Happy Halloween! Welcome to the table of concoctions and simmering brews. Mertha, the witch, (a Jim Shore creation) is once again stirring up a medley of yummy dishes to satisfy anyone who dares to come to dinner. The table is set in Mertha's favorite colors - black and olive green. It is the most pleasurable time of year for her. The days are shorter, so the night time comes early and she loves to count the stars in the night sky. The trees have dropped their leaves and all that remains is their silhouette against the light of the moon and the darkened sky. The cold, damp air sends shivering chills through her body as she keeps company with her neighbors of spiders, bats, cats and frogs. Such bone-chilling nights inspire her creativity in the kitchen.
Mertha and I are thrilled to be joining this month's Halloween Tableschape Blog Hop along with 12 other tablescape artists for a fun and a howling good time sharing our creepy and unnerving tablescapes. The hop, hosted by our dear friend, Panoply, is Tuesday, October 7, 2025 and celebrates everything haunting and eerie. Enjoy all of the frightening wonderful tablescapes with the links at the end of this post.
Mertha is hard at work and ready to entertain you.
Mertha assembled her ingredients for her famous soup. A collection of mushrooms,
and fresh herbs. Of which some of the herbs will be used to make tea in her black cast iron tea pot.
She selected her best squashes of various colors and varieties.
The cauldron is boiling and her pet black cat, Freddie, is waiting for a taste.
Freddie, the cuddly cat enjoys the scent of the steamy soup.
Mertha has some visitors. The two frogs who were from her last failed experiments in the kitchen. They were suppose to be handsome princes. Now they just come for dinner whenever Mertha makes her special soup.
Mertha is getting old. She no longer can remember the recipe by heart. She must consult her ancient recipe book for a list of all of the ingredients.
I love the rather non-traditional colors that you used here. You’re giving me ideas because I have those same geranium leaf plates that you have here, and would never have thought to use them for Halloween. That witch is wonderful! I’ve seen a lot of witches, but never one with such expression.
ReplyDeleteMarsha, your witch's brew theme is so creative! I love the soup idea and the ingredients you and Mertha have gathered and styled so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteMarsha, your Mertha is so cute, along with her friends. Freddie, the cuddly cat is adorable. Love the frog friends in their party hats. A special look appetizing. The spiderweb tablecloth looks fabulous against the green. Lovely dishware for the special soup. Always a pleasure joining you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delight with Mertha and her mushroom soup cauldron.... and I love that her two frogs are still around because if they were a prince...they would not be able to share in her fare. The olive and black colors compliment your table and I love the Jim Shore figurines so I was excited to see Mertha and Freddie her cat. The black napkin rings are adorable. I also love your story as you tell it so sweetly. Always a pleasure to blog hop with you.🍁🥰🎃🐿️👻🍽️🍂🧹 Kari @ Me and My Captain
ReplyDeleteI love your tablescape! The first thing that struck me is the earthy, green color scheme. It reminds me of some of the cozy fantasy books about hedge witches I sometimes read! The mushrooms and frogs are perfect, and I know Mertha must be in her element on such a lovely table. Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to meet Mertha and her frogie friends. This was a fun post. I love the clever dialog. Thanks for sharing the fun post. Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteMarsha, I love your opening text setting the stage for Mertha’s favorite time of year and bone-chilling nights inspire her creativity in the kitchen! Olive and black are the perfect colors for a table for Mertha…love the addition of the mushroom and frogs wearing their party hats! You had me cackling: “The two frogs who were from her last failed experiments in the kitchen. They were supposed to be handsome princes. Now they just come for dinner whenever Mertha makes her special soup.” Thanks so much for the Halloween fun. It’s always a treat to have a seat at your table. Wishing you a wonderful October!🍽️🎃🧡
ReplyDeleteMarsha, your story line was fun and entertaining!! Mertha and Freddie are just too cute as are the frogs with their hats. Your color scheme gives the table an eerie look which is just perfect! The spider web tablecloth continues the theme! It is always a pleasure to blog hop with you!
ReplyDeleteOh this made my inner witch cackle, as I was reading of Mertha's evening of soup making. Mertha's color choices are absolutely perfect, and really make her complexion glow in the early evening light. Love that green paired with the black! The prince mistakes, now frogs, look as though Mertha cast her spell on them once again as they wear the party hats. I have to ask - is that mushroom real, because it sure looks like some of what I've seen in my landscape lately! A very creative and delightfully spellbinding tablescape you've created, Marsha! Thank you for putting your talent and wit together in this hop!
ReplyDeleteMarsha, your table is delightfully spooky and I love the color palette of black and olive green. Those plates are gorgeous. Mertha, Freddie, and the frogs are so cute and I especially like the close up photo with her showing the recipe book and the raven with her cauldron. Like Kari, I also love the story you wove throughout. I hope the soup was tasty and wishing you a wonderful October and a fabulous Halloween!
ReplyDeleteMarsha, I commented this morning but it doesn’t show up. I will try again. Mertha, Freddie, and the frogs with their party hats are delightful. Your story line was very entertaining. I love the colors you chose, the olive green with the black give an eerie feeling across the table. This was so much fun and creative, Happy October!
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, very cute Martha! I love Merta referring to her cookbook and the cute frogs hanging around to eat it! The frogs hats are adorable!
ReplyDeleteJenna