I was flipping through old photo albums, and discovered a picture of this bouquet of flowers
that my friend, Arlene brought for me, from her garden.  I remember when she gave them
to me, and how impressed I was that she grew them, arranged them, as a gift. 
They dressed up my kitchen table so beautifully, that I took a picture of them and
saved it.   That was the summer of 1994 according to the date in the photo album.  Knowing
her, she probably gave out hundreds:) of bouquets that summer, but this one was so
special to me!

Flowers, as you know, have always been a reason I look forward to Spring and Summer.
My love of flowers, was instilled in me by both of my dear grandmas.

Years ago, I picked up a little book titled, "Thoughtful Gestures", by Daria Price Bowman.
The subtitle was, "Words and Gifts That Say You Care."  The book contains many great
thoughts, words, ideas, and inspiration.

In the one chapter titled, "Gifts That Grow", I read this short story;

"When a woman from my neighborhood died tragically at the age of forty-one, leaving
four very young children, her many friends wanted to create an enduring memorial to
her.  On a chilly day in the fall, a group of parents and children gathered on a small hillside
at her children's school to plant five hundred daffodil bulbs.  The following spring the
daffodils pushed their way through the cold earth, and as they opened their cheery yellow
trumpets, the entire community was reminded of Mary Ellen.  And every year, as the
daffodils prosper and spread, her legacy will live on."  ~Daria Price Bowman

When I read this part of the book again, I was reminded of what a good idea the daffodil
planting was.  Truly, a gift that keeps on growing.

 

Today, I filled an old flea market pitcher with flowers from around the house, to give to a
friend. 

"True isn't much that I can do.  But I can share my flowers with you...And sometimes share
your burdens too..."   ~Maude T. Preston

Whether it is pretty, delicate Queen Anne's Lace growing by the farmer's field, or...

Or bouquets at the local farmer's market down the street from where our daughter lives, that
happens every Saturday morning, during the summer months...

Or a cluster of Black Eyed Susan flowers cut spontaneously for you, from a friend's garden...

Or a lovely, fragrant pastel colored rose clipped from the rosebush, outside the window...

Or a colorful arrangement sitting by the sink, from the newly created cutting garden of your
sister-in-law...

Or a brilliantly colored, festive arrangement that arrives at your door, after your Mother's
passing, flowers speak love and care.  A gift of flowers makes every occasion better!

Another idea I would like to share with you from the book I mentioned above;

~"When you receive a bouquet of flowers from a friend, save a particularly beautiful bloom
to press in a heavy book.  (Put it between two pieces of waxed paper to avoid staining the
pages.)  When the flower is fully dry, enclose it in a note to your friend."

Or, an idea I like to use, is to take a pictures of the flowers or the flower that were given to you,
copy it, and place it on the front of a plain white card, with the your sentiments of thank you
expressed inside.

 

One more flower idea that is also quite effective in blessing one's day, is to receive a card in the
mail with a picture of flowers from the sender's gardens, displayed on their porch.  Really,
it just as much of a spirit lifter, as actually receiving a bouquet of flowers, because it
says, that someone cares and is thinking about you.  Don't we all love that?

Happy Tuesday to each one of you!