Happy Monday dear friends. It has been a busy past few days and in case you missed our exciting news, you can read it here.
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 106:1
It is Monday Morning blooms with my friends Lidy, Mary, and Shirley. I am in the garden for this edition of flower therapy! Be sure to read to the bottom of this post to find out my winner of the beautiful book by Victoria, “The Art Of Flowers.”
We planted our first peonies two years ago and this spring we have our first blooms!
The links for my friends’ stunning flower inspirations are at the bottom of this post.
Our common theme for this Monday Morning Blooms was to choose an inspiration photo from the “Art of Flowers” and use our own creativity to copy. I have long admired the beautiful gardens of Carolyn Aiken located on Prince Edward Island not far from where author Lucy Maud Montgomery set the beloved book series, Anne of Green Gables. I thought this was a lovely photo for me to copy and the photo spread of her gardens in the book is definitely inspiring. Carolyn shares her gorgeous gardens, 100-year-old farmhouse, and large pond on her blog, Aiken House & Gardens.
You don’t see a backdrop of peonies as shown in my inspiration photo. My peonies are not located in the garden, but in a couple of spots within our landscape. The tea table was placed among the apricot drift roses that are beginning to bloom, sunshine ligustrums, and limelight hydrangeas. In place of a birdcage, a tall plant stand is filled with several varieties of petunias for long-lasting color!
The table is covered with an embroidered cloth purchased on a trip to St. Thomas many years ago. I have always made sure to find a memento from each place we have traveled. Do you?
We have planted three varieties of peonies, but only the Festiva Maxima was in full bloom when I photographed the table. I had three blooms and the white bloom front and center is one of the three in the arrangement. The other two white peonies and the stunning pink peony came from a friend’s house. She didn’t know their names and I didn’t take the time to research. Perhaps, someone can identify. There are no arranging skills when using peonies, they make a statement all on their own!
A blue and white teapot to mimic the inspiration picture!
Royal Albert “Lady Carlyle” cup and saucer joins a Grace’s teaware cup and Limoges saucer. I love a mix…not necessarily a match!
A sweet floral teapot replaced the blue and white!
“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.”
~ Ruth Stout
Be sure to visit Shirley, Lidy, and Mary for gorgeous flower inspiration!
Shirley – Housepitality Designs
Lidy – FrenchGardenHouse
Mary – Home Is Where The Boat Is
My winner in our Victoria giveaway of the book, “The Art of Flowers” is Ruthie Miller! Congrats to Ruthie, and a special thank you to all who entered.
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Pam, I’ve long been an admirer of Carolyn Aiken’s gardens too (along with her sweet boat house!) I love the inspiration photo and your pretty peonies and teacups with your garden in the background. Your embroidered tablecloth makes such a pretty memento and souvenir from your travels. Your pink peony looks like ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ which is one of my favorite varieties. As always it’s a treat to join you for some flower therapy. Congrats to Ruthie and Happy Monday ♥
Thank you Mary. I have a Sarah Bernhardt that bloomed out yesterday and I thought it looked the same as the one from my friend.
Oh Pam….I have admired your gorgeous Peonies for some time now…Carolyn Aiken’s gardens remind me so much of yours….the inspiration page that you chose is the perfect page for you! As always, you have the perfect compliments to your tablescapes…your tablecloths are always exquisite and often times have a story behind them….I planted a Sarah Bernhardt peony and I shall be patient and wait for it to bloom…maybe next year!
Happy to be “blooming” with you today my Bloom friend! Congrats to Ruthie…she will love the book!
Thank you Shirley. Yes, patience on the Sarah Bernhardt!
I am so very thrilled and appreciative! Thank you once again. I also have long loved Carolyn Aiken’s garden and interior photos. Wouldn’t it be a dream come true to visit there? You must have had fun with using an inspiration photo for your design this week. I love your chairs and your planter behind the table. Can you tell us about that piece? I sure hope to see more of it. Very pretty-love Lady Caryle and the breathtaking peonies. Yes, indeed, I always buy a (sometimes that is plural) memento from trips.
Hi Ruthie! The book beautifully shares several pages of Carolyn’s gardens. The planter came from a local shop, and I knew it was coming home with me. Safe travels!
I love the photo from Carolyn’s garden that you chose to copycat. You did a great job. I am so happy your peony bloomed this year. I share your love of peonies. They are so beautiful.
Your garden setting, lovely tea set and embroidered cloth and garden seating makes a delightful vignette.
You have had an exciting and busy week. You are amazing!
Congrats to Ruthie. The Art of Flowers by Victoria is a stunning book.
Thanks my friend!
Beautiful, Pam. Congratulations on your first peony blooms! It’s a true sense of accomplishment when a plant takes hold, but even more rewarding when the blooms come.
Rita, I cut three more blooms today before the rain shattered them!
Pam, Your arrangement of peonies is beautiful! You mimicked the perfect photo and the result was a soft, feminine table. I loved to buy linens when we could travel. They’re a nice momento & easy to pack. When you use them it takes you back to your trip and sweet memories. Congratulations to the winner. You’ll enjoy the gorgeous book. Have a wonderful day! Clara ❤️
Thank you Clara. I so hope we travel this year, more than likely by car! Enjoy your week!
I could look at these photos of yours forever! I can day dream with them!
You are so sweet Nancy, thank you!
Oh swoon Pam, your peonies are gorgeous, you must be so thrilled they are finally blooming! Your interpretation of the garden page is fantastic, and I think so much prettier! The simple clear glass container and casual placement of the blooms is elegant and the focus is entirely on the beautiful blooms. The teacups and teapots are beautiful not to mention your incredible garden setting and pretty embroidered white cloth…I am so thrilled to be one of the winners of this fabulous book, can’t wait to pour over every page!
Jenna
Jenna, you will love the book. I think you might be inspired to pick up your brush!
Smell is a wonderful gift. Peonies will fill your house with their perfume. I’m so glad you are finally getting Blooms. I run outside when I see a rain coming because they simply won’t last in the rain. They are so delicate. I too love the earthly smell that petunias give. They were the first flowers I planted because a neighbor hearing my love of hers gave me some of hers. I. Was about 13 and loved to see them where there had been no flowers. The container you filled with them is beautiful too. Where did you find it? The mass of petunias is beautiful also.
Thank you Alice and you correctly identified the smell of petunias as earthy! You were a smart young lady at 13. I found the plant stand locally last year and knew it was coming home with me. Have a lovely week!
Your interpretation of the original is lovely! Congrats to the winner.
Thanks so much Penny!
Enjoyed your post. While the original photo is nice, I found your interpretation to be more substantial and had more “weight” to it. Especially loved the blue teapot.
Dee, how sweet you are. Thank you!
Love your peonies! Congratulations to Ruth, looks like a wonderful book.
Thanks Carole!
I have loved peonies and I have about 20, several different colors. My first ones came from my mom, who was moving to another home and didn’t need them. I divided them, probably too much but eventually they all bloomed. Then about 20 years ago my daughter was living in her Company rental and asked me to remove about 6 huge plants that I mostly left alone and plunked them in the ground and they are now blooming. And of course, over the years I have purchased a few newer varieties to add to the mix. I have many flowers and I always look forward to spring and all the new blooms. (Who Doesn’t?) I am in agreement that they can stand alone in an arrangement beautifully but does anyone have any ideas to change them up occasionally? Congrats to Ruthie. Next time I am sure I will be the winner!!!
Vicky, there is always next time. I know your peonies are beautiful. What is your favorite one?
Good Morning dear Pam. Your “copycat rendition” is absolutely breathtaking. Your whole setting is quite stunning. And each part of it brings it all together so beautifully. Your table cloth is exquisite. I am in love with it.
Congratulations on your peony blooms! How wonderful. I’m looking forward to seeing our gardens in Pennsylvania very soon. I’m hoping to see lilacs…we’ll see.
Have a lovely day enjoying your beautiful gardens and perhaps getting to hold Prince Wyatt.
Thank you Nancy. I know you are anxious to see your gardens in Pennsylvania. Hopefully you will see lilacs.
My peonies are nothing but green shoots and leaves right now but soon. Of course, they will not come close to your gorgeous blooms and table settings! But a sure sign that spring is ending and summer is about to begin!
I know your peonies will be beautiful, Jeanie!
Pam, your peonies are glorious. Oh, how I do love them, they truly are the “Queen of the Garden.” They are also a tough plant, once established, and take little care. A few of mine are beginning to show color, so it won’t be too long before they bloom. Your table is just beautiful and the cloth is lovely. Congratulations to Ruthie, she will enjoy the book. It is a treasure.
Have a lovely week, my friend.
I cut three peonies today before the rain ruined them. Thank you, Sandra!
Pam, the whole display is out of a magazine gorgeous! How exciting to have your first peony blooms. Being a gardener sure takes a lot of patience. Your blooms make such a beautiful statement with the pretty teacups and teapot. I love your iron tea table and chairs. I’m looking for a similar one for my new patio. Wishing you a most blessed day, my dear friend!
Shannon, you are so sweet. Wishing you a wonderful week, dear friend!
Those peony blooms are incredible! Your entire tablescape is swoon worthy…the tablecloth, the teapots, and that tall plant stand. Beautiful. Congratulations to Ruth! Storming like crazy here, but glad to have the rain!
Roxanne, we have had lots of rain today with more tonight and tomorrow. A threat of severe weather is expected tomorrow afternoon, yikes!
What a beautiful copycat you did Pam! I am in love with your beautiful table setting, garden scene and style! Congratulations again on the birth of that beautiful grandson! So very exciting. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thanks so much, Cindy. We are overjoyed with our grandson!
Pam, this is so beautiful! I admire both yours and Carolyn’s gardens. It’s always a blessing to share our special Monday Morning Blooms. And congratulations on the birth of your latest little person!
Thank you Lidy. We are over the moon on the birth of our grandson!
Pam, I’ve followed and admired Carolyn’s gardens for as long as I’ve been blogging. Your copycat is perfection! I’m envious of your peonies in your garden. They do not grow here.
Congratulations on the new baby!
Thanks so much, Sarah! Wishing you a beautiful Tuesday!
Pam, your copycat is so beautiful. So happy your peonies are blooming. I have five large peonies with many buds so I am waiting with excitement. Love all the elements in your post. Congratulations on Wyatt. He is a beautiful baby.
We are overjoyed with the arrival of Wyatt. Thanks so much my friend!
The peonies are so beautiful! I can’t believe how big they are! Congratulations to Ruthie!!
Thanks so much Michelle!
I love peonies! They remind me of my dad who enjoyed growing (and sharing) them. My peonies (including a few that used to grow in dad’s garden) are several weeks behind yours in blooming. I’m glad yours bloomed for you this year – they are simply gorgeous!
Thank you Cindie!
Your peonies are so pretty! And congratulations to Ruthie on winning the book!
Thank you sweet Cheryl!
I love peonies. Your look so beautiful and your embroidered tablecloth is such a treasure. Love the idea of a tea party in the garden. Congrats to Ruthie.
Thank you so much Linda!