Yesterday we gathered at the church for a memorial Mass
to honour a lovely, gracious and kind woman...
the mother of my closest and dearest friend.
I have known this amazing lady since I was 8 years old.
Many years of wonderful memories ~ she will never be forgotten.
The vintage white floral wicker baskets were purchased from an antique shop almost 10 years ago.
Our son was getting married and having a garden wedding at my friend's home and I was in charge of the flowers and when I spied these I knew they would be perfect.
These have been used for several other weddings and they were used yesterday at the church service.
I offered to help with the flowers because it is something that I really enjoy...
I picked flowers from our Humble Bungalow garden...
lily of the valley, pink roses, fern fronds, hosta leaves and some blue bells popped them in a bucket and drove to my friend's home.
These went into vases and were placed around the house in various rooms.
The lily of the valley was placed on the table at the church between pictures, her rosary and some personal mementos
We used the crystal vase that she had given me at my wedding shower almost 42 years ago.
My friend and I wandered around their garden looking for flowers for the wicker urns and discovered that a limb had snapped off the lilac bush in the wind that blew up the night before.
So we wasted no time and started cutting them, then plunged the fragrant lilacs into cold water.
They looked lovely at the church and were taken back to the house for the reception.
The private memorial Mass and afternoon gathering was mostly family...
we felt honoured to be included.
Here are a couple of pictures of their gorgeous garden
which is large, lush and incredibly beautiful.
Purple Potato Vine looks so pretty mixed in with the chartreuse green Euphorbia.
Wisteria by the front entrance.
Dogwood Tree
Yellow Rose
I love how pretty this yellow rose looks contrasted against the red door.
I had a fairly quiet day today...
I met with the orthopedic surgeon who is treating my frozen shoulder and she seemed pleased with my progress...she is the first female orthopedic surgeon in Victoria...
looks very young and has a lovely "bedside manner."
I indulged in a relaxing pedicure at my favourite place
Bliss Spa...
Sipping and savouring a cup of hot tea
and looking at the clock
it is almost time to get dinner started...
Thank you for stopping by.
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
18 comments:
Beautiful photos and gorgeous flowers and what a lovely way to honour your friend's mother. It's warmed up today - about 16C and flowers are finally starting to bloom - saw my first dandelions on my evening walk. Take care.
Lovely lilacs! I'll bet they smell wonderful.
The lilacs are just beautiful. I love their deep violet. I'm sure in many ways she was your second mother and I'm just so sorry for your and your friend's loss. How wonderful to be able to help and share things with history to make it a more beautiful day.
Very sorry to hear of your friend's mother's passing. How lovely that you were able to honour her through your beautiful flowers.
The flowers were beautiful. A wonderful sendoff for such a dear friend.
The lilac looks amazing, how special for you, although I am sure it was a sorrowful time.
Beautiful flowers from a really beautiful garden. Such a nice way to honor this woman and your relationship.
What a lovely way to honor her memory with something so beautiful.
I have never seen such a lovely and personal floral display for a memorial service. Really very touching, Leslie. Best wishes.
Good Evening to you, I thought I would pop over to say hello and introduce myself and then I read about your sad news.
The flowers you chose from your garden sound beautiful and the choice of lilacs just perfect. Both my father and my father-in-law loved lilacs and interestingly enough, I have some bushes which I have grown from cuttings from my father-in-law's original lilac bushes which are going to be flowering for the first time this year. I adore their perfume.
enjoy your day.
Best Wishes from England.
Daphne
Lovely post ...thank you for sharing!
How wonderful that you were able to use your own garden, and your gift of flower arranging to honour such a special woman. I love how personal this all was.
Sorry for your loss. How nice that you were able to make such a lovely contribution to the occasion. Does everyone in Victoria have such beautiful gardens? And do they still have the flowers on the lampposts?
She was like a Mother to me growing up...I spent many hours at my friend's home and she at ours, both our Moms knew each other and my Mother was very emotional at the service...it is hard saying goodbye to those we love.
Hi Daphne...it was very nice that you popped over all the way from England and
I read your blog! That is exciting that you were able to propagate the lilacs from cuttings...you must have a "green thumb!" They will be special lilacs knowing that they were your Father-In -Law's originals.
Victoria has been known as "the city of gardens" for many years. There are a lot of beautiful gardens and oodles of creative and dedicated gardeners work in their yards making life around here more picturesque...yes we have the hanging baskets on the lamp posts...a tradition that has been going on for as long as I can remember.
Your recent pasta post has inspired me...it looks so delicious!
You made a beautiful floral tribute to your friend's mother. I'm sure it meant a lot to your friend. I'm sorry for your loss.
Such a lovely tribute.
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