Unlike so many in this country who have been braving arctic cold, our winter so far has been unusually warm. We got enough of a frost to kill the nasturtiums, but most of the other annuals in the garden, like geraniums, are still alive and trying to bloom. Thus we were quite surprised to see it begin to snow this morning. It isn't sticking much, but it has fallen non-stop all day, making my winter table setting much more appropriate.
There are only four of us sharing this dinner so I set us up in the middle of the table to maintain intimacy. As usual, I put the larger flower arrangement at the far end to stop the eye and kept the centerpiece very small. I was looking for something quiet and dark so I turned to the woolen scarf I bought for Lynne's winter table. She had given it back to me and I often find it very useful for evoking a wintery feeling. It's circular patterns and subdued colors remind me of the way ice forms in puddles when the frost is heavy.
I have a dark blue cloth that covers the whole table, but the rough linen square (left over from Joel and Becca's wedding) looks better with the scarf, and the shiny corners of the bare table add more life to the setting. Off-white gray banded plates, white chrysanthemums, and silver accents keep it from being too heavy. I especially like the way the little vase in the empty space of the clear glass tray makes a quiet interlude that feels like winter night to me.
It's good to gather with friends when winter makes the warmth of their companionship especially welcome.