Happy May 1st! I’m celebrating with a May Day Basket, a nod to the charming and forgotten tradition of filling a basket with flowers to leave on your neighbor’s or friend’s door on the first day of May. My basket is filled with wildflowers blooming, free-for-the-picking, Bachelor Buttons and Ox-eye Daisies.
The month of May brings with it celebrations and holidays like Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.
143rd running of the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, May 6th at Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack. Equestrian plaid is paired with roses and Mint Julep Cups serve as vases for azalea blooms and sprigs of mint in an Off To The Races Derby-Inspired Tablescape, inspired by the “Run for the Roses”.
Celebrate with a Sweet Tea Julep, a marriage of two classic Southern drinks, the mint julep and sweet tea.
Mini Derby Pies marry pecan pie with chocolate and a touch of Kentucky bourbon for a winning trifecta. This Bluegrass-inspired recipe is just the right size for “the greatest two minutes in sports”!
Mini Kentucky Hot Browns, a Run for the Roses appetizer and quintessential Derby Day party food.
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14th, celebrate with a
Cut a store-bought pound cake or angel food cake in thirds, layer with your fruit and filling of choice and serve! Also ideal for celebrating the Red, White & Blueberry for Memorial Day.
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the US. It’s also the unofficial kick off of summer. Celebrate with some patriotic fare. . .
Love that you talk about May Baskets. I made them as a child and my daughters did the same and now my grandchildren carry on the beautiful little baskets to leave on a neighbor’s door. In a time where we hardly know our neighbors it is a good tradition to keep. Happy May Day from your Greensboro neighbor.
May is so packed with wonderful celebrations and you help us celebrate them so beautifully! I LOVE that May Basket. I have several galvanized flower buckets, but the wicker basket that holds that bucket is wonderful!…Love the floral arrangement that it holds. A perfect May Day bouquet! Happy May Day Mary!
Everything is so beautiful! Great inspiration for May baskets. My little 4 year old grandson is coming today and I think we will fill a few baskets! Great idea.
Your cheery May Day basket is a cheery sight on this stormy morning Mary, so bright and fresh! Your round up is wonderful in so many delicious ways and a feast for the eyes as well! I am hoping May will be full of sunshine and I’m looking forward to each celebration~ your post is a great kick off to them all!
Jenna
What an exciting show of your talent, Mary! Thanks for touching on every holiday this month. May Day baskets are such a wonderful tradition. Love the Derby table and recipes…everything in this post will keep any of your readers busy for the month…
Happy May Day!!!
What a SPECTACULAR collection of inspiring ideas, Mary!! You truly should write a book…I know it would be a best seller! Worth the price of just the photos alone.
That Strawberry Bellini is pure heaven in its composition & color…looks mighty tasty, too!
Love your May basket…my Mom planted Bachelor Buttons every year…said they were the only true blue colored flower that would grow for her. They always remind me of her!
May!!! My favorite month!! Mother’s Day, my birthday, the Indy 500 ( the greatest spectacle in Racing), the Kentucky Derby, and the May Crowning Luncheon I host..plus all the gardening, etc…some of these recipes will come in handy..thank you for sharing!!! HAPPY MAY DAY!!! 👒👠🏁🌹🌺🎂👗
I’m loving your wildflower basket, Mary, and all your other inspirational photos and ideas. I want to make each and every re pie that you share. Happy week to you!
*sigh…….I wish I had one lil pinky full of your energy!!
Ok. You’ve spurred me on…to get out and make May a glorious month. We have sunshine today(after horrible tornadoes over weekend) and I’m going to plant today and just b-r-e-a-t-h-e the sweet smells of this life!
And plz publish that book so I could have your creativity at my fingertips on my coffee table whenever I need you!!
Mary, this is probably the happiest, most creative, most inspiring and most fun site I have ever seen. The colors, settings, creativity are so amazing that I want to do them all. You truly outdid yourself. Thanks for the inspiration. Kathy Vause in Southern Utah.
All I need to brighten my day is time to peruse your blog. It’s a happy time for me. You are soooo talented and its for sure you were God gifted. Like others I am waiting for your book with all the beautiful photos and recipes to bless my coffee table.
Your tables are always so gorgeous and the food looks just as good. I am glad to see that you made a May Basket. I just did a post about May Baskets as well. It’s such a charming tradition. Maybe we will bring it back.
Oh, Happy Day! Love all the pretty pictures and great recipes! Your May basket and flowers are beautiful, thanks Mary. Look out summer ~ here we come! :)
Happy May Day, Mary! I love your wildflower baskets and the photo of your beautiful lake. We used to pick the wildflowers in our field when I was a little girl and leave them on porches. Yum, those mexican recipes looks so delicious. I have made a few of them and they were all amazing, especially the Berry Salsa! I must try the Kentucky Derby recipes next. The little pecan pies are making me drool! Linda
Mary you have the most wonderful collection of theemed tablescapes! All of the foodie items you make look so perfect and yummy! I love the month of May for so many reasons- mostly because spring is really getting a roll on here and it begins to feel like summer! That scale you have is the coolest- where on earth did you find it! I feel like running to the bakery now after looking at those mini derby pies! My aunt used to make something like those for our Christmas parties – I miss having that treat! Cheers to May!
I could spend hours taking in all the fantastic ideas for tablescapes, decor and food you have come up with for all of May’s special occasions…not too mention your magnificent photography/pictures! In fact, I’m going back to do just that…with perhaps a bit of “pinning”! (okay, a LOT!)
Happy May to you Mary!! Love your post with the beautiful lake scenes, flowers and food. Never heard of May baskets before but then again I grew up in West Virginia.
Happy May 1st to you too Mary!!! It is a rainy, gloomy day here in Kentucky. Hope your weather is better.
Love that you talk about May Baskets. I made them as a child and my daughters did the same and now my grandchildren carry on the beautiful little baskets to leave on a neighbor’s door. In a time where we hardly know our neighbors it is a good tradition to keep. Happy May Day from your Greensboro neighbor.
Wow, WOw, WOW! You are so amazing. What a glorious post filled with EVERYTHING that looks so good. Happy May, indeed!
May is so packed with wonderful celebrations and you help us celebrate them so beautifully! I LOVE that May Basket. I have several galvanized flower buckets, but the wicker basket that holds that bucket is wonderful!…Love the floral arrangement that it holds. A perfect May Day bouquet! Happy May Day Mary!
Everything is so beautiful! Great inspiration for May baskets. My little 4 year old grandson is coming today and I think we will fill a few baskets! Great idea.
Your cheery May Day basket is a cheery sight on this stormy morning Mary, so bright and fresh! Your round up is wonderful in so many delicious ways and a feast for the eyes as well! I am hoping May will be full of sunshine and I’m looking forward to each celebration~ your post is a great kick off to them all!
Jenna
What an exciting show of your talent, Mary! Thanks for touching on every holiday this month. May Day baskets are such a wonderful tradition. Love the Derby table and recipes…everything in this post will keep any of your readers busy for the month…
Happy May Day!!!
What a SPECTACULAR collection of inspiring ideas, Mary!! You truly should write a book…I know it would be a best seller! Worth the price of just the photos alone.
That Strawberry Bellini is pure heaven in its composition & color…looks mighty tasty, too!
Love your May basket…my Mom planted Bachelor Buttons every year…said they were the only true blue colored flower that would grow for her. They always remind me of her!
Can’t wait to celebrate CincoDe Mayo! Also to watch the Kentucky derby! Great weekend ahead!🥑🌮🍻🐴
May!!! My favorite month!! Mother’s Day, my birthday, the Indy 500 ( the greatest spectacle in Racing), the Kentucky Derby, and the May Crowning Luncheon I host..plus all the gardening, etc…some of these recipes will come in handy..thank you for sharing!!! HAPPY MAY DAY!!! 👒👠🏁🌹🌺🎂👗
I’m loving your wildflower basket, Mary, and all your other inspirational photos and ideas. I want to make each and every re pie that you share. Happy week to you!
*sigh…….I wish I had one lil pinky full of your energy!!
Ok. You’ve spurred me on…to get out and make May a glorious month. We have sunshine today(after horrible tornadoes over weekend) and I’m going to plant today and just b-r-e-a-t-h-e the sweet smells of this life!
And plz publish that book so I could have your creativity at my fingertips on my coffee table whenever I need you!!
Mary, what a beautiful May Day basket! May is a busy month of celebrations…thanks for your inspiring round-up of recipes. Happy May!
Mary, this is probably the happiest, most creative, most inspiring and most fun site I have ever seen. The colors, settings, creativity are so amazing that I want to do them all. You truly outdid yourself. Thanks for the inspiration. Kathy Vause in Southern Utah.
Gorgeous post ! Youve outdone yourself with beautiful tables and delicious recipes !
We always had a “May Pole” when attending “grade school”…one room school house for me…and delivered May baskets *sigh* Let’s PARTEE’ franki
My favorite Spring flower combination…Bachelor Buttons and white daisies…. Wishing you a very Happy May!
Happy first day of May! Gorgeous post.
All I need to brighten my day is time to peruse your blog. It’s a happy time for me. You are soooo talented and its for sure you were God gifted. Like others I am waiting for your book with all the beautiful photos and recipes to bless my coffee table.
What a delicious and delightful post! Happy May day! Thank you for SO much inspiration!!!
Your tables are always so gorgeous and the food looks just as good. I am glad to see that you made a May Basket. I just did a post about May Baskets as well. It’s such a charming tradition. Maybe we will bring it back.
Another beautiful blog post with yummy looking recipes and lovely flowers, Happy May Day!
Oh, Happy Day! Love all the pretty pictures and great recipes! Your May basket and flowers are beautiful, thanks Mary. Look out summer ~ here we come! :)
May looks like a full month of fun Mary-enjoy:@)
So many great ideas for May holidays, I love them! Thanks
Happy May Day, Mary! I love your wildflower baskets and the photo of your beautiful lake. We used to pick the wildflowers in our field when I was a little girl and leave them on porches. Yum, those mexican recipes looks so delicious. I have made a few of them and they were all amazing, especially the Berry Salsa! I must try the Kentucky Derby recipes next. The little pecan pies are making me drool! Linda
Mary you have the most wonderful collection of theemed tablescapes! All of the foodie items you make look so perfect and yummy! I love the month of May for so many reasons- mostly because spring is really getting a roll on here and it begins to feel like summer! That scale you have is the coolest- where on earth did you find it! I feel like running to the bakery now after looking at those mini derby pies! My aunt used to make something like those for our Christmas parties – I miss having that treat! Cheers to May!
I could spend hours taking in all the fantastic ideas for tablescapes, decor and food you have come up with for all of May’s special occasions…not too mention your magnificent photography/pictures! In fact, I’m going back to do just that…with perhaps a bit of “pinning”! (okay, a LOT!)
Happy May to you Mary!! Love your post with the beautiful lake scenes, flowers and food. Never heard of May baskets before but then again I grew up in West Virginia.