Happy October dear friends. It is my favorite month and I delight in the beauty that October brings. As always, I am thrilled that you are joining me.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
I was hopeful I could set a table in the garden for the October edition of Monday Morning Blooms. The weather cooperated during the morning hours with partly cloudy skies. With rain predicted for the afternoon, I decided to take advantage of the earlier light and cooler temperatures. We did receive a small amount of much needed rain later in the day!
This Monday Morning Blooms is especially close to our hearts as we honor our dear friend Mary, who passed away September 27th. Mary brought so much of her own sweet personality and creativity to every Monday Morning Blooms post. Her flowers, her beautiful tables, and the warmth she shared with all of us gave us something lovely to look forward to each month. We miss her dearly and are so grateful we were able to share so many years of friendship with her.
I set the table the week before we left for our trip to Jackson Hole. Autumn weather has yet to come to our Appalachian Foothills, but it will! The charming pumpkin pitcher was a gift from my RM just because! He foraged the woodlands for beggar-ticks (the small yellow flowers) and goldenrods. From our garden we cut nandina, zinnias, autumn fire sedum, dried hydrangea blooms, and chaste tree blooms for an autumn arrangement. We will miss Mary’s easy to understand DIY’s for her gorgeous flower arrangements.
With breaks in the clouds, the sun cast a magical light across the table!
We were able to find a few pumpkins to stack and to give our garden that autumnal look even though the temps were near 100 degrees. After all, how can we celebrate fall without pumpkins?!
“In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October, no days so calm, so tenderly solemn, and with such a reverent meekness in the air.”
~ Alexander Smith
You often see this stemware appear on one of my tables. I call it my jewel stemware because its colors remind me of peridot, amethyst, and citrine! Yes, I sometimes have a vivid imagination!
I found this pumpkin tablecloth many years ago and I don’t have a clue where it was purchased. If I had to guess, I would say TJ Maxx.
Pumpkin napkin rings hold sage-colored napkins. The fall season is ideal for copper flatware.
The pumpkin-colored dinner plates frame Williams Sonoma ‘Harvest Pumpkin’ salad plates. This collection was only produced for one year in 2018. Each plate features a detailed still life of heirloom pumpkins, autumn fruits, and nuts against a dramatic and glossy black porcelain background with a gold rim.
Before we left for our trip, I was only able to accomplish a little fall decorating on the Sunshine Cottage Porch. I will be in full autumn decorating mode this week!
“October is the opal month of the year. It is the month of glory, of ripeness. It is the picture month.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher
If you look closely you can see sunflowers and zinnias in the background of the maple tree. Butch planted seeds in a small part of the raised bed behind the garden. He watered them a few times and we were pleasantly surprised when we began seeing zinnia and sunflower blooms. With little rain and temps hitting triple digits, we didn’t expect to enjoy a single bloom. Late planted marigolds are also blooming now!
“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.”
~ Sarah Addison Allen
I invite you to join Lidy as she celebrates October the French way!
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Not to end on a sad note, but I am heartbroken that my dear friend Mary has passed away. Monday Morning Blooms began in March of 2018 as Floral Friday, and later that year, at Mary’s suggestion, it was renamed Monday Morning Blooms. I have been looking back over Mary’s floral arrangements and her talent and creativity are beyond amazing. I will miss her breathtaking florals and her stunning tablescapes. Most of all, I will miss her friendship.
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a delightful week!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch,Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Happy October, my friend! I know this is your favorite month. Sweet Mary will be deeply missed. She was such an inspiration and talent. I always cherished the times when I was invited to be a guest on Monday Morning Blooms and Tea on Tuesday. Your floral arrangement and tablescape is a beautiful tribute to your dear friend. The pitcher is so pretty and compliments the stunning array of flowers perfectly. I always love seeing those WS pumpkin plates when you bring them out each autumn. The heirloom pumpkins against the dark background is so striking. I can’t wait to see more of your fall decor. Sweet friend, have a blessed day and enjoy these wonderful October days!