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I Must Have Flowers

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           “I must have flowers, always, and always.”

Claude Monet

Expect lots of flowers this week.

I made that trip to Trader Joe’s and came back with four bunches of flowers, which, on reflection, I worried might be too many. We have only so much surface space around here and I have a beloved husband who is a big guy and sometimes knocks things over. So that meant that the kitchen counters – where he concocts our dinners – were out of the running.

I did manage to find homes for each bouquet; on the bistro table in the living room, on the coffee table in the den, in a McCoy vase (see above), and on the wee kitchen island.

I can’t tell you what a difference it makes around here! And how my mood lightens when I see them. I love photography and my favorite subject is flowers. Truth be told, it doesn’t take much skill to capture the beauty of a flower. The flower does all the work.

So right now, as I write this, I’m looking at a beautiful bouquet of just-about-to-open alstroemeria on the coffee table and a big, bright splash of yellow daffodils in amongst the turquoise McCoy.

This bunch of alstroemeria has yet to open. That’s why I chose them. Alstroemeria always lasts a long time; getting them this early is a bonus.

I just remarked to Don that I should make this trip once a month. TJs has such great flowers and they’re so affordable. It’s worth the drive, especially when it’s too soon for any blooms in the garden.

And you know what? Four bouquets are not too many. In fact, I’m going to do five next time, so I can have some on my desk, as well.

It’s a beautifully sunny day and my one request of Don is that he move the snowblower from the porch back to the shed. I want access to the porch, because it’s time to start sorting and cleaning. I can put a couple of the chairs back on the funky patio. I’m not sure yet whether I can put the chairs and table in the secret garden. It may be too soggy back there. But I can do something, right? At the very least, I can remove the blue tarp that is covering the sideboard, aka former kitchen island.

We starting watching The Power of Myth  last night after seeing it listed on Netflix. We saw it when it first aired on PBS, but we’re getting so much more from it this time around. Joseph Campbell was brilliant.

I’m reading a spy thriller that I will be reviewing in April. In fact, I was so into it last night that I read a bit too long and had trouble getting to sleep. But all is well.

Happy Tuesday.

Comments

  1. Claudia, hurray for flowers! I love the flower selection at TJ’s. Except I can’t have cut flowers in the house…I think I mentioned my exploring cats before. The daffodils I grow lasted a whole month despite the rains so at least I saw cheery flowers through my windows! My backyard trees are starting to bud. Sun today and then two days of rain and ending the week with overcast skies.

    • Sunny today but colder out there than I thought it was! But I’m still going to try to do some work on the porch!

  3. A couple of months ago I encountered a woman in the grocery store where we were both searching for the most tightly closed bunches of alstroemeria. She told me her late husband had brought her a bunch of them every week, and she continued to treat herself that way in his memory.

  4. We are in good company with that quote of Monet. I live only two short blocks from Trader Joe’s and bring flowers home weekly. I call them vitamin F. !xo

  5. I’ve never bought myself flowers. I was afraid what the cat would do. However, looking around the room I spied a place she has never been. I can’t go to TJ’s. The closest is 1 1/2 hours away but, the local grocery often has some selection. Anything will do right now. Thanks for the inspiration.

  7. Your flowers are beautiful and make me happy looking at them. I envy you Trader
    Joe’s, love their store products. We have nothing similar unfortunately. Going to
    Buffalo in April and Trader Joe’s and Target are on our “To Shop List”.

    Just came in from picking up a yard bag full of dead cedar branches, and lower back is
    now complaining. No complaints about the weather here in Ontario though. Thanks
    again for brightening my day.

    • I was walking around the yard this afternoon. I have a lot of branches to pick up! Take care of your back, Lea.

  8. Thanks for the heads up about Power of Myth being on Netflix. I’ve both watched it (in my book, Bill Moyers can do no wrong) and listened on audio back in the day. I’m ready for another viewing but hadn’t notice it.

    I know what you mean about flowers. I tried desperately to find some today. I need them. I need the color, the “real” of them. The two groceries I was at had HORRID blooms — so bedraggled. Maybe their flower person isn’t there yet. I wish we had TJs closer — they never disappoint and you are right about the price. Maybe tomorrow…

    • I love Bill Moyers. Totally agree with you.

      I hope you find some flowers soon, Jeanie. I understand your needs! Thanks, Jeanie!

  9. Dear Claudia, RE: The Bubble. Take heart from the Parable of Richard Nixon. Let us never forget that he resigned after being elected by a genuine landslide of the popular vote (49 states to 1.). And no one wanted to be president more that Richard Nixon. And his Attorney General, John Mitchell…jail time.
    On to pottery. Following your example, I created a display on top of our kitchen cabinet: celadon, pink and yellow. I collect Statue of Liberty stuff, so that’s there too. Thanks for the inspiration. It definitely makes me happy!
    Lastly, here’s my thumbs up vote for your podcast. Great idea!

    • Thanks for the perspective on this. I know in my heart that he won’t get away with it.

      Isn’t it fun to see your pottery up there? Good for you!

      Thanks so much, Leslie.

  10. I remember buying flowers in early spring when I lived in PA! I would also clip the forsythia bushes and bring the branches in to bloom. Now that I live in NC, we’ve had daffodils up since February. It has been chilly here though and I had to argue with my husband about putting out my house plants (It is still freezing at night sometimes – like tonight). I can’t wait to read your review of the Spy thriller. I love those!

    • I have thought about clipping some of my forsythias, but now I’ve run out of room to display them!

      It’s still freezing here at night too. Last night – and for the next two nights and then I think we might be done with that. Fingers crossed! Thanks so much, Jane.

  11. We live in different countries, but we were doing the same thing. I drove an hour to Costco to get 24 tulips for $10. They are absolutely my favorite flower and my garden ones won’t be blooming for two months. Our front deck furniture is still in the basement, but if our weather holds, I need it out SOON!

  12. Claudia, Happy spring to you. I love the yellow daffodils in the pretty vases. My daughter gets some bouquets in the markets and breaks them to spread throughout her apartment. I think it cheers her up. I am ready for some pretty flowers here. Wishing you and Don an enjoyable springtime. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

    • Flowers definitely cheer us up, Susie. I hope you’re well and ready for spring, Susie.

  13. You are SO SO right about flowers! I’ve bought flowers for home – usually in the supermarket on a whim – MAYBE 10 times in my life so far. And every single time, once I get them home and into one of my nice vases [I inherited some really beautiful vases from my Mom], I say to myself “Why IN THE WORLD am I not doing this much more often?” They add so much to a room. I find myself just gazing at them for 5-10 minutes multiple times a day the first few days I have them. I always amazed at how well & how long they last too. But – once they’re gone – I totally forget about having flowers again. I could KICK myself. I am going right to my online grocery list & making a note to pick up some bright Spring bouquet next week. Thanks for the very pertinent reminder! Peace. 🌺

    #Resist

    PS – I’m glad I don’t have to type “ProtectMueller” any longer [and yes, I am convinced that it was that little phrase that actually protected the investigation – LOL]. ☺️

  15. Claudia,

    Your flowers (and vases) are gorgeous – a perfect touch of springtime cheer! I especially love the yellow daffodils with the green of the McCoy. I should keep an eye out for some pretty vintage vases. I bought daffodils during my last visit to TJ’s as well as a potted campanula in white which look so sweet with the little s&p collection in my kitchen.

    It’s finally time to clear off the porch and make plans for your garden – yay spring! Do you feed the birds in your neighborhood? The weather has been simply beautiful here in Southern California. I’m adding a bird & butterfly garden by including flowers that they love in my existing landscape. I don’t have bird feeders but am considering it.

    Thanks for letting us know about the Netflix series. Do you happen to have any other recommendations? I am looking for something new to watch. I may rewatch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

    Christy

    P.S. You had asked about our interest in a podcast…great idea! Count me in! And thanks to Leslie for what you wrote (above), RE: The Bubble

    • I don’t feed the birds directly, though I have lots of plantings that they love and I make sure to keep dried seed heads up throughout the winter. My neighbor has outdoor cats that sometime roam our property and I don’t want to endanger the birds.

      No other recommendations at the moment. We’ve watched Mrs. Maisel three times! Thanks, Leslie.

  18. I also love fresh flowers. This past winter we have had much rain and I have had flowers blooming to bring into my house most days. I enjoy macro photography and tend to photograph wildflowers. Yes, flowers do a lot of work. Your photographs are well done and show what you enjoy collecting and compliment your collection well.
    Flowers are so worth the price as they are good for the soul, Enjoy yours.

    • I love macro photography and tend to do more of it in the summer. Can’t wait to get back to it!

      Thanks, Mary!

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