerns. After some servicing for my virus control gone awry and a battery that went south the minute I got the computer back (a new battery had to be ordered during the Christmas rush!), my computer (a laptop) is back and seemingly on track for the time being. Not so sure I am, but I couldn't allow another day's passing without wishing each of you my best during this wonderful holiday season.



Since our camera was also MIA, we have no Christmas pictures this year, much to Cecelia's chagrin (she had sock monkey stories for you... we played "Hide the Sock Monkeys" no less than 300 times!), but all is not lost. I do have some pictures from the Christmas we had in February, remember? As well as some from two years ago, many of which I have not shared and some of which I have...



Being a pack rat comes in handy at times. To wit, note the letter "C" on the tree below. Someone was very upset that I couldn't find it to put on the tree this year. It's packed away deep in the recesses of the Christmas closet, and the other ones I found went on packages. But at least I have this to assure a certain someone whose name begins with the letter "C" that I do, indeed, still have one on my blog. I also have a peppermint-snitching pink pony from the looks of it. ;-)



That being said, I decided to share a recap of some of this blog's most viewed posts. Blogger only gives stats on the ten most viewed, so I'm adding a couple of other posts for a total of twelve, one for each day of Christmas (which runs from Christmas until the Feast Day of Epiphany on January 6).



It seems that most of the viewers enjoy reading tablescape posts, and that's one thing I enjoy doing. I noticed that a lot of the tablescapes I've shared are whimsical, so maybe next year I'll share some more formal ones with you if you like. Or as a friend of mine is apt to say, pull out the heavy artillery.



It takes all kinds, you know! ;-)



For now, I thought I'd start with the tablescape I most enjoyed creating, and of course, it has a nautical sensibility (one reason I love Florida so much). Additionally, I was honored to have this table selected as a feature on Completely Coastal (thanks, Maya!) some time back. The post is Number 12 and is entitled, "Nautical Notes: A Tablescape for Sea Lovers."



In addition to the fact that this table featured gifts from the sea, I liked the graphic quality of the runners. Basically I used things I had on hand, some of which were thrifted like the lobster plates and the knock-off dinner plates which, at one dollar apiece, do a credible job of echoing our more expensive pattern, Wedgwood's Nantucket. My credo? A festive table does not have to be expensive...



Please click HERE for the full post.



Number 11 on the list is a more serious post entitled, "America's Architectural Treasures: A Child of The Sun." This post features one of my long time passions, historic preservation, and takes the viewer on a tour of one of the largest collections of Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings in one location, the campus of Florida Southern College. I chose this post because I think it is imperative that we focus on the importance of saving our architectural heritage, be it classical, vernacular, contemporary or organic (as Wright termed his designs) in nature.



For more information on this post, please go HERE.



Out of YOUR top ten most viewed posts, and on a lighter note, the Number 10 post is a tablescape called "A Very Merry Un-Birthday: Let's All Go To The Beach!"



This table is basically an homage to the beach, sunshine, and celebrating everydays (or un-birthdays) with its colorful melamine plates and tray as well as the Jamaican aqua tablecloth (actually a Target shower curtain). I think I found most of these cheery items on sale (which makes this tablescape even cheerier to me), and the bright graphics, resembling beach balls, perked up the doldrums of winter last year. Plus, who can resist a cute cupcake from Luli's? Not I! Luli's makes every day a very merry un-birthday.



For more on this table, please go HERE.



Number 9 on the list is a post called, "A Coastal Christmas: Part I."



This post, also graciously featured on Completely Coastal (thanks, Maya!), includes a variety of floral decorations executed by the Garden Club when they showcased our cottage, among others, on their Christmas tour. I gave them carte blanche to do what they wished, and they chose a nautical motif to compliment the cottage's coastal sensibility. The post features both exterior and interior coastal floral decor. Please go HERE to see more.



Number 8 on the list is called "English Countryside: A Tablescape."



This table features Mikasa's English Countryside pattern along with Mottahedeh's Duke of Gloucester mixed with all sorts of garden table elements such as roses, urns, sheep, and pagodas. For more on this tablescape, one of my favorites, please go HERE



Number 7 on the list of your favorites is a tablescape called, "A Birthday Celebration in Retrospect."



This post (also a favorite of mine due to the subject matter) features scenes from my mother in law's 80th birthday party, including the beloved octogenarian herself. To see the entire post, please go HERE.



Number 6 on the list is a post entitled, "Ladies Who Lunch: Table For Four."



This post features fine china and crystal along with a variety of Christmas accoutrements. I chose to feature my parents' china pattern in addition to various pieces of our china, evoking memories of happy Christmas dining. For more on this post, please go HERE.



Number 5 on the list is a post called, "Sunny Breakfast Tablescape."



This post was aptly named according to the comments and number of views received. A black and white tablescape featuring Wedgwood's Nantucket and John Tams' accent plates with fun accoutrements and pops of yellow, it is comprised of a sunny palette. For more on this post, please go HERE.



Number 4 on the list is a post called, "Spring Fling."



Again, this tablescape was aptly named with spring color abounding, and I feel honored to have had it featured on Mikasa's Facebook Wall HERE. (Thanks, Mikasa!) It was enough to make me consider joining Facebook. No, Facebook friends, I'm still not there yet, but at least I am "considering" it. ;-) Here's what they said about the table: "Spring is here and Easter is on its way! Visit the Quintessential Magpie today and check out her beautiful Spring inspired tablescape featuring English Countryside by Mikasa and a colorful quilt perfectly re-purposed as a tablecloth."



For more on this tablescape, which also includes Tracy Porter dessert plates (below), please go HERE.



Number 3 and counting is "A Delightful Tea Party and A Younger Than Springtime-Older Than Methuselah Birthday Celebration Prize!"



This post features a very cute children's tea served at the Camelia Rose Tea Cottage in Plant City, Florida, as well as photos of the honoree (my goddaughter, modeling her Lily Pulitzer shift), her best friend, and her grandmother who was also our hostess. The tea room provided hats for the young ladies who both donned pink ones (the tea room ladies are also pink fans). It was a delightful time had by all, including Cecelia's mother and I who aren't pictured. Mrs. Magpie doesn't do pictures, and Missy opted out, too. Bad hair day. ;-)



For more on this special post, please go HERE.



Number 2 on the hit parade is "A Coastal Christmas: Part II."



Again, feeling very honored when this post was featured on Completely Coastal (thanks, Maya!), the post continues the tour of our Vistorian retreat from the first portion above. Included is a tablescape the Garden Club designed featuring our Natucket china with the Christmas salad plates as well as some live greenery and other elements the ladies of the club added. They decorated the downstairs and four porches.



After the event and at the suggestion of my friend, Shell Belle (aka Rhonda), one fun tidbit I snuck on top of the tree the ladies decorated was a beach hat topper, and judging from the comments on Maya's blog seen HERE, several people thought it was fun, too. Mr. Magpie and I had to chuckle because this was a true beach hat and probably the most beat up hat we own (it was turned so you couldn't see the HUGE hole in the back where someone apparently sat on it and crushed the straw), but no one seemed to notice because it was the idea that counted. ;-)



More on that post by going HERE. Oh, and don't you think this would be cute with a burlap ribbon bow? They gave me an idea, and I'm heading to the craft store to see if they have that sort of ribbon!



Number 1 in terms of views has got to be there by virtue of the title alone: "Pardon My Bloopers!" Everyone enjoys bloopers, and my life is full of them, big and small. So I joined my friend Susan last year when she invited participants to 'fess up and share their tablescape bloopers for a New Year's post.



More on that post by going HERE.

And here are my 2011 Tablescape Bloopers. I'll join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, if she's doing it again.

The Blooper Control caught this series of sneaky bloopers prior to publication. It all started when I spotted something pink in the bottom of the next picture. Oops! That pinkness would be my house slipper. The object with the moon tan would be my foot...



Then I looked at this picture and was so distracted by the mittens at first that I failed to notice the other pinkish thing at the bottom of the photo...



But this picture explained it. Try my pink plaid flannel pajama pants!



The pink slippers (and the pinkish cast they all threw on my moon-tanned feet) gave it away. ;-)

I guess the moral of this story is, you have to crack a few eggs in order to make an omelette!

And so that brings me to this part of the post...

GLANCING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD

While 2011 has been one of the most difficult years of my life in terms of personal loss and losses for friends and loved ones, it also had its share of blessings. I'd like to take the opportunity now to count some of them.



Numbered among those high points are the fact that we had wonderful visitors from England (Linsday, Tim, and Jessica) whom we thoroughly enjoyed entertaining. I also got to see some other beloved blogging friends and break bread with them (Becky, Jane, Jeanne, Lisa, Rhonda, and Tammy). We had two Christmas celebrations... one in February and the recent one in December, celebrations I will cherish forever. We were able to celebrate Mr. Magpie's birthday with his delightful mother and family. That was a special treat when she surprised us this spring. And while I hated to miss a trip to Canada with the Summer Breeze Girls at Claudie's (thank you, Claudie, for the wonderful banner you and Julie made for me!) and two family weddings this summer, we welcomed two new family members, both married to cousins, and I couldn't be happier for all of them. I'm also happy that the Summer Breeze Girls had such a wonderful time together. Then Mr. Magpie made it through his surgical procedures with your prayers and those of other loved ones. Next, I was given a sock monkey birthday party by wonderful friends with a sock monkey cake and other decorations that were simply amazing. Addie and Cecelia helped plan it. I was able to help coordinate Cecelia's "Little House on the Prairie" celebration in return. Then we were able to entertain Cecelia and her little friends in St. Augustine when they came to visit for their Florida studies course in November, and we entertained the rest of the family group as well. Christmas celebrations were spent with people we love dearly, both in our home and in theirs. Others we sent love to over the miles.

Oh, and I won two blog drawings: some Gold Bond Lotion from Stephanie Lynn and a book, Maman's Homesick Pie, from Claudia... thanks so much, ladies!

So many blessings and too many to list here. Every day is a gift, and I cherish each and every one. As my childhood blessing says, "God is great, God is good! Let us thank Him for our food," and in this case, that means all of you. You are the very smile on the peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Only, a munchkin hasn't nipped off the edge of your chin. ;-)



That being said, I would be terribly remiss if I didn't share the fact that one of the most signifcant blessings from the year is the combined frienship, prayers, and love you extended to us. My prayer is that your love and generosity of spirit rebounds to you in manifold ways, now and throughout the year ahead.



In terms of 2012, I'm not sure when I am going to be able to return to blogging regularly, as my life has been altered in many ways. Primarily, I am finding myself with extra responsibilities to juggle. So I pray you will be patient with me as I make these adjustments and learn to wear some new hats.



Most of all, I miss reading your blogs and seeing what is going on in your lives, sharing your day to day news with you. So I am eager to read what you are doing. To that end, instead of posting here for the time being, I am going to take some of that free time I do have when I have it and visit you at your blogs. That's what I did for months before I had my own blog, and that's what I really enjoy most.

Have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! :-)

XO,

Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)