Thursday, May 1, 2014

May Day Tribute and A Winner!


Happy May Day! 

Congratulations to


the winner of the Anthropologie Gift Card.


Thank you to all who entered. 

Your thoughtfulness and friendship is much appreciated. 




April Showers
Bring May Flowers

~ A tribute to my mom, the gardener. ~






My mother was an avid gardener until

 she moved out of her home at age 90.






She passed away in November at the age of 99.

She was a frugal individual, dedicated to God and her family.

She appreciated and nurtured the flowers of her garden

as she did life long friendships in her community.




Mother's home was filled 

with the fragrance and beauty of 

fresh flowers from her garden and the 

sweet treats baked in her kitchen.




Today is May Day, and it is an

absolutely perfect spring day here.

Want to join me for an afternoon treat in the garden?





I cut some of my spring blooms to fill the

glass basket vases I fondly remember from my childhood.

My mother passed these on to me several years ago.





These elegant etched glass baskets 

were made in the 1920s and 1930s.




They are perfect for a May Day

 basket of May flowers!





I've set the tray with 

my mom's wedding china,

Homer Laughlin's 

Virginia Rose - Jeanette Gold.




This china was made in 1939.  

Virginia Rose was a very popular 

shape with many different designs.  

My mom chose Jeanette's Gold 

with delicate pink flowers and gold details.




Each piece has double 

gold bands on the outside rim.





These pretty linen napkins 

were one of our wedding gifts in 1975.





Mother of Pearl vintage flatware seemed 

the perfect choice for this dessert tray.




Pretty and elegant ~ just like my mom.




Won't you join me

 for a scoop of ice cream?




Happy May Day!


Tomorrow, May 2,

I will be guest blogger over at

  Decor to Adore's Favorite Five

where I share five ways

 my mother has inspired my life.

Click here to join me at

Decor to Adore ~ Favorite Five

Perhaps you'll find some inspiration for the month of May.




~ Rum Cake ~ A Family Recipe ~

1 cup shortening or butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups flour
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/3 tsp. salt
1 and 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Cream shortening or butter with sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each one.  Add dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately, mixing well after each addition.  Add vanilla.  Bake in large tube pan @ 325º  for 1 hour or longer.  Once out of the oven, invert tube pan.  Gently remove cake from pan, and using a wooden skewer, poke holes throughout the cake.  Coat the cake with a sugar and rum glaze of your choice.  Enjoy!


Joining

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephant