“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
Luke 9:24
Hello sweet readers! It is the first Monday of the month and I am joining my blogging friends for Monday Morning Blooms. But, first a little story behind the scenes of this post!
When attempting to accomplish a task with a deadline, have you ever encountered one obstacle after another?
Most of you know that I keep my two precious granddaughters three days each week. I try to be organized and prepare my blog posts on Thursdays and Fridays when I don’t have the girls. On Thursday morning I ran to a couple of grocery stores and found some flowers that I knew would work. Returning home, I got busy making my arrangement and setting up a vignette on the French chest in the family room. But, the clouds rolled in suddenly and it became very dark and gloomy that afternoon. I set up the lighting umbrella and made all of my pictures!
There was only one word to describe them…horrible.
It then rained the entire weekend and it was useless to try again. By now the flowers had passed their prime!
Due to an upcoming late week trip, last Monday would now be my only opportunity!
The forecast was sunny with the highs in the 70’s. I checked with the grocery store and they were expecting fresh flowers by noon. Seth picked up the sweet girls early and I ran out the door only to discover my SUV wouldn’t start. I called my hubby and he was able to make it home within an hour.
We rushed to the grocery store and there was another unexpected surprise…all the fresh flowers had been dyed!
Why, oh why do they do that? It was time to panic. I looked over in a corner bin and almost hidden were fresh spider mums! I grabbed all they had and hurried home. I had to rethink what I was going to do. The forecast was for rain all day on Tuesday and Wednesday and it poured on both of those days. We were leaving early Thursday morning for a getaway to Charleston. I had this brief window to come up with a plan and photograph an autumn dough bowl centerpiece! Life is definitely not always “picture perfect”!
This is a favorite spot of mine…picnic table…split-rail fence…woods!
A simple dough bowl is often used as a centerpiece for the popular farmhouse style!
You will find the beautiful links for Mary and Lidy at the bottom of this post!
A plaid tablecloth of autumnal hues is set against a background of hay bales and pumpkins!
Our common theme for this edition of Monday Morning Blooms is feathers. This is the simplest arrangement ever! I had no choice, it had to be quick and easy. I filled the dough bowl with three velvet pumpkins…a rust, gold, and green one with feathers. Spider mums, a few seed pods, and pheasant feathers to partially surround the pumpkins completed the centerpiece. This would be perfect for your Thanksgiving table and it would not be in the way of conversation. No instructions needed, there are so many ways to design a dough bowl!
A plaid pumpkin with feathers sits atop a wooden cake plate with golden acorns!
“But there is always a November space after the leaves have fallen when she felt it was almost indecent to intrude on the woods…for their glory terrestrial had departed and their glory celestial of spirit and purity and whiteness had not come upon them.”
– L.M. Montgomery
Spode “Woodland” octagonal luncheon plates….copper-hued tumblers…and a pheasant bowl!
“Woodland” dinner plates rest on a pheasant feathers placemat. The placemat offers beautiful texture for the Spode dinnerware and they are often used for the fall season!
“In November, the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers. They know it is time to be still.”
-Cynthia Rylant
Below are the links to visit the talented Mary and Lidy for their stunning florals!
Mary @ Home Is Where The Boat Is
For some odd reason, I took my original arrangement outside and took this photo prior to the clouds and rain! My thoughts were; why not include it in this post!
We are very hopeful that our dear Shirley will be returning soon, please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your visits and gracious comments. I hope you will join me tomorrow for a Thanksgiving Tablescape Blog Hop. Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country
Pam, I’m with you…I think dyed flowers are a hate crime. 😉 Mother Nature does throw us a curve ball, especially lately with this crazy weather! Your dough bowl centerpiece and table in your favorite spot to the rescue! Love all your elements…sweet velvet pumpkins, feathers, seed pots, shed antlers and mums. I have dish envy every time I see you beautiful Spode Woodland plates, set off beautifully by your feather placemats. I hope you had a wonderful weekend getaway to Charleston. Happy Monday and look forward to joining you at your table tomorrow. ♥
Thank you Mary. Our few days in Charleston was perfect!
I feel the same way about dyed flowers. Ugh. Anywho… Your table is out of a dream. Every detail. Thanks for starting my week off with a smile! Enjoy your week, Pam.
Thank you Katie. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam, one would never know the trevails of putting together a simple fall floral arrangement! My goodness, you were certainly challenged with life’s nuisances, weren’t you? That said, I find this arrangement really inspiring. As a matter of fact, so inspiring I think I’ll recreate it! I just emptied my dough bowl of most of my pumpkins, and knew I wanted to use my deer sheds and pine cones, but the added flair of feathers is so nice. And let’s just all say NO to dyed flowers, and don’t get me started on dyed poinsettias!
I was happy to see Shirley publish alongside you three today, so encouraging to know she’s halfway through treatment.
Let’s hope your week starts and finishes much smoother than last week’s!
Thank you Rita. I am thrilled that you are inspired to recreate. I love using feathers!
You certainly overcame a number of obstacles! I’m with you on the dyed flowers, yuk. I think I would have given up on the al fresco setting and moved inside, LOL!! Your outdoor tables are always a delight, glad you persevered.
Thank you Carole. We have to persevere!
Panic…! And look at what you came up with… it’s absolutely GORGEOUS! The dough bowl centerpiece just speaks to me because of its natural elements. I like using ours on the outside bar and even served tapas in small bowls on it.
I am sending well wishes to you for this brand new week of yours! Happy Week to you! And prayers for sweet Shirley! 🙏🏻
Thank you Nancy! Wishing you a wonderful week dear friend!
My goodness, Pam the obstacles were certainly there for you. However, one would never know what a struggle you had with seeing your finished arrangement. I love it and it is perfect for your table. The container of your original arrangement is beautiful, but honestly I like the dough bowl one better. So glad you had a wonderful trip. Wishing you a beautiful week, my friend.
Thank you sweet Sandra! Wishing you a lovely week.
If you had had 2 weeks to plan this it wouldn’t have been any prettier Pam! It is gorgeous! I love the abstract style and lack of symmetry in your arrangement, the velvet pumpkins paired with the feathers and spider mums is brilliant! I love the chunky candlesticks and the plaid feather pumpkin on a pedestal! LOVE the setting, it’s absolutely magazine worthy! Your plates and glasses are beautiful too, and did you get your pumpkin from the same local source you have mentioned before? Fabulous display, sorry it was so stressful!
Jenna
Jenna, thank you for your most gracious comments. Yes, the plaid pumpkin is from the local source and I think she has 25% off now. Have a great week!
Thank you Pam, I just ordered one!
thank you Pam! I just ordered one!
Well, I say you certainly made lemonade out of days filled with lemons!!!…the dough bowl arrangement is just beautiful Pam! I am always in awe of what you create using the background of your gorgeous gardens. The background of the woods and split rail fence is the perfect background along with the perfectly set table. Sorry you ran into all those obstacles, but you came through it all with flying colors!…fall colors! 🙂 Yes, why do they dye beautiful flowers? Never understood that!…I hop that you had a wonderful trip with your Renaissance Man…you certainly needed it!!! Have a great day Pam! Miss you all!
We miss you Shirley! Thank you so much for your sweet comments. We had a wonderful trip, and yes it was needed!
Love the look! I am new to your blog, but already love what I see. Thank you.
Thank you and welcome Jo! So glad you found me.
After all you went through it turned out lovely!
Thank you Penny!
I love it Pam! Your arrangement, created by “must do” is absolutely beautiful! Without the “back story” we would never guess all the trouble you had. I agree with your feelings about those dyed flowers. Your arrangement is perfect, lovely, and the best part? Everyone can make this, your beautiful and very charming nod to the season isn’t too complicated and gives stunning results. Your table is a woodland delight! Love joining you on Monday Morning Blooms friend. Xoxo Lidy
Thank you dear Lidy, you are a sweetheart and a great encourager! Blessings always my friend! Xoxo
This is beautiful!! I just love the setting. The woodland dinner plates are so pretty!
Thank you so much Michelle! Have a wonderful week!
Perseverance pays off. A really beautiful table and very inspiring. You are truly a blessing to me. So happy that I came across your blog.
Thank you dear Bobbie and you are a blessing sweet lady!
Well, I’d say you rocked it, especially considering the circumstances. It’s beautiful! (And yeah, why DO they do that to the flowers? I hate dyed flowers.) It was fun to see “my” Woodland in your setting (and I used to have those placemats too. Wish I still did!)
Thank you Jeanie. I still love the “woodland”, don’t you?
So pretty Pam! Your photos and stories inspire my days, but even more so today…inspired by your no quit attitude and your finding solutions…and so beautifully. Thank you for the beauty and grace you radiate!
Thank you so much Sue for you sweet comments. Have a great week!
Pam, this is such a beautiful autumn vignette. Your dough bowl arrangement is so pretty, and I can see this gracing a Thanksgiving table. Everything worked out perfectly. Job well done, sweet friend! I hope you have a wonderful week!
Thank you sweet friend. Have a wonderful week!
Wonderful Fall tablescape!Amazing dishes!Best wishes!
Thank you sweet friend!
Did I hear you say, when it rains it pours? Well bring it on because you out did yourself. I love how inventive you were.
Thank you sweet Alice. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Even after all of the obstacles, you certainly pulled off a beautiful, warm, inviting scene, sweet friend. There is something so earthy and cozy about it. I just love it. Another great job, as usual!
Just beautiful! I love the simplicity of the dough bowl. Such a lovely centerpiece!
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Thanks so much for the feature, Richella!