A Year in Flowers

My birthday was two weeks ago. An annual time of reflection on the comings and goings of another autumn, winter, spring, and summer.  

Some of the afternoon was passed quietly, reading Scripture in one of my favorite spots: our gangly porch swing, seeking to hear what God might speak over my life on this special day. 

 And God never ceases to surprise. 

He led me to Psalm 103:15-17: 

"As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,

and His righteousness to children's children…" 

It wasn't quite what I was expecting. I am still relatively young….perhaps even in the bloom of life. But, God was...is...calling me to remembrance that this life is passing away.

 I am passing away. 

This post includes pictures of flowers taken during my 27th year of life. None of these flowers are still in bloom. They have all faded. So too me. 

The Psalmist writes in Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." 

May I not forget that this is a short, breathless life. Then, in joy, I will seek to cultivate upon this soil only that which points to the steadfast love and eternal glory of God. 

Flower Kingdom

"I am a King,

Or an Emperor rather, 

I wear crown-imperial

And prince's-feather;

Golden-rod is the sceptre

I wield and wag,

And a broad purple flag-

flower

Waves for my flag.

Elder the pithy

With old-man and sage,

These are my councillors

Green in old age;

Lord-and-ladies in silence

Stand round me and wait,

While gay ragged-robin

Makes bows at my gate.

- Poem I am a King by Christina Georgina Rossetti 

My sister Courtney and I, reigning over our glorious kingdom of flowers, this past Labor Day Weekend in Michigan. 

Fresh Flower Necklaces

 “I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,

Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,

Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,

With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.” 

- William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

 Dreamy….

Fresh flower necklace tutorial on U lala to follow. 

A Golden Afternoon Tea

Remember this golden couple? 

On the Autumnal Equinox they'll say "I do." 

This past weekend I hosted a A Golden Afternoon Bridal Shower Tea for the stunning bride. She and flowers are forever linked in my memory and I wanted the shower to reflect this sentiment.

Alice in Wonderland's flowers served as primary inspiration for the decor. However, unlike Wonderland's snobbish variety,  mine are kind and give such compliments as "you look beautiful today" and "where did you ever find such a lovely dress?" These flowers also focused the vision. 

The invites quoted the Alice in Wonderland 1951 flower's ditty All in A Golden Afternoon: 

"You can learn a lot of things from the flowers

for especially in the month of June

There's a wealth of happiness and romance

All in a golden afternoon" 

Guests were welcome to accent their attire by crafting a tissue paper flower headband. 

In the Victorian Era flowers were ascribed a coded language so that even the boldest sentiments might be proclaimed through the simple gift of bouquet or bloom. Included in their invites guests found a card with a flower's name and meaning. They were asked to compose a note on the card expressing how they've seen the essence of the flower's meaning in the life of the bride. Or, a prayer to see that quality in the marriage of the couple. We read them aloud to the bride at the shower and I will put together a little book as a gift for the couple on their wedding day. 

A truly -golden- afternoon.