A Token of Love

Weighing in on

Love

We have an old Italian scale that

occasionally receives a seasonal touch.

~ Golden Pears @ Christmas ~

~ Hearts for February ~

One tray holds a favorite wooden

bowl filled with faience heart shaped secouettes.

Below are a few more snuffs plus

a petite wax heart from Germany . . .

A small copper mold,

and a little Welsh love spoon.

The other tray holds

more heart treasures.

A pansy is the symbol for loving thoughts.

These little French secouettes were

often given as a token of love or friendship.

Aus Liebe

~

With Love

Each of my small copper hearts

were gifts from my husband early in our marriage.

"There is nothing more beautiful

on earth than to be loved by you."

EMILY & EINSTEIN by Linda Francis Lee

~~~~~~~~~~~~

*****

EMILY & EINSTEIN

A Novel of Second Chances

By Linda Francis Lee

Available here on Amazon

When I picked up a copy of this book at the library I was delighted at the prospect of reading this story. I mean really, just look at the cover ~ cute dog on a park bench beside a field of pink tulips. This had to be a wonderful read!

So I settled in on a Sunday morning for a day of pleasure reading, chocolate dogs near by to sweeten the moment. Knowing absolutely nothing about the author or the subject of this novel, I opened to the first page and read: "A week passed before I understood the enormity of my situation, a week before I realized I was dead."

Photo Courtesy of

Nancy Whitworth Photography

I read the first chapter, then another, and another and began to think out loud, "This book is a bit too quirky. Do I really want to read about a dead man who continues to live within the body of a dog? Not to mention that the guy is a real JERK, full of himself and sarcastic about everything.

But I did read it, and recommend that you do too. I'm not going to give away the story, but let me just say that it touched my heart on many levels. It's poignant, engaging, and very clever. I often found myself laughing out loud, and with each turn of the page, Linda Frances Lee's skilled prose transported me back to many of my own favorite memories of living in the Big Apple. Yes, this book was a treat!

Photo Courtesy of Mille Fiori Favoriti

Exhilarating

Days in the City

New York City's

Beauty at Night

Photo Courtesy of Mille Fiori Favoriti

The Historical Dakota

Its Intrigue &

Incredible Architecture

Photo Courtesy of Mille Fiori Favoriti

Walks in Central Park

Photo Courtesy of Museum Chick

Balto, the Alaskan Sled Dog

Photo Courtesy of © Cornelis Verwaal

Jogs Around the Reservoir

Photo Courtesy of © Cornelis Verwaal

New York Dog Walkers

Photo Courtesy of Mille Fiori Favoriti

Annual New York City Marathon

Photo Courtesy of My French Country Home

If you've ever had a dog in your life,

this book will likely amuse you.

It's a book of "second chances".

I'm glad I didn't give up on it and

gave it a well deserved second chance.

"I think most of us have moments in our lives that we would like to do over. While we can't get an actual "do over", I love the idea that we can get another chance to make things right, or find another chance to achieve a dream. Second chances are all about having hope, and its hope that gets us out of bed in the morning." ~ Linda Francis Lee

Click the links below for more

Food For Thought Reviews of

EMILY & EINSTEIN

Jain @ Food For Thought

Mary @ Home is Where the Boat Is

Maggie @ Just Books

Photo Courtesy of Mille Fiori Favoriti

A very special thank you to the following photographers that allowed me use of their photos for this post.

Nancy Whitworth Photography

Cornelis Verwaal

Mille Fiori Favoriti

My French Country Home

Museum Chick

Also linking to:

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

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.

Vietri Love

It's no secret that I have a

serious case of

"dish love".

When out shopping I'm always drawn to tables

set with the hand-crafted and exquisitely hand-painted

Vietri Italian Dinnerware.

Red Hearts for Valentine's Day

Pair up perfectly with the lacy

goodness of Vietri's Incanto.

~ De Medici Dots ~ Baroque Curves ~

~ Antique Lace ~ Olive Branches ~ Wildflowers ~

Add in red Vietri stems for a touch of sass.

A simple centerpiece of luscious

red hearts atop stacked red glass cake stands . . .

Sandwiched between a pair of

Incanto claw footed candleholders

that make a statement all their own

with a majestic height of 20".

Each piece in this pattern is enchanting.

The sculptural layers against the

matelasse placemats make a regal

statement upon the red linen cloth.

Reverse the scenario with a

formal white cloth for a totally different look.

Start with a textural red placemat,

then add on the layers of Incanto.

Watch the magic as the

textures play against each other.

They are certain to enchant your valentine.

Toss in a touch of sparkle . . .

And loads of chocolate hearts.

Ah, yes!

Vietri Love

Click here for

Seaside Entertaining

with Vietri Incanto Aqua.

Linking to the following parties:

Tablescape Thursday @ BNOTP

Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Pearls & Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace, Crafts

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Potpourri Friday @ 2805

Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Laurie's Valentine Party @ Bargain Hunting & Chatting w/ Laurie

Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Rednesday @ It's a Very Cherry World

White Wednesday @ Faded Charm