The Little Things

It seems ages since I did anything normal, but my sister's birthday gave us a good reason to try.

We usually celebrate our sister birthdays lunching and shopping for a few hours together. Mine was in the summer, and we strolled along then for hours talking amid the beauty of the flowering Botanical Gardens. But we wanted something cozier for a small winter fete this time.

We all have different Covid "bubbles," and so we still mask, keep distance, and mostly opt for outdoors when we are together. But a simple home get-together lunch seemed reasonable enough for three.

I feel like the occasion was hosted by Trader Joe's: as it pretty much was! I couldn't believe how no fuss but successful that can be, since we only decided how to get together the night before. (One of us was only just arriving back in town.)

Even though my own sisters are an easy crowd, I still wanted something festive. A little pot of mini daffodils served as a centerpiece very nicely. You have to hunt to see the little chocolate cake in this picture that I chose. But it was surprisingly delicious too! 

I strung my small length of party bunting over the table, and voila!

The menu was a tasty quiche and a prepared salad, both from the store, and which I had never before tried but had only picked up a couple hours before. I don't know if I was only lucky, but we found it all more than just okay! I laid out my best quilted Frenchy placemats for the table.

I love the look of delicious food on a pretty white plate.

Even more interesting if nothing matches!

My little birch tree is still up amd made a nice door stop right next to the table. We opened the doors a bit for air circulation like a streetside cafe. Only warmer! We even had the French Cafe music playing in the background.

I gifted my sister a quote book by Robert Brault. Until recently, I had no idea who he is.

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He is famous for tons of familiar sayings we all know like: "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." His blog is listed on the sidebar of my blog page. But the link is also here.

For me these days it is all small things. But a trip to a fancy-ish grocery store turned into a memorable, if easy, soiree that was all about connection anyway. I picked up these pussy willow branches there that gave me small delight when I saw them. The girls each took some home after reminiscing about those that grew in front of our old elementary school when we were young. 

Over a long lunch and lively talk, we toasted to survival, to simple pleasures, to friendship, and to love. We talked of days past and old dramas, as though we might be actors on a stage, or characters from a novel. As if we lived in such perilous times, or in days so strange or of such seeming unreality that they might sometime be written down in the pages of history. . . . 

To the little things, my friends...

Jacqueline

 

A New Day

 

Happy New Year dear friends!

 Someone posted this quote by C.S. Lewis today... "Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different?"

Over the past months the days have indeed taken on a sort of sameness that belies the very different times in which we find ourselves. And some days have been truly unforgettable.

I am so thankful to have a small company of family with me today who fully know the joys and sorrows of my past 365, and who celebrate with me the hope of the days looking forward. 

Grateful too, for the kindness and friendship of our online community and the expressions of cheer and goodness that we share. The words of caring. The soulful thoughts that leave me at times nearly speechless.

I am not much for looking back, nor forward either. A talent that can cut both ways. But I appreciate the taking of joy in just twenty-four hours.

So I will leave my twinkle lights on for now, as I do every year. Day to day, until I feel like moving on to something different.

I like a small fire on winter days, and the warmth of candle light. The lift of a pretty corner put together. (Maybe just one.) Some days that may be all we can ask for.

The company of small memories. And the promise of more to come.

Wishing You A Blessed New Year!

Jacqueline

From My Threshold to Yours

Seasons greetings my friends! Here we all are after a difficult year. We think of Christmas as a joyous time, rightly so. And we strive so much to make it so. 

I learned a lifetime ago that no matter our actual circumstances on December 25th, Christmas Day arrives on schedule to the rest of the world. It can be a hard time for people. Desperately hard. And at times has been so for me, and no doubt many of you as well. 

I  have also learned that Christmas is a lot more fun with children, and sweeter with family gathered all around! But that won't be how we celebrate this year.

So now, more than ever I have needed all the lovely choral music. The exquisite sound of many and varied voices raised together in soulful celebration. The heartwarming stories of hopefulness, sharing, and love that make my heart swell so much this year.

I am seeing old favorite films with newer eyes as the time passes, and especially now. Cards and calls and greetings mean more to me in 2020, and I find myself more grateful for things large and small.

I need more brightness and light just now. More purposeful joy. The kind that you have to put there yourself. 

More walks in the fields. More good food that you cook yourself. More thoughtfulness, more kindness. More gazing at stars.

The smallest bits of Christmas decor remain in boxes. It is a macro year of greens and wreaths, and lights that have gone up gradually and are easy to do (or not) by whim. The tree has only just gone up. And all the undone things given their peace.

Only goodness, and as much cheer as we can muster will be allowed across the threshold heaven willing. Another pot of New Mexico posole and tamales on the stove. A walk in the old town and a drive to see lights. Wood fires, and the vibrant scent of cedar and pine. 

A raised glass or two, and many good thoughts: of good family, good friends, and loved ones lost.

My best and heartfelt wishes to all of you, near and far.

Thank you so much for all of your very kind words and thoughts.

Peace and Joy come to you,

Jacqueline

 

Cozying Up To Fall

There are so many small beautiful changes in the season! Fall in New Mexico holds so much richness and fullness to enjoy, as is probably true everywhere. And I so much appreciate all of you who left such kind words in the comments of my last post as well. As hard as it can be to keep on sharing when all is not right with the world, there can be such a gift in the simple exchange of thoughts and expressions of sympathy. So thank you so much for touching my heart.

Autumn is the coziest of seasons. And it seems like fall is the perfect time to feature this vintage apple shaped cutting board. I love the warm wood tones against all the white.

This little lace doily is a new find. I don't imagine I will ever give up collecting something so unique and pretty that gives so much delight!

Rearranging a shelf top vignette is a sort of rite of passage when the weather changes, and I think more of us are using what we already have. Although, these small tallow berry sprigs are new to me this season too.

I have so many things tucked away, like this birdie transferware plate, that don't seem to get much prominence of place for some reason. I really love bird motifs in everything.

I was lucky to find a few small linens at the fleamarket recently for an amazing price! This hefty linen piece was the prizewinner at under three dollars. (The little doily was .50!) 

I like using table coverings with a substantial weight and feel. And that perfectly creamy color is just that extra something added!

Embossed white china is always high on my list of delights as well, and I have a bit of a collection of mismatched pieces that I have accumulated over time. 

The mix of textures brings a surprising warmth to a mostly white display.

The tablecloth underneath everything is from the Jeanne d'Arc Living collection.

The postcards are from the art of Helen Buttfield. They came from a book of tear out cards published in 2000 that I have had for some time, but she has botanical art still around and available to buy if you are interested. I collected a few different versions in the past. They make for interesting insertions into vignettes, and of course you can send them too!

I used one of her designs in this shadow box display made from an old wooden clock case that can be changed up for different occasions.

I also pulled out this biscuit jar for fall that doesn't usually get seen much either. (I actually keep little cookies squirreled away in these as was their original intention! But, shhhh!)

So these are some of my first moves toward decorating for fall. I'll be on the lookout for dried leaves and sprigs to use while out on my walks these days. How about you?

You may have seen this poster around lately of the Beatles song. There are different versions I've seen. This one is large poster size and we have it hanging in our front hall for now. It made us both cry. Good therapy. I love the tree drawing, and the lettering. The song goes around in your head all the time. Can you hear it too? It seems like a good autumn thing too.

Thanks so much for visiting!

I hope you are enjoying some fall pleasures too!

Happy September!

Jacqueline