My sweetie got me a neat book for Valentine’s Day. It’s called OK! The Story of Oklahoma! by Max Wilk, and, as the name implies, it gives all the background scoop on what it was like during the creation, production and early performances of the ground-breaking American musical.
I haven’t been able to put it down. I loved reading about Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart and how they worked together, and eventually didn’t, and so Oscar Hammerstein was eventually partnered with Rogers to come up with the memorable songs and book from this show.
It got us thinking of another song with music by Rogers and lyrics by Hammerstein that’s perfect for this time of year, and the theme for my tablescape today:
It Might As Well Be Spring
We’re at that point in the year, at least here in the Pacific Northwest, where there are days when the sun comes out, the temperatures warm, the bulbs start opening, and you definitely get a sense that spring is nearly upon us.
I wanted a pretty tablescape using some of my thrifted finds that would remind me that spring is almost here.
I liked the idea of green–it reminds me of the awakening earth.
I added in some purple, because purple and green is a favorite combination of mine.
I also wanted some blue, for the clear blue skies that we are enjoying today.
And some bright yellow for the sunshine.
Now, if you happen to know Oscar Hammerstein’s song lyric, which comes from Rogers and Hammerstein’s Academy Award-winning 1945 film musical State Fair, the singer of this song is not someone who, at the moment, is content with her life. In actuality, the song is not sung in the springtime, but the singer is feeling discontent with the current state of affairs in her life, and comes to the conclusion that it “might as well be spring” in the hopes that by joining her family in their annual trip to the Iowa State Fair, she will leave her depressed feelings behind for something better.
(And what do you know, she meets heart-throb Dana Andrews at the State Fair, so things definitely start to look up!)
And frankly, don’t you feel a little bit like that at this time of year, with cold weather still in the offing, but feeling hopeful that something better is just around the corner?
I know I do sometimes.
And, for those who are curious, here is a rendition of the song “It Might As Well Be Spring”, sung by Liz Callaway–enjoy!
Tablescape:
Yellow dishes, yellow silk tulips, blue check napkins: Dollar Tree
Purple vase, green and purple serving dish: Salvation Army Thrift Store
Green placemats: Homegoods
Green water glasses, purple floral tablecloth, green coffee mugs, clear glass cakeplate, purple glass serving plate: Goodwill
Green platter: Thrift store going out of business sale
White candle holder, tiny bottles: Camas Antiques
Silverware: Reed and Barton “French Renaissance” pattern
Blue and white plates: from Goodwill, imprint on back says, “Made in Czechoslovakia, Bohemia, Inglazed”
Yellow coasters: Made from tiles from The Rebuilding Center, Portland, OR
Green floral-motif chairs: picked up several years ago as part of a table and chair patio set at a Mother’s Day Plant Sale
Little yellow flowers in tiny bottles: Winter Jasmine Growing Tips post
Does it feel like springtime yet where you live? I’d love to hear from you in the comments, so stop by for a visit!
If you liked this post, you can subscribe to Minerva’s Garden via email or RSS, Like us on Facebook, and Follow us on Twitter, and connect with us on You Tube, Pinterest and Google +. You can also follow us on Linky!
Thank you so much for your friendship and support–I appreciate it!
Till next time,
I’m participating at:
It’s Party Time at Setting For Four
Be Inspired Link Party at Elizabeth & Co.
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Through Life
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits at Stone Gable
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch
Catch as Catch Can at My Repurposed Life
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Be Inspired Friday at Common Ground
Yep! I do feel like that this time of year! Your table has inspired me to bring some spring in! I am loving the layered look that you have created on your table with all of the colors and textures! Thanks for sharing the music too! I always enjoy a listen!! Fantastic!!!
Ha! I was gonna holler at ya for having forsythia blooming already! Then I saw the note about it being your jasmine. Clearly I need one of those.
Everything is so pretty. Are you guys eating at that table, or do you have a separate table for just the two of you?
The clear blue skies today were amazingly beautiful. I stared out the window while folding too many loads of laundry. :) I did get out when it was time to pick up The Kid from school, though. And he and his sis were able to play at the playground while I chased the crawling baby who wanted to play in the park dust. Ha! C’mon spring!
Only a rogue blossom here and there from the forsythia, but nothing serious yet! This table only seats 4, so when I set it for 2 it apparently looks much more spacious than it really is :) We eat at this table every night for dinner. We used to eat in the living room on the sofa, for years, and it was so awkward, not to mention messy. Then we got a new sofa last fall, and I decided that we should eat like civilized people in our perfectly good dining room on a more regular basis. We did move the tv into the dining room, so we can still enjoy a movie whenever we like, but I do cover it with a chalkboard when it’s not in use, to keep the vintage vibe of the room going. So glad you could get out in the sunshine with your kids–glad they enjoyed it, as well as you! I came down with a cold, and felt like crap all day, so was just inside watching the sun from my computer.
I’m listening to the song as I type! You taught me well because I immediately thought “Winter Jasmine” when I saw the tablescape! I love your silverware, it’s so delicate!
Spring was just on the doorstep with crocus blooming last week, but since the beginning of the week it’s freezing again!
Hi Athena! I live in Alabama and we had an early spring…the daffodils have already come and gone already. The hyacinths and forsythia are blooming now but this weekend the temperature is scheduled to drop to below freezing…hope it doesn’t kill the tender plants coming out. Your tablesetting is just beautiful! So many lovely items to behold in one place.
What a pretty and eclectic mix! Definitely a breath of fresh air after the gloomy winter months! I love the way you weren’t afraid of putting lots of colors together.
Jenna
You have ALL the colors of Spring here, and that makes for a VERY happy table!!! We are expecting lots and lots and lots of snow to move in overnight, and I NEED this kind of cheery table to lift my spirits. I am NOT a snow person! I really dig that chair!!!!!!!! It definitely has a happy feel!!!
Oh I love that movie and your tablescape is perfect. Makes me think of the beautiful outdoor spaces in the movie and the flowers and lovely blue sky. Great combination of dishes and accessories. Thanks tons for your visit and the gracious comment. Hugs, Marty
Oh what a beautiful tablescappppeeeee! Oh what a beautiful plate! :)
Beautiful table. Your accessories are lovely.
Beautiful table with mixture of spring colors.love your chair with those floral design.
Inviting table scape for an afternoon.the shape of the green glass looks lovely and different.thx…:):):)
Thank you so much for visiting my blog & leaving a comment. I look forward to following your blog.
Your tablescape is so pretty & perfect for spring! I love that song! I learned by hearing my Mother sing it!
Smiles,
Carol
I just adore your spring tablescape with those bright and cheery Forsythia branches. I’m so anxious for my spring bulbs to appear, but we have a couple of months yet. Your floral chair is very pretty.
Such a lovely, lovely table! Love the combination of colors you’ve meshed. Just beautiful!