Decorating with Flowers During the HolidaysWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
Using fresh flowers for your Holiday tables can be a truly inspiring accent. A few tips and suggestions to let your blooms last longer and their fragrance permeate your home and hearth. If an arrangement will be made in advance, select compact blossoms that will open to full beauty by day of your party. Sprigs of pine, spruce, and evergreen, also juniper, are appropriate accents. Canella berries, decorative pods, pepper berries, pinecones, feathers, and eucalyptus are very festive. Cut rose stems diagonally under water at least 2" from end using a very sharp knife. Wehn stems are not cut underwater, air bubbles form and prevent proper water absorption. Snap stems for mums. Remove all leaves that will be under water or in floral foam. This will lengthen life of your flowers. Mist blossoms gently to keep them fresh longer. Flowers in three sizes make beautiful and symmetrical arrangements. Adding greenery, berries, twigs, etc. add beauty and delight. Space flowers evenly inserting largest variety first. Keep balance on all sides. Fill bare areas with small flowers. If using floral foam, soak foam in water containing flower food for 30 mins. Secure foam with floral tape.
| | Wish Upon A StarWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
We all know story of Christmas Star. On that special night, this star shines with a brillance that is not seen year-round, and announces to world that all is not lost and hope is still there for those who choose to take advantage of it. But, what about all those zillions of other stars that seem to be also brighter on this night of all nights - well, as a child, I was told of an old legend that I hold dear even to this day. Every star out there has a name of someone - they are made up of tears and smiles, joy and pain. The first tear of joy of a new mother and first tear of pride of a new dad as they hold their son/daughter for first time and realize that this life is their's to mold and build - they have a star up in heavens. A husband or wife that shed a tear of thankfulness as they look in love at each other and realize that no matter what life may throw in their direction, and that there is nothing in life you can really count on - they have each other and love is as bright as any diamond and as brilliant as a ray of sunshine. They, too, have a star. Some stars are tears of watching someone we love move on into another life and we will miss them, but that tear also is glad that pain and misfortune is no longer their's to deal with, and they are okay.
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