Celebrating Magnolias

Stately Old Magnolia Tree

The Magnolia Tree

By Patricia Neely-Dorsey

There's a majestic, old magnolia tree,

That stands in my front yard;

It's a tree that's grown there for ages,

And whose beauty you can't disregard.

She spreads her branches quite nobly.

She stretches her arms so commandingly,

As if certainly crying out to be seen.

She's the center of much activity,

And I know a squirrel family lives there;

I'm sure she affords them much comfort,

For her branches don't ever go bare.

There's so much that's gone on around her,

I'm sure that so much could be told;

But she keeps all her secrets well guarded,

And simply remains a sight to behold.

Welcome to another Outdoor Wednesday with our hostess Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer. It's been cold and wet here of late, so not exactly the kind of weather that makes me want to be outside. Instead, I've been keeping busy indoors decorating my Christmas trees and adding some holiday cheer around the house.

A friend brought over a big sack of magnolia leaves freshly cut from a large magnolia in her yard. I used them to add some greenery to my mantel for the holidays. The leaves of the magnolia are wonderful with one side a shiny green and the back side like a luscious suede. The contrast of the green with the warm brown tone is a lovely touch to bring indoors during the winter.

We don't have a magnolia tree in our yard, but there are many in our neighborhood. The one above was planted in the 1930s. It is one of my favorite trees in our neighborhood. Majestic in stature, it towers high above the home, and every spring this tree is covered in huge white fragrant magnolia blooms. Original owners of this home were Ben and Augusta Goodfriend, proprietors of Goodfriend's Specialty Shop, a local women's ware store. The Italian Renaissance Revival style was designed by Page Southland Page and was completed in 1932. Goodfriend's Specialty Shop was always one of my favorite stores when I was a student at the university, and I remember the Goodfriends as a warm and friendly couple. As was custom in the south, the Goodfriends planted this magnolia the year they moved into their new home. No doubt Ben and Augusta Goodfriend would be pleased to know that their regal magnolia continues to thrive and is a tribute to their southern hospitality.

The poem above, The Magnolia Tree, is one of many beautiful poems written by Patricia Neely-Dorsey. Her book, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia, is a delightful read as Patricia takes her audience back to her southern roots of a simple life growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi. Patricia's poetry gives one a glimpse into the southern way of life as she celebrates the south and things southern. Click here to visit Patricia's web site to read more about this talented "Mississippi Magnolia" and her book of poetry. This little book of poems would make a special holiday gift.

(Click to enlarge to read about the author.)

As always thank you for stopping by today. I truly appreciate your visits and comments. Don't forget to visit all the other Outdoor Wednesday participants listed @ A Southern Daydreamer.

The Stockings Were Hung....

It's Pink Saturday and for the month of December Beverly has asked us to share a response to a weekly theme. This week we are to share a childhood memory of a special holiday.

I suspect that as a child I considered every Christmas a special holiday, but I do remember when I received this pink stocking. I was one of four children, and one of our aunts hand beaded each of us a special Christmas stocking one year. Each was made of felt and adorned with sequins, beads, and little jingle bells.

My stocking was pink with a baby blue cuff, and my name was spelled out in sequins and glass beads. I thought it was the most beautiful Christmas stocking I'd ever seen. I was so excited at the thought that Santa would fill it with goodies just for me.

Santa was even right there on my stocking toting his bag of toys. My aunt had beautifully appliquéd different figures on each stocking, and meticulously outlined each appliqué with shiny glass beads.

The Christmas tree on my stocking was filled with sparkly sequins to represent ornaments and more sequins sprinkled across below and on the little packages under the tree.

On the toe were two shiny jingle bells positioned on a blue strap so they would ring when the stocking moved. We didn't have a fireplace and mantel, but we always hung our stockings somewhere in the living room near our Christmas tree. Santa came to our house on Christmas Eve, and we woke to delights of surprise on Christmas morning. There would always be two or three gifts from Santa for each of us children along with something that we all could share and enjoy as a family. I have vivid memories of rushing into the room on Christmas morning to find my gifts from Santa. One year it was a little red cash register, another my beloved teddy bear, and some years it was a special doll. My stocking would be filled to the top. Santa always filled it with an apple, an orange, nuts, a big peppermint candy cane, other candies, and some special gift. Sometimes there would be coloring books with a new box of crayons, a paint set, or perhaps a book of paper dolls. As the years passed and we became teenagers, Santa continued to fill our stockings. He always knew just what would make us happy! My stocking was my favorite part of Christmas. Today this little pink stocking has lost its luster of my youth, but it will always be special to me. I appreciated the love that went into making this treasure.

My husband and I continue the stocking tradition with a bit of a twist. We don't wrap gifts for each other to have under our tree. Instead we fill each other's stockings with presents. Our stockings are larger than the pink felt stocking of my childhood, but still it is a challenge to find things that fit within these special socks. I often find things through the year and save them for my husband's Christmas stocking. Our tradition requires a bit of creativity as well. Sometimes there might be a clue that leads one of us to something too large to fit within the stocking. One year my stocking was filled with lots of old, costume jewelry, but when I pulled out the last piece it was a beautiful strand of pearls. Wonderful gifts can come in small packages!

Thanks for visiting today. Please leave a comment below to let me know you stopped by.

And a big thank you to our hostess Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound for organizing Pink Saturday each week. Be sure to visit all the other participants who've left a post today sharing a childhood memory about a special holiday.

Don't forget to stop by Anything Goes Here on Monday for more Vintage Christmas.

A Snow Queen Angel for Marty's Cloche Party

Our sweet friend, Marty is hosting another cloche party. I don't exactly have any cloches around my house, but I really wanted to join in the fun of Marty's party. Last time I fudged a little and used my petite cupcake stand with dome. I had no idea what to share this time around until Monday when I was visiting Julie Marie @ Idyllhours for Vintage Christmas Monday. Julie Marie shared her collection of vintage Putz houses and villages. In one of her little vignettes was a Snow Queen piece. BINGO! I suddenly realized that I have one just like it among my Christmas decorations. So I unpacked this little treasure to share today.

This is not a vintage piece. Julie Marie said she received hers as a gift from her sister. My little Snow Queen Angel was a gift from my sweet friend, Susan. You met her here in October when I spotlighted her home on tour for Halloween decorations.

The Snow Queen Angel has a glass skirt in which there is the precious little scene above.

The snowman sits on the snowy landscape among little evergreen trees covered with snow.

He has the sweetest little grin and carrot nose.

The little Snow Queen Angel has rosy cheeks, golden wings, and a crown of gold. Her dress is trimmed in golden hearts with a beautiful "diamond" encrusted waist. Her sweet little angelic face warms my heart each time I pass her way.

Artist Nicol Sayre created this charmer in 2007. She sits upon a box covered in vintage sheet music. I think she qualifies as a beautiful cloche. What do you think?

Deana @ Alchemy fine Living has recently posted about the Pay It Forward gift that she received from me. Deana owns a store that sells a unique blend of antiques and vintage home decor items. She is always sharing a great design idea or a fabulous makeover of a vintage item. Deana is one talented lady! If you would like to play the game, hurry on over to Deana's. The first three to respond who have a personal blog will receive a PIF gift from Deana.

If you want to participate in Vintage Christmas Monday click on the link on my sidebar.

It's always fun to have visitors. Thank you to each of you who frequently leave a comment. I appreciate them very much.

More cloches are just a click away here: Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life. Thank you Marty for hosting this fun event again.

Post Thanksgiving Dinner

Most of you will no doubt be sharing tables this week that are set for the upcoming holidays. But I'd like to share one more fall inspired setting. My husband and I were invited to a delightful post Thanksgiving dinner last Friday evening. The table setting was simple, but elegant. I might add that this table was pulled together in a very short time, after our hostess returned home from a day at work. I think it is stunning!

Unfortunately I had left my camera at home, so these photos were taken with an iphone. Thus they are a bit grainy and not the best, but hopefully you can see the charm of this beautifully set table.

The center piece was a large antique Canton Famille Rose porcelain bowl filled with fresh fruit and branches from a Coral Bark Japanese maple. The golden leaves added a delicate balance to the lush colors of the fruit. The antique bowl was an unexpected find at the early morning Marchee aux Puces de Vanes in Paris years ago. My friend and I were quite a sight as we pampered this treasure on the return flight home.

A trio of exquisite Saint Louis crystal candle sticks flanked one side of the bowl of fruit, while on the other side was a antique Canton Famille Rose porcelain vase filled with roses from our hostess' garden: Rio Sambas and Playboys.

The texture and color of the placemats was a perfect balance with this elegant china and echoed the organic feel of the centerpiece. Linen napkins within antique sterling French napkin rings added the finishing touch.

The china is Carlyle by Royal Dalton. The deep wide border in dark teal blue is accented with blue flowers and leaves of gold. It is truly beautiful china. The sterling flatware is Strasbourg by Gorham.

A delicious dinner of game hens, fresh cranberry sauce, dressing and gravy, sautéed spinach, and sweet potatoes was served on this beautiful table setting. Dessert of pumpkin pie followed.

You can click on the following links to see the posts of our Thanksgiving table and dinner.

As always, thank you for stopping by to visit. Please leave a comment so I know you were here.

Thank you Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for hosting Tablescape Thursday each week. Click here to see more table setting that others have shared this week.

Christmas 1914

The Princess Mary Christmas Tin 1914

Today I'm joining Joan over at Anything Goes Here for Vintage Christmas Monday. Joan has asked others to share their vintage Christmas items, so today I'm sharing a special gift I received from a friend a few years ago. This is a beautiful brass Christmas tin that was produced in 1914. I have it sitting on a table in my living room during the holiday season.

This tin and thousands of others just like it were a gift from their nation for those men and women serving in the British armed forces on Christmas Day 1914. Princess Mary, the seventeen year old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, wanted to do something special for the men and women serving their country on the battlefield. She created the "Sailors and Soldier Christmas Fund" to provide a gift for those serving in the war on Christmas Day. The response was so great that the plan eventually included all those in the King's uniform both at home and abroad.

The brass boxes about 3" x 5" x 1.5" deep contained a variety of gifts. For the men on the front lines, the boxes contained tobacco related items. Those who did not smoke received tins with sweets, and the tins for the nurses contained chocolates. Most of the tins also contained a pencil within a bullet case holder.

The polished brass tins were embossed with IMPERIUM BRITANNICUM, Princess Mary's profile surrounded by a laurel wreath with the monogram M on either side, and the names of Britain's allies: France, Russia, Japan, Belgium, Serbia, and Montenegro.

My little tin is in excellent condition. I wonder to whom it might have once belonged and what the original contents might have been. It's a sweet remembrance of those who sacrificed so much during the first World War.

Perhaps you have a family member who served in the British forces during this time and one of these tins is in your possession. Thank you for stopping by today. Please leave a comment to let me know you were here. I always appreciate your notes.

Deana @ Alchemy fine Living has recently posted about the Pay It Forward gift that she received from me. Deana owns a store that sells a unique blend of antiques and vintage home decor items. She is always sharing a great design idea or a fabulous makeover of a vintage item. Deana is one talented lady! If you would like to play the game, hurry on over to Deana's. The first three to respond will receive a PIF gift from Deana.

Then visit Joan @ Anything Goes Here for a list of participants who have vintage Christmas treasures to share.

Goodbye to the Warm Colors of Fall - Welcome to the Pinks of a New Season

Pink Peonies, Sunflowers, & Tulips

This lovely arrangement was a "thank you" from one of dinner guests Thursday evening. These pink peonies are luscious and fill the room with perfume. I absolute adore the fall season and the rich, earthy colors that we all associate with autumn, but I'm ready to welcome the pinks and brighter colors of the holiday season ahead.

Wooden Tom Turkey

So I said good-bye to the browns and oranges of turkeys, pumpkins, and fall leaves as I packed things up until next year. I don't know about you, but having Thanksgiving late in the month makes me feel pushed into the Christmas season. I like a bit of time to savor one holiday before rushing headstrong into the next. But with December just days away, I'm packing up the fall decor and readying the house for the sparkle of the Christmas season.

Lemon Cyprus Topiary with Acorns

I took the lemon cyprus topiary with its accent of little acorns that were scattered around the base out of the brown cachepot . . .

Lemon Cyprus Topiary with Pink Cyclamens

and put the topiary into an antique French faience jardiniere by Geo Martel. Then I surrounded it with hot pink cyclamen plants. It instantly took on a whole new look. I will eventually plant the little 4 inch pots of cyclamen outside in the garden, but for now they brighten our dining room table.

Cyclamen plants are by far my favorite winter annual for my garden. They bloom well into spring, and a few even continue on into the summer months. The leaves have a silvery mottling pattern and the blooms can be quite fragrant. I've just planted some of this hot pink variety in the pots on our front porch, and I delight in the fresh fragrance as I walk up the steps. I planted white ones in the beds along the walk and around the base of a pot of purple fountain grass that is by the front door. I like to use white blooming plants near the house because they reflect the light at night.

More Pink Cyclamen in Handpainted Italian Planter

I was still satiated from Thursday evening's Thanksgiving celebration, and spent some time Friday afternoon with a cup of tea while visiting some of my favorite blogs. After my stop at 1st Floor Flat, Susie's art work had me craving a bit of something sweet. Do go by Susie's and have a look at her "Kitchen Collection"; new work that she has hanging in a Gallery Show. I think you'll find it a delightful treat. Susie is a freelance artist and designer based in London and works in mixed media.

Thank you for stopping by today. Please leave a comment below. I love to hear from each of you.

And "Thank You" to Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound for organizing Pink Saturdays for all of us who want a little PINK in our lives.

Friends, Food, and Fun

A French Thanksgiving? Yes, I know the French don't celebrate Thanksgiving, but one of our dinner guests is French. This was in her honor!

Designs by Gollum: Foodie Friday is also labeled, Friends, Food, and Fun. That pretty well sums up our Thanksgiving evening. We definitely had a delightfully fun evening with friends as we enjoyed a delicious meal, so I decided to link some of the photos of our meal to Foodie Friday. It's the first time I'm participating in this weekly party, though I'm a faithful visitor each week.

We started our evening by popping a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and nibbling on appetizers.

Liver Paté with Herbed Crostini

More Paté. . . Paté with Truffles and Paté de Campagne

Artichoke Spread with Cayenne

Served on Heart Shaped Lahvosh

We started dinner with a salad of baby spinach with fresh grapefruit and blue cheese crumbles.

The main meal was served from the sideboard.

My husband is the chef in our home, and he likes to march to his own drum. Though he has roasted a turkey for Thanksgiving at times, he often likes to cook a different bird for our Thanksgiving meal. We've had pheasant, quail, cornish game hens, and this year he selected to serve duck. He actually bought it smoked, and it was delicious!

Smoked Duck

Garnished with Cherry Tomatoes

Wild Rice with Dried Sour Cherries and Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Haricots Verts with Bacon and Onions

Country Bread

Sweet Cream Butter

A nice Chardonnay from Chateau St. Michelle

A Cru Du Beaujolais. . . Perfect Pairing for the Duck!

After dinner we moved into the living room around the cozy fire to enjoy coffee and dessert.

Expresso with a Touch of Irish Whisky and a Topping of Whipped Cream

A Bite of Chocolate

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Just so you don't think I'm totally worthless in the kitchen, this little birdie wanted me to tell you that I get the credit for baking the pies.

Pumpkin Pie Topped with Fresh Whipped Cream and Honey Glazed Pecans

Thank you for joining me for Foodie Friday. You can view the table setting for this meal here . It was posted for Tablescape Thursday this week.

Please leave a comment below. I always enjoying hearing from each of you who stop by for a visit. Then click here to visit Designs by Gollum to see a list of others participating in today's Foodie Friday.