This is an unusual time for all of us. I am doing what I imagine all of you are doing, preparing for our family to stay out of harm's way as much as possible. Part of that means I have planned for meals, and other necessities. And part of what I am doing, too, is making our home as lovely, as peaceful and as calming as I can. Especially during times like this, I am so grateful for home. This spring floral arrangement brings much needed beauty to our home during this time - I call it a Grateful for Home Spring arrangement.
Welcome to Monday Morning Blooms!
Shirley, Mary, Pam and I have all prepared a spring arrangement this week. I'll share the links for their posts below. Don't miss them, you know how they always inspire! : )
Before I talk about the table and the flowers, I want to let you know that I pray you are not overly worried during this strange time. Worry is not our friend. As women, {and you guys too, for my men readers!} we're resourceful, strong, and we set the tone not just at home but in our community. One of my favorite authors Corrie ten Boom said: “Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength.”
I pray you are well, that you don't worry overly much, and that, as you most likely hunker down at home for a while, you make the most of it. Keep doing what you do every day, taking good care of yourself and your family. Keep creating a haven filled with beauty and peace at home, keep cooking, and baking and celebrating life with joy. It's my hope we can bring you a little joy this week with our flower therapy.
For this spring arrangement, I was so happy to find beautiful garden roses in the palest color of yellow, blue hydrangeas, bright pink mini carnations, pink ranunculus, and a really pretty and feathery white mums.
{I figured if this was the last time Mr. FGH might let me go out and buy something like flowers, I'd go B I G! }
TIP: Both the ranunculus and mum flowers look better longer if you remove as many of the leaves as you can. The flowers do better, and those leaves seem to turn an ugly yellow almost the next day anyway. So just pick those off before you arrange the flowers in your vase!
Because the light blue pitcher has a fairly large opening, I criss-crossed the top with some of our FGH clear floral tape in a large grid. That helped the flowers stand up and not all lean towards the sides.
I love how the light blue hydrangeas mimic the color on the antique pitcher. While I usually love a more mono-tone floral look like the floral bouquets sold all over France, because all the colors are soft pastels in this arrangement it works beautifully!
I set the table in the kitchen for all of us. I'm imagining that we are there, drinking a cup of tea and eating a few little sandwiches and a slice of cake, while we talk about all the things that we hold dear to our hearts.
The tablecloth is such a pretty one, gossamer organdy finely embroidered and appliqued with pastel colored flowers by the skillful embroiderers of Madeira, an island near Portugal. The island of Madeira is world famous for its embroidery.
{I have a post about Madeira linens coming up within the next month.}
The plates are antiques, they were hand painted with the sweetest little forget-me-not flowers. The hand painted gold rims add even more dazzle, don't you think?
The silver plated gallery tray holds the arrangement , a vintage silver plated tea pot, and an antique silver plated tea canister offering silver tea spoons.
I pulled in this sweet little light blue pitcher with the acorns all over the handle and rim to present the forks. Because what is a tea party without a few slices of cake?
Two little quail's eggs add a spring touch. As do a few of the flowers that broke during the "unwrapping" after buying the flowers at the market. There is nothing as beautiful and uplifting as flowers. If you can't have real flowers this week, then enjoy your faux florals. There is also plenty of floral beauty to drink in online!
Thank you so much for visiting me today. I am so grateful for our FrenchGardenHouse, and that our business is based here at home. We will continue to ship out orders and have plenty of spring decor and antiques to help you bring beauty into your daily life and home.
“May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility.”
— Mary Anne Radmacher
Be sure to visit my talented friends as they share spring beauty!
SHIRLEY at Housepitality Designs
and ME, LIDY at FrenchGardenHouse.
A BIENTOT
22 comments
Alice, what a sweet comment. I think you are right, home comes right after family I think. We are blessed when we have a home, and be thankful. Stay safe too. xo
Your flowers are lovely and so is the plate rack on the wall behind the arrangement. Everything you show us is lovely, sometime I think I should stop looking at your beautifully designed post as I get in trouble. I think one of the most beautiful words in our language is home. Now is the time to thank our Lord for a safe place to go with our family, where He has provided a safe haven from harm. Stay safe and thank Mr FGH for keeping you there.
It’s always a joy to join you dear friend. We are blessed to be able to create beautiful things with such gorgeous flowers. Stay well and enjoy your home where your boat is! :)
I’m so happy to join you too my dearest Shirley! We are all staying in, and keeping as healthy as we can until this passes. xoxo
Thank you Rita. I hope you and Mr. Panoply are well, and taking good care. xo
I agree, Sandra! The antique plates are of such a quality not often seen anymore. Plus…they have a history. :) I hope you are well, and blessings to you and your family too! xo
Pam, I wish you and your love the same. We will be here at home, doing what we do, just more carefully! Fortunate to live across the street from a park so we can go for a walk there. xoxo
I hope you are taking good care of your family at home, Shannon. Happy Monday!
Jenna, I’m so happy you went out and bought some flowers too! They always make our homes look cheerful. I hope you have a good week friend.
Thank you Cindy…it’s good to focus on the good in our world today. {and every day!} Having a shop filled with beautiful things makes it easy to make these pretty pictures happen. But all of us can make something pretty at home with what we have. :)