Springtime is bursting out all over the Appalachian Foothills of NE Alabama with vivid shades of green, gorgeous blooming trees, and unpredictable weather!
“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”
Matthew 28:6 (ESV)
Welcome friends to my first alfresco table of the year! I love setting a table next to the woodlands with the backdrop of RM’s lush rye grass which he sows in late summer/early autumn. Speaking of RM, today is his birthday…happy birthday Butch!
While setting my table, it was impossible not to notice that my surroundings were undergoing wonderful changes. There were new leaves, new buds, new blooms, bees buzzing, birds building nests, and many other creatures out and about. Being encompassed by new life, my thoughts went beyond the creation to the Creator, as I was reminded of the true significance of Easter, and the spiritual new life that can only be found in Christ!
It is the April edition of Monday Morning Blooms with my friends, Mary, Lidy, and our special guest. Our common theme is Easter.
We welcome our lovely guest, Sarah from Hyacinths for the Soul. She has been our guest many times and always shares beautiful blooms and stunning vignettes. You will find the links for Mary, Lidy, and Sarah at the bottom of this post.
I look forward each year to early spring when some of my favorite blooms display their amazing beauty. Our Snowball viburnum, reaching to at least twenty feet in height, is in its full glory with large creamy white blooms. The climbing Lady Banks Rose is covered in hundreds of miniature yellow blooms cascading to the ground. An old-fashioned Bridal Wreath spirea with its branches arching gracefully to the ground in a fountain-like growth habit is loaded with showy double white flowers in clusters of three to six that resemble a bride’s wreath. I still claim the Kwanzan Cherry tree even though it is now on our son’s property. Its ruffled double pink blossoms are some of my favorite blooms. All four of these blooms make up my arrangement with a few pink tulips that are of the grocery store variety! I love when I can make an arrangement from garden flowers!
A fluffle of moss bunnies hopped upon the picnic table to investigate if the buffet was to their liking.
Easter, like Christmas, has become extremely commercialized. I love all the sweet bunny decorations and the traditional Easter egg hunts as much as anyone, but Easter is so much more than those things. We celebrate Easter because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His bodily resurrection enables all those who choose to follow Him to have assured victory over our greatest enemy…death!
“There is an unexplainable stirring that occurs when winter finally exhibits the humility to completely bow out and relinquish all rights to spring!”
~Butch Richardson
Easter is always a special day for our family. After morning church services, we will gather at our house for a late lunch and an afternoon Easter egg hunt. It will be a joy to see our little ones as they find eggs with tiny surprises tucked inside!
Mary Lake-Thompson napkins of tulips dancing in a blue and white pitcher were added a few years ago when I discovered them at my favorite local shop. Brushed gold flatware was a recent purchase.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead….”
1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
“Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless Righteousness
The great unchangeable I Am
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God.”
~Charitie Lees Bancroft (vs 3 “Before the Throne of God Above”; written in 1863)
A set of four enchanting ‘Famille Rose’ bunny salad plates from Williams Sonoma came in two color ways and designs. An older April Cornell ‘Charming’ tablecloth provides a delightful floral background.
The Noritake ‘Reverie’ stemware from my bridal registry is definitely vintage. I still love using it fifty two years later! It was obviously a good choice.
It was extremely warm last Friday as I was photographing, 88 degrees with 15 mile per hour winds. Pollen was everywhere…including all over me!
I was concerned about our Snowball Viburnum because we had several nights of frost. Amazingly, it wasn’t damaged!
The border of Noritake’s ‘Reverie’ dinner plate is visible beneath the bunny plate. The china is also vintage (wedding)! I have never broken a single piece, now that is almost unbelievable!
Enjoy my friends’ beautiful posts by clicking on their links below!
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Sarah ~ Hyacinths For the Soul
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. A special thank you for reading yesterday’s post, “In Memory of my Daddy”. Your words spoke comfort and encouragement as we mourn the loss, but rejoice that he is present with the Lord!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Happiest of birthdays to Butch!
Pam, the colors of spring on your table are souch a perfect match to what we’re seeing in your landscape, and the rebirth! From the AC cloth and moss bunnies against the rye grass, to the choice garden blooms – so beautiful! There aren’t many things I miss from my big purge in 2018, but the Reverie china was always such a beautiful pattern, and I do miss it. I just this weekend came across a few serving platters that I must have wanted to keep for some reason (maybe for my jadeite). I love the stemware too. I haven’t seen the Famille Rose bunny plates, so cute! It is truly a reflection of the His promise, seeing all this new life. Happy Monday Morning Blooms! (And yikes, we have a few below freezing nights in our forecast this week. I’ll have to break out protective covers for my peonies).
Thank you, Rita. I enjoyed setting a table outdoors. It may go down to 29 here tonight!
Good Morning Pam and Happy Birthday Butch! What a beautiful setting with the verdant rye grass and glorious spring blooms! Your ‘Famille Rose’ bunny salad plates are so adorable and your AC ‘Charming’ tablecloth provides a perfect foundation for an Easter table table. Love your mixed garden bouquet of Viburnum, Kwanzan Cherry, Bridal Wreath spirea and Lady Banks, as well as the sweet moss bunnies and Mary Lake Thompson tulip napkins. I’m a big fan of MLT and used to sell her products a long time ago in a land faraway. 😉 The pollen and the wind has been crazy, coating everything in a matter of minutes…ahcoo. Thank you for sharing the beauty and message of Easter this morning. As always, it’s a treat to share some flower therapy with you. Happy Monday. 🐰 🌸🐇💗
Thank you, Mary. I love sharing flower therapy and our MMB’s We are going to have a freeze tonight!
Pam, your table is so full of the life of spring. I love the colors, of course, and you have so many darling pieces to go with it. (Such a fan of the bunny plates!) It’s wonderful to see the flowers. One of the best things about your region is that you get early spring! It’s just tremendously beautiful.
Thank you, Jeanie. We do enjoy an early spring!
Pam, please tell Butch happy birthday! As always, your arrangements and words touch my heart. You make God’s creation more beautiful! I’m with you on why we celebrate Easter. Your bridal registry stemware made me smile, as well as all the beautiful bunnies and snowballs. I feel hope in the air. And the promise of victory over death! The verses and quotes accompany perfectly. I love Butch’s quote! I love you, sweet Pam, dearly. I’m praying every day for all of you. 💕🙏🏻🎶❤️
Thank you, Karla. I am way behind on replying to emails, but yours touched my heart! Love you❤️🙏🏻❤️
You’re welcome, precious Pam. Please do not worry email~ bless your heart! ♥️ I love you!! ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Happy Birthday Butch! What a beautiful time of year to be born (my sister’s birthday is tomorrow!). Pam, your table is a breath of Spring. It looks so fresh and inviting (and no sight of pollen). As always, I love hearing the story behind each piece. We are having one of the most spectacular springs in a long time. I watch The Masters just to see the golf course, and it should be incredible this week. After temperatures in the high 80s, I purchased ferns and now it is going to be close to freezing the next couple of nights! We are under a tornado watch as I am writing this.
Thank you. Roxanne. We will have a freeze tonight, there goes my beautiful blooms! Have a blessed day!
Happy birthday Butch! Hope your day is great and filled with happiness! Pam, your table is beautiful! I love the tablecloth and those napkins are truly exquisite. The plates are adorable! Are they new? The glasses are a favorite as well. Your virbinium is really prolific with gorgeous blooms. Enjoy today. I hope the tornados missed you! We got nearly a foot of rain over 4 days. Everything is waterlogged but we are safe so that’s all that matters. Happy birthday again Butch! Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara. We are thankful we had no bad weather, but lots of rain. It is going down below freezing tonight! Happy Tuesday❤️
Pam, first off, Happy, Happy Birthday to Butch! Tell him I copied his wise works into my Quote Journal.
I’m in awe of your alfresco picnic table. I so wanted to set my table outside, but the constant drop of the messy oak catkins and the powder of pollen that continues to cover every surface won out and forced me inside. Actually it has also turned chilly here, and the heat is back on. Go figure!
But your beautiful setting is transporting me to sheer bliss. I love the way the linen is a burst of color and the darling bunny plates dance across the table. I’ve a fluffle of moss bunnies here, and they are eager to star on a table.
Your Snowball Viburnum is envious as are the cherry blossoms. When I take my walk along the creek trail, I’m envious of all the blooming trees. I fortunately have some Redbuds growing on my property, so I can snip a few stems now and then. I’m happy that the grocery stores also offer blooming stems this time of year. Love seeing you use your wedding registry pieces. I love using ours, and they hold even more importance now. The same with the few things I have of my mother’s. Most I’ve passed along to my niece who wants anything that was her grandmother’s. I find that so heartwarming and love seeing her use Mother’s things.
Thank you for inviting me to join today. It’s always an honor. Happy Easter!
Thank you, Sarah. It is a joy to have you join us! We had high 80’s and tonight will be below freezing. Happy Tuesday!
Charming and beautiful setting!
Happy birthday Butch!
Thanks so much, Gina!
Happy Birthday Butch! – your mention of Lady Banks Rose makes me miss the one I had at a previous home. I need to find a new climbing rose for a perfect spot I have. This is “rose dreaming.”
Thank you, Leslie Anne. It is going below freezing tonight, there goes the Lady Banks blooms!
Happy Birthday Butch. Pam, your alfresco table is so delightful. You bridal registry stemware is gorgeous along with the Famille Rose’ bunny salad plates. Love the sweet bunny. Your gardens are truly magnificent. How special to dine alfresco. Spring has arrived.
Thanks so much, Linda. Tonight we go below freezing! Spring weather is unpredictable!
Happy birthday to Butch! Another day to praise His Name. Pam, I love the table setting and your outside setting is always so beautiful. Loving those green bunnies. I remember the first time I saw your green bunnies I began the hunt for a few. I have a few little green bunnies too but let one of the grands talk me right out of one! LOL! Pollen….Oh my! It has about done me in this season. I will be so glad when it leaves my neck of the woods. I hope that Butch has a wonderful birthday and happy week friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you, Cindy. The pollen has been worse than usual, it seems. Hugs and blessings, my friend!
Happy Birthday Butch🧚♂️🦋🌸🎵➕🎶 and Pam what a breathtaking al fresco table. The setting is perfect with the bright green grass and the snowball tree and the woods. How wonderful that you have kept your wedding dishes without a break…you are right, that is amazing after all these years. Your bouquet is lovely as I adore cherry blossoms in a flower arrangement. They just scream Spring to me. I also love the Viburnum, Bridal Wreath spirea and Lady Banks. I miss the Bridal Wreath Spirea as we had so many of them in Kansas. I remember a hedge of Spirea along side our home and we always had Spirea and lilacs for our May baskets. Your Moss bunnies fit right in with the rye grass color. Way to go Butch for planting and caring for those grasses. Happy Easter, and thank you for your Christ centered comments…It’s not about the bunny…it’s about the Lamb. Hugs and Blessings sweet friend.
Thanks so much, Kari. It felt good to set an alfresco table. Love seeing spring appear over our hillside!
Happy Monday, Pam and happy birthday to Butch! Your flower arrangement is stunning with blooms gathered from your yard. The Famille Rose dishes paired with your wedding china are so pretty with the April Cornell tablecloth. Your outdoor surroundings are gorgeous. It is such a blessing to see nature awakening after a long winter’s nap. Easter is one of my most favorite holidays, and I am looking forward to sharing it with my family. May you have a most blessed and peaceful week ahead my dear friend!
Thanks Shannon. I agree nature awakening is a wonder to behold. We will have a freeze tonight. Springtime weather is unpredictable! Happy Tuesday, sweet friend!
Happy Birthday Butch! I am sure Pam is baking your favorite cake this week! Enjoy your special day. 🥳
Pam, your garden filled floral bouquet is gorgeous. I always enjoy when you choose flowers from your gardens and the woodlands. Your moss bunnies fit right in with your outdoor tablescape. Your plate stack is beautiful especially since one set is your wedding china. And that glassware is also from your wedding. Such lovely memories!
I wish for you to have a blessed Easter with your family. Sending hugs!
Thank you, Nancy! We had a sweet time with our son and family for Butch’s birthday! Wishing you a lovely time in your garden on this Tuesday!
Wishing your Butch a very happy birthday!! Pam, what a beautiful table set with all the beauty spring has to offer! Your garden is lovely, and your table is a colorful delight. I can only imagine how much fun your sweet family will have at Easter time together. Your plates are so wonderful, they are so tempting me…but oh, there is sadly no room left in my plate cabinet. : )
Easter is one of my favorite holidays, and I I always look forward to sharing the day with our family, young and old. Wishing you a blessed week ahead, friend. xo Lidy 🐰 🌸
Thank you, Lidy! I love setting a table next to our woodlands, especially during spring. I also love Easter! Happy and blessed week to you, my friend!
Happy birthday Butch!!
What a delightful floral arrangement & tablescape Pam for Easter!
And I love the quotes of Martin Luther & Butch!
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer. We had a sweet birthday celebration for Butch. The grands love him so much! Blessings, my friend!
Happy Birthday to your dear soulmate! He certainly has a way with the beautiful rye grass for your Springtime backdrop! Your tablecloth is so pretty and the napkins so charming. How lovely are those cute bunny pates and your moss bunnies on the table. However the star on your table is the gorgeous centerpiece! Thank you for the beautiful scripture verses that you shared and also quotes from Bruce.
Thank you, Kitty. We had a sweet birthday celebration for Butch with our son and family that included some of his favorites, especially cake!
Your table and comments are beautiful! I especially loved the quote from the hymn “Before the Throne of God Above”. I love every word of the hymn, and it was one of the two hymns used in Chuck’s memorial service. It speaks so beautifully of God’s love and grace.
Thank you, Janice. That is my favorite hymn. I am so sorry, I didn’t know about Chuck. You are in my prayers for God’s grace in walking a new journey. May you feel God’s peace surrounding you and His love holding you.
What a gorgeous table, so fresh with spring beauty. I always love seeing your fresh flower arrangements, and those moss bunnies are the perfect thing for a outdoor setting. Just beautiful, and I hope it doesn’t rain on your celebration. Happy birthday, Butch! Is he still in North Carolina on his birthday?
Thank you, Carole! Butch worked some in NC and traveled through out the Southeast before he retired. He was very familiar with the area near you.
Happy Belated Birthday to Butch! Adorable and inspiring post! God bless you and yours.
Thank you, sweet friend!
Happy Belated Birthday, Butch! This was such a beautiful post! Springtime brings so much hope! Your bridal registry china is absolutely gorgeous, and kudos to you for never having broken a piece in 52 years! Wow! That is so impressive! And the stemware is so beautiful, too. I am thinking of you as you mourn your dear Daddy. I pray God will hold you close in every moment of grief and may you feel His presence in new, unexpected ways.
Thank you, Cheryl! I so appreciate your prayers, sweet friend!
The arrival of Spring always reminds me of rebirth. Your table is so beautiful with flowers from your own garden. Love your little plates from Williams Sonoma. The napkins are perfectly beautiful. Thank you for brightening our days with this beauty. As my blog used to say “God has been so good to us and we rejoiced.” He has given us the greatest gift. Happy Birthday Butch. Continue to hold you close in my heart.
Thank you, Dianne! I am so glad your comments have shown up. My prayer is that you are doing well, my friend. You truly have the gift of encouragement!