Entertaining, Everyday Chic, In the Garden, The Parterre Bench


Chasing Away the Winter Doldrums

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Waking on a gray, rainy day two weeks ago, I found myself yearning for a pick-up. Little did I know that a surprise was awaiting me on my sun porch…a pot of just blooming precious mini daffodils, leftover from last spring (and which I had honestly forgotten about).

Inspired to dress up the mantle a bit, too, I chose my favorite off-season flower arranging options…vegetables (ie. cabbage and artichokes).

Renewed, I started planning the Private Newport business luncheon meeting that was already on the calendar. The yellow daffs inspired me to pull out my India Amory placemats and create a tabletop using that unbeatable color combo of blue, white and yellow…surely providing visual aesthetics for my team as we discuss the Parterre Bench spring/summer campaign.

Paired with the Black Pearl’s clam chowder (in my vintage chowder bowls) and a cheese tray of yummy options, the winter doldrums were starting to lift…then I lit a roaring fire and the day took on a new (and warmer) meaning. See if this doesn’t warm you up, too!

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About Bettie Bearden Pardee

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, garden furniture designer (The Parterre Bench), national lecturer, and entertaining expert. An honoree for the second year on "The Salonniere 100 America's Best Party Hosts", she was also the host and creative producer of "The Presidential Palate: Entertaining at the White House".

9 thoughts on “Chasing Away the Winter Doldrums

  1. Bettie,
    Sunny beautiful! Much needed on a rainy siege in Atlanta.
    Gratefully,
    Lynn

    1. Hi, it’s raining everywhere…what a strange winter weather pattern!

      1. strange weather? its climate change.
        i get great inspiration from this site, and appreciate it very much. I live in a tiny home and can still incorporate much of what you show, wo thank you for that!

        1. Candace, thank you for that endorsement regarding Private Newport’s design ideas serving even a small home! xB

  2. That fire looks enticing.
    So do the Brie (? or Camembert? No, I think it’s Brie), and the chèvre bouchons. They would work well with a clam chowder.
    We got winter, finally, on Feb. 28 with some snow that lasted a couple of hours, but it’s already back to spring, with warming temps and flowers blooming. First iris!

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