Sentiments of a Daughter on Mother's Day
Mother's Day holds a special place in my heart. It's a cherished occasion where my extended family comes together to celebrate with a delightful brunch, indulging in delicious cocktails while honoring the mothers in our midst.
Dressed in our finest attire, we exchange heartfelt gifts, reminisce about cherished memories, and strengthen the bonds that unite us. It's a day filled with love and gratitude, a time to reflect on the profound heritage passed down through generations of remarkable women. Moments like these remind us of the enduring legacy of love and resilience woven into the fabric of our family history.
“A mother is your first friend, you best friend, your forever friend. ”
Mother's Day has always been marked by special customs in our home, some of which began when my daughter was a young, vibrant redhead. She had an unbridled love for flowers of all varieties and would often pluck dandelions from the yard to present to me, her eyes sparkling with delight. These simple yet heartfelt gestures became a cherished tradition, symbolizing her adoration and childhood innocence. Each dandelion she brought was a flower and a token of love and affection, imbued with the purest sentiments of mother-daughter bonds.
A peony…pink and pinker!
As my daughter grew older, a charming tradition unfolded in our household the day before Mother's Day. My husband would whisk her away on a little adventure, and despite her attempts to conceal her excitement, her anticipation was palpable. Their destination? White Flowers Farm is nestled in the picturesque Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, a sanctuary boasting a breathtaking array of flowering shrubs, trees, and plants. It's the kind of place where one can lose track of time, wandering amidst the stunning landscape and vibrant blooms. With its vast selection of unique flowers, the farm offers an enchanting experience, perfect for selecting the ideal blooms to brighten our Mother's Day celebrations.
My favorite! A peony tree. It was one of the very first gifts given to me by my daughter. About four years ago, it was damaged by an ice storm. I’ve been nursing it back to health. It took years to get a new bloom, and this year, I am happy to say it has at least two! It is happy once again!
With excitement bubbling inside her, she carefully chose the perfect plant, her eyes dancing with anticipation of the surprise. After making her selection, they would venture to the Litchfield Center for a leisurely lunch before returning home. It was a cherished day shared with love and anticipation between father and daughter. Despite her efforts to keep it a secret, I couldn't help but sense her joy and excitement, yet I always played along, relishing in the surprise that awaited me on Mother's Day.
This lilac is one of my unique species. It is deep purple with white on the edges. It’s simply spectacular!
Awwww! My lilac tree! I love this one. Its scent is fantastic!
On Mother’s Day, Alex would gift me her UNIQUELY selected plant, and we would go outside to plant it once we finished brunch. I have beautiful flowering lilacs, peonies, hydrangeas, dogwood trees, lavender, many roses, and daisies. All bloom at different times of the year and have grown as she has through the years. It is a thrill to see them come to life every year in the springtime.
A beautiful rose that was giving to me just a few years ago.
Today, it is no surprise that we share the love of gardening, whether planting a vegetable garden or caring for blooms.
This blog is dedicated to all the colors of the lilacs, peonies, roses, lavender, dogwoods, and other assorted plants she has given me through the years that grace my home today.
One of my hydrangea’s blooms. This one has different hues, pinks, and purples.
My beautiful dogwood, approximately ten feet in height, holds a special place in my heart. As it reached for the sky, so did my beloved daughter, Alex. Each spring, when its delicate blossoms emerge, it's a poignant reminder of her growth, a living chronicle of our shared time.
These photos are just some of the shrubs, trees, and other plantings she has given me through the years. As you can see, many are thriving and still producing amazing blooms.
This table, which I designed, features all the flowers in my garden given to me on Mother’s Day. It reminds me of Alexandria and our bond as a family.
This table design features many of the different colors found outside my home. It is filled with shades of purple, pink, blue, and cream. Put together, it is a garden of delight.
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
”
My favorite colors are blue, pink, green, and purple. They are represented here in my centerpiece.
To name a few, this floral centerpiece is filled with roses, hyacinths, delphinium, and orchids. Between the roses and the hyacinth, this centerpiece has a fantastic scent.
The centerpiece's different colors are also found throughout the tablescape, creating a more cohesive table design.
I adore these cocktail glasses! They are paisley-etched glass with a platinum rim around the foot. They are elegant but have a romantic, casual feel. Perfect for my table!
I played around with the plates that I wanted to use. At first, I thought I would use just the cream colors since they have so much texture, but when I added the blue vintage Spode, oh la la…I love the contrast and color combination! That pop of color and the floral rim around the plate made my heart sing. It’s like a garden in itself! The blue on the plate picks up all the blue hues around the tablescape. Who doesn’t love blue and white?!
“Here’s to strong women. May we know then. May we be them. May we raise them. ”
When creating a table setting, think of it as building a beautiful visual story. Start with a base layer like an antique white linen tablecloth, then add depth with a colorful runner. Think of these as the foundation and backdrop for your design. Next, introduce a charger, which acts as a stylish anchor, followed by additional plates for dimension. Even though it's optional, layering elements like this adds intrigue and movement to your table, preventing it from looking dull or one-dimensional. It's akin to adding layers to a painting – each layer adds richness and complexity to the overall composition. So, don't hesitate to incorporate this designer's trick into your table styling for an engaging and visually appealing result.
I enhanced my table setup with some delightful design touches to elevate its appeal. The French Jacquard linen runners and napkins I chose boast a stunning pattern with rich colors, adding a touch of elegance to the setting. The texture of the linen is substantial and pleasing to the touch, enhancing the overall tactile experience. These linens beautifully echo the hues of lilacs and purples in the flowers I selected for my centerpiece, creating a cohesive and visually striking presentation. By incorporating these thoughtful details, I've infused my table with charm and personality, making it a delightful focal point for any gathering.
Of course, I had to serve a delicious cocktail for brunch, and I poured some Prosecco into the glass and added just a drizzle of Grenadine to it. The orchid is spectacular, and the bloom is edible if you get them without pesticides. To me, orchids are one of the most beautiful blooms for garnishing drinks, appetizers, and the like. They are elegant and colorful. What a presentation! I gave my daughter the same glass but added some Sprite. She loved being fancy!
The dessert is layering angel food cake with rose and raspberry ice cream. I drizzled warm chocolate fudge on top and finished with sweet whipped cream. Easy, but the presentation is pretty.
I placed this tiny cake dish on my table to create a little drama. The color connects with the centerpiece and pulls out the pinks in the runner and napkins.
I created some charming smaller floral arrangements I strategically positioned around the taller centerpiece on the table. These arrangements serve as lovely accents, enhancing the overall aesthetic. Once we're seated for brunch, I plan to remove the larger centerpiece, but these smaller arrangements will remain, maintaining the cohesive look and feel of the table design throughout our meal. They evoke memories of the small plantings Alex once gave me, which have since blossomed into beautiful mature blooms, adding a personal touch to our dining experience.
The pink English roses are my favorite. They are David Austin Roses, and their scent is spectacular!
“Mother’s love is bliss, is peace.”
It is such a joy to share my story with you. For me, Mother’s Day is all about having the privilege to watch this tiny critter grow into a thriving, beautiful adult. It’s such a pleasure. The best part is that I have blooms all over the yard to remind me of all the joyful moments each day.
Alex then and now. How quickly our children grow!
Today, nothing gives me more joy than walking around my yard and looking at the shrubs, trees, and flowers that my daughter gifted me through the years on Mother’s Day. No matter the season, something always reminds me of her. She is all grown up and living out of state now, but I am sure her family's tradition of giving on Mother’s Day will one day be the same. Because of a sweet little tradition, we have memories forever. I’m so grateful. These are the sentiments of my daughter on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day is a celebration of my dear daughter, my extended family, who are also mothers, and all those women who came before us. We lift each other and celebrate all the support and strength given to each other throughout the years. It takes a village to raise a child, and I am thankful for all the love bestowed on this grateful family.
Here’s a video of my table design….ENJOY!
As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!
Design with your heart™️
Have a lovely Mother’s Day, my friends!
Mary
“May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. ”
