Tuesday, September 17, 2013

The Last Days of Summer

As a former student and teacher, September has always meant school and heat.

I remember my mother taking my sister and me to Bullocks in Pasadena every August to purchase our back to school clothes - pleated wool skirts and sweater sets.

But, it was always too hot to wear our new outfits until mid October.

Last school year, I remember calling Steve on the first day of school and asking him to please buy me a fan "NOW"!

But, this September is different.


It is hot, the beach is perfect and my uniform of shorts and t-shirts is just right for the weather.


While Steve was on his run, I set the table outside.


I bought sunflowers at Trader Joe's today


and they looked perfect on the table.


A handmade pitcher (a reminder of a fun vacation in Taos) held the sunflowers along with a bit of a greenery from the garden.


I bought the tablecloth years ago at World Market planning to recover a chair seat with it, but the chair went to live at my sister's house before I got around to recovering the seat.


 I chose the silverware pattern when I was 8 years old and made the ruffled napkins last summer.


My newest dishes have not been used yet and they looked great on the blue and yellow tablecloth.


It was a perfect summer evening to be outdoors.


The direction we were facing at dinner made us realize what a jungle we have going on in the back corner - hopefully we can get Victor to come to our rescue to trim everything back.


Lulu was not impressed with the table setting and once the table was cleared, she couldn't wait for her walk on the beach.


Walking with Lulu in each morning and each evening is doubling our enjoyment of these last days of summer.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I am joining these fun parties

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

Elizabeth and Co. - Be Inspired

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

47 comments:

  1. I love the pretty table setting. The dishes and sunflowers look perfect with the table cloth. I don't know any one who would not love the walk on the beach after dinner. xoxo,Susie

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  2. I love blue and yellow (with a touch of white) and the colours perfectly suit your garden. Lulu is growing bigger by the day. Thanks for sharing such a perfect evening.

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  3. What an inviting table -- and gorgeous setting! Sunflowers are perfect for this time of year -- I have some in a jug on my baker's rack right now. Isn't it great how old and new elements come together to create a pretty table?

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  4. What fun that Lulu is now walking on the beach. I am so happy for you in these early months of retirement. Not to get too personal, but teacher to teacher, how is your retirement in your state? here in Massachusetts, it is TERRIBLE!!!!! 36 years would get me 80%. But I didnt take that option because I knew I would never last that long! I think these years with lulu and your hubs will be fabulous. And I love that you picked the silverware pattern so young! When I was that age I always said I wanted Reed and Barton "Bamboo" when I was grown up. never happened....but funny that we both loved it so young.

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  5. Love blue and yellow. And your table setting is so pretty. You have a wonderful talent in your use of color and decorating.

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  6. i love the sunflowers with the blue table cloth ... perfect together! fall is great for color. ( :

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  7. I REMEMBER BULLOCKS, PASADENA and those pleated skirts, Carol! YES!!!!!!

    You always bring back precious memories to me that can only be found on the beaches of California. Thank you precious friend, colleague in teaching and beach-lovin' gal! Anita

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  8. What a lovely setting for dinner on the beach! Beautiful table setting. You are so lucky to live so close to such beautiful beaches.

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  9. You live in such a beautiful area, Carol! What a great view as you enjoy a walk.

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  10. Just perfect! A beautiful place, the ocean, your hubby, and a special dog...what more could you want?

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  11. Love that tablecloth, so glad it didn't become a chair cover. Your new dishes are so perfect for your color scheme. You chose your silverware at 8, wow, you were looking ahead! Have I told you lately how much I love your blog? I do!

    Mary

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  12. Such a lovely table setting and Lulu looks so cute...she's growing fast! : ) Enjoy every moment of your perfect weather there ! :)

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  13. Our September is pretty rainy, with a huge storm coming tonight and lasting until Friday. Lulu looks happy and cute!

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  14. The blue and yellow look great, love those sunflowers too. Everything looks so quaint and perfect.

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  15. Carol I love the table setting. How pretty. What a beautiful evening to eat outside and then walk on the beach. What a perfect evening. Little LuLu so adorable I cannot get enough of her. I just want to hug and kiss that little sweetie pie.
    Kris

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  16. The beach is so beautiful. Love your table. I can't imagine the joy it must be to live there.
    I so remember the new sweaters and wool skirts. I would wear them the first week of school because they were new. I remember how miserable I was. Hot was an understatement Plain ole miserable. Ever since my kids were out of school I have still been a part of the calendar year with being a Nanny and a director of a before and after school program, and a pre-school teacher. This year it seems different. So far I'm not putting anyone on the school bus. Seems weird. Enjoy your little place in paradise.

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  17. I just found you thru Sue at Housekaboodle, and I'm so glad I did. Charming!!!!! I love your new dishes- they look vintage, and the ruffled mapkins are beautiful. Oh, how I long for a place by the sea. In the meantime I'll just have to live it thru you.

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  18. What gorgeous colors, Carol! One could imagine a table like this in Provence! :)
    But where you are is a haven....being close to the ocean is a dream....

    Enjoy, enjoy!! :)
    Hugs,
    - Irina

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  19. What a difference a year makes. Glad you are now able to tale Lulu on your fantastic beach.
    Sarah x

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  20. What a delightful setting ~ when's tea???
    :)

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  21. Oh, I'm SO jealous that you're right by that gorgeous beach!! Your table looks beautiful!
    Susan

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  22. What a pretty setting! I love the tablecloth and always love Sunflowers! Enjoy these last days of summer.

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  23. Such a pretty table setting. I love the tablecloth and it is perfect with the dishes and sunflowers. The silverware is beautiful too....and I love that you picked it out at such a young age. Sweet! Enjoy these last days of summer walking Lulu in your comfy shorts and t-shirts! That's my favorite outfit..lol!

    Blessings, Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

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  24. Oh Carol, what a beautiful table setting and so close to the ocean breeze. Isn't it great to be retired and enjoying all the things that you want to do and didn't have the time.
    So glad that Little Lulu get to have walks on the beach now - she must be loving chasing waves. Give her a big hug and kiss from me - she is so adorable.
    Mary

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  25. Such a wonderful way to say good bye to summer.

    - The Tablescaper

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  26. Brian and I love our evening walks too, but they'd be so much better on a beach instead of a cement street running through a neighborhood! ;-) Enjoy those lovely summer moments.

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  27. What a wonderful way to enjoy the last days of Summer!! Your table setting is beautiful...love the pretty table cloth. How fun to walk Lulu on the beach. Someday I hope to go on another vacation to the beach again...it has been 27 years since I last walked on the beach near the ocean.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  28. Such a lovely sunny table, I love the blue, white and yellow. Thank you for visiting me recently, I'm so pleased to find your lovely blog.....am looking forward to reading more...
    Helen x

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  29. What a perfect setting for dinner on a late summer evening. It looks so lovely. And to think you chose the cutlery when you were 8; I bet there's a story to that!

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  30. What a life you have Carol - what a life!!!
    That setting is just gorgeous - and then a stroll on the beach with Lulu after dinner - I can't think of a more perfect way to live !!!
    XOXO

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  31. Good for you for recognizing and savoring your well-earned new life style!!

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  32. What a beautiful setting - gorgeous photos! Have a great day!

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  33. What a wonderful post. Love the fabric. It made such a pretty table cloth and it is perfect with the sunflowers. I have some silverware that is so similar to yours. Most of mine is just a mixture of things and some my mom gave me. She gave me my grandfather's silver a couple years ago.

    How are you feeling about not starting back to school? Looks like you are having some wonderful last days of summer.

    I like the jungle, makes it seem so tropical.

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  34. Such lovely setting and Lulu is her cute self as usual!

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  35. Beautiful table setting! Wish we lived near the beach and could take Bella walking there.

    Judy

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  36. Beautiful! That blue and yellow table cloth would be a favorite here.
    Glad you and Lulu are enjoying the beach walks. You lucky girls! ;-)

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  37. Your table is beautiful friend! The color scheme is just right with those amazing sunflowers! And your garden is gorgeous! I like the fullness and lush greens in that corner! What an amazing escape! I too still feel as though I should be off to school come September....I actually still have those frantic dreams that I am trying to set up my classroom but have run out of time! So glad you are enjoying the beach in shorts with that little sweetie! Take care you!!!

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  38. Oh such a beautiful way to bid adieu to summer! I love love love the gorgeous setting.....the beautiful blue and yellow tablecloth is so perfect for a summer evening:) And the pitcher of sunflowers makes a gorgeous focal point:)Lulu is so cute...and not camera shy at all:)Your lovely beach pictures has me wishing to be living near the ocean! Thanks for the inspiration! Happy weekend! Hugs, Poppy

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  39. Oh such a beautiful way to bid adieu to summer! I love love love the gorgeous setting.....the beautiful blue and yellow tablecloth is so perfect for a summer evening:) And the pitcher of sunflowers makes a gorgeous focal point:)Lulu is so cute...and not camera shy at all:)Your lovely beach pictures has me wishing to be living near the ocean! Thanks for the inspiration! Happy weekend! Hugs, Poppy

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  40. How I wish such a happy table had been waiting for me when I was back from school today! But no, only cats waiting for food and cuddles!

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  41. I love seeing pictures of your local beach. I also love the jungle look in your garden, and how perfect to sit there and eat a gorgeous dinner prepared by Steve !

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  42. What can I say? You live a charmed life. Just a beautiful table. Glad you still have the tablecloth. And the white ruffled napkins make it look so fresh.

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  43. Love your beautifully set table!Oh yes summer is gone ...hard to believe.But today it feels like fall.There is a chill in the air.
    xx
    Anne

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  44. Carol, those sunflowers are beautiful - one of my favorites and go so well with the beautiful table cloth and dishes... Summer may be gone but, we too are still having summer temps and humidity... we won't cool down to fall temps for another month now but, it will be welcomed with open arms when it does... Cathy

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  45. the table setting is so cool and inviting. How refreshing in the heat of the day.

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