Two close friends enjoying each other's company.

A closer view of them.

Both outside the patio scene.

Close up of the table set for lunch.

Both figures and the table and chairs before being placed in the scene.

The empty lantern. I cut a piece of Masonite to cover the metal floor.

I decided to cover the floor with flagstones. I used the rough cardboard packing that comes around electronics for the stones. After soaking it in water for half an hour, I then tore it into dozens of pieces and let them dry out. I glued them in a random pattern to the Masonite floor piece. When the glue had dried, I sealed them with watered-down craft glue. I painted them gray with acrylic paint and let them thoroughly dry overnight. I then sealed them again with another coat of the watered-down glue.

When it had dried out, I used a fine grout to fill in the spaces between the stones. I wiped the excess grout off and sealed it again with a final coat of water thinned glue. The lantern was uneven, so I had to adjust the floor to fit.

The finished flagstone floor installed.

I filled a baker’s rack with plants I had and with ones I’d made.

The rack and plants next to the lantern.

I made salads for the ladies to eat from Fimo, a clay that is baked.

A basket of bread, also made from Fimo, goes well with the salads.

I added sweet iced tea, cruets of vinegar and oil for the dressing, along with pepper and salt. I also made a pretty flowering plant to set on the table.

The table and chairs ready to go into the lantern.