Tag Archives: flowers

Tussie-Mussie

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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?

© lauriebuchanan.com

Blossoming—What Unfurls Your Petals?

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“Earth laughs in flowers.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Most of you know that Len and I were recently in California enjoying temperatures that were approximately 30-degrees warmer than the current ones here in Crystal Lake, Illinois. We also took great delight in the multitude of colorful flowers that were in full bloom.

What is it in your life that unfurls your petals—that blossoms you?

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
               — Laurie Buchanan

www.HolEssence.com

© 2011 Laurie Buchanan – All Rights Reserved

Double Nickels — Happy 55th Birthday Len!

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We celebrated Len’s 55th birthday on Sunday. After an early morning bicycle ride, we headed over to “Our Garden” for a beautiful bouquet of colorful flowers and some delicious vegetables to add to the celebration meal.

Because it was hot and humid, we kept the meal simple and cool: fresh fruit, nuts, and cheese for appetizers, and a build-your-own salad, with fresh-off-the-stalk corn on the cob. I made one of the salad dressings with Chemlali Olive Oil and Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar—both from “The Olive Oil Shops” in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin—our favorite oilery.

Our friend, Karen, brought an assortment of homemade bars—chocolate, lemon, and peanut butter—for dessert.

The first birthday that Len and I celebrated together after we got married in 1980 was Len’s 25th birthday. Because he didn’t play a musical instrument, I thought it would be a good idea to broaden his horizons just a wee bit. With that in mind, I bought him a harmonica. After two months of ear-scraping, brain-denting “noise” I confiscated it, explaining that this was just one more good reason for him to never, ever go to prison. With a harmonica they’d kill him—definitely kill him!

Happy Birthday Len!

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
               – Laurie Buchanan

www.HolEssence.com
Copyright © 2010 Laurie Buchanan — All Rights Reserved.

Come Visit the Joyful Energy of “Our Garden”

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The other day we had privilege of being immersed in the joyful energy of “Our Garden.”  As guests we were treated to a delicious picnic-style meal and got to meet the family, and many friends, of my friend Cindy Kellogg.

As a Master Gardener, Cindy is living her dream. She just opened a flower and vegetable Market in Volo, Illinois. If you live in this geographic area, I hope you’ll stop by and visit. If you’re not in this area, please enjoy a virtual tour in the slideshow.

Our Garden
30523 N. Hwy. 12, Volo, Illinois
Phone 847-875-7321

Hours
9am to 6pm Wed & Thur
9am to 7pm Fri
9am to 6pm Sat
9am to 5pm Sun

Funny story … when we arrived on Friday night for the festivities, we were informed by a smiling Cindy and husband, Keith that we were precisely 24-hours early. I took advantage of the opportunity and snapped a few of the photos then. I got the rest of the shots when we repeated the visit on the following evening.

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
               – Laurie Buchanan

www.HolEssence.com
Copyright © 2010 Laurie Buchanan — All Rights Reserved.

This Bud’s for You

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I may not have my restored data back yet, but the weather’s been nice, I’ve got my camera, and the Camedia software is loaded on the new hard drive on my laptop. So I went on a floral adventure along the section of the Prairie Bike Trail that goes through Crystal Lake. Then, I read the instructions on how to create a slideshow in a WordPress blog post.

My last post was on “Whine and Cheese” so I thought this one should be about beer — “This Bud’s for You.” Get it? Bud as in flowers. I crack myself up!

And while I thoroughly enjoy flowers, I don’t know many of them by type and name. I’m hoping our friend and Master Gardener, Sandi, will jump in and help me with that. Sandi – there are six photos: orange, periwinkle, pink, red, white, and yellow. If you would be so kind as to identify them for me, I’ll come back in and add the flower names to the captions (at least I think I can) …

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
– Laurie Buchanan

www.HolEssence.com
Copyright © 2010 Laurie Buchanan — All Rights Reserved.