Flowers in the snow

It was bitterly cold this evening. Bill and I set out on our walk knowing we were facing a 1° F wind-chill. We were well bundled as we took off into the very crisp air. No problem… until we turned back in the opposite direction: into that 1°. The wind had picked up and was biting our cheeks. I flung my scarf around my face and felt immediate relief.  We ducked into a store vestibule where I tied Bill’s scarf around his face. Like little kids.  We both joked and called each other “Aurence” (an inside joke for lovers of that classic movie) and made our way back.

When we walked into (what felt like) a 'too warm' house, I spied the flower arrangement that I had put together this weekend. I’m not creative and I am rather haphazard when it comes to décor. But, my love of gardening has me fooled into thinking that I can conquer flower arranging.  Anyway, coming in from a world of white into the warm colors of the kitchen, I smiled. I saw that ‘jankity’ arrangement I'd put together and immediately felt happy.  Fresh flowers always do that – especially in the dead of the winter. 

But, what I really loved about this particular bunch of flowers was how cheap it was to put together.  I repurposed a cool container that looks like a birch log- it was part of a very nice Christmas arrangement that I received over the holidays ($0). Into that log I  shoved some green floral foam that my mum gave me when she moved to Florida ($0).  Then I cut some greenery from our bushes from the garden ($0). Earlier, I had run into Whole Foods where they were practically giving away stems of alstroemeria ($7). This flower is very useful – it is always inexpensive, has a long shelf life, and multiple blooms. It took my less than five minutes to put it together and I just adored the very soft yellow color of the blooms.

If you have a chance, bring some fresh flowers into your house. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. It may warm your heart on a cold winter day.