Second Acts

"Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower" Albert Camus

I was suppose to be sweeping off the terrace while Mom was finishing preparations for Sunday Family Dinner, but.....    

these maple seed pods, blown down by the preceding day's storm, caught my eye and when gathered up, sparked my imagination.

Out came the floral wire and tape, and with the able assistance of my clever sister-in-law,  we began creating "flowers".  Simply gathered together in a cluster and then wired onto found stick "stems", we finished them off with floral tape.










I'm a huge fan of Magnolia grandiflora throughout the year, but especially when it is full of beautiful fury green seed pods.  A quick snip and we were off to create our arrangement.











With a brass champagne cooler for a vase, our creation was complete.  Although we didn't get around to sweeping, Mom says it's ok... this time.

An Affair to remember

Steppin' out at the Queen    The Red Shoe Event

Last weekend's fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware was held at the recently renovated World Cafe Live at the Queen Theatre in Wilmington.  With people dancing the night away to The Strangers and enjoying the the delicious food prepared by the Queen, it was truly an evening to remember. 

I was privilege to be called upon to design the floral decorations for a fundraiser for an organization that means so much to me.  Many hands made quick work.

I was thrilled to find that half of the volunteers assembled were young ladies aged 9-12.  They were quick studies and their enthusiasm was infectious.










                       




                                                                                                         Some pretty spectacular foliage




A few of the twenty two centerpieces on their way to the party.

An amazing night for a truly wonderful organization.  To find out more on how you can support your local Ronald McDonald House  just click the link.

Gracenotes

Flowers in the home

I love flowers in the home. Nothing fancy, no big fuss.  They add warmth, color and life to any room.  And besides, I just like them and they make me happy.  

A good neighbor had an excess of Sedum Autum Joy that she kindly shared with me.  I took my Felco pruners to my magnolia and Limelight hydrangea.  Added in the seed pod from the crape myrle, a few hosta leaves,  a slip or two from the coleus in my planters and was ready to create.

Don't overlook seed pods when your turning to your garden for material.  Sometimes the second act is more interesting the the first.

 Selecting a container is always fun and the pair on the right won.











The final product, quick, easy and free!  And as an added bonus, both the sedum and hydrangea will dry very nicely in place.  Just be lazy and don't change or replenish the water.  Another plus, the coleus will root and you can remove it and plant it in containers for some much needed winter color.