Hello sweet friends! The month of May is my favorite spring month with all of its blooming beauty and fun celebrations! May often brings on heat and humidity in our Appalachian Foothills. This week we will be in the mid to upper 80’s, it will feel like summer!
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30 (ESV)
“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.””
Proverbs 31:27-29 (ESV)
Welcome to the May edition of Monday Morning Blooms
Mary, Lidy, and I are excited to welcome back Shannon from Belle Bleu Interiors as our special guest! Not only is she a sweetheart, Shannon has a beautiful home that she designed in her signature French style. You will find links for Mary, Lidy, and Shannon at the bottom of this post!
Our common theme is Mother’s Day. My table is set in memory of my beloved Mother. She was a Godly mother and a wonderful example of the Proverbs 31 woman. Oh, how she would have loved the peonies!
Our peonies began blooming a couple of weeks ago. I am estimating a total of 160 blooms from the four peony bushes! Sarah Bernhardt is a pastel pink with large double flowers…Festiva Maxima is a pure white double peony with an amazing fragrance…Karl Rosenfield is a large rose-shaped, vibrant cherry-red, double blossom peony! These three varieties fill my favorite English blue and white vase, a gift many, many years ago from my friend, Patti. The peonies are now waning! In case you missed the garden post that highlighted the peonies, click here!
I chose to keep the table simple to give the peonies their rightful place as the stars of this setting next to our woodlands! Since peonies are gorgeous stand alone flowers, no other flowers were added. The April Cornell blue ‘Forget Me Not’ tablecloth provides a sweet foundation for the peonies and dishware.
As long-time readers know, my Mother had the gift of hospitality and she thrived when she was serving others! Her food is legendary as were her Sunday lunches that not only included family, but often those who were lonely, grieving, or in need of encouragement and a hug! I have often shared her many talents with you, my sweet readers. I don’t think I have ever shared this lovely ceramic piece that she made in 1980! I almost placed peonies in it, but there is crazing on the inside and I didn’t want to risk any damage. This lovely piece sits in my bookcase behind glass doors for its protection!
The photo of mother and daughter was taken on Mother’s Day probably 35 years ago. She had the most beautiful white hair!
Mother always set her table with a neatly pressed tablecloth, napkins, and china. I never remember a paper plate, napkin, or Solo cup being used! I stopped by almost daily and she was never without a home-baked dessert…cakes, pies, or cookies…often all three! She would insist that I have a cup of coffee and dessert. She never really had to insist, I am not known for turning down a dessert!
Mother’s love reached far and wide. “If there is room in the heart, there is room at the table.” That was how my mother’s gift of hospitality was practiced! There is a vast difference in hospitality and entertaining!
“She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.”
Proverbs 31:20 (ESV
This is an angle that I have never shown. The old stairs to the second floor of RM’s workshop were recently replaced! They are now safe so I can see all of the stuff that is hidden away. RM could possibly be called a hoarder because he has a hard time parting with anything!
My Mother’s tables were always beautiful but simple. She would have loved Williams Sonoma ‘Famille Rose’ dinner and salad plates that I purchased with Christmas money from my Daddy. Godinger Dublin iced tea stemware, vintage silver-plate flatware, April Cornell ‘Lillianna’ napkins, and woven placemats complete each place setting!
“Moms are like buttons, they hold it all together.”
~Unknown
Not thinking that I would ever be a mother, our greatest blessing after almost thirteen years of marriage, was the birth of our son! From that most wonderful of blessings came our beautiful daughter-in-love and three precious grandchildren! What joy and thanksgiving fills my heart!
This is my prayer as a mother and grandmother:
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 (ESV)
For beautiful tables and Mother’s Day inspiration, visit my friends by clicking on the links below!
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Shannon ~ Belle Bleu Interiors
Happy Mother’s Day! I know many readers’ mothers have passed away, I understand that loss that no one can fill. Many of you don’t have children of your own, but you have made a positive impact on precious children that have been a part of your life. And, perhaps there has been a woman other than your mother who has blessed you and encouraged you along the way? In all cases I hope we will take time to recognize and celebrate the “motherly”!
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda