French Mother's Day Chateau Bouquets

(Five Queens Room/Chenonceau)

Today is Mother's Day in France 

and these photos are from some of the chateaux

on a Mother's Day weekend some years ago.

They filled their ancient rooms with these exquisite flowers. 

My last Mother's Day post showed the exterior of one of the chateaux

(Azay le Rideau)

so I thought I'd show a few of the actual lovely arrangements. 

While the French Fete des Meres is always the last Sunday in May

(unless it coincides with Pentecost and then it's moved to the 1st Sunday in June),

I just learned that the Italian Mother's Day is the same as in the US,

2nd Sunday in May and is known as La Festa della Mamma.

In the UK, it was known as Mothering Sunday

and was originally tied to the Christian calendar

falling on the fourth Sunday of Lent,

usually late March or early April

when followers were given time off to return to their 'mother' church.

 Always something to learn while blogging!

I think this last basket of creamy white roses and Cala lilies is my favorite

with its view out the window to the water. 

Bonne Fete des Meres to les Mamans in France! 

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Mother's Day wishes

Mother's Day is coming up! 

And when we visited the Loire Valley one Mother's Day Weekend 

several years ago with The Chef's parents,

we found that many of the chateaux decorate their rooms with

magnificent flower arrangements for the Moms. 

Both his parents are gone now as is my Mom

and what I wouldn't give now to walk both those Moms 

through these gorgeous rooms as a Mother's Day Sunday treat. 

List of things I miss about my Mom:

* The way she swept my hair behind my ears with her long fingernails 

when I was little to put me to sleep *

* The beauty of her long elegant hands *

* Her music and radio voice *

* Late night drives in the car, my sister and I wrapped in blankets

in a bed in the back watching the stars and silhouetted trees through the window *

* Her giggle *

* Her sing-song voice when she was in a good mood *

* Her I love you's *

* Her love of all things purple *

If you are blessed to still have your mom, 

I hope you have a little something sweet planned for her.

And if this day simply brings up loss and sadness, 

I hope you will show yourself some sweetness.

Pick a bouquet from the garden for yourself,

or stop by the store for a little tenderness for your heart. 

We all tend to mother those close to us in our lives

so don't forget to mother yourself this weekend. 

Bonne Fete des Meres!

 (The above photo is Chateau Azay le Rideau.

For a little more info on the chateau itself, Click HERE.) 

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)