MOther and Daughter trip together
Mother and Daughter time together on a trip to England.
My dear daughter and I were able to cobble together a very last minute trip overseas in just a couple weeks. We knew we had a free week or two between various activities and were able to get away for a little less than a week together. May I strongly recommend a chance to have time alone with your son or daughter for a night out, a weekend away or even a cup of coffee. For us, we overlapped with our interests and even developped new interests with time together. Mostly, and this was an unexpected benefit of our trip together, was that I learned things about my daughter that I hadn’t quite known before. This helps inform my parenting in general and, also, just a learning in life experience. Places don’t feel you need to be far and away, but time away together was a wonderful idea for our mother and daugther bond. I think both of us are very grateful.
Be the change!
We have all been there, or maybe many of us have. It’s a holiday and there’s so much going on. And, yet, you feel that there is not so much for your yourself to do. As they say, be the change. One thing for sure in life, it always feels good to create memories with other people. It all starts with a simple invitation. Finding the time to create moments and then memories by hosting a gathering. There’s pleny of good food to order in or make yourself. Plenty of friends who would so love an invitation. It’s worthwhile to lower expectations and get swept up in the excitement of setting a table, choosing dishes to prepare or placing an order from a favorite restaurant and to be with our guests. The fun continues well past when the last dish cleaned. The happy feelings of being together continues . And, please remember, as a guest, finding a fun or thougthful something to bring along for your host can be such a treat. Nothing big, just a little thoughtful something. We are blessed to have our loved ones and we are blessed to have our country. Happy 4th fo July and Happy 250th birthday and enjoy celebrating with loved ones!
My father in law’s Memorial Service weekend ~ sunday lunch before the last of the out of town relatives head home.
“Adult” table
“Grand children” table
Three full days of gathering and celebrating. My father in law passed a few months ago but we had a bit of delayed memorial celebrating him this past weekend. What a kind and thoughtful person he was. My husbands parents were examples of hospitality for many of their family and friends. They invited many into their home. A slice of life for them ~ dinner at the table surrounded by pleasant conversation and warmth. They both are missed and in our small way we try to continue their example of love for table fellowship. At the memorial service at our church, which they attended for over 50 years, many shared how they were welcomed into my in laws home for a simple Sunday lunch and other occasions. It also seems that hospitality goes both ways. The host/hostess is touched by the company of their guests. It’s a blessing for everyone.
you made it work
Buffet Set
Table Set
A simple reminder.
My dear friend said to me at dinner on Saturday, “and you always made it work”. She referred to our old tiny kitchen in our old home where we would have gatherings in a limited space. That was a reminder to me that hosting a gathering need not be huge or a multi-coursed meal. A special visual touch, a delicious dish and a warm and inviting home all help to set the tone for an enjoyable time together. By the way, during this weekend’s dinner at our home we had wine spilled at the table, a hole burn into the table cloth and imperfect cake slice servings, but all was just fine and time together was enjoyed. Accidents happen but good will and warm memories endure.
Enjoying MOther’s Day with loved ones.
A variety of colors and flowers in this beautiful Mother’s Day bouquet.
With friends who have children out of town or maybe without their own mothers, it’s an honor and a privilege to share Mother’s Day with additional loved ones. What a wonderful thing it would be if we had a special meal with our friends who could come by for a lovely meal and join us. We will still have a family outing another time very soon, but for today, it will be a little bigger and we are so grateful.
Won’t you Please participate in our very first tabletop contest?
Lovely table decor for our Mother’s Day table.
Dear Friends,
We would love to know if you would like to participate in a little contest. All you need to do is to email us at info@mrsadelaideathome.com a photo (or a few) of your beautiful table setting. You may be the winner ~ especially because we have had no submisions yet. The deadline is May 15th. We are crossing our fingers to see your photos and how specially you set your table. The winner recieves a $100 gift of their choice from our website. Won’t you please consider sharing?
Loving the imperfect
Organic Romaine Lettuce ~ perfectly imperfect (a delicious ingredient and part delicious Sunday dinner)
Perhaps the most important aspect of feeling hospitable and feeling the affects of true hospitality is having the feeling that being you yourself is enough. Feeling the sense that a person is welcomed and accepted and cherished and enjoyed. Really recieved for who they are. Hospitality is caring and hospitality is accepting. Come in, take a load off and let’s share. Let’s share some food, time and conversation together. It’s about sharing and caring and part of caring is about welcoming and accepting and helping. Showing warmth and kindness. That’s a wonderful way to be recieved into our homes.
Enjoying Date night with your special someone.
Mercadito, Chicago
My husband and I enjoyed a date night with the added benefit of a good 30 plus minute of talking time on the drive to and from the restaurant. Chicago has many excellent restaurants and this was a nice find. There were people wrapping up dinner at Mercadito and dashing across the street to a dinner club afterwards. This is a bit of an upscale Mexican restaurant. Definitely hip. We are on an adventure to discover more and more of what our town has to offer. Lesson for this week (or maybe better put “suggestion”): keep trying new things, keep stretching yourself to explore new restaurants, places and keep meeting new people. It’s maybe more of an effort for some people, but it’s such an effort worth making. New experiences and new ambiances and interactions add a little sparkle to our lives. Shine on!
It’s never too early to dream of spring.
Green Faille Lulu handbag with gold toned handle.
Spring is ethereal. It comes to visit and then sprints away. Where did it go? We almost didn’t miss her when we recieved an additional and unexpected snowfall. We bundled up fully packed in for the next week. But, eventually, Spring comes back. We love her and cannot wait to see her again soon. Meantime, we have this delightful and multi talented handbag that can help usher in our next season. We love her, this Lulu bag. She brings with her all the fresh air and happiness ~ she is happy to share.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Mrs. Adelaide at Home, Thank You card
We hardly need a reason these days to say “Thank you”. There is so much to be grateful for and so much that we can happily slow our lives down for to help us more fully appreciate. This beautiful, emerald green card just captured my heart. The gold layers of plants and flowers are intricate and the words, just to the point. We really don’t need a season or season to share a kind word of thanks. Why not do so with a bespoke and beautiful card. It will be recieved gladly and cherished. Your words will complete it.
Ballet for the sake of Ballet
Tiler Peck and Friends, Auditiorium Theater Chicago
Ballet is important (and so is the Opera) and so are so many, many beautiful, difficult to do but well worth it things. Art forms breath hope and happiness into our lives. Just like some people love their pets and derive a huge amount of love and happiness from their dogs or pets, there are many, many people who just love the world of ballet, just for ballet’s sake. It’s an artform and truly one for all the ages. Ballet brings history, phyiscal fitness, musicality and team work together. It’s wonderful and so was Tiler Peck and Friends! Highly recommend!
Mahjong Merriment
Washing the Mahjong tiles, the sounds bring happy memories of my friend, Tong, and her childhood in Thailand watching (and listening) as her aunt played Mahjong with her friends.
We had a great time. No question. When you get to be with friends and have a sweet Mahjong expert give fun and private instruction, it doesn’t get much better than that. It’s a chance to be together, visit and celebrate eachother’s moves and strategies. We are all beginners, but it’s never too late to try to learn somthing new. Having a kind teacher and one who has a fun and friendly personality made our lesson stretch beyone the 2 hours. The learning curve is real, but the potential for fun and togetherness is realler! Give it a try, if you haven’t. It’s for everyone!
Meeting Mahjong!
Mrs. Adelaide at Home ~ Pink Hydrangea potted faux flowers will be replaced by tiles and Mahjong equipment.
We have heard about Mahjong over the years. It’s good for your brain, a memory teaser, fun to play with friends, you name it. Well, it’s also a blessing. As we have the opportunity to be together with friends, games of many kinds offer some of the companionship, challenge and conversation we all enjoy. It’s another avenue for being social. There are classes available at local woman’s clubs, churches, even some private / public schools are offering classes for parents. Maybe even some libraries might offer some instruction. When you gather together, remember to have some time for refreshments and small bites. Better yet, small bites with protein. I’m anticipating needing to bring a very strong brain and all by brain power to learn Mahjong. It’s never too late to learn new things!
Baby ALbums you can hold
Baby Book Binders all set for you to create your own for own baby or babies in your life. Complete one and give one. They are always a welcomed and cherished gift that says “I love you little one”. Celebrate with pretty pink or baby blue❤️
A must have for the parents, grandparents, and friends with babies in their lives. A wonderful shower gift and a wonderful "just because" gfit.
Favorite things
Colorful Splash Cups from Mrs. Adelaide at Home
Making a splash with my new favorite things. With these splash cups, they make you excited for the next time you host. It’s a set of glasses that just fill up the space with conversation, happiness and beauty. Each time we bring something to our tables or homes that resonates with us and our own sensibilities, we share with our guests a part of who we are. We share what gives us joy and some special things about who we are. Hosting is a very personal and special thing. It’s something to keep doing. Not all the time and not always at our own homes, but definitely it’s worth keeping our hosting knack supple and ready for action. Hosting loved ones and new and old friends is one of the best gifts we can give to ourselves. Experiences that last a lifetime.
Gift Baskets for every occasion
Gift Baskets curated by Mrs. Adelaide at Home
Let us gather and compose a gift basket for your organization, loved one, important celebration, hostess gift, you name it. It’s such an unexpected and thoughtful gift. You will be remembered and thought of for many years to come. Arrive with this in your arms and this will bring joy to whoever is on your list.
Rotating centerpieces and florals
Evren Vase Tall
I remember reading that for interior design for the Japanese culture there is a seasonal change for artwork. I understood this to be for artwork on the walls in a home. We may do this practice also with smaller decor items. It may seem instinctual. For many homes, a small alteration on the buffet, the mantel, the centerpice to a dining room table or an edit to the coffee table will bring a fresh perspective to the space. Or, if you prefer not to swap out, there’s the wonderful way of swapping around. Trying things in different places in our homes breaths fresh appreciation and a sense of newness to our lovely things.
Creams and Greens
The softness of creams and greens make for a calm and quiet get away atmosphere in our study.
Somehow references to the foliage and fauna of nature give breath into a home. We like to incorporate some sort of this into every room to allow for more closeness to nature. It’s comes naturally to us. Finding the inspiration is everywhere ~ plates, carpets, wallpaper, books. Highlight nature and you’ll have a sunny day everday.
Collaborating ~ Communicating and creating to help the client/s find thier comfort & happiness zone.
This is an original mood board, an initial jumping off point. The final product will be the client’s finished project. Lot’s of itterations and lots of working together. It’s a joint project with the happiness of the client and thier lifestyle as the main importance.
This family gathering room / hang out room is their living room. They live on 2 floors of a 2 flat and the bottom floor they rent. It’s a nice size foot print and a modern & open concept. The living room is intimate and the hope is to maximize the comfort of seating for the family to be all together, play games and sink in to comfort.
We like to ease into our celebrations ~ Valentine’s Day included.
I am happy to ease into celebrations. It feels better to have something talked about and thought about before celebrating. Also, if feels nice to have just simple touches. A paper napkin with a few new additions (not necessarily themed for Valentine’s Day) signals to our loved ones a little something new coming. Nothing grand, nothing fancy, no big statement. Just a little reminder that we are thinking about eachother as Valentine’s Day approaches. Soon we can give out our cards. Low key and sweet.