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.

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.

Inspirational color combinations

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."  

Henry David Thoreau

There is so much around us that delights and inspires.  Mother Nature hits it out o f the park over and over again.  This wonderful bed of tulips at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA was captured by a very gifted photographer and dear friend, Doug Baker.  Pink, orange and green, a winning color combination

Fabric selections to bring the garden indoors.

The possibilities are endless. I love the pair of green lamps.

Simone, by Elizabeth Benefield

Whether your tastes run to classics, 

or the contemporary, Pink, orange and green are a winning color combination.