Welcome to Monday Morning Blooms!
Pam, Mary, Shirley and I always look forward to sharing our flower therapy with all of you, and with each other.
My plan for today's floral arrangement was that I would go out and buy flowers, set up a table outside in the garden, really take my time with the flowers, and make it glorious! But my plans changed. This past Monday, we had almost hurricane force winds in our part of Southern California, and two huge fires began. We live between these two fires, 20 minutes drive each way. We were so blessed to be totally safe, 90,000 people had to evacuate in our area.
Our gardens took a huge beating. Not only did the strong winds uproot trees, plants and bushes were shaken to their very core. Everything was covered with huge black ashes, as well as smaller grey ash. I put the beautiful outdoor setting on hold and we began working on cleaning up the mess and saving as much of our garden as we could. And I was grateful that our beach town is not in the fire zone. {by now, the fires are almost contained.}
I am also so grateful that most things in our garden are doing well. We were able to tie two trees to two sides of a fence {!!} to keep them from snapping and/or flying away in the worst part of the storm. The winds have gone, and our garden has been mostly set to rights.
Our local farm stand is close by and I ran and picked up some local produce there and paired it with a few things I already had. Because Monday Morning Blooms is my favorite, and I was going to make it happen, even if it wasn't perfect or what I had planned on.
I made a use what you have fall centerpiece.
For this centerpiece, I used what I had, and added some produce. It began with a few little white pumpkins, and these beautiful juicy plums our farm stand had. I just added a few things from there.
I don't know about you, but we have been carefully having our children and little people over for dinner outside. Social distancing in place, each little family sitting on one end of our very long outdoor table.
For this table setting, I began with our Bronte Throws. There is something cozy and homey about a table layered with plaid wool, isn't there?
An antique French compote was the base for this centerpiece. Beginning with a few branches of eucalyptus layered on the bottom, then three mini pumpkins nestled in the center. Gorgeous wine colored grapes hang off one side, and a couple of large plums join the party.
Pears are in season right now, and the d'anjou pears are a stunning chartreuse color and a good complement to the deep wine colors.
A sunflower and a few little mums left over from last week's living room bouquet proved to be the last touch this centerpiece needed. Which proves that sometimes, you can use what you have and even a few flowers make everything lovely!
I used one of our antique bread boards at each place setting. The flax napkins are really towels, they have the prettiest sheaf of wheat embroidered on the front.
Late in the afternoon, the sun dappled over the garden and our table.
Each place setting has vintage brass and bakelite appetizer forks and knives, the burnt orange of the handles couldn't be more perfect for this table.
As the afternoon sun began to set, I served soup and salad. The best of times, when my family's laughter rings around our table. I cherish these times in my heart, never more so than this year.
Thank you so much for joining me today. Please be sure to visit my girlfriends - they never cease to amaze and inspire me with their talents, generosity of spirit and kindness.
AND WE HAVE EXCITING NEWS!!
On November 16th, we are partnering with a luxurious linen and tabletop company
to bring you beautiful tabletop inspiration to help you celebrate
and make your holidays special.
Our sponsors are offering a most gracious and luxurious giveaway to one lucky reader!
- Please stay tuned -
SHIRLEY at Housepitality Designs
and me, LIDY at FrenchGardenHouse.
A BIENTOT
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and above all uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com
39 comments
Thank you Jackie! I love your visits…and it does help to see something uplifting and beautiful, I agree. This is a difficult time, but we’ll get through it by encouraging each other. xo
Lidy, thank you for all the beautiful posts. They really help me. During this time, it helps to see something beautiful you can do yourself at home or close to anywhere. Thank you so much!
Jane, I can only imagine how frightening that was! Luckily his area missed the fires. Thank you for your visit, it’s always such a joy to see you here, friend. Wish that we could visit in real life! I’m hoping that next year things will mostly be “back to normal” and we can gather up every single person we love in a huge group, squeeze them a hundred times, and just be so beyond grateful for the opportunity!
Thank you so much Kitty. I love the way the sun comes in and out of this covered patio in our back garden too!
Oh my gosh, I’m so very sorry! Thank goodness you weren’t there, but it is still beyond devastating. I am so happy that you have a new home where you can gather the people you love and make lovely memories.
I would love to have you dear Maristella! We could have tea. Thank you so much for always being so complimentary.
Thank you so much for your visit, Nancy. We are so fortunate, because the fires did so much damage in other areas. Wishing you a beautiful week!
Cheryl, do not be anxious, this is what our sweet Lord tells us. Our God does hear our prayers for mercy, and for bringing our country back together from this time, of that I am sure.
Thank you so much Sandra. I feel that our weather is completely out of the normal these days. Thank you always for your beautiful, kind and peaceful words. xo
Donna, thank you so much! I think if nothing else, we’re all much more grateful for so many things this year, I agree!