A Golden Season

 

Autumn is such a beautiful season here. It's nature's golden show before the bleakness of winter sets in. In Albuquerque, we get one or two snowstorms a year. Often on the first week of January, and then, at times, another spring storm near Easter. The snow melts off within one or two days. Otherwise it's stark and brown throughout the rest of winter.

 

 

 

 

 

In the past I have complained about the rush to Christmas--the commercial push to turn a cherished holiday into just another commodity. But ignore it or not, Christmas starts blooming around us at the end of October.

 

 

 

 

 

This year I'm not going to fight it. In recent years the season has passed so quickly anyway, I don't mind giving it more room. I'm going to save my favorite music and the special traditions for later. But I'm going to let the seasonal beauty come right in and fill nature's void.

 

  

 

 

 

But this post isn't about Christmas! I just wanted to show you a tablecloth I found yesterday while out scouting for vintage ornaments. I found none to suit me, but came across this leafy cross-stitched beauty perfect for a crossover season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the leaf and vine motif, love the neutrals, love the handwork, and love the price. I know sometimes the price seems unbelievable, so I saved it to show you. That's one dollar and forty-nine cents! I get teased about all the linens I already own. But honestly, would you pass it up at that price???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The delicious pumpkin candle with the keepsake jar is from Anthropologie. My Song Thrush model is an Edith Holden drawing from A Country Diary, my every season companion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm loving the golden holiday season.

 I hope you are too!

 

Jacqueline

 

 

 

 

 

Join me at

Savvy Southern Style~Wow Us Wednesday 

Common Ground~Vintage Inspiration

The Charm of Home~Home Sweet Home

No Minimalist Here~Open House Party

Amber Moods

 

 

I sometimes think of Milton's poem, and "amber-dropping hair" with the gold and russet leaves of autumn. Billowing gently from the autumn branches, as though nature lets down her hair before she sleeps, the slow-motion shower of color always strikes me with a mood I feel no other time of year. The amber-colored mood of November. . . .

 

 

 

 

 We are huddled closer to the flame of home fires today. Wishing safety and comfort for many still left in the cold and devastation. Hoping for a speedy return to light, warmth., and peace of mind.

 

 

 

  

We have spent the weekend enjoying savory meals with friends old and new, walks along the river photographing the golden cottonwood trees, and conversation by candlelight late into the night. The extra hour gained by "fall back" could not have been better timed. . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want more, you might enjoy one of my very favorites, the Tumblr blog Moods of the Moon And The Muse. 

 

Keeping the home fires burning. . . .

 

Jacqueline

 

 

 

Tuscan Suppers

 

 

 

It's not really Tuscany of course. Just the hues. The dining table is a good spot to bring in color because it's so temporary. You can indulge any theme you want and then change it up for another! 

 

 

 

 

 

 We have company in for the weekend and are going to keep the menu homey and simple. Soup, salad, a crust of bread. . . . My inspiration for the table this time is the washed linen napkins in a pale pumpkin hue. (Williams-Sonoma)  The tablecloth was first featured here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serving dishes are vintage transferware. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The quilted mats and napkins are from Two's Company of several years ago. We use them often to save the tablecloth from having to be changed so much. 

 

Vintage fish knives and botanical cards punctuate the colors.

 

 

I'm glad we are using more white painted finishes in this room. I love dark colors too, and the space used to get heavy this time of year. At one point even the walls were a pumpkin color!

 

I chose plain white cafe ware for the soup bowls, and mixed up the napkins.

 

My brother-in-law is a wonderful chef, and makes a fantastic pumpkin ravioli that would be perfect. He also has a bacon wrapped water chestnut appetizer specialty that's to die for! I wonder what he has in mind for this visit? Whatever. . . . We'll be ready!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So nice you stopped by for supper!

Come again sometime!

 

I'm joining

Between Naps on the Porch~Tablescape Thursday

 

Jacqueline