Autumn Rituals

Autumn has its rituals. One of ours is visiting the mountain apple farm.

Whether or not there is anything special about Dixon Apple Farm's apples is beside the point. We swear there is, and nothing else will substitute.

Fall rituals also bring changes in the way things look around the house, of course.

It's a perfect season for the patio, but the mood is different now.

We tend toward evergreens in pots because they require less attention.

Dried arrangements take on a special beauty in the fall.

Fruits and vegetables themselves provide enough on their own for a lovely centerpiece.

Does autumn feel like an earthier time for you?

Fall family rituals seem cozier. We always used to put up jars of applesauce with apples from the same orchard year after year when the family was young.

Now that we are scattered like windblown leaves to the four quarters of the country, our yellow delicious apples have moved beyond being an indispensable flavor of fall, to becoming a sweet tasting emblem of togetherness.

Fall brings thankfulness and reunion along with it. It's a natural gathering time of not only the fruits of our labors, but for shelter and company. I hope you're enjoying your own autumn rituals.

 Thanks for stopping by! Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

I'm linking to House in the Roses for Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

Charming Vintage Pink!

Why do I love Vintage? And where does my inspiration come from? I haven't really the foggiest.

But I know it is tied to beauty. And quality.  And to that certain appeal that grabs you by the throat, or hits the pit of your stomach, like love.

Vintage is a way of life. It's obsessive, compulsive, and impossible to do without for those who have gotten tangled up with it.

Tangled up in its laces and balls of string. In its linen yards and crochet thread. Especially in its ribbon.

Dazzled by the gleam of hotel silver, or purple glass, or ironstone china.

From lazy daisy stitches to English china, there are as many inspirations to vintage as there are pastries in Paris!

Each season, and each holiday presents it's own vintage specialty. From sun to snow, even nature itself has trained us to look at something different and charming every so often.

The Vintage obsessed know there really IS one more fabulous piece of Limoges or transferware china out there around any corner for a nothing price.

And who out there doesn't wish to be charmed by something lovely, anyway?

We all come from Vintage. It's in our cellular memory. Most of us inherited at least a few bits of it, and the rest of us are trying to capture what we missed.

Well it's a fun chase after all. And if it hasn't hit you yet, it will. It's a life stage. Just ask anyone who reaches a certain age and finally says, "I wonder what ever happened to (some vintage thing they grew up with). . . ."

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I'm joining the Creating Vintage Charm Launch Party for their new magazine. Stop by to get lots more fun VINTAGE!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Bon Voyage Fete!

A Bon Voyage party is easy and about nothing but fun!

Just a few snacks, or wine and cheese is enough of a send-off to be memorable.


A theme could be centered around the travel destination.


French bistro glasses, and Noritake china, Adagio.



A few savories in a vintage ironstone platter.


The travel themed centerpiece is a vintage globe set on a pedestal for interest.






A blank book for travel notes. Or for guests to write well wishes. Or both!



I've draped some interesting player piano music along my table for drama.

Travel themed cards to decorate the table, seat guests, offer as favors, or to wish the guests of honor a Bon Voyage!

Thank you so much for joining in!
Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

I'm linking up with Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday!

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Color Outside the Lines for Vignette Fridays

Savoring Indian Summer

In the same way that travel can be nicer in September, house guests are easier to accommodate in our home at summer's end as well.



Neither too hot nor too cold, windows can still be flung open to air and nature, day and night.





The nursery guest room always has a mild east/west breeze for dreamy nights and blissful mornings. Chiffon curtains billow in the early light, and it's a perfect place for tea and a good read before the household wakes up.






The Sept. 1994 Victoria suggests Savoring Indian Summer. It was my inspiration for this guestroom arrangement.




One could begin with tea in my Johnson Bros Bouquet teacup and Stafforshire Meakin saucer. The tiny pale blue rose inside is a charming and delicate foil to the autumn brown transferware.




Perusing a pretty book or magazine is my favorite way to start up my foggy brain first thing in the morning. I could skip tea or coffee easier than giving up a browse.




My old Victorias are also the best thing I could think of leaving at a guestroom bedside.


I've dressed up the details for this post, but the white linens are just as they were laid for my Brother-in-law's two night stay. White is a classic, and not too fussy for masculine taste.

Thanks so much for visiting! Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

I'm joining A Delightsome Life for Victoria--A Return to Loveliness, Artful Affirmations, and Martha's Favorites for Teacup Tuesday,  Faded Charm for White Wednesday, and Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday!