Robin Flies South...

A blog about decorating and tablescaping with an emphasis on creativity and smart shopping over cash!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Honoring Mothers!

This week's tablescapes are all about Mothers and Mother's Day.  I thought I would start off with a quote about Mothers.  Bad idea.  I just spent the last 45 minutes reading quotes and wiping tears.  There's just something about motherhood.  I lost my mother 11 years ago this month and life has never been the same.  It goes on but it's not the same.  So, I have decided to forget the quote idea, blow my nose and think positive! 

The guidelines for this table were easy for me to follow.  I use things from my mother all the time and today is no different.  I had two grandmothers in my life growing up and wish I had more things that were once theirs.  I am always so envious of other tablescapers with all their heirlooms.  I'm not sure how it happened that I have nothing from my maternal grandmother (youngest of 3 sisters, I guess) but I am lucky enough to have something from my paternal grandmother.  I was five when she died and I don't remember her very well.  I do remember her being very kind and patient with the four of us kids when we would visit her in upstate NY.  I am using her cranberry glass decanter and cordial glasses.  I think they are from the 1940's.  I think I wound up with this set because of my blue and mauve decor in the 80's.  At one time I had 4 glasses but a few years back I had a "dishes and glasses" accident.  I had a wooden armoire in the corner of my living room for my overflow and I overloaded the shelves.  When the shelf fell it sounded as if a train had come through the house.  We lost a lot of things that day.  I always wondered what finally made it give out.  I hadn't put any thing in there for months! 



I used my mother's Federalist Ironstone and added salad plates from Burlington Coat Factory and appetizer plates from Ross.  The rattan chargers are from Goodwill and I've used them several times before. 


I layered green and deep pink napkins together.  The napkin rings are from The Christmas Tree Shop.


My pink wine glasses were found at Goodwill and the water glasses are from Marshall's.  The cabbage plate is from Ross. 


I used my vintage silverware since it's from the same era as the decanter.


I found the April Cornell table runner at Home Goods.  I'm usually not a big fan of roses but I like the butterflies.


I bought a bunch of flowers from Target yesterday but I really had to add to them.  It takes a lot to fill a container like this.  I picked greens and flowers from my yard but still wound up adding fake.  Not that there's anything wrong with that, right?


This pink butterfly pick is from Dollar Tree and yes, I realize I'm mixing dragonflies and butterflies in the same table.  Hey, if it's okay with Mother Nature, it's okay with me!


I'm so happy I found these candle holders at Marshall's.  I use them all the time.


Looking at these pictures I'm seeing how feminine this table came out.  That's so unlike me!  I guess that's okay for Mothers!





Here are the women I am honoring today.


My grandmother



I love this picture of my mother and me.  When my mother gave you a hug you knew you were loved! 

p.s.  Do I look like a typical 1982 bride or what?  I never did like my dress but I loved that hat!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Make sure to stop my and visit my sister at Creating Wonderful Spaces

I am joining the following parties...


Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Let's Dish! at Cuisine Kathleen
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Thrifty Things Friday at Thrifty Groove












32 comments:

PAT said...

A lovely table and post for Mother's Day, Robin.

Diane said...

Yes, your table is feminine and I love it. I am much bolder on my tables, than in any other way. Great tribute to your mother and you were a lovely bride!!

Tricia said...

What a sweet post! Your decanter set is a lovely treasure, and the table you set around it is stunning! I also had the blue and mauve color scheme in the 80s, so that resonated! I visited your sister's blog for the first time tonight. I wish my sisters blogged!

Elaine said...

I cried like crazy today, but maybe I'm done and can enjoy the rest of the month. I wouldn't dream of telling you that the decanter set wasn't from Grandma S, because I really have no idea. I guess Dad would know. I have very few things from Mom, but that's because I was the baby bird who flew the farthest away! LOVE the color scheme and yes, it's very feminine! Beautiful photo of you and Mom.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

So nice that you still have a couple of piece of the lovely women in your life!
I think you were a BEAUTIFUL bride!
Very touching tribute!
Happy Mother's Day

Tea in Texas said...

You have a beautiful decanter and cordial set. The table settings with the appetizer plates are great with the flowers in your centerpiece. I am so glad you and your sister have wonderful memories of your Mother. The photo of your Grandmother and the other one of your and your Mom are so sweet! I love to hug my son and I hope he likes it as much as you liked your Mother hugging you.
Pam

ellen b. said...

What a lovely table and tribute to your mom and grandmother. I love collecting things here and there like you to put together on a table!

Anonymous said...

A very lovely table. I love your center piece.
Pat

Mary said...

Hi Robin~ I love your AC runner! Dragonflies and butterflies are the perfect companions! I'm fortunate to still have my mom but I miss my dear grandmother who was born in May. Love your wedding photo! Happy Mother's Day :)

Ivy and Elephants said...

Lovely post, how fortunate that you have a little treasure from your grandma. Your table is just lovely, the colors are gorgeous.
Happy Mother's Day!
Hugs,
Patti

Marlis said...

Beautiful decanter set.. Totally love the color. Your table turned out to be quite lovely with all the beautiful pieces and the lovely flowers. Happy Mothers Day.. xo Marlis

Marigene said...

Beautiful cranberry glass...and table.
Happy Mother's Day, Robin!

Nancy @ The Headmistress said...

What a lovely tribute to your sweet mom! Your table is just lovely...and, I love your wedding hat!
Nancy

Kathleen said...

Love the pic of you and your mom. I am 10 years earlier, so I had the pouffy sleeves and curliques down the sides of my face, lol!
I have nothing from either of my grandmom's, they died when I was young.
Pretty table! Oy you will hate mine! My mom loved roses so that is what I used! Oh well!
Happy Mother's Day and thanks for linking to Let's Dish!
Btw, Savers is a large thrift shop run by Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Beautiful pink and green theme colors! I love the cranberry glass decanter set!

My daughter married in 1983 and her dress was very much like yours - high neck, long sleeves, and she wore a hat similar to yours! She was beautiful in hers, and so are you!

Katherine

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh Robin, how wonderful our mother's are called Yolandas! People call my mom Yoli, my name is Fabiola Yolanda, I am from Astoria Queens, my parents are from Spanish and later Ecuadorian background. You look so pretty at your wedding, I love the dress and hat too! Your table in honor of your mother is gorgeous, with such lovely dishes and flowers. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.
FABBY

xinex said...

You were such a beautiful bride, Robin. That pic of you and your mom is precious. Your table is beautiful. What an exquisite decanter set! Happy Mother's Day!...Christine

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Beautiful table Robin, just lovely. The decanter set is gorgeous. BTW, Happy 30th anniversary year! I was also married in 1982. Great photo of you and your Mom! Happy Mothers Day!

Debbie said...

I love it. I'm a huge pink girl and love a feminine table so it's right up my alley. To me, any linen from April Cornell just starts the table in the right direction. Her colors and patterns always draw me in and did so here.

I actually love your one treasure from your grandmother, and I'm sorry you broke one of the cordials. That's really pretty.

(And the bride? Oh, she's an 80's beauty too.)

Jocelyn said...

What a lovely table. The pink and greens are so springy. Beautifully done.

Jocelyn @
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

Sarah said...

Beautiful table for your mom and grandmother. It's so special to have these treasures from our moms and grandmothers. Sorry the shelf broke. I worry about that at times. Dishes are so heavy! Love the bridal photo. The hat is terrific!
Happy Mother's Day!

Scribbler said...

Love this! So sorry about the accident. I had a similar incident a few years ago, and I feel your pain. The cranberry glass is so beautiful, so I am glad it survived.

Pretty photo of you and your mother.

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Robin, the decanter & glasses are lovely, the cranberry color is beautiful. I have nothing from my paternal Grandmother but do have the set of Noritake dishes that were passed down to me from my Mom and her Mom. I do have so many memories of both of my Grandmothers and am very grateful for those. I agree, it is way to sad to look for poems for Mother's Day for me too. My Mom passed away in 2004 and I still miss her terribly but once again, I do many wonderful memories of her and dishes and flatware passed down. Maybe Father's Day won't be so sad since my Dad is still living.

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Also Robin, that is a beautiful picture of you and you Mom at your wedding. You will treasure it always.

Alycia Nichols said...

As a retired wedding planner, that dress and hat just jumped right out at me! That is VERY representative of the 1980's style that enamoured so many brides. It's fun to look back, isn't it? I know you treasure that picture for a lot more than just how you were stylin' in that wedding hat, though. No doubt that is a treasured moment between you and your Mom that will stay with you always. The pain of losing a parent, as I understand it, never goes away; but thank God the good memories are even stronger. This is a very pretty table you have set to honor the memory of those in your life who first loved you and who you continue to cherish. The cordial set was a good starting point to create something really special. I think it's cool that you used both butterflies AND dragonflies. Like you said, that's how Mother Nature does it, so right on! Pretty amazing just how many flowers it takes to fill up some of these containers!!! I have taken to buying almost nothing but skinny vases! Nothing wrong with filling in the blank spots with some fauxs. It's the overall arrangement that counts, and most people are never looking that closely to tell the difference anyway! Beautiful job, Robin. I wish you a very peaceful Mother's Day weekend with lots of joyous memories to hold near to your heart.

Glenda said...

Your table is beautiful. Cranberry glass is one of my favorites and the vintage flatware is perfect with the setting. Also a sweet tribute to your mother and grandmother. Sweet memories on mother's day, aren't they?

Entertaining Women said...

You've created such a beautiful tablescape. I'm so glad that more of the cranberry cordials weren't broken...they are a true treasure. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

Anonymous said...

Very pretty table setting and you were a beautiful bride!

Diann said...

What a pretty table! I love all the beautiful treasures from the other women in your life. and all the thrifty finds look just perfect! Thank you for joining TTF this week and I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a very happy Mother's Day!

joyh82 said...

you and your Mom looked beautiful
and love your tablescape. Happy Mom's day!

Aledia said...

What a lovely table....I love the rattan chargers and your dishes are so very pretty.

I think the picture of you and your mom is so sweet, you look beautiful!!

Have a wonderful night!
Aledia @ Plum Perfect

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your tablescape is absolutley fabulous. I love the decanter and glasses from your grandmother. The flowers are fabulous too. So nice to honor your mom and your grandmother. Very special. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty PS, I think you look stunning in your wedding dress.