Welcome to Hyacinths for the Soul

My heartfelt thanks for stopping by for a visit to my blog. HFTS is all about friendship, feathering one's nest, and sharing a creative spirit. Thank you to all of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.

You can click on any photo to enlarge.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Something Fishy

PATRIOTIC CHALLENGE

Let's Dish 

With Cuisine Kathleen




Something fishy here!  

This table isn't exactly patriotic.




But it definitely celebrates  

Red ~ White ~ Blue





Swim on up and 

hook yourself a fish.




A Vietri fish 

in their Fish-Fish Pattern.




The collection was inspired by the 

work of ceramist, Giovanni De Simone.




These new designs are an update from 

the original collection that was introduced in 1990.





The fish plates look as if they are swimming when 

stacked atop the vibrant Vietri Marina Blu dinner plates.  

The rattan chargers, with their beaded 

edges, remind me of a sandy beach.  

Both echo the bright colors of this happy pottery.




The cabana stripes and the chevron 

design are a perfect fit for the beach theme.




As is the 

sea blue glassware.




Just for fun, 

more fish swim across the table.




With the occasional 

piece of branch coral.


These colorful hand painted dishes 

come in several sizes and shapes.  

Though I took these photos at a local shop, 

the hand painted pieces of Fish-Fish are available 





A special thank you to my friend Grant 

for allowing me to share his beautiful tablescape

created to display Fish-Fish by Vietri.


Memorial Day
A time to honor all those who have given selflessly to their country.  From the Civil War soldiers to those fighting today on foreign soils, we remember the men and women who have died while serving in the US Armed Forces.  In addition, this year we remember all in Texas and Oklahoma who have recently suffered great loss with the recent tornadoes.  

Joining
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen
Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Be Inspired @ Common Ground
Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic HOme
Festive Friday Fiesta @ The Home Girl
Say G'Day @ Natasha in Oz
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings
Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Pretty Things @ TwelveOeight
Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With An E
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Friday, May 17, 2013

Mon Petit Plaisir



Mon Petit Plaisir 
~ My Small Pleasure ~


Hyacinths for the Soul 
is about the extras in life, 
the little pleasures, that feed my soul. 





 Petit Plaisir ~ the French attitude 
that one should occasionally indulge in 
a small extravagance from time to time.  




Here in the states, I treat myself to a 

Starbucks
Coffee Frappuccino Light



~ While in Paris ~ 

Angelina's  Le Chocolat 

a Ancienne Dit "L' Africain"





~ Angelina's Salon de Thé ~ 
226 Rue de Rivoli, Paris, 1st

"Much more than a simple patisserie or tearoom, 

Angelina is a luxury brand with a prestigious


 image that symbolizes the French way of life."







This legendary tea room offers the perfect indulgence. 

~ Thick, Rich Liquid Chocolate, Like No Other ~

~ A Light Afternoon Snack ~






For Monsieur

 ~ Tri Colored Quiche ~






For Moi

~ Club Sandwich ~ French Fries ~Mesclun Salad ~






~ A Mont Blanc to Share ~

An Extraordinary Cake 

~Meringue ~ Whipped Cream ~ Chestnut Cream Vermicelli






On the Way Out ~ An Assortment of Gifts





For Mes Amis Stateside

~ Chocolat ~




Oh La La, Paris in the Spring!

The winner of the 
Paper Blossom giveaway.




Congratulations to Christine!



Christine's Home and Travel Adventures

Please contact me with your addy, and this beautiful book and box of note cards will be on their way for you to enjoy year round.  Thanks to each who entered the giveaway.  I wish I could send each of you a copy of this beautiful book.




Celebrate France with 
Anita and others who adore all things French.


France Simply Irresistible @ Castles, Crowns, and Cottages

Also Joining

Oh, the Places I've Been @ The Tablescaper
Festive Friday Fiesta @ The Home Girl
Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings
Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Pretty Things @ TwelveOeight
Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Your Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With An E
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Paper Blossoms






~ Flowers and Butterflies ~ 

A Lovely Spring Day




A Casual Lunch 

With Girlfriends




~ Capiz Shell Chargers ~ 

~ MacKenzie-Childs Taylor Series ~ 

~ M Studios' Flower Bowls and Plates ~




Each place setting 

intended to mimic a flower.




At first glance, I knew these flower shaped 

bowls and plates would be a perfect 

compliment to the fluted rimmed McK-C plates.




The stack offers a beautiful mix 

of organic textures and shapes.




Beautiful 

from any angle!




~ French Crystal ~




~ Pastel Linens ~

~ A Touch of Silver ~




~ Casual Elegance ~




Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

I like the rich patina of the dining room table to be part of the ambiance, so I use coasters under glassware to protect the table from moisture.  Be creative and use something fun.  Here a simple linen cocktail napkin serves as a pretty coaster.  Small plates, saucers, and butter pats can serve the same purpose.  So don't hesitate to pick up that odd little plate when you find one at a market or thrift store.  It's fun to have a mix of things!




And of Course ~ Sweet Endings




~ Chocolate Brownies ~

~ Lemon Bars, Tart and Rich ~

Recipe Here


Spring Bouquet ~ Photo Courtesy of Ray Marshall


Did you notice the simple, 

yet very creative and elegant centerpiece?




It's one of the five paper bouquets within 

PAPER BLOSSOMS, 

A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL BOUQUETS FOR THE TABLE






Ray Marshall, 

an incredibly talented paper engineer, 

is the genius behind this stunning pop-up book.




Available here on Amazon




CPAC Luncheon Table ~ Photo Courtesy of Ray Marshall

PAPER BLOSSOMS 

was recently used as centerpieces for a

ballroom full of tables at the spring luncheon of 

San Francisco Child Care Planning and Advisory Committee.


To read more about the luncheon, learn about the process involved in creating this book, and for pop-up projects you can download and make yourself, visit Ray Marshall's site.

raymarshall.com



















GIVEAWAY
In celebration of the beautiful spring we are having here in Texas and in appreciation of all my faithful followers and readers, I'm giving away a copy of Ray Marshall's beautiful pop-up book, PAPER BLOSSOMS, and a set of his pop-up flower note cards.  For a chance to win, leave me a comment telling me you'd like to be included along with the name of your favorite spring flower.  That's all there is to it.  Just be certain I have an email link to reach you, if you are the winner.  If you would like to share this giveaway on your blog and or Facebook Page, let me know in a separate comment, and I'll enter your name twice.

Winner will be announced Friday, May 17th.  

Joining
Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life
Happy List @ Art At Home

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Behind the Garden Gate



May 1st

Favorites on the First

~ Flowers ~




Our garden was recently featured

 on a neighborhood garden tour.




Come along, and I'll show you 

what's blooming here in Texas.




It's still a bit early, so not everything 

has flushed out like the roses have.




The firecracker ferns are blazing, 

but the golden thryallis that you see 

here hasn't shown its color yet.




Larkspur seed that I scattered last fall 

have happily grown into this lovely bouquet of 

pink, lavender, purple, and white.




Gaillardia Arizona Sun, a perennial, 

is also known as Blanket Flower.





Orange Daylily are 

just beginning to bloom.




The Iceberg Rose patio tree was 

happy and in bloom for the tour.




Blackfoot Daisy looks sweet and delicate, 

but it is a rugged little plant that 

tolerates heat and drought conditions.





Gerber Daisy and Petunia 

add seasonal color.




More seasonal color fills 

containers on the front porch.




Geraniums are one of my 

favorite flowers from my childhood.




The scented geranium that is growing in 

the large urn offers a delicate lilac bloom.




I like to grow geraniums in containers 

that I can mix in among plants in my beds.




This one is tucked in among fern, 

oakleaf hydrangea, and caladiums.




Here I've mixed in some other 

bloomers among the scented geranium.




Impatients are perfect for the 

shade in this area of the garden.





They need to be  

protected from the Texas sun.




The tall green plant to the left is Shell Ginger.

Though it isn't in bloom yet, 

it has the most amazing flowers.





Dozens of blooms 

grow on long stalks.




Each one opens to show 

this gorgeous red and yellow mouth.





Fresh cut flowers often fill 

a vase for alfresco dining.




Thanks for joining me in my spring garden.

Click here to see more of my garden from last spring.

Joining

Favorites on the 1st @ The Polohouse
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen
Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life
Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Fresh Cut Friday @ Rose Vignettes
Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House
Be Inspired @ Common Ground
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Festive Friday Fiesta @ The Home Girl
Oh The Places I've Been @ The Tablescaper
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound
Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life
Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings
Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally
Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicted House
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Pretty Things @ TwelveOeight
Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Your Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With An E
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Happy List @ Art At Home



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