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In the midst of beauty, she awakens.
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flowers
International Flair
You never know what is going to inspire a tablescape. This one started with orchids which were thoughtful gifts deserving special attention.
Orchids made me think of Thailand where the markets literally had bags stuffed full with purple, pink and white blooms. That thought led me to choose this beautiful handwoven silk table runner that was made in Bangkok. Thanks to Jim Thompson, the weaving as a cottage industry is alive and well there.
The runner paired nicely with placemats purchased from a street vendor in that same city. I love finding things for the table that are light and take little suitcase space when I travel.
Because it is spring, a season of gardens bursting with color, these dishes that once belonged to my mother-in-law seemed a nice complement all the pink tones. According to the writing on the back, they were handpainted by a woman named Ernestine in Salerno, Italy. I believe they were sent home by a soldier husband during World War II. I would love to know the whole story.
OK, Thailand and Italy are covered, so let’s go with napkins from a Saigon market. Each little flower is hand embroidered. In addition to this table showcasing pieces gathered from my travels, it also confirms my attraction to all things hand done.
All that is left to complete the table is glasses, and they, too, have a story. I don’t know where they are from, but they belonged to a special friend’s grandmother. My friend thought I would use them more than she and gave them to me. She was not wrong, and the glasses with their wonderful texture are much used.
So many of my tables are filled with special memories of people and places. This one, with its international flair, is especially so as with each piece my mind wandered to another place and the experiences had there.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
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Farmers Market Inspiration
I can’t think of a place where there is more color and texture than at a farmers market.
The produce, the flowers combine to make me want one of everything which means I always come home with more than I need.
This time the market buys provided inspiration for a table. It was a little challenging getting the carrots through the neck of the bottle until I found just the right size.
With the centerpiece of flowers and vegetables in place, it was easy to choose the rest.
I had planned on using the black plates with the harlequin bowls, but one plate was missing….how does that happen?
The solution was to do half of the place settings in reverse which added a touch of the unexpected.
As I added glassware to the table, I remembered the little Mason jars which I use for the kid drinks at tini time. Off went the chosen water glasses to be replaced by the jars.
This table was such fun to create, and as I stood back and looked at it it dawned on me that inspiration can come from anywhere. You just have to be open to the suggestions.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
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Meeting the Chickens
A friend very excited about her newly acquired chickens couldn’t wait to show them off.
I must say her feathered friends are being treated royally and claim as home a specially built coop.
I didn’t catch it at first, but check out the name. That is so my friend!
As entertaining as her new beauties were, it was impossible not to let the eye be distracted by the drama of nature that was all around.
Every growing thing looked like it was on steroids which was attributed to fish emulsion. I’m thinking that is a must for next year’s garden.
Complementing nature’s bounty was the magic of the fog wafting in from the water.
Its quiet presence is a thing of wonder,
to say nothing about how its veiled mystery enhances color.
At every turn there were breathtaking vignettes with an astounding variety of color and texture. Remembering that a short time ago there was nothing more than grass between the house and the shore makes all this bounty even more remarkable.
I think you will agree that it would be very easy to spend hours right here listening to the sound of the sea, watching the fog come and go, experiencing the quiet beauty of nature and keeping company with the chickens that are sure to come calling.
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Looking Back & Ahead
First, thank you for all of your well wishes in response to my last post. They have great healing power.
It just dawned on me that Valentine’s is a few days away. To escape the crowds and avoid the hassle of finding a place to eat without a reservation, I started years ago making that a special evening at home for which the hubby is most grateful.
This year that won’t happen as I’m not quite ready for kitchen duty, but let’s take a look back at tables that helped make the Valentine meal special.
Most years we’ve eaten at what we call the big table. After all, it is a special evening.
Sometimes the table has a touch of elegance,
and Valentine’s is a perfect time to bring out those pieces associated with people I love.
More often than not the table is playful with those mixed patterns and colors I so like.
On those February evenings when the weather is spring like and dove songs fill the air, we take advantage and eat on the screen porch, always a treat.
No matter where we eat or how the table is set, flowers help make it special
and none are more special than the bouquet I get each year from the hubby.
No, there won’t be a dinner at home or a special table this year, but looking ahead to next week I have other plans that will give the hubby a night off from bringing me the evening meal. Shhhh, don’t tell!
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
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What’s With Delphiniums?
So many plants grow easily in Maine. My problem is not being very expert about any of them. Take delphiniums. They are beautiful, but little did I know about how tall they grow. As I watched them mature, I thought it possible that I’d planted one of Jack’s beans!
The taller they g0t the more top heavy they became meaning they bent and broke no matter how carefully they were staked.
Well, I thought, I’ll just cut these beauties and take them inside. As soon as they were disconnected from their stem the blue ones began raining petals, but the lighter colors proved to be long lasting on table tops throughout the house. On this table runner, they were also the inspiration for a casual table.
It was one of those nights for a house favorite, fish chowder. Playing off the yellow in the runner, these plates served as a charger for varied colored bowls.
For salad, I chose these harlequin patterned dishes. I never tire of using them as they are so versatile and add interesting pattern.
Napkins are one of my favorite table accessories as they are not only functional but add a little artistic flair to any setting. This one is a simple accordion fold which when spread becomes a standing fan.
As this understated table shows, it doesn’t take much to make the ordinary special.
Now, about those delphiniums. I felt so defeated by their unruliness that I cut them down to the ground, but they are a very determined flower. Here it is September and they have come back ready to bloom and still growing! We’ll see if I’m any luckier controlling them the second time around.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
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Newburyport Impressions
Viewed from the boat, Newburyport has the look of an old New England town.
Though prosperous today, I learned from one shopkeeper that by 1970 the central area had fallen into such disrepair that it came close to being demolished. At the last minute, a decision was made to rebuild rather than tear down, and rehabilitation began in the early 1970’s.
Thus it was that the historic architecture and heritage of the town was preserved.
Now there is a diversity of shops, restaurants and businesses contributing to Newburyport having become a popular tourist destination.
What struck me was how much brick there was. Even the sidewalks were brick, and it was interesting to note the varying patterns.
Like in many New England towns, flowers brighten the sidewalks
and provide opportunity for creative display.
One day may not have been long enough to experience all Newburyport has to offer, but that was time enough to be left with a sweet memory. In case you are wondering, this is a s’mores pizza. If you ever have occasion to try one, I suggest having friends share it so you don’t get sugar overdose!
Now it’s back to the boat to ready for the next phase of this boating adventure.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
