Wednesday, January 9, 2013

A Beautiful Place

"You can't really say what is
beautiful about a place, but the
image of the place will remain
vividly with you."
               ~Tadao Ando

   Happy New Year!!! The tragedy of this wonderful thing called technology is that sometimes (or oftentimes) it breaks down. I have been without a computer for a few weeks now and I apologize for the long silence. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's. I certainly did!

I was pondering what I love about Christmas because I am always sad to see it end and I realized that some of my favourite moments are spent in a special room in my house and in the homes of my family. In the Victorian era the dining room was a social center and the formal dinner party was an event surrounded by ritual and elegance. Many newer homes today no longer have this room since for some reason it seems to be going out of style! Is it the old-fashioned tradition of formal dinner parties and elegant entertaining that is fading away or simply that our gatherings are moving from the dining room to other areas in our homes? I have always loved dining rooms. I have grown up in a family that respects and cherishes many British traditions carried back from before my Mother's family immigrated to Canada. My Nana's dining room has been the setting for many occasions throughout my life - birthdays, anniversaries, Easters, Thanksgivings, and many the lavish Christmas feast. In my Mother's home it is always exciting when the good china is brought out and the candles lit for a special dinner. I can't imagine my home without a dining room and I love the time that we spend there. Whether this room is laid out for guests or sitting in the late afternoon sun with the day's projects strewn on the table - our dining room is a reflection of our love for old and lovely things. Sometimes I like to think that my home has become a haven for old traditions and treasures and all of the fading but unforgotten things that make life sweet.























13 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post! Your dining room and dishes are so lovely. I understand about a dining room too...being Canadian and having my grandparent's coming from England, we upheld many British traditions in our home as well and still do. There's nothing like a beautiful dining room set for a special dinner! xo

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  2. I agree, what a beautiful post. I love my dining room too. It is where many celebrations are had. I found your blog through pinterest and am so glad I did. I am now a follower. Come over and visit sometime.

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  3. Your dining room is absolutely, positively beautiful. This post is beautiful, too. I love a dining room and have to have one even though I know a lot of houses are being built without them now-xo Diana

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  4. A few sights fill my soul with peace and my heart with joy: Scenic pastures along long, winding country roads; the ocean; fall foliage in New England; snow-covered streets in New England at dusk; sunrises and sunsets; and your blog.

    Thank you.♥ xoxo

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  5. I am with you, I love my dining room and I hope someday my kids will remember it as you have from your childhood. Your current dining room is lovely as is your china in the hutch. Thanks for sharing. Gina

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  6. Thankyou so much! It is so good to hear from everyone again - your comments just make my day!
    Jennelise

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  7. Hi Jennilise, I to hate to see the holiday go :(
    I love your gorgeous dinning room, I love my formal dinning as well, I love having my thanksgiving and christmas and parties in my dinning....
    Wishing you and yours a wonderful new year ;)

    Smiles~
    Mari

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  8. Hi Jennelise,
    I think a dinning room should be a place to make family memories. Not only on special occasions, but the daily life shared around a meal.
    Yours is gorgeous, and I'm sure you can recall many such treasures.
    Hugs and happy new year,
    Patti

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  9. Hi Jennelise,
    Your dining room is gorgeous!! I am with you, I can't imagine not having a dining room. Your china collection is amazing!!
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  10. This is a lovely space to dine in. Dining in such elegance would be enough to make anyone want to resurrect the tradition of the dining room.

    Happy New Year!
    Nancy

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  11. what a lovely post :) just discovered your blog, but i love it :)
    you have such good taste
    following you
    xx
    http://www.theothersideofwonderland.com/

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  12. So gorgeous and romantic, dear Jennelise!
    Are dining rooms going out of style? For me...never! ;)
    I am so sorry about your computer...hope a new one finds its way to you soon...
    Thank you for feeding my soul with such beauty!
    Hugs,
    - Irina

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  13. Thank you for the beautiful web-site! It makes my heart happy to see such gorgeous items! You have done a wonderful job!

    Thank you so much!

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