Earlier this year, I received a beautiful glass vase as a thank you gift. It’s perfectly sized for a nosegay, posy, or tussie-mussie — a small flower bouquet.
Since receiving the vase, I’ve made a point of enjoying a weekly bouquet in my writing studio. I’ve found it to be a boon for self-care, inspiration, and creativity.
My sister reinforced my habit by gifting me with a multi-month gift certificate from Blooms Flower Studio in Boise. Oh, the joy!
What’s your strategy for boosting self-care, inspiration, and creativity?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
I like yours but I always feel sorry for the flowers. Perhaps a plant…
Olga — That is a lovely and refreshing point of view. Thank you! 🙂
I’m stuck on “tussie mussie.” Is there a story behind that name?
Shirley — According to my internet research: “A tussie-mussie is a compact floral bouquet, classically presented with the stems enclosed in a small decorative vessel. The origins of the term ‘tussie-mussie’ are a bit unclear, but the practice of giving these bouquets dates to the medieval era, when people exchanged floral gifts which were supposedly intended to mask some of the more earthy odors of the era.”
Who knew?! 🙂
Oh, and I bought a gardenia for myself and my daughter and daughter-in-law this year. A former student writing about the beautiful ways in which gardenias age inspired me.
Shirley — That’s wonderful! I adore the smell of gardenias (and orange blossoms and jasmine).
How gorgeous! I too received a bouquet of roses for Fátima Day on 13th May. Life without flowers? Forget it! 😉
Fatima — I love that you received a bouquet of roses on your name day! How cool is that?!
Oh, so many layers to this one. The word, first of all. I’d never heard of tussie-mussie, but I am going to use it as often as possible now! And I love the vase. Gorgeous. And what a thoughtful gift. My daughter would love that.
Arlene — I love the vase, too. And it’s HEAVY! I smile as I think of you liberally sprinling your conversations with “tussie-mussie.” 🙂
Beautiful arrangement and if I may-“it’s so You”
My inspiration comes from rereading present moment reminders from Eckhart tolle
Roamer — Thank you so much for the compliment! I, too, am a fan of Eckhart Tolle’s work. 🙂
I have that very same little vase. Most of the time it sits in my cupboard. You’ve inspired me to pull it out and use it.
Linda — yes, Yes, YES. You must pull it out of the cupboard and use it. And if I can make a judgement call based on your beautiful photography, you have lots and lots of beautiful flowers to choose from to plce in it! 🙂
I always have something fresh on my kitchen counter bar, often from my garden. Right now there’s one red rose, the remains of a bouquet of roses, a Mother’s Day gift from my son-in-law. Like others, I’m looking forward to hearing more about the origin of the name “tussie mussie,” Laurie. 🙂
Marian — I love that you keep fresh flowers on your kitchen counter. Here’s what I was able to find out about tussie-mussie:
“A tussie-mussie is a compact floral bouquet, classically presented with the stems enclosed in a small decorative vessel. The origins of the term ‘tussie-mussie’ are a bit unclear, but the practice of giving these bouquets dates to the medieval era, when people exchanged floral gifts which were supposedly intended to mask some of the more earthy odors of the era.” 🙂
Tussie mussie is a new one for me too. I have a friend who makes the most adorable little bouquets. Sometimes I keep one in our guest bathroom and it makes me feel special too to walk by it. 🙂
Melodie — I would feel special, too! I wonder if your friend is familiar with the term “tussie-mussie.” Here’s what I was able to find out after some internet research:
According to my internet research: “A tussie-mussie is a compact floral bouquet, classically presented with the stems enclosed in a small decorative vessel. The origins of the term ‘tussie-mussie’ are a bit unclear, but the practice of giving these bouquets dates to the medieval era, when people exchanged floral gifts which were supposedly intended to mask some of the more earthy odors of the era.”
For some reason, Laurie, whenever I receive flowers, I feel compelled to clean my entire house. Thus, I discourage anyone from giving me flowers….
Donna — Oh, my gosh. You just made me laugh out loud! 😂
Love your flowers and vase!
My new self-care practice (as of yesterday) is QiGong. It is gentle. And, it boosts and connects me with my “being” energy force.
To support my creative self: I cleared, cleaned, and reorganized my writing space and brought in spring elements (no live flowers yet). Honoring my creative self in this way.
Audrey — I’m tickled pink that you’re practicing QiGong! Not only that, but you’ve honored your writing space the way you have. Congratulations on both counts! 🙂
Laurie, I try to always keep a little something in bloom in my house, sometimes daisies, sometimes Mini-carnations, something with happy colors. Why? Because I love flowers, they make me happy. Flowers were born to make people smile, to feel sorry for them for being cut would be like pity for the apple as it’s being eaten. Be glad for it, it was not cut in vain if it brought you Joy. Everyday that I see the Sun rise, I find inspiration in gratitude that I have been given another shot at Life!
Sandi — I know you’ve got flower in and outside your home. I think it goes hand-in-gove with Master Gardener territory!
And I love your comparrison of cut flowers and apples. Thank you for that! 🙂
Hi Laurie,
So concise and so thought provoking! I have no mussie tussie, didn’t know one existed until I read your post this morning. I did clip a bouquet of lilacs last night before dinner. They’ve given the house a lovely smell. Thanks for your Tuesday thoughts.
Rebecca — I adore the heady smell of lilacs! Ours have already come and gone.
I guess you’re a bit further south. Iris still blooming? 🙂
Yes, the Iris are in full bloom.
That’s the flower we’re looking forward to in two weeks! I’ve had trouble commenting on your site recently, I finally figured out how to do it again today. Yay!
Another person told me they’ve had trouble commenting, too. I have no idea what to do about it 🤔
I imagine you have two-step authentication for your log in. Has the site been “glitchy” in any other ways for you? Do you have the rolling page view like it can’t decide which version to use? You might change your password, just in case. (I do every two months at the latest) I wonder if the help desk could straighten it out for you? Good luck! R
Rebecca — I’ll have my “techie” husband check it out. Thank you! 🙂
I too have a healthy habit of displaying fresh flowers. A month before the pandemic hit I planted sweet peas for the first time since childhood. Now they are blooming like crazy. Every few days I pick more and refresh the vase. This has brought me such joy especially since I’m spending all my time at home.
Jill — Ohhhhhh, Sweet Peas! I love them, toooooo! 🙂
I love flowers. I have something blooming in my yard nearly all year round. I only recently can bring flowers into the house because of allergies in my family. So everyday on my walk with Zip I enjoy all the blooms in folks yards and we end the walk with walking all the way around our yard. My house is round! with a courtyard in the middle. One braided weeping birch, one small fir tree, one Stewardia tree, one slow growing tall fir, the rest of the circle is filled with bulbs and Daphne and Lenten Roses and lots of Johnny Jump Ups and Geum I can sit any where in my house and see the courtyard…look up from reading and enjoy. I also have a meditation practice and Liangong and Healing prayer practice. Lots to delight and smell, relax and sigh and just feel the joy numerous times a day.
My meditation focus is a painting by Terrill Welch called Apple Blossoms ( some one gifted it to me) and I now have a print of Road to Everyday coming to my house for another focus point
I need all this because someone will inject into my life the word “money” which totally cancels might delight immediately
Patricia — I absolutely love that you live in a round house with a courtyard in the middle! Like you, I’m a fan of Terril Welch’s work. It’s wonderful that you have a few of her pieces!
Love the vase and the bouquet. My customary boosts are fresh flowers In multiple rooms, journaling, writing, moving my body, and continuously working toward clean, clear, uncluttered space. During the pandemic lots of fresh air, color in general, the colors of nature, meditation, keeping my writing discipline, practicing gratitude, drawing and painting have been essential too. All of it seemed vital to sustaining 24/7 kindness and compassion.
Jane — I oh-so appreciate what you’ve shared here. It’s a like a recipe for contentment. Thank you 🙂
Fun term – tussie-mussie – I never heard of it, and I create one of those kinds of bouquets in my house weekly.I grew up in a middle class household where my parents were thrifty, and yet, every week my mom arranged a bouquet of flowers for the dining room table. When she lived alone from her mid-60s on, she always had fresh flowers in her apartment. Since I’ve been an adult and lived in my own homes, I’ve never skipped a week without fresh flowers. They are part of us – flowers – and give us scent, beauty, affirmation of all we are inside. That’s my take, anyway. And when my mom died two weeks ago, my house was filled with flower bouquets of comfort and love from so many caring friends. Flowers are a beautiful way of saying “I love you. I’m with you. I care about you. “
Pam — I love your take on flowers: “They are part of us – flowers – and give us scent, beauty, affirmation of all we are inside.”
I’m so sorry about your mom’s death. It’s difficult to lose a parent you love so much. I just read your post. My heart breaks for you.
xo Her beautiful being lives on in each flower I savor. Thank you!
Self care:
Personal contact –
Time with Ailsa. Hugs, talking.
Finally allowed to play golf again and meet people.
Diet –
Pills – high dose vit C (2 x 7g a day), 1 x multi-vitamin/mineral per day, glucosamine, calcium.
Vegan – about half raw, organic where possible.
wholefoods – avoiding refined foods (sugar, alcohol, oils, etc).
Information-
Diverse networks, good sensemaking (Daniel Schmachtenberger and Eric Weinstein are worth the time).
For the last few weeks the Foresight Institute – “Hive mind” has been a 1.5 hour start to each day (6 days a week).
Practices-
Take time to enjoy the view.
Have Pippa on the big screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9XNKQY4tQc) – albatross chick at Dunedin.
Do something physical occasionally (otherwise I can be at my screen for 10 out of 12 hours if not careful).
Stop arguing with reality – accept what is, then plan to create a “what might be” that delivers as much security and freedom to all as possible.
Inspiration, and creativity:
Nature – taking the time to observe it with all my attention.
Periodically taking the time to go someplace wild – with few if any people present.
Looking up at night. Every night I walk the dog before going to bed, and most nights I get to see thousands of stars, a few meteors, and a few satellites.
Taking notes when ideas occur – otherwise they can disappear just as quickly as they arrived.
Ted — The “ingredients” you listed make up a fantastic “recipe” for a healthy, inspired life! 🙂
What a lovely little vase. It’s simplicity shows off the flowers so well. I recently planted some new flowers outside in my flowerpot garden which made me very happy. My cactus is blooming, vibrant orange flowers like I have never seen until I moved to Spain. Sitting on my terrace and reading a book is my self-care. xo
Darlene — Ohhhhhh, the joys of reading outside. Ya gotta love it! And I’m thrilled that you have vibrant orange blossoms on your cactus. Life is good! 🙂
It is indeed!! 😎
Tussie-mussie—I have always loved that word. It sounds so much prettier than ‘bouquet.’ I like to pick fresh herbs and keep them in small vases on my kitchen windowsill (fingers crossed my cats don’t spot them). They look pretty and smell wonderful.
LoisaJay — that sounds like heaven on earth🎈
At this time of the year, I love taking a morning tour of our yard, and an afternoon tour, and an evening tour and seeing new growth, admiring what’s blooming, and anticipating what’s to come
As if this wasn’t enough to soothe the soul, I’m also being welcomed and sung to by the birds.
It makes one forget for a moment about corona-virus. My gratitude to nature.
It sounds like heaven on earth🎈
Absolutely beautiful! Jack gave me the same vase. Now I’m going to have to “fill” it again! Perhaps with a rose? 🙂
Jan — Yes, indeed! You’ve got zillions getting ready to burst on the side of the carport. And you know, one of them had a double-center! 🙂
I’m not usually a fan of ‘box-y’ shaped ornamentation, but this vase is perfect! 😀
Widdershins — I know. Right? 🙂
🙂
I love that vase and the flowers are delightful. At this time of year I pick a few blue bells whilst on my walk . Sweet peas I adore for the perfume . Always flowers according to season . I love Tussie -mussie …never heard of it . Thanks for the enlightenment.
Cherryx
Cherry — Blue bells and sweet peas. Ahhhh, heaven on earth! 🙂