roadsidia

Back when I was in school, getting my Interior Design degree, one of the semesters focused on floral arranging.  I loved that class!  I honestly don't know how much of the "proper mechanics" stuck with me, but one thing I remember is that you would be amazed at what you can find along the roadside to put into an arrangement.  Hense, roadsidia. This is not some fancy Latin terminology but just a term that my instructor coined quite frequently. 

With that said, I give you this quick and very cheap floral arranging idea.  Naturally, I would not want to insult your intelligence so the specifics on this particular creation I will leave out.  Since it is basically, lady apples in a glass vase with whatever you might find along the road, or in my case; in my front yard.  If you have, or a friendly neighbor has, some branches from a maple, plum or willow tree those would work great.  Besides the lady apples, you could use those cute little baby pumpkins, or even nuts in the shell, walnuts or chestnuts would look nice too.

Nice one!

Shannon

given their due

I have to admit I was feeling a little guilty after posting my last floral creation of roses and sunflowers. The arrangement in which I pulled all of those yellow petals off to reveal the chocolate brown seed pods so that the terra cotta roses would have their "day in the sun" so to speak.

So when I was at the farmer's market this week, there they were, just staring at me. It's like they were saying "What did we ever do to you?" So, here you are my shining yellow beauties, take the stage. It is all about you this time.

When shopping for flowers at the farmer's market or at the grocery store, look for the least expensive, strongest flower and buy an armload. Abundant amounts of just a few varieties can be most successful. I would skip roses at these venues, since they are generally of a lower grade and may not open. Stick with sunflowers, irises, daffodils, snapdragons, and dahlias. They can be as good as those in any expensive floral shop.

The beauty of a simple arrangement begins with the selection of an appropriate vase. The color and shape of the vase is as important as the choice of flowers. This large milk pitcher works well for these large flowers, they are heavy and need a sturdy foundation.

Nice one.

Shannon



Ingredients

• cold water
• flower freshener or bleach
• 1 pitcher
• 10-12 sunflowers
• 12 stems solidaster

Recipe

1. Fill the vase with cold water and add the flower freshener.
2. Remove all the leaves from the flowers.
3. When working with thick heavy flowers such as sunflowers, begin the arrangement by cutting the stems down so their heads rest on and droop over the edge of the vase. Closely pack the flowers for a sumptuous display and add the thinner stems of the solidaster last.

Change the water and cut the stems a full inch every three day and this arrangement will last ten days.

taken down a notch

There is just something about warm hues, the colors of the sunset that I am drawn to. So it should not be a surprise that my favorite rose is the Leonotis rose. With it's burnt orange petals that turn to a warm golden hue as it opens fully. They are beautiful in many different types of arrangements.

For this bouquet I wanted to use sunflowers with the roses, but more specifically I wanted the texture of the beautiful center and not the yellow petals. This is not to say that I don't love the happy look of sunflowers. Those bright yellow petals that surround deep, saturated brown center of the sunflower. But for this arrangement I wanted the burnt orange hued roses to take center stage and not be overshadowed by the sunflowers. So, I removed the yellow sunflower petals, leaving only the dark centers. So now instead of competing with the subtle hues of the roses, they become a supporting role, adding texture that almost give the roses a surreal look. The only greens I used to fill in were some peppermint geranium that I have growing in the garden. I love the softness it provides as well as a slight fragrance.

One of my favorite inexpensive and versatile vases is a low terra cotta pot. Of course, it is porous and usually comes with a hole in the bottom, so it won't hold water. To make it watertight another container needs to be placed inside.

Ingredients

1 galvanized pail to hold water
1 terra cotta pot
cold water
flower freshener or bleach
24 burnt orange roses (Leonotis preferred)
5-8 sunflowers
8 stems geranium or other greens


Directions

1. Place the pail in the terra cotta pot and fill it with cold water and flower freshener.

2. Begin arrangement by filling the pot with roses cut short enough that no stem will show over the edge of the pot.
3. Arrange all the roses before moving on to the sunflowers.
4. Remove all leaves and petals from the sunflower.
5. Cut stems low.
6. Place the head of the sunflowers randomly through-out the arrangement, allowing some to droop over the edges of the pot.
7. Fill in with the geranium or other greens.

Change the water every two days and the arrangement will last one week.

squash blossom fetish

Yes, I admit it. I am obsessed with squash blossoms. I don't know exactly what it is...some sort of sickness I am certain.

But every Wednesday, there I am at the farmers market in my little town of San Juan. I walk down the row (singular, it's a very small farmer's market) past the lady that sells the wine flavored sorbet (the cab is my favorite). I try to ignore the cute young guy trying to get my attention towards his baklava (it's too overpriced in my opinion) toward the end where I spot the two gentlemen that are selling their amazing vegetables. They recognize me now, and are probably thinking "Oh, there is that crazy blond lady who is always asking if we have squash blossoms". They reach into a box behind them and then, there they are, those lovely golden tributes to summer.

There are so many possibilities, whether filled with cheese, deep fried and served with a simple tomato sauce, or perhaps tossed into a green salad with an herb vinaigrette. But today is the day I am using them in a centerpiece. Yes, it may be a little unconventional. But what the heck.

I have to tell you that after I purchased my little beauties, waving goodbye to my farmer friends telling them I'd see them next week. I drove straight home and went to work putting together this inspired creation.

I was so excited to see this arrangement take shape. At one point I saw my husband looking out the window (I was in the backyard) and he just smiled at me. Apparently, I had the biggest grin while I was working. I'm not surprised. I get so much joy out of creating something beautiful. And yes, while this might be a little out of the ordinary, I guess that's why I like it so much. So, I hope this might inspire you as well.

So while the summer is still in full swing, go scope out your local farmers market vendor and ask if he has any squash blossoms. You can choose to do an arrangement like this, or even make a delicious appetizer for friends that will have them talking for weeks.

Nice one!

Shannon

Ingredients

1 urn type container

1 block fresh floral foam (soaked)

4 bunches squash blossoms

6-8 long cuttings of geranium or something similar.

Start by cutting to fit the floral foam into the container so that it is secure and about level with the top of the container.

Begin by putting in your greenery. Making sure that you fill in enough so as to hide any foam. Work around the edges and then fill in the center. Be careful not to make it to full, leave some open spots for grouping the blossoms. Then give the squash blossoms a fresh cut and begin filling in. They have tender stems to give care when inserting them into the foam. Continue filling until you've used them up. Use additional greenery if there are any open spots where you can still see foam.

Then, enjoy your creation! The squash blossoms don't last for more than a day, so if you are wanting to have this for an event it is best to do it the day of. The greenery will last for up to a week if watered daily. After the squash blossoms fade, just pull them out and add something else...roses would look lovely as well.

far east inspiration

For a simple yet eye catching display for your next dinner party, try using Papyrus. Papyrus is a tall, aquatic plant native to the Nile valley. In ancient times this material was used as paper. It was prepared from thin strips of the pith from this plant laid together, soaked, pressed, and dried. It was primarily used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Frankly, I think it looks like a crazy hairdo.

The only ingredients needed to make this arrangement are as follows:

1 "urn" type container that is on the shallow side, about 4 or 5 inches deep; 1 brick fresh floral foam (found in floral supply stores); 1 packet fresh flower food; 8-10 stems Papyrus; clippers; water.

Start by first filling a bucket or sink with enough cool water to cover the floral foam. Add the fresh flower food and mix until dissolved. Soak the floral foam for at least 15 minutes until completely saturated.

Then fit floral foam into your container using a kitchen knife if necessary, keeping the foam intact as much as possible. This will help with the integrity of the arrangement, keeping it secure.

Then prepare Papyrus, taking off any dead or damaged pieces. Cut each stem approximately 5-6 inches long, depending on the depth of your container. Begin by placing the first stem in the center, work your way around the perimeter of the container, all the while stepping back to look at the overall shape. Which should be evenly rounded. This arrangement should last for about a week if watered every day or so.

Nice one!

Shannon

farmers market arrangement

I was thinking about artichokes...not for eating mind you, but for putting in an arrangement. Of course once the flowers are spent, those lovely globes will be a welcome side dish with probably too much butter. But that, is another story.

For now, the focus is a simple arrangement of only four ingredients: artichokes (with stems), tulips, roses, and some greenery, in this case bupleurum.

It is a beautiful display that could brighten up most any room in your home. A table in the foyer perhaps or even a sideboard in the dining room.

So the next time you hit the farmers market, stop by and pick up armful of whatever strikes your fancy. And if you can't find artichokes with the long stems attached, just ask your favorite vendor to bring some for you the next week (you can also order them from a local florist).

Ingredients

4 watertight inserts

1 divided grain box

cold water

flower freshener or bleach

3-5 artichokes with stems

25 tulips

25 roses

12 stems bupleurum

Recipe

Tuck a watertight container into each quadrant of an old divided box. Add cold water and flower freshener. Give a fresh cut to the tulips and place in one of the containers, letting them hang over the edge. Cut the artichoke stems low and place them in another container. Do the same with the remaining containers using the roses and bupleurum.

Change the water in each container every two days and cut the tulips one inch at the same time.

This arrangement should last one week.

Nice one!

Shannon