Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Go Big or Go Home...

It was an occasion of honour, one of our near and dear colleagues was hanging up her hat.
Taking her leave at 55 to travel the world with her husband of 35 years...
they are embarking on a trip of a lifetime and plan to do it in style.
We gathered to wish them bon voyage...

I watched from the wings and had a few moments of envy.
These two have invested in revenue property, paid off their mortgage, and saved their money.

A lively party was held in a heritage home filled with local art.
The gals on staff did the decorating, catering, serving and clean up.

I offered to do the flowers...
something I am able to contribute
and enjoy doing.
(don't even ask about the skit ~ let's just say I was the one wearing the silly costume!)


I use a very sturdy crystal wine bucket
so the flowers do not threaten to tip over.


Roses
foxgloves
dusty miller
lady's mantle
alliums
ferns

I build it big
and 
work from all sides
bulking up with fillers like Lady's mantle
turning the vessel 
as the shape takes form.


I must apologize as it must be dead set boring
 to read and see these roses again...
feel free to 
YAWN!

 I never tire of roses
(no surprise!)


apricot and chartreuse
a lovely marriage of colour


There were lots of comments on the flowers
but I really didn't notice
my focus was on the happy couple
both embarking on their dreams
of travel and a life of adventure 
on the doorstep of their future.

Best wishes J and S.

This quote speaks to me

(I hail from some hearty Irish potato famine survivors)

"May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

~ Irish Blessing ~



15 comments:

Pondside said...

It's always inspiring to see people grab hold of their dreams and make them real. Good luck to your friends! I'm sure they'll share many stories with you when they come home.
The flowers - well, they're just plain gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Oh the flowers are beautiful. How wonderful for your friends, I'll still be paying my mortgage at 70!

Milo Jean said...

Your flower arrangement is simply beautiful. Breathtaking! I am another who never tires of looking at flowers. :-)

Thank you for sharing them with us, and congratulations on your lovely blog and glimpses of your talents and style!

Arlette xx

Rebecca said...

Your kind and generous heart and amazing talent in arranging those flowers combined to send your friends off in style! Sounds like they "earned" their voyage...

Judith said...

May all their retirement dreams come true,starting with the voyage.

You gave them a wonderful send off with your passion for arranging flowers.Ida

Bonnie said...

How exciting for your friends. Your flowers are beautiful! Now did I miss pictures of the skit? Bonnie

Lynne said...

Gorgeous flowers . . . arranging! 35 years, debt free, time to enjoy!

Susan B said...

Your floral arrangement is dead-set Gorgeous!! I love the colors and textures. I never tire of roses either, and yours are anything BUT boring.

Anonymous said...

I have always loved that Irish blessing, never fails to move me. And of course, gorgeous flowers.

LPC said...

Beautiful flowers. And I have learned that most likely, there's someone out there who is jealous of you:). Know what I mean?

Duchesse said...

You have a talent for arranging, such graceful and stunning compositions to send off your friends. Perhaps you can update us on their travels, when they return. I too have friends who made sacrifices to save and retire early to travel. Lovely when people's goals come to fruition.

Anonymous said...

Leslie: Like you, I really enjoy using Lady's Mantle and ferns as fillers in my flower arrangements. Hosta leaves are great too, and sometimes I have made lovely arrangements using mainly hosta leaves with the odd flower (such as feverfew) peaking out here and there. The roses are so lush just now!
Peg - who is off to the Abhikazi garden this afternoon!!

materfamilias said...

Just TRY to bore me with photos of roses -- not gonna happen! And your arrangements are so lovely . . .

About Last Weekend said...

Wow, what a gorgeous send off, that bunch is just so full of feeling

Lori said...

You have a great talent with flowers. The arrangements are gorgeous!

Lori