Everyday Living

Seasons Greetings: Monday Morning Blooms

~ Everyday Living, Faith, Giveaways, Monday Morning Blooms

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭

Happy December dear friends and welcome to Monday Morning Blooms. Are you busy decking the halls, or perhaps you have finished? It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our Appalachian Foothills home! I spent the weekend decorating the inside of our home while my Renaissance Man was cutting and hanging boughs of pine on our kitchen porch. In addition to hanging pine boughs, he crafted his Williamsburg fruit fan to hang above the entrance to his workshop. I still have a little more to complete before I can prop up my feet, drink cappuccinos, and eat fruitcake!

This is a most exciting First Monday in December! Our dear friend and leader, Shirley is back with us today. Lidy, Mary, and I are just so thrilled that she felt well enough to join us. I have missed her these past few months, just as I know you have. Her talent and creativity are beyond amazing as are her kindness and sweet spirit.

I am also excited to share a fabulous centerpiece giveaway today. Be sure to read to the bottom to see how to enter! Seasons Greetings sweet friends!

If you are a long time reader, you know I enjoy setting a pretty table. There is nothing that evokes more warmth and love than making sure your table is inviting for your guests. I particularly love using blue and white any time, any season…

…especially mixed with tartan for Christmas!

The links for my talented blogging friends are provided at the bottom of this post.READ MORE

A Harvest Table – Monday Morning Blooms

~ Autumn, Everyday Living, Faith, Monday Morning Blooms

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:37-38‬

Happy Monday dear readers! It is the third Monday of the month which means it is Monday Morning Blooms with my sweet blogging friends! I would enjoy the pleasure of your company at my abundant harvest table!

“Reflect upon your present blessings – of which every man has many – not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”
-Charles Dickens

Our common theme today is “harvest.” We all know the laws of the harvest; you must plant a seed in order to reap!

You will find the links for my talented friends at the bottom of this post. Be sure to take note of our fabulous Christmas giveaway. You will not want to miss our December 2nd Monday Morning Blooms for a chance to win a beautiful fresh centerpiece. We will also be most excited to welcome back Shirley!READ MORE

An Autumn Dough Bowl Centerpiece-Monday Morning Blooms

~ Autumn, Everyday Living, Faith, Monday Morning Blooms, Outdoors

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:24‬ ‭

Hello sweet readers! It is the first Monday of the month and I am joining my blogging friends for Monday Morning Blooms. But, first a little story behind the scenes of this post!

When attempting to accomplish a task with a deadline, have you ever encountered one obstacle after another?

Most of you know that I keep my two precious granddaughters three days each week. I try to be organized and prepare my blog posts on Thursdays and Fridays when I don’t have the girls. On Thursday morning I ran to a couple of grocery stores and found some flowers that I knew would work. Returning home, I got busy making my arrangement and setting up a vignette on the French chest in the family room. But, the clouds rolled in suddenly and it became very dark and gloomy that afternoon. I set up the lighting umbrella and made all of my pictures!

There was only one word to describe them…horrible.

It then rained the entire weekend and it was useless to try again. By now the flowers had passed their prime!

Due to an upcoming late week trip, last Monday would now be my only opportunity!

The forecast was sunny with the highs in the 70’s. I checked with the grocery store and they were expecting fresh flowers by noon. Seth picked up the sweet girls early and I ran out the door only to discover my SUV wouldn’t start. I called my hubby and he was able to make it home within an hour.

We rushed to the grocery store and there was another unexpected surprise…all the fresh flowers had been dyed!

Why, oh why do they do that? It was time to panic. I looked over in a corner bin and almost hidden were fresh spider mums! I grabbed all they had and hurried home. I had to rethink what I was going to do. The forecast was for rain all day on Tuesday and Wednesday and it poured on both of those days. We were leaving early Thursday morning for a getaway to Charleston. I had this brief window to come up with a plan and photograph an autumn dough bowl centerpiece! Life is definitely not always “picture perfect”!

This is a favorite spot of mine…picnic table…split-rail fence…woods!

A simple dough bowl is often used as a centerpiece for the popular farmhouse style!

You will find the beautiful links for Mary and Lidy at the bottom of this post!READ MORE