It's Spring... Indoors and Out!

LeRoux at Home

As nature on Martha's Vineyard bounces back from winter, the urge to entertain, to celebrate and to bring the freshness of the new season with us to the indoors grows as the days lengthen.

The Island's Early Bloomers
As fir and holly are to the winter holidays, so forsythia and pussy willow are to Easter, Passover and spring time celebration. On Martha’s Vineyard, ancient stands of these early bloomers, heavy with flowers that beg to be bundled into generous bouquets, provide obvious and opulent centerpieces for special days and every day.

Making the Most of March
The winds that swept the Island in early March resulted in a bumper crop of branches out of which holiday trees can be constructed.   Stabilized by setting in a container full of glass marbles and decorated with blown colored eggs, foil wrapped chocolates, fluffy yellow chicks and other fanciful decorations, these make a wonderful activity, a fanciful display and can be adapted to any holiday.

A chick, chick here & there at Jenni Bick

The Colors of Sunshine
Taking stock of what Vineyard shops are offering to brighten tables this spring, look for lots of sunny pastels - particularly buttery yellows and creamy whites.  Using these ‘neutrals’ as a base, it’s easy to add event-specific accents for any springtime occasion.

 

Its All About Flowers
Forced bulbs of crocus, hyacinth and daffodils – available through florists for those of us who’ve not planned ahead - can be grouped to create a beautiful tabletop garden.  Rainy Day is full of wonderful Easter items to plant among the flowers. Nestle some white tea lights between the containers to add some twinkle to twilight dining.

Spring comes to your tabletop (left) at LeRoux and (right) at Rainy Day

 

Or, decorate a spring-time table with small pots of herbs that can be planted out as soon as the soil warms sufficiently.  Not only are the variegated colors pretty to look at but the scents make up for a lack of the same in many spring flowers. At LeRoux at Home,  Egglings are the cutest variation on this idea that I’ve ever seen. These herbs in a natural egg cup, work on so many levels: as small table favors, grouped for a centerpiece and as an early start for your summer garden.

An Island spring brings with it so much to celebrate, be sure to get out and enjoy!