February Monday Morning Blooms- Small Acts of Beauty

February at FrenchGardenHouse always arrives softly. Not with grand gestures, but with pale light through the windows, quieter mornings, and the first hint that winter is beginning to loosen its grip. For this month's Monday Morning Blooms, I'm focussing on Small Acts of Beauty.

Welcome to Monday Morning Blooms

I am joining my dear friends Mary and Pam for some floral therapy today. I hope you will visit them, I'll share their links  at the end of this post.

For this month's Monday Morning Blooms, I leaned into that gentleness that February brings — choosing a floral palette that feels fresh, hopeful, and quietly beautiful.

It would be impossible not to acknowledge that our world feels heavy right now, uncertain, and often overwhelming in ways both large and small.

This is exactly why moments of care matter. Taking time to tend to yourself, to set a table, to bring flowers indoors, or to invite a neighbor or friend to lunch isn’t frivolous — it’s grounding.

These small acts of beauty and connection are how we steady ourselves and extend kindness outward, creating pockets of warmth in our daily lives.

In my little sitting room off the master bedroom, I set my wicker trunk for two. It's a perfect spot to enjoy the winter garden, the birds that are still singing every day, and you can hear them through the French doors that connects to the back patio. It's a wonderful place to share some time with a friend.

For the flowers, white and blush pink tulips take center stage, their simple silhouettes unfurling with effortless grace. They’re joined by delicate alstroemeria, adding subtle movement and a touch of romance, while seeded eucalyptus is always a favorite to add to every arrangement with its muted green tones and natural texture.

For some reason my white wax flowers drooped instantly {!} so I took them out for the other photos, and used seeded eucalyptus from last weeks flowers instead.

The flowers are intentionally unfussy — arranged as though gathered from the garden and set down without overthinking. This is beauty meant to feel lived-in.

They are wonderful placed on this Staffordshire Ironstone Antique Platter because although charming, the antique French wicker trunk is a little uneven on the top. 

Bonus is that there is enough room to add petite desserts, eclairs and heart shaped macarons, for a sweet after a light luncheon salad.

For the setting, I used these gorgeous antique plates with hand enameling and hand painted designs.

The embroidered linen napkins are still available in this stunning green color here, but this is our last set. Antique mother of pearl silver and gilt embellished goblets complete this sweet February setting.

A simple salad, a treat, iced tea or a glass of white wine, and good conversation is the kind of gathering that doesn’t need an occasion beyond being together.

It’s a reminder that beauty doesn’t have to wait for spring — sometimes it’s already right on your table.

This salad is so easy to make. It's fresh, bright, and unfussy. My Mom used to love it, and I usually just used our own oranges from the back garden tree.

Perfect for a small impromptu luncheon with friends, where antique plates are mixed and matched, flowers spill gently across the table, and the meal lingers longer than planned. {with a cup of Earl Grey tea, if at all possible.}

FrenchGardenHouse Winter Citrus & Butter Lettuce Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

Serves 4–6

Ingredients

2 heads butter lettuce, gently washed and torn

1 small fennel bulb, very thinly sliced

2 blood oranges or Cara Cara oranges, peeled and sliced {or regular good oranges}

1 small apple (Pink Lady or Honeycrisp), thinly sliced

¼ cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano

¼ cup toasted sliced almonds or pine nuts

Freshly cracked black pepper

Champagne Vinaigrette

2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon honey

⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Sea salt, to taste

To Prepare

Whisk together the Champagne vinegar, Dijon, honey, and sea salt. 

Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking until emulsified.

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Arrange the butter lettuce on a serving platter.

Layer with fennel, citrus slices, and apple.

Drizzle lightly with vinaigrette, then finish with shaved Parmigiano, toasted nuts, and a few turns of black pepper.

Serve immediately.

Please visit my friends Mary and Pam for more beautiful flower inspiration.

Mary at HomeIsWhereTheBoatIs

 

Pam at Everyday Living

 

and me, Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse thank you so much for your visit!