Welcome Home to California!
Our daughter moved home from New York last weekend
(after being away for six years for school and work).
She transferred to her company’s L.A. office.
Next to her bed, I put these fragrant flowers from the garden
and a little gift from Blue Soul Designs.
I read about this Etsy shop on the Hyphen Interiors blog.
On her first night at home, we had dinner on the patio.
Usually, I just grab what is around the house to set the table.
Lemon blossoms picked from our tree make a fragrant centerpiece.
The place mats are from Pier One.
The place mats are from Pier One.
On Saturday, Alie had to buy a car…this southern California!
It gets great gas mileage.
On Sunday, her former room-mate’s family was in town
and we invited them to dinner.
This book was used for menu inspiration.
The Menu
Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus (from here)
Minted Pea Soup with Proscuitto and Creme Fraiche*
~~~~~
Heirloom Tomato, Burrata, Basil Salad*
Lemon Herb Chicken with Roasted Vegetables*
~~~~~
Carol’s Coffee Ice Cream Pie with Caramel Sauce
Espresso
* from the above book
The first two appetizers were passed around outside
and then we sat at the table inside…
I folded a piece of embroidered linen for the table runner
and used more roses from the garden and lilies from the
grocery store.
On Monday, we took our kayak out for a spin.
This golf cart parked on our street sort of
epitomizes the lifestyle here.
It’s not as exciting as New York City,
but I REALLY hope that Alie is happy here.
Thank you for visiting!
I know you are so glad to have her home. I would be giddy! Enjoy every minute. Hugs, Ginger
First of all … will you be my mom? (I'm old enough to be yours, but that's beside the point.) Her homecoming could not have been lovelier.
Nor could California.
Mary
What a sweet welcome home! I know she's thrilled to be there with you.
Be careful, she'll never leave!
Everything was beautiful. Congrats on having your daughter home again!
The table settings are all gorgeous and the food looks amazing; I'm sure she felt very welcomed! Congratulations on having your daughter home!
How lovely to have your daughter home again!
This makes me SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooo happy for you!!!! I know you must be besides yourself to have her home again. Don't let her go back ever!!! haha
Joni
MaryAnn,
Nice that Alie is home. I see this as a great new beginning of double fun to come, Cheers!
wow
what wonderful news for you!!
the tables look beautiful.
i hope your daughter likes living in calf. too.
it's a big change from living in nyc.
happy weekend!
xoxo
Mary Ann,
Alie certainly looks happy in her shiny new car! I love that you had a little present and fresh flowers for her. Your table settings on the patio and in your dining room are so pretty! How could she not be happy…she has you for a mom!!
xo
annie
So happy for you that your daughter is back home!
Nothing like having your children close.
My daughter is in college and hope she remains close to home. Looks like you had a wonderful homecoming.
Donna
thebeneblog.com
It's all so lovely! Your tables settings are gorgeous. Love the place mats…I have the same ones on our dining table! I know you are happy to have your daughter back in town. Enjoy the weekend!
What a wonderful welcome home! You are the perfect hostess! I know how much you'll enjoy your daughter. Your tables capes are beautiful and the menu is divine. Great job.
Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
For starters, I keep looking at your photo and can't believe you could be old enough to have adult children! Secondly I would love to be a guest at your place if you go to that much trouble. It all looks so delicious, and stylish and welcoming and made with love. Great inspiration and a reminder that being bothered to make an effort is worth it.
Who wouldn't want to go home with such a beautiful welcome?! I love how you set your tables; just gorgeous. I'm glad for you that you have your daughter close again. It's hard being away from family.
Congrats.
Mary Ann,
I am so happy for you .. we miss our kids when they are away!! I have one almost finished with college and one that's graduated. BOTH have settled here for the time being .. thankfully!! What a lovely table setting and meal you had waiting for her.
Enjoy your weekend!
leslie
Mary Ann,
I have the same place mats…they are so versatile! Beautiful table settings.
How nice that your daughter is back. I don't know what I would do if my daughter moved away. She is my only child!
Linda
Mary Ann,
Lovely images. You must be so happy to have your daughter back in the area. I have one in Austin and while it's a short plane ride from So. Cal. I would love him (and his wife and our granddaughter) to be closer.
Enjoy your weekend.
Karen
You must be so excited to have your daughter home. My daughter lives 5 minutes away and it would be so hard to have her across the country. I hope you enjoy many precious and fun moments with her.
How wonderful to have her close to home and what a great way to welcome her back!
We just dropped off our oldest in Boston for his freshman year – your post helped me think about longer-term, not just these next four years. We used to live in Boston – maybe we'll be moving back up there someday…
You must be so thrilled Alie is back in CA, Mary Ann! Enjoy having her back.
I love your tablescapes – they always look so effortless, never stuffy or too formal!
What a lucky daughter – you must be so excited to have her home!! Can't wait to add a new book to my collection and oh, your tablescapes…gorgeous!!
You can set a beautiful table!!!! Every time you show us entertaining shots I wanna be there:). You must be thrilled to have your daughter home!
What a beautiful post! Congratulations on have your daughter home…sigh! Thanks for bringing us all along:)
How lovely! You must be so thrilled to have your daughter back in CA. Enjoy the times ahead!
Claudia
Congratulations on a daughter coming home.
I love the way the home has been maintained it really seems to find the floral deco to your homes it adds that glamorous looks.
You must be so happy to have your daughter home again. My kids are still young, but I am dreading the day they all leave the nest! Lovely table settings – so pretty and fresh! x Sharon
You are such a wonderful mother! What a great way to welcome your daughter home! Lovely table settings and the food looks absolutely delicious. Your guests are so lucky!
Hope you have a good weekend!
P/S: Come by and enter my current giveaway for a chance to win a fabulous, smokeless scented candle.
http://www.mixandchic.com/2012/09/a-product-review-and-giveaway-goose.html
Jessie
http://www.mixandchic.com
Oh Mary Ann,
How wonderful for you to have Alie home. How could she be anything but happy here, close to her family in beautiful Newport Beach. You are such an amazing hostess, both tables are so pretty, and the dinner looks delicious. We were down boating the bay on Sunday and as always….it was a bit of heaven. The golf cart certainly does say it all!
Oh Mary Ann,
How wonderful for you to have Alie home. How could she be anything but happy here, close to her family in beautiful Newport Beach. You are such an amazing hostess, both tables are so pretty, and the dinner looks delicious. We were down boating the bay on Sunday and as always….it was a bit of heaven. The golf cart certainly does say it all!
How wonderful that your daughter moved home. That is just so exciting. Ummm…I'm just wondering what I have to do to get an invitation to dinner- that looks SOOOO good! xo Diana
Everything is so beautiful and I will get a taste of la soon I think its gorgeous from your view!Enjoy your daughter!
Wow! You've been busy. I love to entertain and know how much work a menu like the last one can be. Love the tables capes too. so fab! M.
What a loving, wonderful welcome for your daughter!
Thank you so much for the mention. 🙂
I love that you treated your daughter like she was a very special guest. I know she appreciated every precious detail. Gorgeous tablescapes!
That's so wonderful that your daughter is back home again. It looks like a great first weekend back. And Carol's coffee ice cream pie – that sounds so good.
awww what a good momma you are! what a lovely welcome home bedside table and gift! id love to be entertained at your home 🙂
Mary Ann, It's not NY and that is exactly why she is home!
Your menu for the dinner reminds me of how much fun we had entertaining when we lived in Tacoma, WA. Our group of friends all enjoyed the details of food, decor and drink so much, that we had a bit of a gourmet club – even when is was potluck. 🙂
Cheers!
Aw, what a special welcome back. I love all the details! I'm sure you are thrilled to have her close again. Gorgeous table settings! Thanks for the mention.
It would be great to be in LA!! I hope that everything goes perfectly for Alie. I know that you are enjoying having her home.
The menu and the table is beautiful!
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo
Alie is happy everywhere! That's why we love her!!
Oh Mary Ann! I know your heart is so full having her home! There's nothing better than being a mom and it doesn't matter how old our kids are!
xo