Many dear friends in the Midwest and East Coast of the States, and in Europe, are lamenting their long and snowy winter, dreaming of spring’s warmth and color amid days rendered dull by clouds and fog, and longing for the sight of trees billowing with clouds of pink and white.
Did you know you can awaken a bit of spring to brighten up indoor days? Much as you can nudge paperwhites and crocus and hyacinth, you can force, or as I prefer to say, encourage, shrubs and trees to blossom inside.
Forsythia, crabapple, cherry, pear, pussy willow, quince and dogwood, for example, are all suitable choices.
Et voilá!
(I’m quite busy on a biggish project that may prove to be a breakthrough for our little company(!), but I will stay in touch as much as poss. Also working on a fun project this weekend, that, if all goes well, I’ll share on Sunday night to bring a little song to the start of your week! I hope your weekend bestows something sparkly and bright!)
Forsythia, crabapple, cherry, pear, pussy willow, quince and dogwood, for example, are all suitable choices. Simply cut long branches (that won’t affect the look of the plant later) containing many buds along the stem. Clip an “x” into the tip of the branch to open it and place in fresh, warm water. You might have to be patient! But, possibly before nature herself, in a few weeks you should have lovely, fragrant and gracefully arching wands of color.
Then gather up some vintage bottles in different shapes and sizes and hue and you can create a little orchard. This is what I put together for our dining room yesterday:
The bottles are a mixture of antiques given to me by my Mom, plus thrift store finds (my price limit: $1.00).
The bottles are a mixture of antiques given to me by my Mom, plus thrift store finds (my price limit: $1.00). To create variation in height, as the bottles are mostly fairly small, I used some crystal candlesticks as stands, inverting one for interest.
Et voilá! Even if spring is late in making her true entrance, be assured she will come, and that she will be all the more joyfully welcomed for the extended prologue of late winter.
Knowing such things with certainty gives stability to our hectic lives. And, though we are each the architects of our own destiny, or as my dear friend Amy says “You are the writer of your own happy ending…”, it’s good to know we are part of something grander and more enduring, isn’t it?
• • • •
(I’m quite busy on a biggish project that may prove to be a breakthrough for our little company(!), but I will stay in touch as much as poss. Also working on a fun project this weekend, that, if all goes well, I’ll share on Sunday night to bring a little song to the start of your week! I hope your weekend bestows something sparkly and bright!)
xoxo
– g
GEORGIANNA, you never cease to amaze me! These images are sooo beautiful, I can't stop staring at them! I love the fun clear vases paired with the bright pink and yellow flowers! Did you know that pink and yellow are my favorite flowers?? And good luck with your biggish project, can't wait to hear all about it!
Thank you so much! I didn't know pink and yellow are your favorites, but I'm glad! :)
You are such a honey. Have a great weekend! xo
Wow, this looks so gorgeous and so springy!
Georgianna, your photos again, are superb. What I wouldn't do to have such beautiful poetry books, those of your Granmother's.
Can't wait to hear about your project. Will you share?
Warm regards,
Gina
oh wow g, i can't tell you how beautiful these photos are! what a sumptuous display to have in your house from the pretty antique bottles to lush blossom :) i love those yellow flowers especially, i don't know their name but my granmother used to have a bush of them in her garden under which we had a little 'coby' where we played house. we called it the banana tree and used the lovely blossoms as decorations for our pretend meals lol. those were such nice times :)
This is just beautiful beyond comprehension! WOW!! I wanted to let you know that I featured you today on Traveling Mama! Hope you have a great weekend! Hugs!
Oh my.. these are pretty.The final photo is perfect, Thanks for the jolt of inspiration, can't wait for the flowers to bloom. Lovely weather tomorrow for a photo shoot .Enjoy!
Wonderful, wonderful photos! I'm always inspired when I pop into your blog :) I absolutely adore the last two photos, they're heavenly… A great idea too, I'm going to see if I can find any suitable branches :)
Have a great weekend and good luck with your project!
OMGosh! I've finally found spring!! Right here at your gorgeous blog spring has bloomed in all its glory. These images are absolutely delicious. The best to you Sweet Friend on your new project. I blogged about you and your beautiful photography today. ♥
Wow, so inspiring Georgianna! :) Forsythia has never looked so beautiful before. I might just try it myself. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photographs. Cross my fingers for the project. Have a great weekend! xo
the last photo is really beautiful, g! i love how you captured the flowers and a little part of the white chandelier! i must say that i love the white chandelier heaps! i'm a fan of chandeliers. :)
the photo with your grandma's poetry books is just perfect. i like the feel to that photo.
ooh, i'm really excited for your biggish project! do share, do share! :) sounds like heaps of work and fun, definitely.
i wish you a blessed weekend, g! x
Your photos look stunning! As always!!! I love how colorful they are. It's not nearly spring here but your photos make me feel like it :)
I came to visit from Betty Jo's lovely blog and I am so glad I did.Your photos are all so beautiful- I enjoyed my visit and am following you now so I will be back often!
Thank you for sharing,
Carolyn
Absolutely gorgeous Georgianna, these are sooo beautiful, especially the last one, the lighting, colours, chandelier and blossoms- just perfect!
Oh my goodness G! I love your display on your table!!! With those corner windows, what a fabulous spot for photographs!! I'm jealous!!
Oh, my, THANK you all for your encouraging comments and well wishes! Been out shooting all weekend so just catching up here. I'll write more about our project for tomorrow's post but SO appreciate your support. HUGE thank you to Tina and Betty Jo for featuring my work on their marvelous blogs this week! Gosh! ♥♥
came over from betty jo… glad I did!! she is so talented… and so are you… what beautiful pictures you take!! and the coloring is to die 4!! nice to meet you.. be back soon(:
Happy tears at these images. Such reflection, such joy, and not just physical reflection, but a mindful, lovely post to be part of and referred to. You are truly a friend and a light bringer. I am glad to hear of great tidings for your art!!! The world should know your light!!!! Blessings dear dear friend.
How gorgeous and I did not know that about "encouraging" flowering shrub stems – what a GREAT tip, thank you :) And you're so right, there is real comfort in knowing that the season will eventually turn even if it's taking a little longer to arrive here than where you are.
In the meantime, thank you for sharing your loveliness!
oh, love this post, LOVE it! Forsythia really does mark the heart of spring to me. We had so much of it at our wedding years ago….ahh, love =) thanks for sharing your beautiful work, i do love this blog!
You are a poet, mastering images. Your camera is as soulful as any pen.
This is a great post. I love the small branches in the antique bottles. I found you as I was writing post for the designer that I work for. I featured one of your photos on her blog at http://www.pictureperfectinteriors.net/.