Feeling less than inspired today I had a quick look at Cathy's post before starting this post. She is keeping the home fires burning which is really good of her. Each week she leads by example with an arrangement from the garden. Having seen her effort I really felt I ought to make the effort too. However I got chilled from a short walk on the top of the Mendips and feel that fresh material will have to wait till next week.
Yes this week my arrangement is from the garden, however it is one I prepared many weeks ago! I think this will be allowed as after all don't we prepare our Christmas feast in advance. This year I made just a six inch Christmas cake, and after lunch Mr S and I shall share the last remaining slice.
I didn't follow the traditional way of drying the hydrangeas by having them stand in just an inch or so of water, but simply picked a few stems in the summer, removed the leaves and hung them together in a bunch upside down from the end of the curtain pole in the dining room. The sticks were left over when I took all the poppy seed heads off.
The Book by Annabel Streets is called 52 Ways to Walk. This was a surprise/unexpected gift from my friend Eileen. Like me she loves finding out about things, and I believe she may have given several copies to friends as presents, as a mutual friend Sandra who was with us for Christmas dinner, had also been given this book by Eileen. I have already ordered a copy for my lovely daughter in law, who is doing the two miles walk a day challenge in January, and if you hear people humming as they are on their walk, it may be that they had been given a copy of the book and had learnt about the protective effects of Nitric Oxide.
The dried hydrangeas are worthy of their time in the spotlight, Noelle. I appreciate the introduction to the '52 Ways' book and only wish I'd found it earlier as a gift for a friend, I've added it to my Pinterest "books to read" list and I shall practice the NO breathing recommendation on my walk later today! Best wishes for a happy new year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris. I hope you enjoyed your walk. I hope to have a night time walk to town, and view the lights with Mr S.
DeleteSometimes a book does resonate so much that you want to share it with all those you care about, without lending out your own copy! I wonder what the premise of this book is. Nasal breathing is 'Just One Thing' that Michael Mosely covered, as was walking outside in rain or just after rain, both very timely reminders of simple ways to improve our health and well-being. Your hydrangeas are such a beautiful colour, Noelle, and make a charming vase. I seem to have failed to dry any blooms this year, and many of those from other years are now getting a little fragile
ReplyDeleteThe book has so many facets. There was one on gait, and how to improve it, and I have only just started to read it. It brings together much of the recent research and also old found wisdom. I smiled when you mentioned off dried arrangements. I had a beautiful base full of things from the garden, but realising the dust that it had attracted, it went out just a few weeks ago.
DeleteThe hydrangeas are lovely, Noelle. They retained their color beautifully. Enjoy your walks. I'll look up the recommended book. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie, the colour really kept well and they were picked not long after they were mature and had the peak of their colour. They changed towards the blue spectrum as they dried.
DeleteThe hydrangeas dried beautifully and held their color well. I like sticks in arrangements, well done! Happy New Year. Amelia
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Amelia, and I really would like to dry more material from the garden during the summer.
DeleteThe article about humming and nasal breathing is so interesting Noelle - thanks for sharing that! Lovely hydrangeas too- they kept their colour so well.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy New Year Cathy, and happy gardening too.
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