Suddenly, it’s summer. After a long spell of wet, chilly days, the sun is shining, and the mercury is rising. But before we get too deeply into summer produce and vibrant colours, let’s pause a minute and say farewell to the lilies of the valley.
Their delicate bells and delectable fragrance graces us for only a short while every spring. Sniff, sniff…
I have had these napkins for donkey’s years and never seem to be in the same place that they are residing when the lily of the valley is blooming. So this year, I was determined they would get their chance to shine and packed them when we left for the Cape.
The French Blue grosgrain trim sets off the creamy shades of the floral pattern. I have only six of them, purchased from long-defunct Country Dining Room Antiques, lately of Great Barrington, MA,
The blue gingham tablecloth (Pottery Barn) picked up the grosgrain ribbon colour and edged the scalloped placemat from Rebecca Udall in the UK.
My oft-used Aerin green scalloped-edge dinner and salad plates added a layer of contrast to all the blue.
Fostoria Minuet yellow Depression glass sherbet bowls and footed tumblers are a recent acquisition.
The bases are clear, adding another note of interest to a lovely etched pattern.
The garden is filling in at a great rate now. But, first, I have to tuck in a few more annuals, and after that, the battle with weeds commences in earnest!
But that’s for later. Meanwhile, let’s celebrate these glorious days of early summer and remember the intoxicating fragrance of the lily of the valley.
Setting this table was a welcome respite from editing Entertablement—Much Depends on Dinner. Sending the final draft off to the proofreader, I was startled to discover the manuscript was more than 47,000 words. Good grief! No wonder it seemed to take longer than The Four Seasons. Here’s a sneak peek of the cover.
Much Depends on Dinner takes a look at how food preparation and household management have evolved (or not!) since the Industrial Revolution, when most of us moved from subsistence farming to the modern mechanized world. We visit some grand houses in England, and meet Domestic Divas from each of the eras I’ve called Class Distinction (roughly 1750 to 1890), the Highest Highs and Lowest Lows (1890 to 1945), mid-Century Modern (post-WWII to the ’70s), The Development of the Dinner Party (the ’80s to 2000) and So Much Food Porn…So Little Cooking (the last two decades).
And, of course, there are lots of table settings and recipes!
I’m anticipating the hardcover book will be available by mid-July, and I will know more about the timing on both it and the Kindle version in the next couple of weeks. However, most of it is out of my hands now, and I’m eager to get back to cooking and table setting.
Salted caramel chocolate mousse is on the docket for today. Along with some sugar cookies with edible wafers. It’ll be a garden-themed table. Stay tuned!
Happy Sunday, all.
Beautifully delicate table setting to compliment the petite fleur of Lily of the Valley. Mine, in Maryland have long since passed their bloom.
Enjoy your blissful spring weather in Cape Cod. The rain & cold resides there through June.
You’re so right about cold, wet Junes on the Cape. It’s finally turned. The peonies are out in force and the roses are busting out all over.
Thanks for stopping in and the lovely comments.
Can’t wait for more table settings to come! I really look forward to your posts.
Thanks, Valeri! That’s so nice to hear. I’m never sure if people are bored with tablesettings and would prefer to see something else!
Dear Helen, What a refreshing table. I was hoping for eau de Nil, but this may be better. I absolutely adore the charming serviettes, and no, you are not the only one who carries tableware around (First World Problem). I think mine are even better-traveled than yours.
Last month I decided to put in 20 convallaria pips. They arrived from NL with flower spikes poking out (!) I put them in the ground, and they bloomed within 2 weeks and are leafed out now. I hope they form ground cover under the lilacs. I know; be careful what you wish for.
The book looks very interesting; a lot more pattern than we’re used to seeing from you and an intriguing topic. I look forward to poring over the Kindle..
Borders are shakily open, despite Brussels’ tourist welcome…some of the 27 members can’t agree or don’t have electronic vax info; several have reserved the right to close down whenever they like without notice, depending on variant outbreaks. Despite gov’ts issuing entry rules, there are gaps, and border officers make snap decisions, while the documentation required keeps changing. UK is now the Typhoid Mary of Europe.
I do love that Eau de Nil china pattern, and that now you mention it, the plain napkins of the same colour would be lovely with lilies of the valley. Next year!
Yours will be stunning beneath the lilac. What fragrance! A bounty of delight.
The Kindle will go up before the hard copy; I’ll keep you up to date. I hope you enjoy it!
We moved our planned trip to the UK from May to August, and have now cancelled August. The ever-moving restrictions are just too exhausting to contemplate. The Goodwood Member’s meeting was moved from May to October, so we will try and make that.
I’ll always love lily of the valley for their heavenly scent and romantic memory that they made up my Grandmother’s wedding bouquet. Beautifully done here, Helen.
I look forward to your book!!
The quintessential wedding flower, carried by Grace Kelly and more recently, the Duchess of Cambridge. Your grandmother made a wonderful choice.
Cool. I didn’t know that!