F is for Fresh Flowers

 

April A to Z Challenge - today is "F" day . . .not that kind of "f"!!

I'm writing about things that make life better -- some of these things are very small!

F is for Fresh Flowers

Many of you know that I have TERRIBLE allergies. I'm allergic to practically every growing thing, which is very frustrating. I give myself two allergy shots every week. I take zyrtec and singulair daily. I use a sinus wash twice daily. I have an inhaler. The list goes on and on.

I don't get to be outside during the spring as much as I would enjoy, so sometimes I have to bring some spring into the house (year round!) with the addition of fresh flowers.

I love Gerbera Daisies and you can see the bright yellow ones in the photo above. I had those on the table at one point during Mardi Gras.

I love these waxed Amaryllis bulbs. I just saw an online advertisement that Wrapsody, a local store, has some for Easter!!

We received an arrangement of flowers in December from dear friends we met on our cruise in October. I added and reworked those flowers and greenery into our table centerpiece through Christmas.

At Thanksgiving, I had mums in a pumpkin!

To me, fresh flowers are a little splurge that makes life better.

Mark volunteers two days a week at the Hub, our church’s outreach center. He serves as a “food rescuer” and also helps sort and bag items after pickups and Food Bank deliveries. One of the stores that partners with us each week is Trader Joe’s, and they often include bunches of flowers that are no longer store-perfect.

Every now and then, Mark will bring a bouquet or two home. I unbundle them, remove the wilted stems, trim them up, and—nine times out of ten—I can still create a pretty arrangement for our table. The Young Adults in our Tuesday night Bible study group notice that I take the time to make the tablel pretty for them.

The volunteers are encouraged to occasionally take a small item. It’s a simple practice that reminds all of us that we’re not divided into “givers” and “receivers,” but are part of the same community. There’s a shared sense of care, dignity, and mutual respect in the way everything is offered and received—and I love that.

So tell me about fresh flowers at your house. Do you enjoy having fresh flowers on your table? Do you have a favorite kind of flower in an arrangement?