Instead of the Usual …

** Thank you for your help yesterday!  There are some good changes happening for my nephew Owen that are going to help him get better.  I can’t tell you how much your prayers mean to me and my family.**

Normally in May I get all excited to select the best flowers in my yard to make into a Birthday bouquet for my friend Angela. This year proved to be the exception, though, what with The Great Flower Massacre of 2012 and all.

I could have written it off, explained to Angela what had happened, and given her a regular old gift.  But there is something about the idea of taking a massive bouquet of flowers to a friend on her birthday that makes me super happy, so instead of using my own garden, I hit up my local grocery store floral department.

Here’s what $20 bought me:

 

The Hosta leaves were free.  They were the only part of this arrangement that did come from my yard.  Apparently Hostas don’t make good targets for bee bee gun practice.  Grrr.

This loose arrangement of yellows and oranges is sunny and cheerful, just like my friend Angela.  I’m no professional floral arranger. I just vary the heights of the stems and keep spinning the vase around to look for bare spots or places where more color is needed and call it good.

If you have a friend who’s got a birthday, is sick, or just needs a little cheering up, don’t overlook grocery store flowers.  They may not look so great on their own, but put into an arrangement together, they can be stunning.

PS. Even though my budget was $20, you don’t have to spend nearly as much on other blooms like carnations, which when grouped in large numbers are AWESOME!