An inventive and fun challenge entered my life this past spring.
It was Greek Easter. Jennifer and Jason had invited us, along with several other family members, to their home for what turned out to be a most delectable feast along with companionable conversation, laughter, and all that comes with the gathering of kin.
Ever since the Elmhurst Garden Club’s annual luncheon/90th anniversary celebration in April, I was itching to attempt the floral decoration shown in the top photo. It was an abundant spray of tulips and carnations set in a bowl of pink Easter eggs. Teri’s arrangement was spectacular. With Greek (Eastern Orthodox) Easter being observed quite late this past spring, I had a window of opportunity to do my own experimenting with the typical red Easter egg dye symbolic of Greek Easter.
So . . .
. . . I pulled out a smaller vase, the one that I had, in fact, made my own centerpiece for the April luncheon, with a plan to bring it to Jennifer and Jason’s. Lilies and tulips, roses and other spring blooms were nestled into the red eggs and a swirl of grass from the grocer’s florist. The deep red eggs bled into a soft pink as they sat in the water, which enhanced the allure of the bouquet.
As we were leaving, I told Jennifer to keep the vase. It was, to be honest, a $3 purchase from a local grocery store that had already proved its worth in holding flowers. Some time ago, I heard (or read) a suggestion that when bringing flowers as a hostess gift it is considerate to bring it in a vase. The last thing a host or hostess needs when guests are arriving and food preparation is underway, is to search for a suitable vase. I have found it to be a twice appreciated gesture, the flowers and the container, and does not need to be in Waterford crystal. A Mason jar or thrift store find serves the purpose and saves the host a hurried look for a container.
So . . .
. . . on Mother’s Day, Tom assembled a brunch at our house. Jennifer came in with her edible contribution
and this lovely bouquet!
She thought it would be a fun tradition to pass the vase back and forth, from time-to-time, no pressure, just fun – and I wholeheartedly agreed, but, only after I admired her first attempt at flower arranging. Can you just imagine, dear readers, how brightly I glowed at Jennifer’s attention to detail and nod to my interest in flowers?
Thus began a new tradition; this floral adventure between mother and daughter and the traveling vase.
So . . .
. . . about an hour before leaving on Labor Day for J & J’s house for lunch, I remembered the traveling vase and decided to see what I could find in the fading gardens here on the Cutoff.
Zinnias and lemon geranium were clipped from the pots on the deck and nestled into floating lemon grass and a spray of Joe Pye Weed that was past its bloom. These came from the now fading Prairie garden. The Joe Pye Weed made a very useful floral “frog”. Green and purple basil, oregano, Rosemary, and Turkey Grass (Big Bluestem) for height, all managed, as well, to follow me inside and into the traveling vase.
Off we went for a lovely lunch – and so goes the continuing adventure of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Vase.
A rruly lovely tradition!
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It is – and I’m hoping it will continue on for many, many years. Thank you.
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Love the “sisterhood of the traveling vase!” moniker…and I like how you weaved all the history into the story so beautifully!
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Thank you, Jennifer. It is will be so rewarding to follow the travels of the vase. I downloaded the photos I took of the Labor Day one, and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Vase popped into my brain. 🙂 Love you – and love your idea.
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What creative and gorgeous arrangements in the vases. I can’t wait to see what the future holds!
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Thanks, Marilyn. It has been fun, so far, and I think it will continue to be so. Part of the fun is not knowing when the vase will show up.
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What a wonderful idea Penny and I love all the beautiful arrangements. I have a neighbor and friend that always brings flower arrangements in a vase and asks me to return the vase. The next time I’m return it with flowers in them. Thank you for this lovely post.
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Thank you, Gerlinde. I was so touched that Jennifer returned it with flowers and issued the lovely challenge to make it a tradition. I’m sure you neighbor would appreciate flowers in her vase. It was amazon what I could put together from mostly my herb pot on the deck. 🙂
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Oh, Penny! The Sisterhood of the Traveling Vase is the most wonderful idea!! It will bless you and Jennifer with flowers (and so much love) each time one of you fills the vase with a beautiful bouquet! It’s perfect that it is an unexpected gift and can surprise you at any time. With your blessings, I would love to start a Sisterhood of the Traveling Vase of my own. Next week, my dearest friend will visit to dig Black-eyed Susans from my garden. It would be such fun to present her with a vase filled with garden blossoms, too! Big hugs for sharing such an inspiring idea, dear Penny! ♡
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It has, and will continue to bless us for sure, Dawn, and I do hope you will fill a vase and start your own tradition with you and your friend. I’m sure you have a vase or container that would be perfect and you might stick in some of the fragrant herbs that frolic in your garden. Feel free to use the name if you want, that way the sisterhood can grow, though don’t feel you have to. Just have fun with it! 🙂
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Jenny is talented, but I knew that, I watched her make a dress for a doll from scraps when I was her Girl Scout Leader, she always put a lot of thought in what she made. Love the traveling vase idea. Garden Club would be proud of your arrangements.
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It is funny that you should bring up Jenny’s doll dress making for Girl Scouts as Katy recently let us know that Kezzie was making clothes for her dolls, like her Aunt. 🙂 Cute. It is so nice of you to recall this, but, then you were such a good Girl Scout leader. The vase was a fun idea and it will be interesting to see where it leads us.
Thank you, Sharon. That is so nice of you to say. I’ve learned so much from the Garden Club.
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I don’t know how I missed this one. Busy weekend and no internet at home, I guess. I love this tradition. What beautiful arrangements.
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I’m thrilled whenever you stop by, L. Marie, and I do believe you have a post up that I still need to read. 😦 It will be fun and inspiring to keep this going. Thank you.
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A wonderful tradition!
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Thank you. It will be a fun one to keep going.
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What a wonderful tradition, Penny. I love the idea. And I so completely agree with you about bringing flowers in a vase, rather than a bouquet that needs tending. Your floral arrangements are so beautiful and you are setting a wonderful intention in motion! I won’t be the only person following your lead, I’m sure. 🙂
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I think, no, I KNOW you would have fun doing this, Debra. There is no “due date”, can be for a special occasion, or not, and is really fun, inspirational, and challenging, too. It tickled me to no end that Jennifer came up with this tradition. While a pretty vase is always nice, Mason jars or any jars travel well and serve the purpose. Thank you, Debra. I hope you soon enjoy membership in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Vase. 🙂
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[…] in our Sisterhood of the Traveling Vase? Click here to start at the […]
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What a great idea – and lovely bouquets!
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It has been a fun adventure, for sure. We’ll see what comes next.
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