Lilies, Lilies and More Lilies

Day lilies just make me smile. Their bright sunny colors and soft blended pinks are popping up all over my yard. Today I even have a few star gazing lilies opening up.

With the day lilies, I actually took a leaf from the calla lilies and lined the vase with it. Hopefully it won't let the water get too murky - I think it adds a neat touch to an ordinary vase. What do you think!

Summer's Simple Elegance

I can't think of another flower that is more elegant than a calla lily. Alfred and Bailey's wedding flowers abounded with calla lilies, hydrangeas and roses. They were all beautiful. Simple in their singular beauty yet we can see God's delicate hand as He created each blossom.

Today it is really warm out and I have had enough weed pulling for a few days and I really wanted to try and do something different with the lilies in my yard. Calla lilies are so striking whether alone or in a bouquet. In my arrangement I place three lilies in a narrow rectangular vase filled with glass beads. If I had had a "frog" it might have made it easier to get them to stand up! This is a more contemporary design for me - but I do really like it.

July in Jackson Hole

We have returned from Jackson Hole. Each day has been filled with memories. My kids - daughters, grandchildren and sons in law - really helped me pull things together so the yard would look beautiful for the rehearsal dinner. We did a lot of weeding, spread nearly 50 bags of bark, and even planted a few flower pots. I wish I had taken a picture of the gazebo, island and the lawn. I think it looked wonderful. (Thank you Forrest and the gang for spreading all that bark and fixing the waterfall!) Ryan once again made the yard look picture perfect with all the pruning and mowing.

Somehow in the midst of working we did manage to have a few moments for play, too. I loved being outside with the little ones playing on the swings and in the wagon - begging to go higher or faster. I loved being with my sisters all in one place - although our time always seems too short and hurried. I truly think a trip for ourselves is in order.

I know I didn't sit still very well in Jackson - to let myself be quiet allowed my heart and head race of how things should be - with Al in the midst of the craziness and taking care of all the little things. I am so thankful for my family who helped me complete all the tasks I had given myself so we would be ready for Alfred and Bailey's beautiful wedding. There was a huge part of me that was doing this for Alvis. I know that he would have been working like crazy had he been there and I wanted to make him happy. Kind of silly knowing that he is walking in God's most glorious gardens everyday - but hopefully we made his blue eyes sparkle.

Thank you all very much.

Jackson Hole Wedding!

It is so nice to be in Jackson with my daughters and beautiful granddaughters. The days are warm and sun filled and the sky is a bright blue with a few feathery clouds floating by. I have enjoyed being outside working in the yard and gardens to spruce them up before the rehearsal dinner. It is almost here Bailey and Alfred! I am so excited to see all of our family in one place again.

These are a sampling of some of the flowers I have done this past spring that are a bit more formal. The boutonniere is from Ryan's Spring formal and the bouquets were from my advanced class this spring. I am looking forward to lending a hand for Bailey and her bridesmaids.

Wedding Flowers

Spring Formal Flowers

Yellow, blue and white are some of my favorite colors - especially in flowers. Each of the colors seem to pop and say "smile!"

Sweet Emily

Emily gathered these bright ruffled poppies and wheat shafts from the side of the road on her way home from work. I love their cheery faces and how they brighten any table - indoors or out! Playing with flowers and learning to be creative with arrangements - arranging and rearranging until I am content with their display - is becoming very important to me.