“Love-On-Your-Home” Is Self-Love: Flowers

Alstroemeria & RED Mini-Carnations

Most of you don’t know that in a previous life I worked in a florist shop. It was during an extremely challenging time in my life. My son, Jeff, had gone to the Emergency Room at the local hospital all three days over the Labor Day weekend, each day with a severe headache. With a different doctor each day, it was a nurse that had been there everyday who finally insisted they do a CAT scan, only to find the root problem was a blood clot requiring surgery. Unfortunately Jeff died a few months later. The flower shoppe played a major role in my grieving, and ultimately my healing, from this traumatic even

To this day, several of the lessons I learned while under the tutelage of a wise British woman, Irene, and her talented floral-creator daughter, Adele, have contributed to my respect for, love of, and craving for flowers both inside and outside my home. The hospital where Jeff was born, and ultimately died, was just 3 blocks from this shop.

Clean water & no leaves

I quickly discovered the circle of life played out in this arena.Plus during the two months before his death, Jeff delivered flowers to unsuspecting souls whose eyes lit up and smiles unfurled as he handed bouquets, plants and a few stuffed animals to celebrate, delight and heal bodies, minds and spirits. (He also received tips from many, which helped him purchase a remote control car he assembled before his death.)

 

What I learned in the flower shoppe:

  • When there is a death, there is usually a birth within a 24-hour period.
  • Always start with a good foundation – a clean vase – washed with soap and water, or possibly bleach.
  • Use the food packet – the packets you get contain sugar (nutrients), an acidifier (to maintain the water’s pH level so flowers can soak up the water), and bleach to kill any bacteria.
  • Give the stems a fresh cut since exposure to air seals the stem.
  • Cut the stem at an angle for more surface area to drink up more water.
  • Be sure to remove all leaves that will be in the water because the leaves rot and often are the carrier of diseases.
  • Check the water level daily. Keep the arrangement out of the sun or direct heat to prolong their beauty.

RED Mini-carnations

Yesterday my husband said how much he appreciated I “beautified” our home with flowers. First, I found that surprising because in 28 years he has never made a statement along those lines. Second, as I was removing the 4-week-old blooms from the dining room table vase, he started asking more questions about the new flowers I had purchased. Why did I use bleach to clean the vase? Why do I remove the bottom leaves? Why do I cut the stem at an angle?

As I was putting these beautiful Alstroemeria buds in the vase, he asked, “Will those buds open?” With a smile I said, “Yes, by tomorrow they will be open.”  And because they are buds, they will last 2-4 weeks. With delight in my heart from his awareness of this ritual I do, I was overjoyed I had been able to find one bouquet of RED mini-carnations to add to the arrangement. Since it’s only about a week after Valentine’s Day, finding anything RED is very unusual. 

This is a way I “Love-On-My-Home” as well as giving myself “Self-Love.” Go get some flowers for your home and your heart! Then, please share it here!

 

Gung Hay Fat Choy – Chinese New Year of the Earth Pig – February 5, 2019

Happy Chinese New Year, 2019, Year of the Pig, Good Fortune

Set Intentions for Your Life on the Chinese New Year!

What do you want (or don’t want) this year? In the Asian culture it is believed whatever you do on New Year’s Day will be what you do ALL YEAR LONG! Give that a thought – a serious thought!

To have a fabulous year be conscious of what you do all day on Chinese New Year, February 5, 2019. This is a time to set your intentions for the year you want! This is a time to focus on attracting luck and good fortune for the rest of the year.

Do you really want to be cleaning your house or paying bills? Where does your work or career fit into your desired lifestyle? Maybe today you don’t work 16 hours. Is today the day you go to the gym instead of sitting watching TV.

Nine Yellow Chrysanthemums in a Red container bring Good Luck, Abundance, and Power for the New Year

To Do’s on the First Day of the Chinese New Year of the Earth Pig (2/5/19)

These are a few traditions followed in the Asian culture.

  • This is a day to pray to your God or Higher Power – giving thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon you.
  • Put away all knives and scissors, so you don’t “cut off” the Good Luck coming your way.
  • Start the New Year with new clothing to look your best. Budget conscious? How about new socks, tie or belt.
  • Put money in a savings account to symbolize “building your wealth” this year.
  • Having plenty of food in the house since it represents prosperity for the coming year.
  • Red is the preferred color for clothing and decorations. Use liberally if possible.
  • Rest, be gentle on the first day of Chinese New Year.
  • Have oranges or tangerines to eat and give as gifts. They represent abundance, good health and joy because of the abundant juice that squirts out everywhere!
  • Have lots of flowers. Yellow chrysanthemums mean wealth or gold. Orchids are for fertility and abundance. Peach and plum blossoms are for love and health.
  • When visiting people, bring gifts of alcohol, flowers, fruit, sweets or tea. For children, bring red envelopes with money or sweets in them.

I wish you the Very Best Year with Many Dreams Come True!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Linda Lenore