Thursday, June 16, 2011

Why can't peonies bloom all summer?





Don't you love the look and the smell of a peony?

Heavenly.









My sweet mother-in-law gave me this gorgeous
Italian bowl with white doves perched on the rim.
It's larger than it looks... and the birds
are practically life-sized.
One of my favorite things for sure!






A pretty pairing.










What is the nicest thing your
mother or mother-in-law
has ever given you?













29 comments:

Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home said...

I asked myself that same question today! I think my peonies are done blooming, and it makes me so sad. They are my favorite flower, for sure!

The nicest thing my mother-in-law gave me was her son. How about that for a really cheesy answer? It's getting late... I better get off blogger :)

Jennifer@Woodley Cottage said...

Your peonies are just lovely! My sister-in-law lives in Alexandria, VA and had a beautiful plant in front of her house. Someone actually dug it up and stole it!!! Can you believe that. The dug up all of them along her street. It was a great loss...
We can't grow them in Texas so I'll just have to enjoy your photos.

My Mother-in-law and I were friends before I knew my husband. She introduced us! We have a special friendship and I couldn't imagine it any other way. The nicest thing she has given me are my kids. Had she not introduced me to Miles we would have never married and I would not have all of my little dudes. Alright.... I guess Miles is ok as well.... ;-)

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

My peonies were very unhappy this year... i think we had too cold a winter and too wet a spring. UGH.

love yours!....

The best thing my mother-in-law gave me was my children.. well, in a genetics sort of way :-)

Jem said...

I absolutely adore Peonies!! At the moment I'm trying to get my hands on a Peony perfume from L'Occitane to try to keep the scent with me year round! :-)

Jem xXx

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

I just made up my mind that I've got to plant some peony bushes! I love the color of yours...when I got married my mom gave me a gold bracelet that had been her mother's. It's engraved with my grandmother's initials. Probably my most prized possession...have a great weekend and enjoy your peonies!

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Hi Alison! Your bird bowl is gorgeous! I know what you mean about those peonies. I hardly remember them blooming this year.

My in-laws are very loving and generous people, but they don't really get the decorating thing, but they do often take my husband and I out for dinner or lunch.

Hugs,
Kelly

michele said...

i'm gonna get in trouble here.

my MIL once gave me a very expensive pasta making machine (i prefer making pasta by hand and it's GOOD)which i knew would simply gather dust in a closet. so.....

i exchanged it for...a new kitchen table i needed! can you believe my nerve? can you believe the price tag on a friggin pasta machine?

hugs.

michele

Sheila said...

The nicest thing my mother-in-law ever gave me was her son. He is the best! And so is she by the way.

LL from KS said...

The best thing my mother-in-law has ever given me was her son! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world because I love him even more than I did 29 years ago! With so many marriages not making it, I know how very lucky I am that our marriage has lasted. If only everyone realized that if you hang on to each other during the hard times, when you get to the other side you see your relationship is stronger than ever!
Love your beautiful bowl, and how gorgeous it looks with peonies in it! Our peonies didn't last long this year, as we have had lots of bad storms here in Kansas!

Sarah said...

Alison, I love the way you end your posts with a question. I want to try to remember to do that.
My mother-in-law gave me many treasured things the short time I knew her. She started me off collecting Quimper by giving me my first two pieces, and for my birthday she would give me something she was passing down from her or her mother-in-law. My favorite being the exquisite large white linen napkins my husband's grandmother had hand monogramed.
The Italian piece is gorgeous as are the peonies. I ask, "Why can't peonies bloom here!" ;-)
Great post! ~ sarah

countrycharisma said...

Your peonies are gorgeous! Know what you mean about lasting longer though; and seems to always come a gullywasher rain when they are in bloom. I have tomatoe cages around mine, which are hidden when they grow up and help alot to hold them up through the spring rains. More blooms in view, and less on the dirt!

countrycharisma said...

PS. MIL encouraging, prayer warrior, and accepting.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Alison, The bowl is absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful gift from your MIL. I have one of the best mother-in-laws ever. Her nicest gift to me was raising a kind, generous and loving son that she passed on to me. The cute purse she gave me a couple of months ago rates up there too!
xo,
Sherry

Ricki Treleaven said...

It is a shame the blooming time for peonies is so fleeting. My mother-in-law has given me some lovely antiques (armoire, secretary desk, sofa) china, silver, lots of nice family heirlooms.

laxsupermom said...

My peonies are just about done for the year. There's nothing I like better than bringing those blooms indoors. Love how you have them displayed! So pretty!

My mother-in-law gives me fabulous shoes all the time. We have the same size feet. She buys really gorgeous shoes that she can't wear(any heel taller than 3" makes her feet hurt) wears them once or sometimes not at all, declares them painful, then gives them to me. My feet haven't felt pain pretty much ever.(former dancer, current runner) Fun question.

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

You are all so sweet with your comments complimenting and thanking your mother-in-laws for their sons.
:)
That is so sweet.
I too am thankful, and have a wonderful mother-in-law, Joyce.
In case you are reading this, thanks Joyce!!
xx

Tallulah's Antique Closet said...

What a beautiful bowl and the flowers are beautiful also. Luv the photos....TALLULAH'S

Honey at 2805 said...

I think peonies are heavenly. I must be entirely too hot for them around here since I can't even remember seeing one. It's my favorite flower!

Babs said...

Gorgeous peonies and even more gorgeous dove bowl. Beautiful gift from your mother-in-law and it really showcases the peonies.I've given up trying to grow them. Either I'm doing something wrong or they don't like the GA heat. I'll just enjoy your beautiful ones. :)
Best thing my MIL ever gave me was her son who has put up with me (bless his heart)for 42 years. lol
Have a great weekend,
Babs

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

OH, the bowl is lovely...and the peonies are perfect! My mother-in-law gifted us with family heirlooms from her mother and grandmother, which are very special to us! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your so sweet comments!

Sue said...

A better question for me is why can't peonies bloom in Texas? I miss them so much ~ but I just planted some at the cabin, I'll just have to time my visits for the week they bloom!!

Kellie Collis said...

How beautiful! You are one very lucky daughter in law. Have a glorious week ahead, Kellie xx

Okie Chic said...

My favorite!! They make me smile. That bowl is too cute.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Your peonies are beautiful! I love the Italian bowl.

Dee

for the love of a house said...

your peonies are beautiful! I love them too. what a sweet dear gift from your mother in law.

joan

Janette@the2seasons said...

Thanks for stopping by. You might not overlook a park, but you have that beautiful expanse of green lawn and fields to enjoy.

Anonymous said...

You have beautiful blog.

Amy Chalmers said...

Hmm, thats a tough question, but my mom has given me a lot of nice things over the years, and my mother in law, well I would have to say it would be her son! I do have my eye on a gilded vitrine cabinet she has though....hee hee.

Anonymous said...

While the peonies are beautiful, I love, love, LOVE your wonderful birdbath. I saw a similiar one yesterday at Pier 1 Imports, but not nearly as pretty.