Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Two Hearts Are Better Than One


Two hearts 
are better than one!


"I love you...
A little, a lot,
passionately, madly"

A touch of France for Valentine's Day.
Don't you adore this little French poem
inscribed on this heart-shaped lavender sachet?
It's much like the "love-me-love-me-not"
game that children play with daisies.


I've shared my heart with
my husband for over 36 years.


My valentine and I are both Francophiles.
In honor of St. Valentine's Day
I'm once again sharing a French themed
table created by my friend, Twila.

This beautiful French themed table is set to celebrate love. 
 Layers of exquisite textiles, a large Quimper vase of red roses, 
elegant silver, red glass stems, and a mix of red and 
white dishes topped off with Quimper bowls.
I think this is one of the prettiest tabletops I've seen. 
 It offers the perfect romantic touch with a French twist.

Not only do the layers of textiles offer a lovely contrast of red and white, 
did you notice the wonderful edges and details of the white matelasse and 
the sweet heart appliqués on the square topper?

Each place setting layers a white dinner plate 
bordered with red checks, a scalloped edge salad
plate of red glass, and a charming Quimper cereal bowl.

The settings alternate with a bowl that
features a Bretonne, the female figure . . .

And one with the Breton, 
the male figure.

White linen napkins embroidered with the same 
typical Quimper figures are held with clusters of tiny glass 
grapes and add a touch of fluff to the border of checks on the dinner plate.

Here is a closer look at the beautiful
embroidery and the stunning napkin rings.

Charming cherry place card 
holders mark each guests' spot.

Fragrant long stem red 
roses echo the theme of love.

This sunny dining spot offers the
perfect setting for a meal that celebrates love.

And just for you ~ a cart full of hearts with a hug and a kiss, too, all delivered 
in a Breton miniature wheel barrow that was made in Plozévet, France.
I hope you shared St. Valentine's Day
with those you love.




Labels: , ,
Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

42 comments:

  1. Bunny JeanFebruary 15, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    Hi Sarah!

    First of all that is a very sweet picture of you and your husband!

    I think those napkins are so charming an the place card cherries are just perfect!

    Thanks SO much for sharing this at my Bunny Hop Party!

    xoxo Bunny Jean

    ReplyDelete
  2. La Table De NanaFebruary 15, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    I have always loved that poem..I also say..quite often to me wee ones..Je t'aime gros gros gros comme le ciel:)
    That is a charming table..So special..I would feel special there:)

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  3. DebbiedoosFebruary 15, 2012 at 5:05 PM

    Beautiful table Sarah. I love the napkins. That is a very sweet pic of you and your honey!

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  4. The French HutchFebruary 15, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    I love the photograph of you and your husband. The perfect frame too. Sarah the heart sachet with the French poem is so sweet. Your cupid plate and the love heart dish make the perfect vignette for Valentine's Day. I'm happy to see the lovely table again your friend Twila created. Quimper is always beautiful, especially here with red and white. Those napkins are gorgeous!
    Lovely post…….

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

    ReplyDelete
  5. PriscillaFebruary 15, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    Beautiful post. I'm so fond of Quimper ware.

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  6. DeseraeFebruary 15, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    Beautiful tablescape!! The embroidery work on those napkins is incredible :o)
    ~Des

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  7. MarigeneFebruary 15, 2012 at 8:00 PM

    What a beautiful table...does eating off Quimper dishes make the food taste better?
    I love those napkins.

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  8. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereFebruary 15, 2012 at 8:43 PM

    Sarah, The french sachet is adorable. Twilla has set a beautiful valentines table and of course I love the Quimper. Hugs, Sherry

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  9. bjFebruary 15, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    How beautiful this table is. I love all the pretty dishes. Quimper is just so elegant and so desirable. Thanks for sharing these lovely photos with us.
    xoxo bj

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  10. The TablescaperFebruary 15, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    Wonderful that you and your husband have shared so many valentines together. What a beautiful table.All of the different textures are outstanding. So happy that you'll be bringing it to Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  11. Denise at Forest ManorFebruary 15, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    Hi Sarah,

    This table is AMAZING!! I love everything on it. I've never been to France, but my husband's parents have been many times.

    I love the matelasse, the Quimper pottery, and the exquisite matching napkins. This table is so unique -- a real winner.

    Have a great week.

    Denise

    ReplyDelete
  12. French Girl in SeattleFebruary 15, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    Very impressed. My Valentine's day table did not look ANYTHING like this. Your friend has impeccable taste, and so do you. Loved seeing the picture of you and your husband and I hope you had a wonderful celebration! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  13. KathleenFebruary 15, 2012 at 10:49 PM

    What a lovely table! So sweet. I love the matelese.
    Love the pic of you and dh!
    How does one become a francophile? I mean, what sparks the interest? I do like French fries, :)
    I told dh the we were very combatible. He thought I said compatible! :)

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  14. Antiques And TeacupsFebruary 15, 2012 at 11:44 PM

    What a lovely table. I love the place card holders! So cute! Just lovely!
    Ruth

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  15. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    :)

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  16. Debbie@Mountain BreathsFebruary 16, 2012 at 6:49 AM

    Sarah, what a sweet and heartfelt table! My favorite part of this post is the picture of you and your DH ;o) The place holders card and napkins are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tammy@Beatrice BanksFebruary 16, 2012 at 7:01 AM

    So many Valentine pretties! Very special that you have been with your sweet heart 36 years! True love.

    ReplyDelete
  18. xinexFebruary 16, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    I have to agree with you that this is one of the nicest tablescapes I have seen. Love the French touch and all the quimper pieces. Pretty napkins and I love how she layered her tablecloth....Christine

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  19. ColoradoladyFebruary 16, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    Beautiful table!! I love all the reds. Happy VTT

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  20. Pam~ Virginia RetroFebruary 16, 2012 at 8:54 AM

    Visiting from BNOTP. What a gorgeous table! I have Quimper dish envy, they're so special.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Alycia NicholsFebruary 16, 2012 at 9:17 AM

    Oh, poo! This reminds me of a movie set, but I can't remember the name of the doggone movie!!! I HATE it when my mind blanks like this!! Rally, really pretty with lots of fun French flair. (Try saying that five times fast!)

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  22. FABBY'S LIVINGFebruary 16, 2012 at 9:58 AM

    A beautiful tablescapes for the Valentine's month. I love the pretty quimper napkins and the dishes are lovely. The tablecloth is beautiful and it brings it all together. Very cozy French style.
    Love,
    FABBY

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  23. SueFebruary 16, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    Sarah, I always enjoying seeing your
    Quimper and this was no exception. Your napkins are oh so pretty! You and your husband are a lucky couple to enjoy the same things. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sally Annie MagundyFebruary 16, 2012 at 11:40 AM

    Such a lovely table setting! I adore Quimper and it's so charming for Valentine's Day.

    Happy VTT!

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownFebruary 16, 2012 at 1:46 PM

    The linens are beautiful! I just love them. A perfect Valentine's table...so romantic!
    Blessings My Friend,

    ReplyDelete
  26. MaryFebruary 16, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    Hi Sarah~ I adore this table that your friend Twila created! I remember the Breton miniature wheelbarrow~ so dear! I love the photo of you & your Valentine of 36 years :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. BabsFebruary 16, 2012 at 6:47 PM

    Your friend Twila set a gorgeous table. I love the layering of the table linens and the darling napkin rings and place card holders. The sweetest thing is the photo of you and your "valentine" hubby. HOpe your day was perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  28. MariaFebruary 16, 2012 at 7:55 PM

    I do love that little pillow: Je t'aime a la folie! Ahh . . . l'amour!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Steph's StitchingFebruary 17, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    36 years. That is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Michele M./ Finch RestFebruary 17, 2012 at 4:41 PM

    What a beautiful blog post!

    And I especially love you and your husband have been together so long, to me that is inspirational and wonderful.

    Congrats on that, it is remarkable in this day and age.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  31. On Crooked CreekFebruary 17, 2012 at 5:07 PM

    Sarah,
    What a lovely tablescape! I love all the textured linens and the napkin rings really appealed to me, as well!I adored seeing the photo of you and your sweet hubby!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  32. LVFebruary 17, 2012 at 6:17 PM

    A very nice presentation.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Laura Quaglia (Fun With This and That)February 17, 2012 at 6:54 PM

    So many pretty things Hope you have a pink week end.

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  34. ChandyFebruary 17, 2012 at 7:08 PM

    So many lovely things in one post! A definite pink Saturday worthy!

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  35. KathyFebruary 18, 2012 at 8:00 AM

    Hello Sarah,
    Your layered-French inspired Valentines table is wonderful! So very romantic. It is wonderful to share your heart with someone who enjoys what you do! So blessed to have you share this with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  36. SarahBethFebruary 18, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    Happy Pink Saturday!
    I love the little French heart pillow -- so sweet! And the embroidered napkins are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Country Wings in PhoenixFebruary 18, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    Happy Pink Saturday Sarah Sweetie...
    What a beautiful share today. I simply adore this post. From the little French message on the sachet to the gorgeous table setting. So much love over here today sweetie.

    Thank you for taking me along. DH and I celebrated our 36th in January as well. Where does the time go?

    Many hugs and so much love, Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  38. Honey at 2805February 18, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    So pretty and charming. Love that red! Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday!

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  39. thistlewoodfarmFebruary 19, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    Just stopping by to visit from the 36th Avenue blog hop!

    Have a blessed and wonderful day!
    karianne

    ReplyDelete
  40. Live Laugh RoweFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    Thank you so very much for participating in the blog hop! Wishing you much success in your bloggy endeavors. New follower :)

    Kelly
    www.livelaughrowe.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Confessions of a Plate AddictFebruary 21, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    You know I loved this post, Sarah! The little French poem on the heart is so unique! (You do always find the best things!) And of course I love the Quimper! I find that I must always buy the pair...cannot separate the little Breton and Bretonne! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  42. RettabugFebruary 25, 2012 at 2:23 PM

    What a wonderful photo of the two of you, Sarah! Handsome hubby you've got there AND HE COOKS!!!!!!!!!
    ♫♫ Lucky-Dog, Lucky-Dog ♫♫

    I remember seeing those beautiful napkins & I even had a custom made embroidery design made so I could do some then completely forgot about it. I shall get on it just as soon as I finish my current quilt.

    Hugs,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete

Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.

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