Friday, October 27, 2017

Celebrating Autumn Beauty




Oh, how my heart thrills to the sight of heirloom pumpkins stacked into glorious towers of color! I snapped this photo at Leaf & Petal at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens earlier this month. Nestled among flowers and topiaries, these vibrant gourds greet guests outside the gate. Even before I stepped into the gardens, I had already decided that this lovely vignette was worth the trip.


This weekend also holds the promise of memory making, as I will be speaking for a ladies day tomorrow at the Hoover Church of Christ. If you live in the Birmingham area, please join us for a special morning. Registration begins at 8:30, and the event concludes with lunch. Hope to see you there!


"October is a hallelujah! reverberating in my body year-round ... ." ~ John Nichols

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Impressions of Fall



The softened light, the veiling haze,
The calm repose of autumn days,
Steal gently o'er the troubled breast,
Soothing life's weary cares to rest.
~ Phebe A. Holder

Monday, October 16, 2017

Roses in October




"And then the rose-border. What intensity in those odorous buds of the Bon Silene, making the very spirit bound as though a message had reached it from heaven." ~ Sarah Smiley


Since we moved to Birmingham, I have had grand intentions of visiting the city's botanical gardens at least once every few months to view each season's blossoms. I haven't done so well at visiting regularly, but Antiques at the Gardens offered a perfect opportunity for joining a friend for an afternoon of loveliness. After we perused the antiques show, we paused for lunch on the terrace of the onsite cafe then spent a couple of hours strolling the grounds. A highlight of the trip was discovering that the rose gardens are still in full bloom. In this flower-filled post, view some of the amazing buds that piqued our attention. And if you get the opportunity, invite one of your amazing buds to take a peek at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens!





















































Look for more garden beauty to come in upcoming posts!

Monday, October 9, 2017

Teapots Steeped with Memories



“Tea is quiet,” explains author and tea authority James Norwood Pratt, “and our thirst for tea is never far from our craving for beauty.” Many of my loveliest moments have unfolded over teatime — beginning my day in the hush of early morning with a steaming brew, welcoming friends to my table for an afternoon of conversation and dainty treats, or traveling to an exotic destination for the weekend and taking tea in the elegant environs of a historic venue. Whether a few minutes of solitude or leisurely hours shared in the company of loved ones, teatime, for me, is always an occasion to be sipped and savored.

In my home, accoutrements related to serving tea have been elevated to prized objet d’art. Many of these treasures were purchased during visits to tearooms, and their presence evokes fond memories. A porcelain teacup and saucer, tucked among cookbooks in the kitchen, bring back memories of the sweet friend who first invited me to tea then gifted me afterward with this rose-covered memento. A towering trio of white cake plates highlights a buffet in our living room — their shapely pedestals and gently scalloped edges an artful complement to the serene décor. And gleaming atop a tufted ottoman in the sitting room, a silver tray showcases a selection of my favorite teapots.

These teapots, in particular, hold a special place in my heart. When my husband was in law school and we lived frugally on my starter salary at a publishing house, going to tea felt like an ultimate luxury. Joe does not share my affinity for much of the traditional tea menu, but he loved watching my eyes light up at the sight of such exquisite offerings. During those years, we celebrated my December birthday with an annual visit to an area tearoom, and after our meal, I would wait eagerly in the car while he purchased my Christmas present from items I had pointed out in the gift shop. Decades later, I appreciate not only the prettiness of these keepsakes, but also the sacrifice of love that each one represents.

Today, these teapots add a grace note to my interiors. Sometimes they catch my eye on a busy day — stirring sentimental thoughts of the past. Other days they encourage me to slow down, brew a fresh pot of a seasonal blend, and fill our prettiest china cups for an impromptu teatime. For parties, they often crown the table, brimming with fragrant blossoms. Always, always, they give me glimpses of beauty and remind me how truly blessed I am.

What objects in your decor hold great sentimental value?


Photo by Nathan Prichard. Used with permission.

Monday, October 2, 2017

Celebrating Autumn Pumpkins


"October, ruddy-cheeked, comes o'er the plains,
And as with rustling step it speeds along,
Its feet beat music to the harvest song ... ."
~Albert Laighton


During autumn, my heart quickens with the thought of gathering a cornucopia of pumpkins, gourds and fall flowers. Last year I did not find the array of seasonal colors that I love, so I asked our Victoria stylist if she could recommend a local farmers' market or shop worth exploring. She led me to Andy's Garden Center, with several locations in Birmingham. I began counting down the days to a weekend visit to the company's Hoover nursery. Take a peek at the fall finery just waiting to add harvest beauty to your home!










































"October, I lo'e thee! Thy whisper is soothing;
There is Lore in thy face, there is wealth in thy bowers:
Thy pensiveness adds but a charm to my musing
And sweet are my dreams through thy fast ebbing hours!
~ James Rigg

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