~WHAT TO DO WITH THOSE MOTHER'S DAY FLOWERS~

Whether it takes the form of a beautiful bouquet or a hastily picked florals from an obliging field, flowers never ever fail to delight us, do they?  My Mr. AGP Man gifts me with roses every year for Mother's Day...he's thoughtful and kind like that.  And now that my children are grown I always have an abundance of flowers this time of year!

I'm always happy to place them into pretty, unconventional containers and I've used this old glass and silver plated pitcher for many years now.  Eighteen roses fit perfectly inside and they last for several days if the water is routinely changed out.

I don't really remember when I started to air-dry my roses, but it was many years ago.  I guess I lose a couple days of fresh-flower-beauty when opting to dry my florals early, but this way I'm able to enjoy them for several years if I care for them properly.  They also can be used in making the most amazing potpourri for my home.

This sweet little bouquet started out as a bouquet of petite pink roses and they were dried over two years ago.

Easily preserved in bunches, I just secure the stems with rubber bands and hang upside down on S-shaped hooks.  In the right conditions (out of direct sun) they will dry in about 4 days depending on the the size and denseness of my blooms.

Did you know that potpourris were originally stored in ceramic jars and were only opened when someone used the room in which they had been placed?  They were positioned near a heat source (like a fireplace) and as they warmed up the lid was removed to release the fragrance.

We've come a long way today with scented products, haven't we?  Although I love candles (I only burn soy with led-free wicks!), I still love homemade potpourri. Every year I make at least one to three batches inside my kitchen, depending on the flowers I have available.  

Here's the recipe I use:

1 cup in rose petals & buds

1 cup mixed petals like pink, white (they turn creamy yellow) or red roses, larkspur or peony 

3/4 cup chopped bay or sweet gale leaves

4 teaspoons powdered orris root

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 drops essential oil (I use rose or lavender)**

2 drops rose or geranium oil**

A few whole roses for decoration

To the flowers add the fixatives and spices and other dry ingredients.  Gently mix with your hands or a wooden spoon.  Add oils and mix again with your hands.  Place your mixture into paper bags and loosely seal with twine.  Place in a cool, dry place and cure for 4-6 weeks, shaking occasionally.  ENJOY in pretty bowls and beautiful for gift giving for almost any celebration!

If you plan ahead you'll have several batches ready for the Christmas and Holiday season.

(Did I just say that?)

When my daughter was little we made potpourri together and it was a great bonding time for us and it didn't include eating a bunch of sugar!

(**Today I use Living Oils Essential Oils because I believe they are some of the best and purest oils available.)   

Have fun and experiment.  There are tons of recipes online so check it!

Thanks for stopping in today.

Love to you...

Rebecca

 

~A ROSE IS A ROSE - Sweet Sentiment on a Lonely Day~

GORGEOUS PINK BLOOMS

OK...forgive me! I'm a braggart when it comes to the random display of love and affection. I can't help myself. Save the Valentine Chocolates and the over-ripe red roses (assembly-line style, of course) that men seem to turn to when trying desperately to be romantic...

GIVE ME THIS INSTEAD...

PETITE REMEMBRANCE - JUST PERFECT

The doorbell rang unexpectedly early yesterday morning at my La Chaumière de Briarwood. I was still in my PJ's at 9AM when I opened the door to the friendly face of an older man holding a petite bouquet of gorgeous flowers~

Nothing could have been sweeter for my lonely heart at that very moment! Just knowing my hubby of many, many years had been thinking of me, stopping long enough to place an order for my favorite pink blooms, made a huge difference in what proved to be a long, yet wonderful day.

In a world where relationships crumble faster than the rising of the sun, today I again find thankfulness I've never had to experience the bitter cup of a troubled marriage.

Whatever I was...whatever I am...whatever I shall be...I would give away to him.

Blessings to you as you value all you love and hold dear...Rebecca

MY LOVE AFFAIR with WHITE......(& a HINT of PINK!)

CREAMY WHITE - VINTAGE INSPIRED SIGN

I have always had white in my life. When I was a young girl the first bedspread I remember enjoying was a crisp white beauty that arrived complete with double layers of flirty ruffles and a matching quilted pillow sham. Simple white linens dressed my soft white French Provincial bed, which actually came as a set of two…one for me and one for my big sister. The set included matching dressers and I was always a bit envious that hers included a pretty attached mirror.

For years our walls were painted the palest of natural white and from our single widow hung dainty “Pricilla” curtains in a soft and similar hue. The bedroom suite, although fairly inexpensive, was quite an investment for our parents and we would live with it the entire length of our childhoods…

I’m quite sure I couldn’t have known it then, but so began my love affair with the most angelic of all colors.

As my decorating style began to change a couple of years ago, I willingly embraced again my love for all things white! Whatever it is called, “Cream, Ivory, Eggshell, Bisque, Ecru or Snow, it’s all still the same to me. Layering whites, no matter what the shade, evokes within me a passion for the past. I find myself eagerly searching out all things that are truly lovely, all things handmade, romantic and beautifully feminine.

Since I will never stray too far from my second favorite color, the softest, palest shade of pink, I’ve decided to concentrate on using it as a much deserved accent shade throughout my own home versus a stand-alone color. I encourage you to come along with me as I mix my palette up a bit! I’m happy to have you accompany me on this exciting journey of change! The canvas around me is always evolving and I’m looking forward to amazingly good things…only good things!

Blessings…Rebecca