Monday, February 20, 2017

"I must have flowers, always and always" ~ Claude Monet



It has been raining for ages (or at least it seems like it) and I'm not complaining after years of drought,


but as you can see despite lots of green, I don't have many flowers blooming.


I've been relying on Trader Joe's a lot this winter 


either in grouping the few garden flowers I have with TJ's flowers


or using full bouquets of flowers I purchase.


The pink flowers on the mantel (I'm bad with names) have lasted a few weeks, but sometimes I only get a few days out of flowers.


Of course I love all the flowers in the house,  but I do wish they lasted longer.

Via



I've been looking for flowers that I can display without water


so they will dry nicely - statice always works well for me.


The thistles should dry well also, but I'm not sure what to expect with the berries.


So far it's been 5 days and everything looks fine without water.


I like buying roses, drying them after a few days


and then mixing them with fresh and dried flowers in vignettes.


Hydrangea plants last quite awhile - they don't do so well once I plant them in the garden.


As the rain continues in southern California, I've decided I'm going to use more and more plants in the house.


And, even though it has been dreary here all day, the plants brighten up the house.

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44 comments:

  1. So much pretty in one post. I must have flowers too and made a trip to Trader Joe's today to get some. Great minds and all of that good stuff. :)

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  2. We have been watching the weather down your way with concern for everyone affected by the flooding and road closures. I think that flowers are just the thing to lift the spirits!

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  3. I've heard about the rains your way, Carol, and am hoping all is okay with my California blogger friends.

    I truly know what 'dreary' means! I was lucky to get a few bouquets for my birthday. I had sworn off buying flowers because the prices here are extraordinary unless marked down, and if they aren't an overstock then you can guarantee they are a little old.

    I love the way you display some of your flowers in little vases...I can do that! Long lasting flowers for me (and inexpensive) are carnations and alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily. I asked about those little red berries around Christmas time as far as drying or keeping around...nope, they shrivel up. :(

    I'll be near our Trader Joe's tomorrow, 45 minutes away and I may just stop!

    Jane x

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  4. CAROL....your mantle photo...that IS THE BEST.First of all, flowers make a house a dwelling of great beauty, then, there's LIGHT. And your mantle wall catches the perfect light. My gorgeous mantle that Ruben built me in the great room doesn't get the light I need to capture the textures, but this photo of yours is a winner. Post it on IG!!!!!

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  5. So glad you've gotten some much needed rain.

    Another lovely post. It is always inspiring to see your sweet home and with all of the bouquets it is even more wonderful than normal.

    Have a great week ~ FlowerLady

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  6. It is such a nice gift for you to be able to have fresh flowers in the house, from your garden or Trader Joe's. Those of us with allergies only wish we could enjoy them inside! I enjoy looking at your arrangements from afar!

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  7. The arrangement of petite pretties on the fireplace mantel(?) are TOO cute!! Hope they last a little longer!

    Poppy

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  8. My favorite quote too!!! We all must have flowers! Your pictures are all gorgeous. Have a wonderful day my friend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  9. Eilis@MyHeartLivesHereFebruary 21, 2017 at 6:17 AM

    Your photos make me happy! Every room is prettier with fresh flowers.

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  10. I've been watching the weather there and wondered if you were okay where you were. I agree that flowers are needed to brighten up the inside. I love the way you put little bunches of flowers everywhere! Hope you have a lovely day!

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  11. I love all the flowers you use in your home. I have a few green plants inside that make my space better for me. I might need to buy some flowers soon! Hugs.

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  12. Oh what a lovely post. Beautifully written. I love flowers too! I hope you'll come over to the new Fabulous Party. This weeks theme is 'Warm Heart'. Your post is perfect to share! The party is over here:
    http://ourholidayjourney.blogspot.com/2017/02/fabulous-warm-heart-week.html
    Enjoy your week!

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  13. We've had the same gray, wet days in Seattle so I can relate to your buying flowers and brightening the inside of the house. I finally brought home a bouquet last week myself. And I am watching a lone daffodil outside my window trying to burst into bloom with such eager anticipation you'd think I'd never seen one before. . .

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  14. Carol, I love flowers in my home. Your vignettes are always beautiful!

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  15. I always enjoy visiting your beautiful blog and finding colorful photos that make me smile. I went to Trader Joe's on Sunday and got a bouquet of yellow tulips. Love that place!
    Brenda

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  16. I like your whimsical flower arrangements. I think the pink are carnations!

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  17. When you mentioned Statice I went down memory lane! :) I grew that in my garden years ago and have not done so for ages! I need to put that on a This Year Seeds List! :)

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  18. Trader Joe's should thank you. You are a great advertiser for them. Your house always looks so beautiful! Your pink flowers look like carnations.

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  19. Love your flower arrangements - they all look so good.

    I have been getting roses out of my garden and I enjoy bringing them into the house. Looks like I lost my Mr. Lincoln rose bush. I really liked that one as it smelled so good.

    More rain coming - I am really enjoying the rain.

    Mary

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  20. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, and leaving a lovely comment!
    I am also a fresh flower lover...one of my daughters keeps me stocked up!
    Those Pink ones are Carnations...they last forever!
    Very nice pictures...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  21. Flowers do lift the spirits and add life to a room, I think. I''m glad the drought is ending in California, but my, what a deluge you've experienced. All of your vignettes are so pretty. Hope your week is going well.

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  22. Carol, I do love dried flowers too. I think a nice little bouquet here and there do brighten up our homes. Hope you are not getting too much rain. I have been prayer for your state. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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  23. Hi Carol, I'm so glad that I came by to visit, because your flowers just touched my soul with a sweet breeze of Spring . . . even though we still have snow on the ground. It is melting though . . . slowly but surely :) When I am buying flowers at the market. I gently pull on a pedal from a bloom, if it releases then I know that the bouquet will not last long, but if it stays, then I should get a week or two of pleasure from my blossoms :) Try it. Oh, I'm happy that you are getting rain, maybe your summer won't be so dry this year.
    As always, thanks for a lovely visit.
    Connie :)

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  24. Flowers are a great way to add some colours and life to a home!

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  25. Everything looks so pretty. your pink flowers are carnations, if you make sure stems don't get bent they do last a while.you can plant hydrangeas on a shady side of your house.I live inland where it can get in the 100 and I've had one for about 8 yrs.it does need daily water here where it's so hot.Love you instagram !

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  26. All so gorgeous, Carol. I've always believed in Monet, his heart is in the right place :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  27. Your cottage is like a holiday stay cation year around. Yes my dear I feel the sea air kissing my face.
    As for the flowers I love the spread out vignette of bottles filled with baby daisys. Another favorite is the wall pocket hello in fabric filled with what feels like fresh clippings.
    Every floral foto make me question why I live on a hot Southern California desert? When my heart takes me back to my life by the sea.

    Blowing you sea kisses in the sea-breeze.
    Enjoy the flowers no matter where they come from.
    Keep inspiring your beach cottage life.

    Thank you for your sweet visit...
    Xx
    Dore

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  28. You can never have too many plants or flowers in my opinion. I also wish the flowers would last longer, though.

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  29. Your post is filled with beauty and those special touches that make a house a home. I just added a bouquet of fresh daisies!!
    Have a great weekend ahead. xo

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  30. I must always have flowers in the house, too! And of course, living in northern IL, there aren't very many months where we have flowers in the garden. I rely on TJ's a lot. Your displays of flowers are so beautiful, as always.

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  31. Roses always dry nicely and keep a nice scent too! Hope the sun comes out soon! I know you've had enough rain this winter! Hugs, Diane

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  32. Love your flower displays ~ absolutely charming! I buy flowers once a week at my HEB. They have quite a nice selection but I almost always buy daisies. They always make me happy. Loved the George Carlin quote!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  33. A lovely and happy post! Full of inspiration!
    Best wishes for a beautiful weekend, take care...
    Titti

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  34. Flowers certainly do have a way of bringing happiness into a home! I love them and can't wait till I can pick from my own garden. Trader Joe's is too far away for me so I have to hit our local grocers. Hoping some day they will open one closer. Everything looks simply delightful Carol! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  35. I still have Christmas poinsettias, Valentine's Day tulips, and now spring daffodils! Bizarre how our weather has been. The little pink flowers look like baby carnations to me.

    Your house is always bright and cheerful. You've inspired me. I think I'm going to paint my kitchen white and use splashes of red.

    Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
    Laura

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  36. I was very pleased at seeing the glimpse of warm spring in your photos.

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  37. So pretty! I want to put my shoes on and go buy flowers!

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  38. I wish we had a Trader Joe's closer to us! Not only do they have flower arrangements that last forever, they have plantain chips which I can't find anywhere near me. I'm stocking up on my next visit!

    I'm glad you're finally getting rain and the flowers do a lot to perk up those gray days.

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  39. I love Trader Joe's flowers too! We have a touch of California with our Trader Joe's!

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  40. I love the way flowers brighten up the home! Why do hydrangeas not grow well in the garden, is it too dry? Sarah x

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