A Bundle Of Antique Silver

Sometimes the good Lord brings people into your life for a season. 

Sometime they are in it for the long haul. 

A friend at work is one of those people. 

She and I worked together from 1981-1984 when I was a brand new teacher. 

She took me under her wing, helped mentor me and she made me laugh. 

That is essential in the education field.

During this stint we have worked together for 23 years. 

She knows that I love junk and antiques and she doesn't have any children of her own. 

Over holidays she brought me a small bundle that was wrapped in a plastic bag. 

Once it was unrolled...

I nearly fell over. 

After a quick polish, they are remarkable. 

I'll let you in on a secret. 

I believe in using beautiful things so these will be used. 

They are all different with gorgeous Art Nouveau detail.
The Art Nouveau style was popular between 1890 and 1910.
Curvy and ornate, the style depicts natural elements such as fruit and flowers. 

They are hanging out in one of my new mugs. 

They are a sweet reminder of the many years we have known each other. 

Stunning. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Katie

Fresh Flowers

My sweet co-worker had some fresh mums left over from a science experiment.

She tried to give them to me but I told her to take them home and enjoy them. She didn't want to.

I was perplexed because I love fresh flowers in all sorts of containers. 

She mentioned that it was a pain to get out the vase, change the water and then have to deal with the stinky water afterward.

I couldn't believe it. All those "obstacles" seemed so minor but worth it for something so pretty.

I pondered this for a bit. I really think that the main obstacle is the stinky water at the end of the week and maybe the residue in the vase when the flowers are dead.

I don't think that the water smells that bad. Occasionally, I will have the discoloration in the vase or jar.

I trim most of the leaves away when I cut the stems. The leaves stink up the water. I don't even use the little packet of stuff that comes with the bouquet.

I must throw them out when they start to droop, before the water gets too rank. Maybe roses aren't as stinky because that is what I usually buy.
If I let the vase sit too long full of decaying stems and it does get some residue, I pour vinegar in the vase and let it sit for a while.

I was appalled that not everyone liked having fresh flowers around and I knew it deserved a blog post. She even teased that she might end up on the blog. ;) 

I remembered that I gave her some tulips for her birthday back in January. I guess I won't do that again.

I wonder if the issue isn't the flowers or the stinky water but the vase. The vase is a critical component to a good arrangement. 

I like a nice cut glass vase or I like to use quirky and unexpected containers for my flower arrangements.

Adding a glass jar to a container can turn any household object into a vase. The arrangement will be more interesting.
Pairing the container with something else will make the tabletop more interesting as well. 

I went home and arranged the mums and set the vases in front of my cutting board collection. I took a picture and posted it to Facebook. 

Of course now she wants me to come over every week and take care of her flower arrangements. :)    
I would do that for her. "If you give a teacher a flower....."

Katie
Linking with,
French Country Cottage   
The Brambleberry Cottage  
The Charm of Home  
Common Ground