Tuesday, February 25, 2014

What's in a Name?



Before Kimberly and I started this blog, we talked at great length about what we could use as a name that would capture the essence of who we are and what we hope to accomplish with the blog, as well as in life. Recently, several people have commented on the name, so perhaps it's time to do a little explaining.


Sunlight gives us power
But moonlight gives us grace.

I don't know to whom I should give credit, other than the quote is on a print that I purchased at the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival from Sue Rowe Studios in Stillwater, MN.  Perhaps it is hers?

This is so very powerful and meaningful to me. Kimberly and I happened upon it at the festival, (which we attend together every year and do up a splendid Blueberry themed table).  I was so moved, that I wept upon reading it.  And, so, it hangs in my office where I can read it every day.  It is a constant reminder that I want to incorporate grace in my life, it represents the special fondness I have for my sweet Gracie girl, and is a visual cue for me to be thankful for the special friendship I have with Kimberly.

The photo above is of Gracie, my Flat Coated Retriever.  She is now nearly 10 years old, and has been the inspiration for my business, Gracie's Plant Works.

Gracie and me with Patty, my business partner.  We are a retail greenhouse selling organic, heirloom vegetable starts, are specialists in heirloom tomatoes, and also hard to find and interesting annuals and perennials.  It is fantastic work, and is physically demanding, but rewarding on so many levels. 
And the story continues.....

Every year since the early 1980s, Todd and I get together and celebrate New Year's Eve with
Kimberly and her husband, Kim (yes, Kim and Kim).  Kimberly is always good for coming up with a thought-provoking question to pose as a starter for the conversation over dinner.  Every New Year's Eve, we have come to expect Kimberly's  'question of the year'.  In 2012, she asked us all about what we want to see in the upcoming new year.  I said I wanted more grace in my life and to be more graceful in my approach to life and towards others.

Are you starting to see a pattern?  Indeed.  Thus, A Graceful Table was born.  We want to share our love of cooking and entertaining, of gardening and preserving the harvest, as well as our what is becoming a vast collection of plates, linens, and flatware.

It may also be important at this point to mention that we list the manufacturers and patterns of various pieces on our tablescapes because we think that people may be interested to know.  We are NOT compensated by anyone for promotional consideration and are not advertising for them, rather sharing info with other tablescapers for their edification.



A special thanks to Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul for the most recent comment and impetus for this post.


2 comments:

  1. Oh, how happy I was to see your latest post pop up in my inbox. And to think I get credit for its impetus. Thank you!
    It's a beautiful quote and story, but your Gracie girl is beyond adorable. I'm adding her image to my Pinterest Board of Special Animals. That is with your permission of course. ~ Sarah

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  2. By all means, you have my permission, Sarah! Gracie has recently been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. She is, indeed, a brave and special girl.

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