DEEP PURPLE, BRIGHT YELLOW AND BUTTERFLIES
If you are seeing this article of Mother’s Day – 2018 for the first time; just realize I was writing about it in 2018. It is fun to step into the past and review what happened back when. Looking back has a way of helping me to look forward. I’m reposting here with that in mind. Just remember…….we are time traveling!
So; what are all the little flowers about? I confess. I’ve been up to something! I’ve been changing the house into the color scheme I want to use for our Mother’s Day luncheon/get-together/open house on Sunday.
This will be a casual, comfortable little get-together for family and friends.
I’m so looking forward to it.
Come on in and I’ll be happy to share all of our fun with you.
A SEASON FOR CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD
Most people know how I love to change-up my home according to the event or the season that we ‘re living through. I hardly ever have to go shopping to do this because I’ve collected little things here and there over the years. Now I have themes and color schemes I can pull out of boxes which mix and match to fit the seasons that we are living through.
Mother’s Day is one of my favorite times to do this seasonal decorating. I love this time because the designs can be more feminine than usual. We don’t get many chances to show that side of decorating our home. I love the opportunity.
DEEP PURPLE AND YELLOW
This year I decided to use the colors of deep purple and yellow. The idea came to me as I arranged a pretty bouquet of tulips and irises for my Mom’s birthday. While placing the purple tulips I began to think of Lydia, the woman who sold purple cloth and followed and supported the teachings of The Apostle Paul. I’ve always admired her story. That last thought sealed the deal. Purple and yellow were going to be the colors we used this year for Mother’s Day.
The colors also reminded me of beautiful butterflies; and that is when I decided that The IN SEASON Lifestyle Family Tree for May would represent all of the new life our Mom’s breathe into the world each and every day.
I thought butterflies would be a wonderful way to make this statement without words. Now I think you will love the tree that resulted from those thoughts.
THE IN SEASON LIFESTYLE FAMILY TREE FOR MAY
We put our tree inside the kitchen window; the same way we usually do for every new season when our family comes together.
My granddaughter helped me to decorate the tree with purple butterflies. She absolutely loved them. I got the chance to tell her how butterflies are born caterpillars and magically turn into butterflies later.
I thought about how Motherhood often does this same process to women. When you are responsible for more than yourself; you become more creative and artistic. You begin to share more. Then you open up to new thoughts and ideas which bring joy to others. It is a lot like going from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Being a Mother brings out our real colors of hidden love. They rise to the surface for all the world to see.
As we continue to prepare, I put my Mom’s gifts and a card signed by the family underneath the tree. I found a little gold treasure chest to serve as a substitute for wrapping paper for one of the items I bought for her. At first I was going to give her a basket filled with goodies; then I saw some jewelry I knew she would enjoy. So, I changed my mind. It looks so pretty all wrapped up in pink and gold under The IN SEASON Lifestyle Family Tree for May.
EARLY MOTHER’S DAY FLOWERS HAVE ARRIVED!
Did you notice the pretty flowers that one of our daughters gave me as an early present? They are the colorful arrangement in the window. I’ve enjoyed their regal beauty in my kitchen all week. They cheered up the room as I tended to all the preparations for this special day. The flowers blend well with my decorating scheme. I suspect my granddaughter gave away the plan and the color scheme, because their flowers matched so well. I should tell her secrets more often! This daughter and I share a deep appreciation for lovely flowers.
PERFECTION IS A STATE OF MIND
And I find that it is all coming together so well.
How could a decorating scheme like this go wrong?
Well, to be honest…….the best laid plans don’t always completely pan out.
I wanted to offset all the purple colors with a creamy yellow color. My dining room curtains ARE already a creamy yellow. I decided to change (for a while anyway) the aqua blue curtains in the living room that we have loved and enjoyed for so many months to match the yellow ones. The goal was to make them match the curtains in the dining room; but offset all the purple I’m putting in the living room.
When I ordered the curtains I needed they told me the size I wanted would have to be on back-order. So, I’m not getting the creamy yellow curtains I wanted in the living room until the Tuesday AFTER Mother’s Day. Bummer!
NO LIFE IN THE FAST LANE ON MOTHER’S DAY
Oh well; this is how it goes sometimes when you live seasonally. Things change very fast around you. Everything can’t always be perfect and match your vision for the day. This is when I stop and say “fine – it will not matter.” I say that because there is no use in letting a few little imperfections ruin a lovely plan. I’m leaving up the usual draperies and just decorating around them. It will be okay – the whole world doesn’t have to be perfect all the time. When the other curtains arrive after Mother’s Day; I’ll still have this color scheme going on for Pentecost. That will be just fine. I’ll love them even more when they arrive. Such is life in the fast lane!
My goal is not to let the “fast lane” happen on Sunday. It truly is about the events of the day and NOT about the decor. Mother’s Day here is going to be all about relaxing and enjoying each other’s company; no matter what color the living room curtains turn out to be.
I do love the yellow in the dining room though!
MAKING LIFE EASY AND SIMPLE FOR MOTHER’S DAY
Yellow and purple are a good marriage. They always cheer me up. Not having to wash dishes also cheers me up; and I think I’ve managed a way to get around that this year.
My table is flanked with throw-away dishes that look like china.
Did you even know they made such things?
No washing dishes on Mother’s Day! I’ve got that covered. I hesitated to use them though because you KNOW how much I love real dishes. I love playing with the patterns and the colors and the different shapes that are so readily available. However, these disposable plates worked just perfect for this special day. I loved the look of them. They will be good and sturdy too. I will simply have to toss them to the trash can in the end and wipe out the REAL chargers that I added to protect the table. The chargers are just pretty to look at. They offset the fake-china plates just right.
IT IS ALL ABOUT THE BUTTERFLIES
Don’t you love the butterflies that I found at Old Time Pottery? They came in sheets of four for under $1.25. These were perfect for the effect I was after.
I alternated the yellow and the purple butterflies on each plate as you move around the table. Also, I pulled out my silver candlesticks and some pretty lavender candles. Next I added a lovely bowl of lavender flowers in the middle of the table.
Finally, the table pleased me.
The only thing that could make it better would be the smiles of our guest as they enjoyed the Mother’s Day meal. I can’t wait to see that happen.
Yes, I’ll probably use my real silverware; but it is so easy just to put the silverware in the dishwasher to wash after everyone has gone home. As for glasses, we will have plastic tea glasses and wine glasses with our tea, lemonade and wine. It’s about the drink; not the glass; right? At least on this day it will be. I’m so excited to have more time for visiting instead of everyone worrying about washing dishes.
I’m also getting excited about how pretty the food for the kitchen table will turn out to be. I’ve ordered a white sheet cake with deep purple roses and yellow piping around the borders. The cake says HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY. There will be three choices of ice cream for my uncle who loves ice cream. I found some clear plastic plates shaped just like the dinner plates which I’ll use for serving the cake and ice cream. The bright purple and yellow solid colored napkins make everything you put up to them stand up and pay attention.
MIXING IN A LITTLE PINK AND GREEN
I veered a bit from the purple and yellow in the kitchen. This happened when I added a little pink into my serving dishes. These had BUTTERFLIES in their pattern along with pretty flowers that are also of purple and green and yellow. I love these serving dishes which just seem to fit the occasion. They look so feminine; as if they came straight from a garden party tea-room.
I’ll use these dishes to display my nibbling foods – veggies, chips, dips and fruit. I have a large round tray which will hold the chicken salad sandwiches I’m ordering. You know how bunches of women only nibble at their food on special occasions. There won’t be a need for a feast this day. All we need is a simple, elegant table full of finger foods. I’ll probably add a bowl of potato salad with a few crackers and some humus. I think we are good. We have a lovely meal with not much cooking at all. I’m loving this plan.
I’ll scatter some more little butterflies over the food on the table when I display it all. We will feel like we are being served in a butterfly garden. I’ve even placed a few butterflies on my breadbox. They are guarding the yellow dish towels I will use on that day. I love the yellow and purple colors everywhere. Apparently a few others enjoy this color combination. I found this link when I researched the subject: https://www.houzz.com/photos/office-guest-bedroom-contemporary-home-office-miami-phvw-vp~4844082.
MORE PURPLE AND YELLOW
So now we just need to get everyone inside the front door!
I’ve arranged a pitcher full of fresh purple and yellow tulips to put on the portable bar which everyone will sees as they enter the living room. These flowers will be a highlight in the room. Later, I’ll give them away and let my Mom take them home with her after our luncheon.
A cheerful yellow wreath is already positioned on the front door. I’ve left a lot of the blue and yellow colors in our entrance way. The other highlight in the entry is the couch table which I’ve flanked with a beaded yellow butterfly holding one of my favorite Ann Voskamp books (Be the Gift.) On each side of the yellow butterfly, I’ve placed three mason jars of baby’s breath flowers. They are flanked with irises which are looking like they are going to be opening up on THE day.
I’m hoping to find some purple and yellow ribbons to tie around each of these jars. I used the same jars in the same way on a purple charger in the middle of the coffee table in the living room.
We have our antique white chair in the entrance. It is filled with a solid purple pillow in the back and shows off a very colorful pillow that contains purple and yellow in the front.
I think this entrance looks very happy!
MAKNG A CHEERFUL LIVING ROOM AREA
As you step into the living room you might notice I’ve kept the yellow candles from Passover. However, I added some purple and a few flowers to the coffee table for a focal point. On the mantle we added a slight contrast of pink lilies on each side. I have placed a butterfly on the side table on the couch near a pretty silver lamp. We’ve flanked both sofas with purple, pink and silver pillows.
My mom has a scrapbook where she keeps family photos in her office. So, I’ve filled an envelope with more candid shots of the family update her collection. I’ll put those on the coffee table so I don’t forget! You can look from the living room right into the dining area; and see more purple and yellow and butterflies!
I can’t wait to see this room fill up with those that I love and cherish.
It is looking to be a perfect day full of people coming and going and hopefully staying and sharing.
I love the open house feeling we have given to Mother’s Day. I’m so delighted to be able to share all of the blessings of motherhood with so many other wonderful mothers in our family.
Perhaps my granddaughter will get the full effect of what it is like to have a house full of intelligent, artistic, creative, loving, caring, sharing and giving Moms in the family. Maybe one day into the future she will be arranging this same event her own home. For now; I’m very content to watch her playing in the walk-in closet playhouse we set up for her whenever she gets bored with all the adult conversations. She will show up and join us just in time for cake and ice cream though. We are so alike in so many ways!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY EVERYONE