“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:1-2
Hello dear friends, I hope you had a most enjoyable weekend. Mine was a little toasty with 100 degree temperatures in our Appalachian Foothills! Aren’t we thankful for air conditioning?
It is the third Monday of the month which means Monday Morning Blooms with my inspiring and flower loving friends. Our most talented leader, Shirley is not with us today. Her schedule is hectic and she is busy with decision making for her new home. She is an amazing talent, so we are all eagerly awaiting for her house to be completed and to take the grand tour. Shirley will be back soon to share her floral love with us.
Please join me at the shaded picnic table for late summer flowers and a special memento. Be sure to read to the bottom of this post to find the winner of our giveaway.
I love this little area of trees with the split rail fence that My Renaissance Man built. The Rose of Sharon trees provide lovely lavender blooms as a backdrop for my late summer flowers.
The links for my sweet friends, Lidy and Mary, are at the bottom of this post!
You remember my lovely friend and her amazing hydrangea farm…she just happens to have a cousin that has a flower farm. She grows so many gorgeous blooms like dahlias, sunflowers, and gomphrena that are included in my arrangement. Are you familiar with gomphrena? It is the clover lookalike with bachelor button flowers that thrives in heat and poor soil. It is perfect for a cutting garden and I shall be planting it next year. From my garden, I cut limelights, zinnias, and “lavender perfection” dahlias for a bouquet of late summer flowers!!
Our challenge and common theme for today is the use of a travel memento. Since we love to travel, I have purchased some pretties along the way. Can you guess the memento? I will share more about that a little later in the post.
Just looks at those gorgeous dahlias!
Every table needs a little sweet treat…macarons are a favorite! I elevated them on a bronze metal stand to give them a little more presence.
As I was walking through my house trying to find the perfect vase for the flowers, I wasn’t having any success. Then it hit me, my canister set in the kitchen! The three piece set was ordered from the Atlanta Gift Mart at least fifteen years ago. I chose the medium size piece for the arrangement. Hint: always shop your house and think outside the box, use something in a different way…repurpose!
This photo may look a little out of place…Butch and I visited the Greek Isles a few years ago for our fortieth anniversary. One of those islands was Rhodes, known historically worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Colossus was a massive statue of a male figure built around 280 B.C. and destroyed by an earthquake in 226 B.C. It is believed that the statue once stood here at the Mandraki Harbor entrance.
One of the best preserved medieval settlements in the world, Old Town (Rhodes) has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was here that I found this beautiful hand embroidered table cloth. I pondered it for a few minutes and then decided it would make a great a keepsake of our trip. It has obviously never been used for eating purposes. But, it is perfect for a foundation for a floral arrangement on my dining table or to use for Monday Morning Blooms. I was smitten because of its vibrant colors.
“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.”
-Lady Bird Johnson
Dappled sunlight…
“Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy. These pure and spontaneous pleasures are ‘patches of Godlight’ in the woods of our experience.”
-C.S. Lewis
While on a business trip with the hubby in early summer, I spent time wandering the aisles of an antique mall. Way back in a dark corner of the mall, I discovered these Johnson Bros “Winchester” salad plates with their pretty rope edge. They were reasonably priced and just happened to hop into my shopping cart!
The afternoon was hot, perfect for sparkling pink lemonade!
And now for Lidy’s and Mary’s beautiful floral arrangements!
Mary @ Home Is Where The Boat Is
Thank you for your sweet visits and gracious comments. Now for the winner of the “pumpkin patch” salad plates…congrats to Joanie. I will contact you by email. Wishing everyone a joy-filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, A Stroll Thru Life, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home, Celebrate & Decorate, Me and My Captain, Shabby Fufu, Designthusiasm, Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country
Pam, I gasped when I got a glimpse of your gorgeous flowers this week! What a stunning combination of blooms and colors, so vivid and perfectly paired with your hand embroidered table cloth and memento from your trip! I love how you were thinking ‘outside the vase’ using your canister as a vessel for your arrangement! I’ve never met a Johnson Brothers pattern I didn’t love and the Winchester is perfectly beautiful with your flowers and tablecloth. As always it’s a treat to start Mondays with flower loving friends. ♥
Thank you dear Mary ❤️
Dear Pam, What a lovely delight to see your beautiful table setting. The flowers are magnificent, the tablecloth is quite glorious and the dessert plates are so homey and sweet. They would have wound up in my cart too-love the transfer ware and the shape. You are a gifted flower arranger and I also must say, I love the quotes you chose. Have a happy day.
Thank you Ruth for your gracious comments. Have a most wonderful week!
Pam, your arrangement is absolutely gorgeous. And, your beautiful tablecloth certainly is a keepsake. I spotted your Winchester plates before you identified them, I do love vintage china. The colors and pattern designs are always so pretty. Your post was such a lovely way to begin my day. We are really hot here in the mountains today, so I know you are also. Stay cool and enjoy these final summer days, my friend.
Thank you Sandra, this was a fun one to do! Stay in and stay cool❤️
Lovely, Pam! Gorgeous flowers and what a pretty table!
Thank you Carole!
Wow that is a gorgeous bunch of flowers! Love the “vase” you used and that tablecloth is amazing!
Thank you dear Liz, have a wonderful week!
Pam, what a stunning floral arrangement displayed in such a gorgeous setting! I kept eyeing that pretty floral container, and you have given me such a wonderful idea for a floral container. I also spotted that beautiful tablecloth right away. It’s pattern and colors are beautiful, and what a find on those pretty plates. They would of hopped into my cart too! How I would love to linger at this beautiful table and have some lemonade and macarons. Happy Monday, sweet friend!
Thank you my sweet friend, I wish we could visit over lemonade and macarons!
Stunning arrangement in your woodland setting. Your container from shopping the house was perfect and the colorful hand embroidered cloth from Rhodes is a cherished memento I am sure. The flowers are gorgeous. How blessed you are to have access to flower farms. The Winchester plates brought back memories of a special friend that had this pattern.
Lovely Monday Morning Blooms!🌸🌿🌺
Thank you Bonnie, this was a fun one to do. Stay cool, we have cloud cover today. There isn’t much chance of rain, but I am hoping❤️
Beautiful!
Thank you Penny!
This arrangement is a perfect late summer collection of blooms. Wow worthy. Mother always had dahlias and I can’t find them even for an arrangement. The tablecloth is so so beautiful along with those lovely plates. A delight on this Monday morning. Love your quotes.
Thank you Dianne. I am trying my hand at dahlias this year and I am learning. What a sweet memory of your mom and her dahlias❤️
Pam, you did it again and topped yourself with your beautiful tableau! The tablecloth is exquisite and even more meaningful because of your trip. You know the most amazing and talented people…a dahlia farm, wow! I will be trying gomphrena next year. And your beautiful canister reminded me I have one piece remaining from a set that I really need to use. Congratulations to Joanie on winning the beautiful plates!
A few years ago a group of us girlfriends visited the US capital where each state has a statue of someone meaningful to their state history…my Florida friend insisted we pay homage to the man who invented air conditioning!! Thank you John Gorrie!
Thank you Roxanne for your encouragement. And yes, a special thank you to John Gorrie! Have a lovely day ❤️
Such a happy burst of color! You really tied the colors in your Greek memento cloth into the flower stems perfectly Pam! I haven’t ever seen or heard of gomphrena, but it sounds like something I could grow 🙂 It is charming! Your canister looks wonderful as a vase, so unique and eye catching! The plates, the macaroons, the lovely outdoor setting, just beautiful! Such a lovely way to start the week 🌻
Jenna
Thank you Jenna, I so enjoyed doing this one. Try to stay cool, at least we have cloud cover right now.
Pam, Your blooms are so colorful, fresh & beautiful! The canister is a perfect vase! Your vintage plates are so pretty and a great souvenir from your trip. Your tablecloth is a wonderful keepsake. We try to find handmade linens whenever traveling overseas as they are easy to pack & make lovely decorations at home. Stay cool and have a blessed week. Çlara ♥️
Thank you dear Clara. Linens are easy to pack in a suitcase. Have a wonderful Monday ❤️
As soon as you mentioned memento, I was guessing it was the textile. Gorgeous colors, and a perfect complement to the floral arrangement. Lol, love that you found a treasure in Austin too, they also work very well with the entire arrangement. Have a great start to the new week, Pam.
Rita, I have a hard time passing up an opportunity to own a beautiful handmade textile. Enjoy your week!
Oh Pam….I guessed correctly on that most gorgeous embroidered cloth!…How most beautifully does your gorgeous arrangement of flowers enhance the most magnificent colors in the cloth! I am in flower farm envy!
Maybe we have to make a trip to your friends’ flower farms to gather the most fabulous flowering shrubs for our new house! Your trip to the Greek Isles looks and sounds so wonderful…when you describe each travel that you and Butch make, it is like we are coming along for the ride. Happy Monday my floral friend (and more!)
Thank you sweet Shirley. I just discovered the flower farm this summer, I have been going to the hydrangea farm for several years. I so miss you today dear friend❤️
Pam! Oh my…what a gorgeous, gorgeous arrangement and setting. Your cloth is stunning, and the flowers and plates are a perfect complement too. Those flowers – amazing, they pick up the lush jewel colors of your souvenir cloth in a most enchanting manner. I would love to linger at your table and have a long visit. It is always such a blessing to be together for our Monday Morning Blooms. I always leave with a refreshed soul and a full heart. xo Lidy
Thank you for your sweet encouragement Lidy. It is always a blessing to join our friends for Monday Morning Blooms!
This is just beautiful. It’s hard to believe it is over 100 when your arrangement is so fresh as a daisy! (But oh, so colorful, so bright! And so happy. And I love the tablecloth — what a fabulous memory of your trip to Greece!
Thank you Jeanie, it has been so hot and dry here. Staying in and staying cool!
Thank you for the goblet of pink lemonade – think I’ll have a lavender macaron…like you, I also like to color enhance. You have color-coordinated your garden bouquet to that sublime table covering to perfection, Pam. Those plates..in a hidden corner – a God-moment of discovery.
Monday with the flower girls is always so inspiring and refreshing. Congratulations to Joanie,
the recipient of a bit of good-natured envy. Clouds are gathering tomorrow and scattered showers in the next few days should put our gardens at ease. C.S. Lewis’ “patches of God-light”
in our own experiences illustrates his remarkable and deep understanding. Bless you for this
particularly splendid Monday Morning Blooms.
Mary, I always look forward to your amazing ability to write your comments. You are an excellent and gifted writer.
I am so hoping for some rain, it was all around us this afternoon, but not one drop at my house.
Have a wonderful week,
Pam
Loving that beautiful floral centerpiece Pam! Such a pretty table setting. And oh…those goblets! I LOVE them! I can only imagine getting to go to Greece and I know you felt so very blessed for that opportunity. I so enjoy seeing pictures of your travel blessings. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thanks so much sweet Cindy! I am very grateful for our opportunities to travel.
Hugs,
Pa,
Pam you have a beautiful variety of flowers.
Marilyn
Marilyn, thanks so much!
Gorgeous are your flowers and settings.
Marion
Thank you Marion!
I cannot get over that gorgeous floral arrangement. The flowers are amazing. Shopping your house is such a lovely idea. Such a lovely tablecloth from Rhodes. Love seeing your fabulous travel photos. Congrats to Joanie on winning the pretty pumpkin patch plates.
Thank you Linda, I love flowers!
I saw your gorgeous flowers at Marty’s party and I had to peek. Oh how lovely, those colors are outstanding. You have a fabulous eye for design!
Thank you for visiting Kim, I just read your paint by numbers post and commented. Amazing project~
Wonderful flowers!!!Hugs!
Congratulations to Joanie on winning the beautiful plates! Oh, I just LOVE that tablecloth!! And, the canister drew me in instantly. I was wondering what it was and was glad you explained that it is a canister. SO pretty! It all blends so well, as always, sweet friend. Many blessings to you!
Thank you dear friend. Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Your summer arrangement is simply stunning. Such gorgeous colours. I love the tablecloth from Rhodes – a place we also enjoyed visiting. #TFT
Thank you Lisa! The Greek islands are beautiful!
I love fresh flowers and this is so pretty!
Thank you Amy!
Oh Pam, a glass of pink lemonade with a little green macaroon on one of your vintage plates please, are they pistachio flavored by any chance?
The aroma of the summer’s day is wafting upon the breeze can you smell the scent of the fresh flowers? And please tell me more about your holiday abroad, I’d love to see more photo’s if you have them & what a beautifully crafted tablecloth! 😉
I had a delightful time together ♥
Bless you,
Jennifer
Thank you sweet Jennifer for your lovely comments. The green macarons are pistachio, and the sparkling lemonade is delicious and refreshing. We are so thankful to have traveled extensively over Europe. We have also been to Asia, Africa and South America. At the top of our bucket list is Australia, your homeland. Maybe we will make it there one day!
Blessings,
Pam
How delightful Pam! Maybe a trip to our beautiful country, wouldn’t it be lovely to meet up over a real cup of tea instead of a virtual one! Though depending on where you plan to visit as it is a very BIG country here 😀
Pistachio is my husband’s favorite, mine are blueberry or passion fruit ♥
Hopefully one day we will make it to your beautiful country! ❤️
What a beautiful bouquet! The table cloth from Rhodes is exquisite.
Thanks so much Michelle!
Such stunning photos! The blooms are gorgeous, and I just love those little plates. I’m featuring your post at Thursday Favorite Things today!
Thanks so much Pam, coming over!
Oh my goodness, what a profoundly beautiful tablescape! What a precious tablecloth, what a treasure to have from your trip! Your flowers are stunning and those plates, splendid! I’m crazy about that rail fence too! Great post! I found you while I was roaming around at Tablescape Thursday! Glad I did!
Thank so much Nancy for visiting. Have a lovely weekend!