Grand Canyon Inspiration

Hello all! I don’t know about you, but this is a busy week at My Place. Renaissance Man and I had the unexpected great fortune of taking a weekend vacation with our Little Man while his sweet parents worked to ready the nursery for his little brother … and I’ve been behind ever since.  Think I care? Nope!
 
The result of all my play time, however, is that I’m pulling out a tablescape inspiration board I put together (but never shared with you) last Fall while on our California-to-Tennessee road trip after The Big Event. (Check it out if you have no idea what I’m talking about!) I still think it’s “grand,” so I’ll share it today.
 
Some of you will remember seeing the beautiful Aspen bark in this tablescape…
 

Click HERE to see entire tablescape.

 
Well, just a short time before picking up that pretty bark, Renaissance Man and I were here…
 

The Grand Canyon

 
It’s hard to believe it was my sweet husband’s first time to get a glimpse of the Grand Canyon in person … since he’s such an outdoorsy, vast expanse-loving kinda guy.
 

Scraggly tree pic especially for you, Mom!

 
He was inspired … and so was I.  The souvenir plate and cup aren’t mine, but their colors were perfect grand, don’t you think?  Such gorgeous colors combined by the Master Artist himself …


 

For the Beauty of the Earth
Folliott S. Pierpoint (1864)
 
For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

 


 

I’m not much of a souvenir-picker-upper.  Earlier in my life, I collected souvenir spoons, and Little Man and I enjoy playing with them, but I don’t collect them anymore.

 
What about you? Do you buy souvenirs when you travel? What do you think about souvenir dishes?
 

I’ll be partying at Between Naps on the Porch on Tablescape Thursday.  You, too?

Comments

  1. Great tablescape. For the most part, I don’t like “souvenir” items at all. I had to think long and hard about even using my Lenox “13 Original Colonies” Wreath Plates in a table setting because they have the year printed at the bottom of each wreath. When we travel, I like to bring home at least one piece of original art from an artist local to the spot we’re visiting. Both of our kids like to do that, too. Now I would definitely pick up a set of handmade dishes, or hand blown goblets from some local artist…if I had the ability to ship them home. Interesting question. Thanks for inviting us to ponder your query. Cherry Kay

  2. Beautiful post! I am not much of a souvenir person either but I do love that plate and cup~ Enjoy your little get-away- xo Diana

  3. I don’t do souvenir items either. I am always surprised at how much souvenir items resale for too. Amazing! Your tablescape was beautiful and a stunner for sure. Wow, it is positively elegant! I am so glad you reshared it with us today as I did not see it before. I love it and those gorgeous photos you shared too. The last one especially, beautiful flower close up!

  4. So lovely….such beautiful photos!

    Have a wonderful evening.

    Aledia

  5. Hi Susan, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

  6. Simply grand! Sorry, but that comment was just too easy. It is, though. I love the inspiration board and the inspiration. I have never been to the Grand Canyon either.
    You happened to post the lyrics to one of my favorite hymns ever.

    As a young girl, I collected those banners/pennants as souvenirs. They are still in my attic somewhere. These days, I simply collect a picture of my girls or whatever family I’m with standing in front of the place. Photos are my favorite souvenirs.

    BTW, my class let me down. I don’t have as many cards to send as I wanted. I will be sending the ones I DO have though. Sigh… grace to be extended to them since I want it to be extended to me.

    • Debbie, always remember that even ONE card can make the difference in the life of ONE child. We’ll let God do the multiplying. (He has a great track record for that!) I’m sorry some of your friends will miss the blessing, but I’m thankful for every act of love shared on behalf of the girls at Hope Unlimited.

  7. I don’t collect travel souveneir Items but love vintage travel souvenir plates.

  8. I used to collect cook books from each place we travelled but after moving far too many times they became more of a burden. Now we buy a Christmas ornament to remember our trip.

  9. Looks great…never been to the Grand Canyon and no I don’t buy souvenir items at all..well that have writing on them…but I have to say I haven’t traveled in decades and what I would do today and what I did with small kids is probably different

    Great place setting.

  10. Love this, Susan. Those pictures are gorgeous, especially the last.
    The souvenirs I shop for when I travel (what’s that?) are typically some type of ornament for our Christmas tree and I especially enjoy bringing home unique items to the specific area, like leather from Argentina (haven’t been but my mom brought me gorgeous purses from there), or pebbles from Pebble Beach, CA, lava rocks from Hawaii, leaves and maple syrup from Vermont, etc…
    This was fun. You made me go back to some special moments.
    Blessings!

  11. These are some lovely, scenic photos. I really love the rustic tree! I am always inspired by the weathered, naked branches. They really do tell a story! Thank you for sharing. Karen

  12. Wow….fantastic photos! It has been years since I visited the Grand Canyon. I wish I could go back there now. I’m sure I would appreciate its beauty much, much more than I did at such a young age. (I was probably 12 or so.) I’m with your Mom on the tree…I really like it. I love those gnarly kinds of trees! Love the bark on your table, too! It’s beautiful!!!!!!