“Hello sweet friends, I am happy that you are here as we welcome the month of June and the first day of meteorological summer!
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”
Psalm 42:1 (ESV)
As I have often said, the garden is my favorite place to set a table. Since gardening is a big part of our lives, I enjoy setting an alfresco table among the flowers and the trees! It was a bit challenging because of pop up showers and cloudy skies. I am not complaining, we desperately needed the rain for which I am thankful. I was surprised when viewing my photos that I had captured the bee in flight!
It is the June edition of Monday Morning Blooms with fellow flower and garden enthusiasts Lidy and Mary. We are excited to welcome another enthusiastic gardener and flower friend, Rita from Panoply. Our common theme is garden!
You will find the links for Lidy, Mary, and Rita at the bottom of this post.
My arrangement is quite simple, one that anyone can do. Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers. I cut these from my sweet daughter-in-love’s bush. The blue color of the Hydrangea Macrophylla (commonly called big leaf hydrangea) works beautifully with my summery tablecloth. Queen Anne’s Lace (often called wild carrot) is an abundant wildflower found in our pastures and on roadsides. The lacy flower is very popular in wildflower bouquets. Our Double Play Doozie Spirea blooms also blended well with tablecloth!
My arrangement is actually ‘simpler’ than originally planned. I had a small number and variety of flowers in our garden that were mature enough to be cut. There weren’t that many, but just the right amount to complete my plans, so I cut them. While walking back to the patio table where I was working to finish my arrangement, I tripped and fell, sending flowers in every direction, breaking stems and destroying petals. Fortunately, I broke nothing but flowers. I was sore later, but the flowers did not fare as well…none were salvageable! Things don’t always go according to plans.
This photo looks to the cottage garden that is behind our table and next to the Sunshine Cottage. Coneflowers came back after seeds were planted last year. We have planted zinnia and giant marigold seeds which are growing by leaps and bounds since the rain. Annuals fill containers throughout the cottage garden!
The ‘old’ yellow pitcher has sweet memories attached. It has been around for a very long time. It belonged to my paternal grandmother and was used for fresh milk. My grandmother was an excellent cook, I can still taste her cornbread. When I was about six years old, my grandparents lived in a home that had an old wood stove in the kitchen. She also had an electric stove that was rarely used. She said food did not taste as good on her electric stove. All I remember, even as a child, was that whatever she prepared on that wood stove was absolutely delicious! When they moved from their rural house to the city, sadly, there was only an electric stove. My grandmother was never convinced her food was ever what it once was, but I only have wonderful memories of her meals always being amazing…and her sweet hugs!
My little Sunshine Cottage has brought me so much joy as I have shared it with my granddaughters…tea parties, reading books, playing dolls, snuggling in the chair and a few sleepovers on a blow-up mattress!
Green majolica dinner plates were paired with Sur La Table ‘Rose Garden’ salad plates by April Cornell.
Everyday stainless flatware ‘Duchess of Marlborough’ is by Reed & Barton.
I found these cute hand-painted terracotta napkin holders on a trip to the Huntsville Botanical Garden many years ago. In addition to touring the beautiful gardens, we were excited to find that an arts and crafts show was being held. It is a fond memory of a fun day with a group of friends! From that visit, I came home and told Butch we must plant a Snowball Viburnum and a Bridal Wreath Spirea and we did!
In the background is a long raised bed of zinnias, wildflowers, and giant marigolds.
The Godinger Dublin iced tea glasses were ordered from the Horchow catalog many years ago. How I use to love receiving catalogs in the mail which are rare these days. Horchow was one that I always looked forward to finding in my mail box at least every month or so. Yes, you can request a 2026 catalog or view it online, but it is just not the same. You can even buy old Horchow catalogs on eBay. I should have saved all of mine.
Behind the Adagio maiden grass, you can barely see the long row of sunflowers. I think they have grown a foot since this photo was taken!
April Cornell ‘s ‘Lilliana’ tablecloth in soft pinks, signature light periwinkle, and fresh green hues is perfect for summer. An ‘Essential’ napkin in pink complements the floral print.
It is amazing since I took photos how much the zinnias planted next to the cottage have grown as well as the giant marigolds behind the coneflowers. Much needed rain has definitely helped all of our garden. Another plus is RM hasn’t had to water! In case you missed my garden post, you can see it here.
You will find beautiful floral inspiration from Lidy, Mary, and Rita by clicking their links below.
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is
Rita ~ Panoply
Not meaning to boast, but I can do what no other can do and I do it year after year, perfectly, without fail, without permission, without hesitation, ready or not. I bring you the lengthiest of daylight and the briefest of darkness. I bring about a unique event affecting the entire Northern Hemisphere, doing what I alone was created to do. I open wide the welcome gates and extend an exclusive invitation to summer. I am June.
~Butch Richardson
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a delightful first week of June and an amazing summer!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch,Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Pam, your garden is such a beautiful welcome to June! I always enjoy virtually strolling through your blooms and seeing what’s putting on a show in your garden each season. The flowers are gorgeous, and your photos capture their beauty so perfectly. I’m so glad you weren’t hurt in your fall…just your stems and not yourself or your grandmother’s pitcher. I adore hand-painted terracotta napkin holders…perfectly paired with your plates and tablecloth.
We’re still dealing with severe drought conditions here in North Carolina, and our gardens are definitely feeling the stress. Thank you for sharing your slice of paradise and bringing a little garden joy to my morning. As always, it’s a treat to join you for some flower therapy. Wishing you a wonderful June filled with blooms, butterflies, and many happy hours in the garden! 🌸🌿🦋
Thank you Mary for your sweet comments 🌺🌼🦋🌸
I am happiest when talking all things garden, and I love not only my own garden, but my neighnors’ gardens as well. I am so happy to join you today in your garden, seeing how all the rain has made things grow so showily! And yes, the gift of not having to water makes it that much more a sweet joy! Pam, I’m sorry your fall resulted in the loss of gathered flowers, but am really glad you didnt break anything. Your arrangement is still beautiful with so many hydrangea blooms and Queen Anne accents. My hydrangeas suffered from early spring frost and snow, and the head gardener’s hand (🙋♀️) in pruning away the damage. Love that you caught the bee! I didnt see that until you mentioned it. Your tabletop of AC cloth and those salad plates (!❤️!) are wonderful, and the Godinger glassware a classic beauty. Can you imagine cooking on a wood stove every day, as your grandmother did? And we think oir days are busy!
Thank you for inviting me to join you gals in this edition of MMB. Happy June!
Rita, it is a pleasure to have you join us. Can you imagine cooking on a wood stove in our hot and humid summers with no AC? Happy gardening!
I agree about the catalogs, Horchow was a good one. I also loved Winterthur. Something is lost just scrolling through online. I think things are easily missed that when you don’t see a beautifully composed page. But, on the flip side, we save a lot of trees by not having so much paper to try to recycle. Love your flowers as always. I think my hydrangea is not going to bloom this year, possibly due to the drought. I need to cut back a lot of dead canes and see if it will rejuvenate for next year.
The spring weather has been strange. I am sorry about your hydrangea. Gardening changes from year to year! Thank you Carole!
Oh Pam, I’m so very sorry about your fall, but so happy that you’re ok and nothing is broken. That must’ve been a very scary situation for you, but you managed to bring us a beautiful arrangement in your grandmother’s pitcher. The gorgeous tablecloth is so bright and cheery and goes so perfectly with those salad plates. You’re so fortunate to have such a wonderful garden for cutting flowers and also to watch as they grow. Thank you for ending with the lovely poem on June by your soul mate. Have a fabulous week enjoying all of your garden’s glory.
Thank you, Kitty. Yes, falling is scary and it happened so quickly. The rains have really helped the garden. There is a possibility of hail and high winds this afternoon. Hopefully that won’t happen!
I love the yellow pitcher with the blue Hydrangea’s. Sorry about your fall and glad you are doing better. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thanks so much Kris!
Pam, I always love visiting you in your gorgeous garden. I’m so sorry about your fall, but happy YOU didn’t break anything! Your flowers look very happy in your beautiful pitcher from your grandmother, we have a tea pot that very same color from Mr. FGH’s grandmama, it must have been a very loved color in their day.
The table looks so welcoming, I especially love your little hand-painted terracotta napkin rings- wonderful on your table. It’s always such a joy to visit you and share our Monday Morning Blooms – its such a blessing to visit you in your gorgeous part of the world, dear friend. Wishing you a wonderful June filled with sunshine, flowers, and many happy hours in the garden! xo Lidy
Thank you Lidy. Wishing you a blessed summer and Happy Gardening!
Oh Pam, I’m so glad you weren’t badly injured in your fall. I dare say you were probably a bit sore after, no matter how you landed, but no broken bones. The hydrangeas are beautiful. I love how we don’t need many to make a really spectacular arrangement. I especially love how you used such a beautiful and cherished pitcher with so many memories.
Thank you, Jeanie. Yes, I am still a little sore, but very thankful there were no broken bones!
First, I’m glad you are ok from your fall….🥰 flowers can be replaced…bones are harder to mend these days. 🥴🥺🌸
Beautiful Pam…as usual I have garden envy because in spite of your recent drought, your blooms are spectacular thanks to our Creator’s recent rains. No matter the season, your garden is amazing. …and I know it includes a lot of hard work. Butch’s ode to June is so perfectly said…what a joy June is. Of course I love that you included a “memory” piece on your table, I look forward to that part of your beautiful talescapes because it makes me smile. Your AC tablecloth was a perfect choice as are your hand painted napkin holders. My grandmother cooked on a kerosene stove…I remember spending the night and waking up to a kerosene smell which meant a hearty breakfast was forthcoming. Most would hate a kerosene smell but because of my memories, I always think of grandma on my Mother’s side. It is so interesting that my two grandmothers almost lived in two different worlds because one was from the ‘old’ ways and one was more modern. Thanks for the memories my dear and sweet friend. Luv ya!
Thank you Kari! We are so thankful that we are receiving rain! It really makes the plants grow along with the weeds. Both of my grandmothers were from the ‘old’ ways. Both were fabulous cooks as was my beloved Mother. I love sharing memories just like you do! Have a wonderful week, my friend!
Thank the Lord for those showers. Theres a song about April showers so I will sing about May and June flowers and hope we continue to get them. I enjoy all of your tables and I also enjoy the background that are also beautiful, Well designed and well taken care of. Memories are attached to each. Hoping you and Butch can enjoy those afternoons at your pretty tables and the treats.
Thank you Alice. The showers continue today and we are thankful. Butch works really hard to maintain it all. Wishing you a wonderful first week of June, dear one!
Beautiful tablescape and arrangement, Pam. Our hydrangeas were in that deep freeze so we have greenery but no blooms. That’s happened before so we’re just thankful the plants came back. We have struggling azalea bushes that are about 18 years old so we don’t quite know what going on with them. I love the happy colors you chose. Enjoy! your day. Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. Gardening is a challenge at best. Happy first week of June ❤️
So glad you are alright Pam, falls can be so tricky. I loved reading about your grandmother and her beautiful yellow pitcher (and how lovely it looks with the blue hydrangeas) and that she loved her wood burning stove. I love hearing your stories. Your table is just beautiful, so full of flowers and their colors and your charming flowerpot napkin holders, adorable!! Everything is so pretty amongst your garden blooms…
Butch writes of the month of June so beautifully…
It is hard to believe we are already in the month of June. Our flowerpots of pansies and a flower pot of dahlias are enjoying the rain followed by nice warm sunshine in the back yard and sweet reliable petunias are potted on the front porch. Our lillies will bloom soon for our grown daughter’s birthday, they are her favorite flower.
I so admire how beautiful you keep your gardens and land. We have had to simplify, but still manage to keep some flowerpots! It’s a treat to see your Monday Blooms today! Hope you have an enjoyable week…God Bless!
Sue your comments are so sweet. I understand slowing down with gardening. Butch says he will do it as long as he can. It is much harder as we are getting older. Trying to keep the garden weeded is a major chore. Does your daughter that will have a birthday soon live near you?
Blessings dear one!
Good morning Pam❣️ Our Birthday girl daughter and family live in Texas. Every year we’ll send her pictures of the lillies on her Bday!
Our eldest daughter and most of her family are now living about half an hour from us. They returned to the home state after living in the Pacific Northwest for many years. We are thrilled having them live close by. Speaking of Bdays, our eldest daughter and I share the same Bday and there are Lillies of the Valley that return every year to help us celebrate.🌿🎂🌿 I think your family enjoys such lovely Birthay celebrations and oh those cakes make for special memories❣️.
Thanks Pam…take good care❣️
Sue, that is a sweet birthday wish to your daughter by sending pictures of the lilies, I love that. I am so happy your eldest lives only a half hour away. So very special you share a birthday with your eldest and with Lillies of the Valley return each year to help you celebrate. Thank you for sharing with me!
Pam, your summer table is so lovely. The yellow pitcher surely has some stories to be shared. The flowers are so pretty and perfect for summer blooms. I love hydrangeas. Sorry you tripped and fell. I have done that myself. Thank you for sharing some beautiful garden inspiration.
Thanks so much Linda! I love sharing stories.
Oh, Pam, I am so glad you are okay! I am so sorry you tripped and fell. Your new flowers worked out just fine. Those blue hydrangeas are quite stunning. Such a beautiful table set in your gardens. I love the AC salad plates. And her tablecloth as well. How pretty it all is. Your grandma’s yellow pitcher with memories attached is so sweet! And tell Butch I love his “Welcome, June” quote.
Happy June, dear friend!
Thanks so much, Nancy. I will tell Butch. I love sharing stories and memories along with tables, flowers, and tea!
Tripping and falling with an arm full of flowers is not good, but I’m so happy you were not hurt! Your paternal grandmother’s yellow pitcher she used for fresh milk is a special one! It could be used in so many beautiful tablescapes!
Thank you Mary. I enjoy sharing memories!
Pam, ever since I have retired I find myself really looking forward to your monthly blooms party! Lovely post and your garden is always sooo cheerful ~ especially with your gorgeous table!
Butch’s “June” quote here at the end… Wonderful! You ought to type it up in Canva (or another program) and create a Pinterest pic we can all save to share it. I have a “Sweet Sayings” board and I’d put it there. Really lovely thoughts!
Happy gardening and I’m off to read the other posts! Great way to while away the afternoon,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Barbara you are so sweet. I will definitely add the quote to Pinterest. Wishing you a joy-filled June
Pam, your garden is just lovely and I am so happy that you got some much needed rain to help it along! I’m sorry about your fall but I’m really glad that you didn’t break anything but the flowers. The replacement hydrangeas, Queen Anne’s lace, and spirea blooms are just perfect for your table in the cherished pitcher and I must say that the hydrangeas are magnificent – what a wonder color they are. I love the colors in the Lilliana tablecloth and the AC salad plates are so pretty and look like they were made for that tablecloth. The pink shade of the napkins is a wonderful accent color and the hand-painted napkin rings are beautiful. The Godinger ice tea glasses are the icing on the cake. Love Butch’s quote too. Happy gardening and happy summer, my friend!
Pam your garden is always inspirational! The arrangement in the yellow pitcher is perfect to me even though I know you had other plans. I’m glad you weren’t hurt and I feel your grandmother was watching over you. I love all the memories behind the table, thank you for sharing. I absolutely love the pot napkin holders and are the perfect accent for your beautifully styled table. Happy June! XO- MaryJo
I’m not usually a big fan of June as it leads to a hot, humid July but, on my, you may have converted me. The garden looks so elegant and colorful and AMAZING.
Amalia
xo
Hi, Pam. Your table is beautiful. How often do you eat at that table? Once you set it, I mean. Every meal or just one? Your garden is amazing. It looks like it could be a 40 hour week job. Possibly more. I say this not in a bad way, however in my mindset it’s ‘work’. My goal for my house is yard mowed and weedeater. So when I see a yard such as yours, I appreciate the view. Because, I know it took hard ‘work’. Loved the story of the yellow pitcher.
Have a fun week.
All the best.
Debra @ Life Captured
What a beautiful Summer garden table setting Pam. I’m glad you’re okay after your fall, it really does jar our ol’ bodies when we have a fall.
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer. I didn’t see a post from you this week. I hope all is well my friend!
Just a bit worn out from the aftermath of the installation of the new carpet & the house in upheaval we’re now in the process of putting the house back to normal.
Thank you for your concern. 💕