DIY Garden

Fresh Flowers Are Closer Than You Think

Well, this is hardly a gardening or home decor secret, but still worth mentioning, I think. I love fresh cut flowers in my house, but as we've already established, I've neither the talent, nor the income of Martha Stewart, so I take the easy peasy, cheap route. 

I learned to love all plants and flowers from my mother, the most amazing gardener I know. I did not inherit the ability that she did, but I do okay. she has basically created my garden, and my job is to keep it alive (which hasn't always been as easy as it sounds.) I will post full photos of my garden later, but I wanted to post these before they were gone for the year. 

I am fortunate to have the most amazing gardenias in my yard. The bushes are large and beautiful, and line my backyard near my deck. I can tell instantly when they begin blooming because they have the most amazing fragrance, and you can smell them everywhere you go. I love the natural smell of gardenias, and mine come in so full, with so many blooms, but for only a few weeks, that I scramble to enjoy them as long as I can. I clip them instantly when they start to open, and give them away, and pour them all over my own house. 

My mom started this tradition of simply dropping them, floating, into a pretty bowl of water. It is about as simple, and low maintenance as it gets, but the reward is really lovely, because the blooms will waft throughout the house.

I chose a beautiful cobalt blue dish (among many others throughout the house) that I usually keep in a hutch that belonged to my husband's grandmother. I love it because the color is magnificent, the construction is sturdy (because I am a klutz) and it goes great with my bathroom decor. 

Don't be afraid to use some beautiful family dishes you may have tucked away for this - it can be a really beautiful tribute to a nice piece of glassware you might have. 

Remember, too, just pick some pretty flowers in the yard you might have-they can be weeds, it doesn't matter as long as you like them, and they float good!