It's a Mantle

My dining room mantle has been something to "fiddle" with

for a while!

Several years ago,

we had this ornate mirror,

two lamps on either side of the mantle

And in between a collection of soapstone carvings

With a Asian carving that we purchased in Mexico

bookended by two blue and white vases

After a while, it was way too "cluttered"

So I changed it

To a mirror I dearly love,

a French clock in the center

flanked by two old lamps

and two small cloisonné ginger jars

that were part of Husband Jim's "dowry"!

But the same husband with the wonderful ginger jar dowry

did not like

that mirror

"Too small" he said

And so I dug out another mirror

Too big to hang, it leaned against the wall

The ginger jars were replaced by some

ceramic birds and I left the lamps.

Sigh . . .

clock in middle

Two pairs of things on each side

Does it look familiar?

Like the mantle in the living room?

Or the one in the master bedroom

My parents Wedding Present clock

And some of my Royal Doulton's scampering across the mantle!

I needed something different

All mantles should not look alike!

Several months ago, I replaced the lamps with the hanging crystals

As much as I adored them

I absolutely despised the cords

That snaked their way across the mantle

to the outlet next to the fireplace.

It always pays to tidy . . .

For I found a treasure

An oil painting that Husband Jim had bought in the Phillipines

30 years or so ago.

When we moved to Linderhof, we hung it here

And we liked it

But then . . . 

Sometimes, I think you should leave things alone!

But it's back

To where it began 26 years ago

When we first moved into Linderhof

And instead of the clock in the middle and two things on either side,

I got out some plate stands

And some of my antique blue and white plates

That used to live in the corner cabinet in the living room.

The plates shook it up a bit

No more five items lined up across the mantle

In an orderly row!

Centered by a clock!

I think it looks good!

And certainly different.

And breaks me out of the mirror, clock, two pairs of decoratives!

It's Monday and I'm sharing my new mantle with Susan at Between Naps On the Porch for Met Monday.