White Hydragenas

This is the perfect time to take advantage of the flowers growing in your carefully nurtured and maintained garden. The flowers in this almost all white and green arrangement are two types of hydrangeas that grow through the summer in partial shade in my front yard. A few purple mums are thrown in for a surprise of color as well as a few stalks of flowering oregano.

To make this arrangement, start with two shades of white flowers, one snowy white, and the other with a slight green tint. Both would be available at the flower mart or farmers' market in your area. A large white Italian pot is used as the base to highlight the various shades of white. The flowers are held in place by floral foam, also called oasis, a green spongy block of material used at the base of floral arrangements to support the flower stems and hold them in place. Before using the floral foam, soak it for a few minutes in water, then place it in the bottom of the pot. Add water, then start arranging the flowers.

Remember the basic rules of flower arranging: use an odd number of flowers (5, 7 9, etc.), vary the height of the flowers, and provide additional height as needed, in this case the purple flowers of the oregano plants are used to provide height and interest on the far top left and right. Wipe any water from the bottom of the pot, and place the arrangement in an area where it will be enjoyed, even if only for a few days.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Melissa's Tulips

Few flowers herald the arrival of spring as well as tulips -- promising warmer days, butterflies and an array of colorful seasonal blooms. Tulips appear early and continue to bloom late, spreading joy with each new spurt. Long tulips gracefully hang over their container, dancing toward the table or counter on which they are displayed. Thanks to Melissa, a friend who shared a useful hint, my tulips now stand straight, as if saluting the ceiling. How did they go from droopy to dazzlingly straight? Melissa suggested adding one cup of vodka or gin to the water, then sitting back and watching the stems straighten up. Others at dinner wondered if such a simple addition could make such an enormous difference. One cup of gin was added to the water and the results are visible in the photo. Amazingly straight stemmed tulips now stand majestically in the dining room. Thank you Melissa and Brian for the beautiful tulips and thank you Melissa for that amazing tulip tip. Come back real soon.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Golf, Flower Arranging or Bridge

It has been suggested by one of my adult children that I try playing golf, flower arranging, or bridge, rather then blogging. While I admire those who are able to chase a small white ball around a course, I tried it a few times and had trouble hitting the ball. While I really got into the whole thing, with cute little golf outfits, and the golden tan, and having lunch afterwards at the club, the time spent chasing the ball interfered with the whole lunch thing. I found I could have lunch with the golfers after they completed the course and I had been at the mall, or on the Square, or getting a pedicure. Here's the problem: golf in northern Illinois is seasonal, like allergies, and I already have allergies.

Flower arranging is something I love to do, and I arrange flowers as often as I remember to buy them. Fresh flowers in the foyer, welcoming guests to my home, should be a requirement in all households. The problem with flower arrangements is having to change the water daily so mold doesn't grow, which could cause allergies, which I already have.

Playing bridge has never been a goal of mine, though a dear friend, Suzanne, is a professional bridge player (yes, there are those), and she makes a lot of money at it. I've tried to play cards of all kinds, Bunco (is that a card game?) poker, and even more difficult games that I can't recall the name of. They all ended the same -- I lost money and I spent a lot of time sitting around with people in an enclosed area, touching alot of germ infested cards, which could cause a cold, and I already have allergies.

So I will continue to add fodder to this blog until I have nothing more to say, or until my children make me an offer to stop that I can't refuse.