Hello sweet friends and Happy Monday! This coming Sunday, May 11th is Mother’s Day which has always been a very special day for our family!
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 (ESV)
I enjoy the simplicity of setting a table next to our woodlands. The trees provide a wonderful shade and most often it is breezy in our Appalachian Foothills!
Welcome to the May edition of Monday Morning Blooms with my friends Lidy and Mary. We are excited to welcome back Jennifer from Celebrating Everyday Life as our special guest today.
You will find the links for my friends’ beautiful flower and tabletop inspiration at the bottom of this post.
Typically in our Zone 8a garden, peonies begin blooming around the 20th of April through the first week of May or perhaps later. I was hopeful all the peonies would cooperate for me to use for Monday Morning Blooms. Of our three different varieties, Karl Rosenfield was the only one to cooperate on the only day that rain was not predicted. Karl Rosenfield is a large rose-shaped, double blossom peony. I think its color is stunning!
In my opinion, peonies are a perfect stand alone flower! I used a treasured keepsake pitcher that belonged to my paternal grandmother and more than likely was handed down from my great-grandmother. Who says you can’t place elegant blooms in a rustic pitcher on a humble picnic table?!
A beautiful floral tablecloth, ‘Lillianna’ by April Cornell elevated the status of the old picnic table.
The table was set in memory of my beautiful Mother, a Proverbs 31 woman. Long-time readers will probably remember the many blog posts that I have shared about her legendary hospitality. This table was also set in honor of my beautiful daughter-in-love. She is a loving wife to our son, a fabulous mother to our four precious grandchildren ages 9, 6, 4 and 2 1/2 months. She amazes me as she juggles homeschooling, ballet lessons, cooking healthy and nutritious meals, plus fun activities for the children! The other two place settings were set to honor two of my best friends who are great examples of motherhood.
“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Proverbs 31:27 (ESV)
I seemed to have inherited the collecting gene from my dear Mother. Many years ago, I began collecting bejeweled enamel boxes. I thought it would be fun to share several of the boxes for Mother’s Day!
My Mother loved serving others. Her Sunday lunches were known far and wide for the delicious food and more importantly for the love that every guest felt just sitting at her table. Our family was always included, but often those who were lonely, grieving, or just in need of a hug or encouragement shared the table with us.
“She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.”
Proverbs 31:20 (ESV)
I never remember a Sunday meal that Mother didn’t have the table set with neatly pressed linens and china. She never used a paper plate, napkin, or Solo cup. I stopped by almost daily and she was never without a home-baked dessert…cakes, pies, or cookies…often all three. She would make me a cup of coffee and never had to twist my arm to enjoy one of her homemade goodies.
My Mother’s tables were always beautiful but simple. She would have loved the ‘Famille Rose’ salad plates by Williams Sonoma and the majolica dinner plates!
Mother’s love reached far and wide. “If there is room in the heart, there is room at the table.” That was how my dear Mother’s gift of hospitality was practiced.
The table had a heavenly scent provided by Mock Orange blooms and honeysuckle vines that were cut next to the woodlands.
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.”
Proverbs 31:10-12 (ESV)
“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
~Abraham Lincoln
I am grateful to have had a Godly mother who poured her life into me. I was overjoyed to become a mother after thirteen years of marriage. I was overwhelmed with joy to become a grandmother!
Mother loved sitting on her screened porch and watching the hummingbirds that flocked to the feeders. Often she would have a teen-age girl that she was mentoring or a young mother that she was encouraging sitting with her as she shared scriptures and prayed with them. Of course, she would always offer a delicious treat with a cup of coffee or iced tea!
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”
Proverbs 31:25 (ESV)
Thank you for allowing me to share just a little about my gracious Mother with you. Even though she passed away 18 years ago, her legacy lives on.
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:”
Proverbs 31:28 (ESV)
You are in for a special treat as you visit Lidy, Mary, and Jennifer!
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
Jennifer ~ Celebrating Everyday Life
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. Perhaps there has been a lady other than your mother who has blessed you. May we all take time to thank and celebrate those wonderful women who have impacted our lives.
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda