Hello dear friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend! Did you enjoy the extra hour of sleep yesterday? It takes my internal clock a few days to adjust, so I didn’t realize the extra hour.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
1 Chronicles 16:34
As we are approaching one of my favorite holidays, giving thanks becomes foremost in my mind and heart. But it should always be a priority. If I stop and begin to count my blessings, my heart fills with thanks to God for every good gift He has given…gifts so undeserved!
“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.”
~A.W. Tozer
It is Monday Morning Blooms with Mary and Lidy. We are excited to welcome a guest today. The links for my sweet friends are at the bottom of this post.
Our special guest is Shannon from Belle Bleu Interiors. We are always thrilled to have her join us for flower inspiration and therapy. You will love her stunning arrangement!
Our common theme for this edition of Monday Morning Blooms is ‘“giving thanks”. It was one of those perfect autumn afternoons for setting a table in the garden and giving thanks for bright blue skies, warm sunshine, and leaves changing colors! God’s creation was on full display!!
RM and I made a trip to Birmingham for dinner and a quick stop over at Trader Joe’s for flower shopping. I was disappointed that there was not much to choose from. After seeing what was available, I knew RM would have to forage the woodlands!
Purple mums with bright yellow centers accentuate the yellow craspedia commonly known as “billy buttons” or “drumstick” flowers. Chinese tallow branches were chosen for their beautiful autumn leaves and interesting popcorn-like fruit. Butch shared more about this invasive tree here. Dried okra from my friend, nandina cut from our garden, and green dragon aster (filler) completed the arrangement. The warmth of a copper pitcher speaks of the autumn season. I used chicken wire to support the flowers and stalks of okra. I am a firm believer that an arrangement does not have to be elaborate or expensive. Look around your landscape, garden, or woods to see what might be available. The hunt makes it more enjoyable and serendipitous!
“It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Stacks of pumpkins are still hanging on! Only a few pumpkins have spoiled so far, and these have been around about 2 months!
Williams Sonoma harvest pumpkin salad plates were inspired by a Dutch still life painting. Ripe gourds, fruit, and leaves play vibrant counterpoint to the bold black glaze and hand painted gold rim. The plates came in a set of four different scenes. I am so happy that I purchased two sets because they are no longer available.
A Lenox pumpkin tablecloth was purchased a few years ago at TJ Maxx. I love to use it with the pumpkin salad plates.
Copper flatware and copper printed tumblers add more autumn warmth to the table!
Often life’s blessings are to be found in the simple beauty of things that surround me in everyday living. For those blessings, I give thanks!
When RM looked at the table, he said “now that has a lot of color!” I have always been a fan of color and have continued that love through all the changing trends.
Matching placemats and napkins were found a few years ago at one of my favorite shops in Highlands, NC. Of course, I visited the shop last week on our little getaway. Three days in the mountains were so refreshing and I am most thankful that we could enjoy the respite. I am also thankful to have enjoyed another birthday, number 69! Shh…it is a secret!!!
The tree in the background is a coral bark maple. Last year it turned a stunning orange color…hoping it will do the same this year.
I have found that keeping a journal of blessings is beneficial when times are challenging. And we all have those times. I have recommended this to ladies that I have mentored. When life gets hard, it is comforting to go back and read journal entries of God’s blessings and to remember He has not forgotten you. He is always there when we turn to Him.
The stack consists of a pumpkin-colored charger, green dinner plate with a scrolled gold border, and pumpkin salad plates giving a burst of autumn colors to the table!
Even though the garden is now in its resting season, the potted scarlet mums offer a brilliant background!
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
2 Corinthians 9:15
“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.”
~Sarah Addison Allen
I am so thankful for each morning that I wake up to see a brand new day!
Be sure to visit each of my talented friends!
Shannon ~ Belle Bleu Interiors
Mary ~ Home Is Where The Boat Is
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. May we approach every day with a heart filled with thanks!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Pam, Your table, garden setting and foraged floral arrangement are all stunning! What a beautiful backdrop your maple tree provides with its brilliant foliage. I love the copper accents at your table from your pitcher/vase, flatware and etched tumblers. I’m a fan of color and pattern too so I love the layers and dish stack as well as the pattern from your placemats paired with your Lenox pumpkin tablecloth. We all have so much to be thankful for and I am thankful to be able share blooms with you and indulge in some flower therapy with you, Lidy and Shannon today. Happy Monday. ♥
Thanks so much, Mary! It is always a treat to share Monday Morning Blooms with you!
How right you are about how much there is for which to be thankful. I am thankful for all the beauty and creativity you share in such a loving way.
Thank you, Linda!
Butch did a wonderful job foraging for you! Your arrangement is bursting with color!! I’ve become smitten with copper vessels for Fall since inheriting a few from my dear mother-in-law. Yesterday afternoon I sat on the porch with a stack of my “Southern” magazines to get some Christmas inspiration; it was so disappointing because every room looked the same… white walls with trees trimmed in white. Not for me because I thrive on color! Hope your week is as fabulous as you 💕
We are kindred spirits in so many ways. We both love color! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Your table is gorgeous, Pam! That first picture is dreamy! And then the next showing the okra pods. Ingenious using nandina foliage and colorful Chinese Tallow from your garden and beyond in the copper pitcher. Copper is perfect for autumn and repeating it in the flatware and glasses was most effective.I love the pop of purple mums with yellow centers. You do color very well and your tablecloth, napkins, and plate stack accent your pretty pumpkin plates.
I enjoyed all your commentary about God’s blessings, scripture, and quotes.
Your pretty maple tree was a lovely backdrop for your table as well as your pumpkin stacks.
Bonnie, thank you for your encouraging comments! Looking forward to your table tomorrow!
Pam, the beauty in this post jumps from the screen straight to the heart 💛! Giving thanks is what it is all about. Both you and Shannon created amazing arrangements. I loved your perspective on finding nature around us to create them! Everything, from plates, chargers, color, patterns…just reeks of Autumn beauty! I love the warmth in the colors. Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite and your verse and quote accompany this so perfectly! I stand with you on giving thanks every day! Sending love and hugs. Thank you for always sharing such beauty, and truth, with all of us. 💛🍂💚🍁🙏🏻
When I thank God for all His blessing I than Him for you and Butch too. You are a blessing to all that visit your blog. The flower container is so special with the forged flowers. I sur wish that WS still carried those plates. You really know how to put your tables together!
Alice, you are a wonderful blessing to us. Thank you so much!
Beautiful, Pam. I always remember that fall is your favorite time of the year. And you decorate everything so beautifully.
Than you, my friend!
Your table is over the top beautiful. The WS plates are some of my very favorites. I purchased eight when they first came out. I love all your gratitude thoughts. I can’t imagine not living with a grateful heart. Gratitude and love are two of the keys to living. Your table, your gardens and your words speak of the very special and talented person you are. Happy Birthday precious friend. You have certainly touched my life and I am grateful.
Dianne, your friendship is a blessing. I am so glad we both have the WS plates since they are no longer available!
Pam, your table set outdoors in your beautiful garden is stunning. I have always admire those WS plates. Your arrangement is lovely created from foraging. The maple tree is a perfect backdrop for your pretty table. So glad your pumpkins have lasted. Happy Birthday Pam.
Linda, thanks so much! Happy week to you!
Stunning sweet friend. Love all the beautiful fall colors. Happy New Week. xoxo Kris
Thank you, sweet friend!
Good morning, Pam! Your autumn arrangement is stunning with the mums, dried okra, and fall foliage. The copper pot makes such a lovely container for your bouquet. The entire table setting is gorgeous. I have always admired those pumpkin plates, and the linens you chose are so pretty. We are kindred spirits in our love of color. I simply cannot live without it. You have shared some lovely sentiment with us today. It is so important, that no matter what is happening in our lives, to reflect on our blessings. Thank you so much for inviting me to be a guest bloomer today. I have had such a wonderful time! Enjoy your day, dear friend!
Thank you, Shannon. Your comments are heartwarming. It was a pleasure to have you join us with your incredible arrangement and table setting!
Pam, oh my. Your table set in your spectacular garden gives me all the love for autumn. And then there is all the love and thought you put in to this post. Your table is exceptional, the colors of the linens, plates and copper all sing out a love of the autumn season.
I am so grateful to God for creating the beauty of nature, for His obvious love for all of us by creating each one of us as individual reflections of Him, and for our friendship. Happy Thanksgiving, dearest Pam! Xo
Thank you, dear friend. I want to always have a heart of Thanksgiving. God is faithful! Happy Thanksgiving!
The beauty of worship can be found everywhere we look, but you’ve been given a gift of helping all of us see it in new ways. – Hope you have a wonderful week.
Leslie Anne, your words warm my heart!
Pam, Your tablescape is beautiful! The maple tree is a gorgeous backdrop. Your linens and plate stack are colorful and I always enjoy seeing your pretty centerpieces. Giving Thanks always makes one remember the countless blessings God bestows upon us. I am thankful for many, many things and your blog is one of them. It always provides encouragement and happiness. Happy Monday! Clara❤️
Clara, your kind and sweet comments are so encouraging. Thank you, my friend ♥️
Stunning as always. Your blog always makes me happy! There is so much beauty and wisdom. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for your encouraging comments!
Beautiful, Pam! Your unique floral choices of the Chinese tallow, okra and billy buttons makes for a real attention getter! I love your plate stack. Those WS salad plates have always appealed to me, but the charger, dinner plate combo is so seasonal perfect. Great look!
Thanks so much, Rita! Looking forward to the hop tomorrow!
Beautiful table setting. When/where did you get the salad plates. I just checked Williams Sonoma and they don’t show them. They do look like a Dutch painting
I am so sorry but they were discontinued. I don’t know why because they were popular. Thanks so much for visiting, Frances!
Good Morning Pam!
I love a foraged floral centerpiece and this one is striking! And to have it in your fall garden makes it even more striking!
The copper, the gorgeous plates the striking centerpiece… fabulous!
And I am thankful for you and Butch. You share such lovely pictures in such a beautiful and Godly way. It starts my mornings off perfectly!
Thank you!
Take good care on this beautiful Monday.
Thanks so much, Nancy. Your comments are heart warming!
So very beautiful Pam! The curation of your arrangement, table settings and linens are always perfection. Glad you had a great time in Highlands. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Thanks so much, Shirley! Happy Thanksgiving!
Such beauty my friend… Balm to the soul. Grateful for so many blessings. Thank you for remind me of this. Always a pleasure stopping by…
Thanks so much, my friend!
Stunning!
Amalia
xo
Thank you, Amalia!
I am so thankful for each new day, too. I can look back and see all the ways God has brought me through so many hard places, and my heart overflows with gratitude. I totally agree that it is such a great idea to keep a gratitude journal. I tend to forget so easily, and it is always good to go back and reflect on all He has done. May He bless you always!
Gratitude definitely changes attitude. Thanks for your sweet visits, Cheryl!
OH my! The flowers, the copper, the memories!! Absolutely wonderful Pam! XO
Thank you, Barbara!