Welcome to May
Happy welcome to May!!
It’s May! It’s May!! The lusty month of May!!
May 1 st is May Day in France – La Fête du Muguet – On the 1 st of May 1561, a lily flower of the valley was given as a lucky charm to King Charles IX of France – the tradition of gifting flowers began and continues! The luscious Lily of the Valley is the Flower of May too!! LOV’s are given as gifts and believed to bring a return to happiness and luck! Of course, they are very popular in wedding bouquets – so delicate, so fragrant, so beautiful!! Kate Middleton chose it for her special day 10 years ago now! Gorgeous!! Many dear friends enjoy Birthdays this Month – lovely all!! Regina, Mandy, Linda, Cris, and Janet…a special great-niece, Natalie, and Godson- nephew Ross, too!! Let’s celebrate them all!! Gifts of Flowers…in vases or not – Let’s celebrate! Selections of notecards, fragrance, plants, artwork – all wonderful!
shop boxed notecards
FYI – the special Birthstone – Gemstone of the Month of May is the beautiful Emerald! How appropriate Green is for this special springtime month…a symbol of rebirth and love! Every fleur has a beautiful Green stem, as well! More on Spring Green – Emerald another Saturday!!
This beautiful month of May and this week’s theme post is a Floral Tribute to all of our Mothers…and all of those who have loved and Mothered us!!
I have my Dear Mother to thank for my overwhelming love of blooms…humble, wild, all!! She grew up on a farm and had a very green thumb. A garden “posy” of one sort or another was always in my bedroom to welcome me home for a visit – coming or going from a business trip. Mommy is with me every day in every blossom, although I lost her 20 years ago this year…June 22 before 9.11.2001. I lived in New York at the time; thankfully, she was spared great worry for me, as worry she always did! Many Aunts, Grandmothers, Godmothers, and Mentors have loved and nurtured us as if we were their own. Thank you all!! Let us return their love with thanks…with remembrances. Whether grand gestures or little delights – whether they are still with us or have gone beyond… Happy, joyous memories survive…and some sad ones too. We would not be here without our Mothers! They are our first teachers and examples… Many of us have been graced with dear, dedicated, loving Mothers and special women in our lives. It is this Mothering that endears us to them for a lifetime!
This is a Japanese Camillia…from my courtyard, a favorite! It doesn’t live long when picked, yet I LOVE to have them here with me!!
Flowers!!! Oh, how I love them – all of them!! Symbols of love and caring; they are all beautiful, happy visions that unite us!!
Gorgeous and delicate or strong, hearty, beautiful all!! God and Nature’s gift to us!! Whenever you are in search of a color combination, simply look to a flower!! There are nooo bad colors!!
Flowers, nature and the simple pleasures of life have always been a source of love and comfort. They are constant inspirations…for a color theme for a room design, table setting, outfit or mood!!
Carolyne Roehm – Icon of Design: talented, charming and elegant…so inspirational. I had the pleasure of working with her on Limoges Dinnerware years ago. Everything she touches is a wonderment!
Bunny Williams Floral Figurines
Inspired by antique botanical sculptures originally created for education.
Everything Bunny Williams does is fabulous!! Certainly, she is one of our most beloved icons of Interior Design, Antiques and more!! Please enjoy utilizing special antique treasures that may have been handed down over lifetimes or those you may collect. Vases, Creamers, Pitchers all chic and endearing especially with fleurs- single blooms or massed!
MMK – Marie Daage Limoges Cachepot
Cachepots are beautiful containers too and often multipurpose, so practical. Flowering plants are a delight in them!! Of course, they have a longer life – orchids, geraniums, bromeliads! Over the years, I gifted many cachepots to my dear Mother – all different sizes and colors! Now, they have come back to me…almost like having her here with me – continuing to share our mutual floral passion.
Until next Saturday…enjoy May, Spring’s beauty, inspiration and prepare for a lovely Mother’s Day!!
xoxo MMK
Today starts my birth month and my daughter sent me sunflowers! Your excitement over May flowers almost left me breathless, like a child rushing into the house to tell Mom all about it! Thank you!!
Happy Birthday Susan!!
How lucky you are to have this special month for your special day!! You have obviously raised a charming daughter… Enjoy!! Marlene
Lovely addition to this blog. I enjoy Saturdays with you.
Hi Eve –
Delighted that you are enjoying! It is a happy time….thank you!! MMK
Thank you, Beth you are always so thoughtful!!
I lost my three years ago, at the age of 93.
I enjoyed her a lot!!
Very given Mom and lovable!!!
Have a very happy mothers days with your three sons or kiddos like you said. .
Love
Hi Gloria –
Yes, it is lovely of Beth to invite to join you on Saturdays.
We certainly wish Beth a beautiful upcoming Mother’s Day…as we remember our own special Mother’s with happy memories. xoxo Marlene
What a lovely post. Thank you.
Hello Alecia! So pleased that you enjoyed…see you again next Saturday!
Have a lovely 1st week of May!! xoxo MMK
Your blue & white porcelain loving cup (with the lilies of the valley) is absolutely delicious! ❤️ Is it an heirloom? It speaks to me…you must treasure it!
Hello Deborah,
The beautiful Lily of the Valley with fabulous Blue and White photo is from the collection of Carolyne Roehm.
We three share the passion of Antiques and Flowers!!
You will enjoy any and every book she has written…several are featured here with links. Hope helpful.
Each is beautiful to be savored and treasured! Till next week. xoxo MMK
Thank you for this lovely post. Both my parents were flower lovers. My father grew roses and had 700 bushes in our yard when he died suddenly in 1982, My mother was a florist owned her own shop. She did fabulous arrangements. She died in 2011 and we miss them both. They left a great legacy to us in learning to appreciate the beautiful things in nature. I’m a May baby myself and I adore flowers. This post made my day!
Hello Patsy! Happy Birthday Month!!
How wonderful to hear of your talented parents and personal love of flowers! I am sure they live on in your passion…
Hopefully, you are surrounding yourself with beautiful blooms to celebrate your heritage!
Delighted you enjoyed my post.
Happy B-Day Patsy…
fyi -next week is on your Birthstone & Color!! xoxo MMK
What a lovely post. The flower photos are all so beautiful!
Morning Mary….Kind thanks for your sweet words and so happy you enjoyed.
You might like to know, my Mother’s name was Mary…and all 4 of her daughter’s (I am no. 2) began with Mar!!
See you next week. xoxo Marlene
While reading your post another word came to mind”Mentoring” really the same thing as mothering. I have been blessed to have been mentored by so many lovely ladies over the years,who graciously helped me along the way,…….mothering in another form,perhaps easier to accept constructive criticism,because the personal element might not have been there the way it is in parent -child relationships. Good post-Happy Mother’s day!
love your perspective! thanks for sharing.