The Gift of a Book

My brother David and his son Alex enjoying some reading time together.

One never quite knows what happens to gifts once given. Having been raised with books as gifts, it was only natural that I would pass down that tradition to my brother, David, and then his son, Alex.

Shortly after Alex was born, I sent a custom baby quilt with a book, one of my favorite gift combinations to give to newborns. Shortly thereafter, my sister-in-law sent me the photo of the two of them reading together, David with his book and Alex with his gift book.

Here's proof that it's never too early to introduce a child to reading!

Happy Father's Day, David!

Charlotte

June Gift Flower: Rose

Bluebird Gardens hybrid tea rose in bud, perfect time to cut it for a gift.

June Gift Flower: Rose

It's so easy not to appreciate what it takes to grow a rose when one can pick up a dozen roses at the floral section of the local grocery store. Growing roses, however, is not easy, especially in Missouri. Our almost non-existent soil and variable weather conditions can stress the old-fashioned roses to the point of not flowering. 

Roses have been a traditional gift for as long as gifts have been given. Considered an edible herb, roses have been hybridized into a variety of forms including the perpetually-blooming Knockout roses, popular today in landscapes. 

When I think of gift roses, I think of hybrid tea roses, those long-stemmed, single budding flowers often associated with gift bouquets at dance recitals and sports events. During the Victorian Era, roses of various colors represented messages: white rose for peace, yellow rose for friendship and red roses for love.

Growing hybrid tea roses takes a little extra care, mulch, and patience. Since roses are June's gift flower, a reminder to pick it in bud form so the person receiving it can enjoy the petals unfolding.

Bluebird Gardens hybrid tea rose now in bloom.

And when they ask, did you grow this yourself? You can smile and proudly say, yes, I did. Enjoy!

Charlotte

May Gift Flower: Lily of the Valley

Lilies of the valley are tiny but mighty when it comes to having a lovely scent.

May Gift Flower: Lily of the Valley

My lilies of the valley finished their blooming cycle end of April but a few were still hanging on by early May. Their Latin name Convallaria majalis honors that May blooming period, majalis means "pertaining to May."

Lilies of the valley look similar to tiny hostas, upright glossy green leaves that taper to a point reaching 6 to 9 inches. They look best growing in clumps in shade, they make a lovely ground cover in a woodland setting.

Originally from Eurasia, they can grow in most USDA zones 2-9. They are poisonous so keep kids and pets from playing in them

I love lilies of the valley in small flower vases throughout my house, they are so delicate with a lovely scent. 

Give a group of bulbs coupled with a garden gift set as a birthday present to a May baby so they can have a little nod to their birthday in their garden.

Charlotte

April Gift Flower: Daisies

One of the first wildflowers I learned to identify by its rosette shape was the oxeye daisy. According to Don Kurz, who wrote Ozark Wildflowers, ox-eye daisies were considered a sacred plant to the soldiers of Artemis in ancient Greece. The practice of picking the petals one by one, to find out if one is loved, dates back to medieval times.

Ox-eye daisies made the trip across the Atlantic along with European settlers in the 1600s.

In Europe, the young leaves are used in salads and soups.

Don't mix them with other flowers. Similar to daffodils, they put off a toxin that will make anything else in a vase with them wilt.

Daisies are April's gift flower. In Missouri, they tend to bloom in May so if you want to give them as a gift, you will need to visit a florist, or give a potted plant.

In the Language of Flowers, daisies represent youth and simplicity.

Ox-eye daisies in Bluebird Gardens ready to be transplanted to a better garden spot.

Regardless of what flowers are blooming each month, ox-eye daisies will bring sunshine to anyone who receives them.

Charlotte

Handmade Flower Pen

This is such an easy project to make, just in time for Valentine's Day and, not too far behind, Mother's Day.

The children of an office colleague gave me this one. It lives in a flower vase on my desk, to be used only on special occasions. I moved it to the window to photograph.

To make, you will need silk flowers of your choice; writing pens and tape. Green floral tape is available at most craft shops but as you can see from my pen, masking tape will do, too.

You can even add a little white silk sprig to make it look a little more like a flower bouquet. And you can never go wrong with roses!

The most challenging part is getting the tape wrapped around the flowers and pen.

Once wrapped, add a flower vase, and a card. Or not.

Have you tried to make one?

Charlotte

January Flower of the Month

Carnations or Dianthus, their Latin botanical name, are the January flower of the month for personalized gift-giving.

Carnations, along with a number of favorite garden flowers, are ancient flowers, possibly named from the Greek word for flower garlands, since this long-lived flower was a popular choice for those floral decorations. According to the Victorian-era language of flowers, carnations in general represent fascination and divine love. Each different carnation flower color also has it's own special meaning:

Pink carnation: I will never forget you

Purple carnation: Capriciousness

Red carnation: My Heart Aches for You; admiration

Solid carnation: Yes

Striped carnation: Sorry I can't be with you or Wish I could be with you.

Yellow carnation: Rejection, you have disappointed me.

White carnation: Woman's good luck gift.

So what is this bouquet of carnations saying to you in the "language of flowers"?

Charlotte

Christmas Gift Suggestions

"To your enemy, forgiveness. 

To an opponent, tolerance. 

To a friend, your heart. 

To a customer, service. 

To all, charity. 

To every child, a good example. 

To yourself, respect."

~Oren Arnold

December Birth Stone Turquoise

December's traditional personalized jewelry gift birthstone, turquoise, is regarded as a love charm. The name comes from an old French word for "Turkey."

Turquoise is sacred to Native American Indians, often used in rituals and ceremonies. It is a symbol of good fortune and success, believed to relax the mind and protect its wearer from harm.

Turquoise rings, in particular, are thought to keep away evil spirits and enhance wisdom, trust, kindness and understanding. The color ranges from green blue to light sky blue. Because skin oils can change the color, turquoise should be regularly wiped clean. 

Combine a vintage turquoise piece with a contemporary silver tone ladybug watch for a nice personalized gift combination.

Charlotte