Have you ever received a gift, sent out a thank you note, but then years later realized that the gift was so much more special to you than you had expressed in your note? That’s happened to me a few times, but I’m not discouraging writing thank you notes, in fact, I often I think I should send a “thank you again” note to explain just how much the gift has meant to me over time. Or, maybe make a little easier. This year, I finally got around to sending a friend a “thank you again” text explaining how this tray has become such a treasure to our family over the years.
My dear friend from college sent me this tray, decoupaged with fluttering butterflies by a local artist, when she was living in Australia. This was before I had children, and maybe even before I was married {I added the Happy Mother’s Day message in the image above}.
It felt very civilized~chic to have this in my yet~to~be~appointed~home. I was delighted with the whimsical beauty of the design and the functionality of this unique serving piece.
Little did I know at the time that this tray would become a family heirloom over the years, but now it is the frame for one of my more enjoyable family traditions, Mother’s Day breakfast in bed. Mr. Splendid started the trend, with the kids helping out here and there early on, but now the kids usually run the show. I love the considerate effort and each thoughtful little detail that comes to me on this beautiful butterfly background once a year. I also love receiving one of the greatest luxuries of all, leisurely time, because along with meal comes the implied invitation to linger in bed for awhile, to read, daydream or enjoy the view.
I’ve been searching on~line for contact information on the artist, the tray is stamped on the back with a golden insect and the name Terangi, but nothing has surfaced.
However, I did find a nice selection other trays adorned with butterflies to share with you, so you can buy yourself or your mother a late {or early} Mother’s Day gift, or send one to a friend, I’m sure she will treasure it as much as I do.
1. Buccellati decoupage tray, Scully and Scully 2. Michel Design 3. Wooden decoupage rectangular decorative tray, etsy.com 4. Butterfly Decorative Wooden Serving Tray Set, touchofclass.com 5. Home decor, cafepress.com 6. Serveware, bedbathandbeyond.com 7. Decorative Glass Tray 8. Serving tray with vintage book pages base, etsy.com 9. Set of 3 trays, Amazon.com
Have you ever tried your hand at decoupage? This little girl makes it look very easy as she decoupages a simple wood tray with butterflies. It is something I’d like to try, I even bought a tub of Mod Podge a few years back, I wonder if it is still good? It comes in both a matte and glossy finish. But you can also make your own mod podge, it’s basically just white glue and water.
Maybe I’ll try it if when I get out of bed tomorrow.
I do have an extra bit of motivation for getting out of bed tomorrow, because I have finally found a place where my Lilies of the Valley are flourishing growing. I’ve been planting them in different places over the years and have finally found a bed where they seem to be happy, to me this is the flower of Mother’s Day, so I’ll look forward to spending time with the white choral bells upon slender stalks that now line my garden walk tomorrow.
I wish a happy day, to all of the mother’s, I hope you have a chance to savor some of the special little luxuries of life.
Happy Mother's Day Emily! I adore your butterfly tray and can see why you have treasured it all of these years!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena