Remember how as a child, your Summer Break left you feeling refreshed and sort of excited to return to school? Let’s talk about that and other good things like an email service for “Nice News”, Howard’s new dish inspired by our Portugal trip, Portuguese pottery here in the U.S., and an easy summer table.
It’s Five Fives time with Annie and Cindy.
1. The Importance Of A Summer Break
A Summer Break is important to give your energy level a rest, refresh your mind and renew your enthusiasm for projects ahead.
I was feeling sort of guilty about letting my home projects slide and posting less frequently here and on Instagram until I remembered the importance of a Summer Break.
- One of the main ways the Summer can help with mental health is through the sunshine. Because of the warmer weather, many of us spend more time outdoors in the summer. Source.
- The increased sun exposure boosts our vitamin D levels, and can even improve mood, leading to better mental health. Source.
- Too much routine stifles creativity. Your summer break is a chance to re-set and evaluate your routines, choosing which ones to carry forward for a good fall and winter. Source.
- Even if you stay home, you can let yourself relax with leisurely walks, reading books or magazines that aren’t work-related, trying a new recipe (like the one below), letting the ironing or deep cleaning slide, taking an afternoon nap, or exploring a new place in your town like a museum or library. More summer activities at home here.
Are you taking a Summer Break?
I’m enjoying having our daughter and granddaughter here. Louisa is helping me undecorate…
2. Handcrafted Portuguese Plates Some On Sale!
I’ve been a long-time fan of these ceramic dishes created to resemble a cabbage leaf. Each cabbage leaf dish is cast in traditional molds and hand-glazed by skilled craftspeople.
About: First designed in 1884 by Bordallo Pinheiro, this art deco collection has since established itself as the iconic example of 19th-century Portuguese cultural heritage. These are the real deal, not cheap knock-offs.
If I had had more room in my suitcase on our recent trip to Portugal, I would have brought more home instead of just these two little bowls.
But guess what? Terrain in the U.S. carries them in colors such as white, green, blue/green, and pink.
Also, the yellow salad plates are on sale plus an extra 30% off (code: Additional30). So, are the yellow dinner plates. I think either would make setting the table fun.
3. Lemongrass, Ginger, Mint Mussels Recipe
Howard made this for dinner a couple of nights ago and it was delicious.
I got him to give us his recipe.
- 2.5 lbs mussels
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1.5 cups white wine
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tbsp peeled, shaved ginger
- 1 tbsp lemongrass paste
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 lemon wedges
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Saute garlic and ginger in olive oil. Add red pepper flakes and lemongrass.
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Add the cup of wine and bring to a boil. Add mussels.
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Cover and cook until mussels open. Add parsley and shake pan. Cover pan with lid for a few minutes. Serve with toasted baguette pieces and lemon wedge.
4. Simple Table With One Flower Type
My mother and sisters-in-law drove four hours to see us (well, Louisa was a big draw) and I set the table using glass vases and just one flower type (which is so easy)…pink tulips from the grocery store.
placemats ā¢ napkin rings ā¢ hurricane candles ā¢ wicker glasses ā¢ pillow ā¢ dining table ā¢ caned dining chair
5. Craving Some “Nice News”?
My friend Dorothy introduced me to Nice News. Just what you want when there is so much bad news out there. I signed up for the email. For example, “Small Acts of Kindness Occur More Often Than You Might Guess, Global Study Finds.”
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Hi Mary Ann,
I agree, summer break is an elixir for the soul. I’m not especially fond of overly hot weather, but the sunshine and activities surrounding the summer are true memory makers.
Your granddaughter looks like she has some ideas for decorating. šā¤ļø
Enjoy August.
Karen B.
Thanks, Karen!!
Big fan of summer breaks! Now retired, I always had some time off in the summer and I loved it! Time to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. What a treat to have your daughter and your granddaughter for a lovely visit. Enjoy! My mom had a beautiful large cabbage serving bowl (green) – wondering now whatever happened to it. Yummy recipe and nice news. Well done!
Enjoyed following your trip to Portugal, MA. And, yes, Iām šÆ for summer breaks. Canāt wrap my head around kids returning to school before Labor Day. But thatās off topic. Love your little cabbage bowls. How fun to have for cocktail hour snacks. And I adore your new design assistant ā¦ bringing her fresh perspective to coffee table styling! xo
Hi Mary Ann,
Welcome home from your trip to Portugal, it look like you had a wonderful time and made so many lasting memories. I loved that you talked about the cabbage ceramic plates, one of my favorite dinnerware to use. I bought a whole set of the green cabbage at home Goods many years ago for dirt cheap and Iām so glad I did. Itās such a classic design but would be fun to have a few other colors to mix in!
I had to laugh at Louisa āundecoratingā your coffee table. Boy, is she a living doll, so precious and cute as can be. How wonderful that they were able to stay for such a long visit, Iām sure they loved staying in your gorgeous house, going to the beach and swimming in the pool.
Happy you took a nice summer break, you certainly s deserve it and never feel guilty about missing a post or two, you amaze me with all you do.
Happy Summer
What a score at HomeGoods, Gail!!!
Hi Mary Ann,
Welcome back home. I so enjoyed the pictures you shared on your Portugal trip. It looks like you had a wonderful time and so did your friends. Iāve been to Spain but never to Portugal. I understand itās a popular destination right now.
Louisa is so cute, wow is she ever growing. Before long will be walking. How nice family drove four hours to visit and Howard made a special dinner. You are fortunate that he enjoys cooking and is good at it too.
I did read āSmall Acts of Kindness.ā Itās so important to do random acts of kindness. In the world we live in today we need that and for sure
LOVE. That word is on repeat with me.
Have a good week.
YOU are such a kind person!!!
Lovely post thank you Mary Anne. I think I might subscribe to Nice News thanks for mentioning it, and so lovely to see your granddaughter! So looking forward to that….happy summer!
Looking forward to my much needed summer break to Newport Beach in a couple of weeks with my sister! Sometimes I believe itās not only the break thatās rejuvenating itās the need to have something to look forward to! Anyway, your table looks beautiful and you somehow always manage to make it look effortless! Little Louisa is an absolute doll! I see sheās a budding karaoke singer like my G-daughter. We bought the bigger version Cocomelon toy (thought my son would kill me) and she absolutely loves entertaining us all!
Happy Sunday!
Mary Ann, I always look forward to your posts and have been eyeing the hurricane candles for quite awhile. Just placed my order but I canāt tell if there is an indentation for the candle to sit in. Would you clarify that for me?
Loving the pictures of Louisa ā¦she is an adorable little girl. We have a granddaughter about the same age and itās so much fun watching her change.
Thanks for all the great decorating ideas and Iāve used many of them over the years.
Catherine,
Thanks for commenting. Yes, there is an indentation for taper candles. I used cheaper candles last night and the glass fot some soot. But when I use the candles from my Amazon storefront they don’t.