Celebrating The Pretty Blooms And Blossums Of The Season

I cannot get enough of the gorgeous photography displayed in the "Country Living British Edition" magazine. It is a magazine that I can't discard or give away because of the beauty in it's pages. These particular photos are from the April 2008 edition, in an article titled "Spring Collection".

"Gather and arrange your favorite flowers in an array of country containers to brighten corners of your home and garden. Then sit back and revel in their cheering spring colors and subtle, uplifting scents."

"Arrange small bunches in jugs or jam jars, or stand a single bough of blossom in a vase."

"Pick bunches of fresh spring flowers from your garden to give to friends and neighbors."

"A Time To Scatter" Mary Pielenz Hampton

"One afternoon when I was about 18 years old, I left our house and walked the four blocks to the downtown area, hoping to find someone or something to lift my spirits.

I found a friend working at a shop, and her day was even worse than mine. As I walked on though, I passed an open-air flower stand with some of the season's first daffodils. Their cheerful sunniness stood out in dramatic contrast to the drippy gray of the streets and the skies. I purchased a half dozen, knowing that they would brighten my room at home.

On the way home, I stopped and gave a couple of them to my friend, hoping to cheer her up. A little bit further along my route, I encountered a lighthearted street person who commented on the flowers. I gave him one too.

At the last corner before my house, there was a shop that I passed nearly every day on my way to and from church and school. My path often crossed with a man who worked there-his big, booming voice a disconcerting contrast to the disabled body in his wheelchair. His greeting was always warm and friendly, but I was intimidated and usually kept my response brief as I hurried on my way.

On this day, my feet took over and I walked past the crosswalk and into the store before my mind had a chance to stop them. I walked up to the counter, and thrust the three remaining daffodils toward him saying, "These are for you, because daffodils are cheerful and you're always cheerful." Still in disbelief at what I had done, I turned and left before he had an opportunity to respond.

I walked home the remaining block a different person. Even though I went without the flowers that I had purchased to cheer myself, the sunshine that came from my heart illuminated my path as though the sun itself had broken through the clouds. The simple act of giving away something that I wanted changed me. I was no longer intimidated by the man at the shop in the corner. I had seen a glimmer that I could be a giving person."

"Plant a word of love heart-deep in a person's life. Nurture it with a smile and a prayer and watch what happens." Max Lucado