Unspoken Messages

A wonderful married couple years ago set me up on a blind date to come to dinner at their house to meet a friend of theirs they knew I would love to get to know. I arrived on time (a chore for me). We talked for a while, then a while longer, till Sandy could resist no more and went to call the missing stranger. She got no answer and both she and Don were embarrassed. Dinner went on without the stranger. A week passed by and Sandy called me asking if the "blind date" that stood me up could call and explain. He did and I gave him one more chance. Upon arrival at my door to take me out to dinner, he presented me with a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses. What impressed me more than the roses was his knowledge of their meaning. Yellow roses signify "Please forgive me." Did I end up marrying this man you ask? -- NO, after 4 years we went our separate ways -- he to his list of golf courses and me to the man I adore. (We are coming upon 16 years of marriage very soon.)

I have simply fallen in love with my fresh cut flower bouquet and pulled out the digital camera to capture the blooms at their peek. I kept snapping shots till I got my most favorite to share with you here. Then I got interested in finding out what meanings of flowers are and found a wonderful site called Florapedia and another one http://www.clareflorist.co.uk/meanings.asp. Check them out for tons of information when choosing your next floral arrangement.



The traditional flower meanings for the Gerbera daisy is beauty and innocence. However, the gerbera variety holds an added meaning of cheerfulness, which stems from the assortment of colors available.



The flower meanings traditionally associated with Stargazer Lilies are innocence and purity, but the more modern connotations are honor and aspiration.



Pink carnations are often given as a sign of gratitude





Zinnia (mixed)--Thinking / In memory of an absent friend



Red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance, and a time-honored way to say "I love you." The red rose has long symbolized beauty and perfection. A bouquet of red roses is the perfect way to express your deep feelings for someone special.

Valentine's Soon Here

Everywhere I look, I am seeing Valentine's decorations or things are reminding me that we are already in the month of February 2009. January flew by so fast!

I just finished an embroidery piece as pictured here.

With that now I have Cherubs floating around in my head. -- More of that Victorian thing going.



Also while out visiting one of my favorite thrift stores recently, I found this beautiful prescut glass candy dish shaped in what reminds me of a chocolate hershey kiss. Chocolate is such a tradition for this holiday time of the year -- especially with me! (It calls my name quite often).



From Wikipedia:

Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

An alternative theory from Belarus states that the holiday originates from the story of Saint Valentine, who upon rejection by his mistress was so heartbroken that he took a knife to his chest and sent her his still-beating heart as a token of his undying love for her. Hence, heart-shaped cards are now sent as a tribute to his overwhelming passion and suffering.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. -- A very creative and smart business woman with a good idea!