Dried Hydrangeas Two Ways

Fall is (almost) here and even though I love the warm summer days, there’s something so heart warming about the changing of the seasons. One of the ways I transition myself and my family into the autumn spirit is by incorporating dried flowers into my home decor.

Creating dried bouquets using the flowers you already have growing in your garden is an inexpensive way to decorate your home while also getting the most use out of your flowers. If you keep up with my social accounts you would have seen an ARRAY of garden and flower photos, and all the ways and places I use them around the farm.

Tending to my flowers makes my heart sing and putting together these bouquets helps keep my creativity muscles in good shape.

I’m going to walk you through my favorite tips and tricks for getting the perfect dried hydrangea arrangement.

• My first tip for making the perfect dried flower arrangement starts with picking your flowers at the right time. I suggest harvesting your hydrangea blossoms after they have bloomed fully, when their color is beginning to turn, and they take on a slightly papery feel and vintage look; this is typically toward the end of summer/early fall.

• Dried hydrangeas can be quite delicate and tend to break easily. If you can create your arrangement or wreath before they get too brittle, it’s often best to do so.

• Once you’ve picked your flowers, trim the stems so they fit in whichever vase you are planning on using for your arrangement and remove the leafs, leaving a few for decorative purposes while they are drying (you’ll want to eventually remove ALL leaves.)

Now this next step is entirely up to you. When it comes to drying out your flowers there are two ways I like to do it.

The 1st way…

• Fill your vase with fresh water so at least half of the stem is covered, arrange your bouquet and simply wait until the water evaporates naturally.

• Allow a few weeks for the flowers to dry completely.

• Lightly spray the flowers with unscented hairspray to help them retain their shape

The 2nd way…

• Begin with arranging your flowers, and then bind them together using twine or unflavored dental floss.

• Secure them to a clothes line or an unused hanger so that they hang upside down.

• Store them in a dry, dark area that gets good circulation like an attic or closet.

• Let them dry for 2-3 weeks

• Place in desired vase

• Lightly spray the flowers with unscented hairspray to help them retain their shape

I hope you enjoy these super easy tips for creating beautiful dried flower arrangements, and then use them for your own home or as gifts to others.

Get creative with your vases and any additional decorations! Place these stunning bouquets in all the different corners of your house like your mantel, dining table or kitchen counter to bring those muted Autumn tones to your decor!

And, write to me HERE and send me pictures of your dried hydrangea arrangements!

My Mother's Day Bushel of Blessings

We reserve the second Sunday in May to honor mother’s and the art of mothering, for where would we be without these nurturing warriors?

That term, “nurturing warrior,” describes my own mother perfectly. Wilma Dean was a 6’ tall Ozark beauty, who lived and loved fiercely. Always ready with a warm embrace, a word of encouragement, and a hearty meal, she was also quick with advice or a deserved scolding, and you would never - I mean NEVER - come between her and one of her children! I’ll bet you know a mother just like I’ve described!

The song lyrics, “I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck…” were sung in my family home often, and has inspired me to send this bushel of blessings your way for Mother’s Day.

All you must do to enter is to send me a note. Of course, since you’re writing to me anyway… you know I love to hear your stories! Tell me one about Mother’s! I want to know about your mom, your partner’s mom, a phenomenal mom you know. Tell me about how you became a mom, and how the experience has shaped you.

Enter by writing to me HERE

My Mother’s Day Bushel of Blessings

I’ve got some beautiful flowers to share with you from my friends at Balsam Hill!

Balsam Hill is always so generous to me and my listeners! They are providing this gorgeous white forsythia wreath to grace a door, a mantle, or any indoor space that could use a little brightening up. Advance technology has been used to create the most realistic faux foliage and flowers; this beautiful piece won't fade through the season, and will be just as fresh and lovely next spring!

I’m including three CD’s in my bushel of blessings - Train’s Greatest Hit’s, Michael Buble’s LOVE, and Jack Savoretti’s Singing to Strangers. All three are newer releases and all three are fabulous!

Greatest Hits, is just that - Train favorites like Drops of Jupiter, Hey Soul Sister, and Play That Song, and many others. Special guest, Kenny G, on a cover of Careless Whisper for example, is simply the best!

LOVE, is full of heart and soul, marking Michael’s return to music after a hiatus in which he devoted his time and attention to his son and family. Everyone feels the love when listening to Michael’s Buble’ - it seems like he’s singing directly to you!

Pat Monahan and Michael Buble’ have been recent guests on my podcast series, LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah. This platform allows me to talk to the artists about their work, yes, but also their lives, their motivations, their passions and their hopes and dreams for all of us. Give it a listen!

Singing to Strangers, is a new album I delight in presenting to you! Jack Savoretti, who has toured with John Legend, is a charming, talented, singer/songwriter and a household name in Europe, with chart-topping hits in England and Italy. Be careful, he’ll easily sweep you off your feet, and you’ll no longer be a stranger to his music! View the official Candlelight video and you’ll easily see why I’m so enamoured!

Three more blessings come to you in the form of BOOKS! An autographed copy of my own memoire, One Heart At A Time, as well as Mrs. Morhard and The Boys, about the mother that inspired baseball’s Little League, and A Brave Face, written by a mother-daughter team about triumph over tragedy and a how families are formed in never-imagined ways.

In One Heart at A Time, I share my life with you and hopefully impart some inspiration for you to do what is in your powers to change the world for good, heart by heart. Don’t overthink, don’t over guess, just take one small action at a time. The shift you’ll feel in your perception of life will be all the encouragement you need to continue to reach out to others.

Mrs. Morhard and The Boys, by Ruth Hanford Morhard, was a Delilah Book Club feature a few months ago. Written about the author’s mother-in-law and what she did as a single mother to keep her young son busy, safe, and happy during the difficult years of the Great Depression. She could never have known that by creating a popular youth activity it would develop into what we today know as baseball’s Little League; you’ll love this story!

And A Brave Face, by mother-daughter team, Barbara Marlowe and Teeba Furat Marlowe. What does it take to become a mom? It’s a mixture of love, bravery, and tenacity as you’ll soon discover when reading about the woman who saw a picture of a little girl in Iraq desperately needing help and decided then and there, she’d be the one to provide it…

I hope the these books keep you busy through the remainder of spring; when the days are lengthening but still a bit chilly, and curling up with a cozy throw, a cup of tea, and some great reading material still sounds like a fantastic way to spend an evening or weekend.

Barbara and Teeba were also recent guests on LOVE SOMEONE! I encourage you to give that episode some of your time and attention as their story is truly touching and so very inspirational!

If my mention of curling up with a comfy throw and cuppa joe sounded good, you’ll be pleased to know I’m helping to make the vision a reality! I’m including a PediPocket blanket - a warm and cozy throw with built-in foot pocket that banishes cold toes forever!

It’s a little piece of heaven that I hope blesses you on Mother’s Day and every day!

Blessing others just makes my heart happy! These little give-aways are a wonderful way to share good stuff with you and info about some of my favorite things.

This is a sweepstakes, which means the winner will be chosen at random.
All you must do to enter is write to me HERE.

Entries must be received by midnight, Monday, May 6th,
(Thank you for understanding that I can only ship to address located within the United States)