An Outdoor Wedding

I wanted to end the summer with an outdoor wedding.  It's not one wedding, it's a fantasy of what an outdoor wedding could be using my favorite pins from my Wedding Details board. 

If you study some of the images you can see how much thought went into the details....and love is in the details.

Martha Stewart Weddings

Nantucketweddingsunveiled.com

Style Me Pretty

Seattlebridemag.com

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

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Rachelevents.com

Style Me Pretty

Happy Labor Day!

 

Simplicity of Summer

I have been busy working outside on a project for the last few days.  Sometimes....most times....I get really focused on the task at hand and forget to look around. Yesterday almost slipped away from me.....and then....I looked across my driveway....I noticed that my hydrangeas are at their peak.

I wait all winter and most of spring in anticipation of this.

Next year at this time we might be on our way to Florida. I will miss this sight.

Tomorrow, I'll show you where I put this ornamental purple pepper....say that 3 x's fast!

I hope you take a moment and look up from whatever you are doing.

Hydrangeas and a Field Trip

Today is short and sweet with a bit of recycling. For my Nantucket post, I'm going to point you in the direction of Hydrangea Centerpieces.  Hydrangeas are probably the most popular flower image of Nantucket. It is also one of my most popular posts....and quite honestly, it has a life of it's own. Between you and I, it is all those Brides. Thank you, Brides.

I'll be doing another post in a bit to tell you where we are going for the field trip.

Hydrangeas....Etsy Style

Well, sadly.....depending on where you live...the hydrangeas are starting to fade. It wasn't a stellar summer for hydrangea blooms around my yard. Excessive heat, water restrictions and little energy for dead-heading when it felt like Africa....slowly morphed into the "Next Year" chant.

What they should have looked like....last year.

Well, because I am always obsessing considering changes in some of the rooms in my home (ok, the whole house)...I wanted to check out hydrangea art on Etsy. 

This is what I am loving

Seller

Seller

Seller

Seller

Do you have a special way of remembering Summer?

How To Care For Cut Hydrangeas

Today, I am borrowing a post from my blogging friend, Mimi. She is always posting great floral tips for your own arrangements. Like the time she convinced me to try this one. Recently, I received a question about how to care for cut hydrangeas on the Hydrangea Centerpiece post that I did.

So here is Mimi's answer

How To Care For Cut Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are beautiful, but they do require a little special care. Follow these steps below and enjoy:

 8 Tips for Caring for Cut Hydrangea

1) Purchase hydrangea from places that always sell fresh flowers. Hydrangeas, or any flower really, purchased from shops that sell old, poor quality flowers won't last long.

2) Buy hydrangeas that look full. There should be no brown spots. No wilting or gaps between the flowers either.

3) Fill a clean vase with room temperature water.Hydrangeas are big drinkers. So don't skimp on the water.

4) Add a little floral preservative. Yes, use that little packet that comes with the flowers. It helps the flowers last longer. I use it all the time.

5) Don't smash the stems with a hammer. That's old school advice. It destroys the cell structure of the hydrangea stem.

Instead, just cut the stem twice. The first cut should be on the angle. The second cut should be a vertical one at the bottom of the stem.

6) Spray the hydrangea blooms with water.Remember, hydrangeas are really thirsty. 

7) Place hydrangeas in a cool spot. Away from the sun and other sources of heat.

8) Change the water. Remove hydrangea from the vase. Wash the vase with soap and water. Repeat steps 3-5 above.


Now for a quick tip, find out how to make a 5 Minute Flower Arrangement.

More Hydrangeas

I just can't get enough of hydrangea's. I have posted about it here, and still find lovely inspirational images. So, here are even more hydrangea images

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What is your favorite garden flower?