Fresh Flowers

My sweet co-worker had some fresh mums left over from a science experiment.

She tried to give them to me but I told her to take them home and enjoy them. She didn't want to.

I was perplexed because I love fresh flowers in all sorts of containers. 

She mentioned that it was a pain to get out the vase, change the water and then have to deal with the stinky water afterward.

I couldn't believe it. All those "obstacles" seemed so minor but worth it for something so pretty.

I pondered this for a bit. I really think that the main obstacle is the stinky water at the end of the week and maybe the residue in the vase when the flowers are dead.

I don't think that the water smells that bad. Occasionally, I will have the discoloration in the vase or jar.

I trim most of the leaves away when I cut the stems. The leaves stink up the water. I don't even use the little packet of stuff that comes with the bouquet.

I must throw them out when they start to droop, before the water gets too rank. Maybe roses aren't as stinky because that is what I usually buy.
If I let the vase sit too long full of decaying stems and it does get some residue, I pour vinegar in the vase and let it sit for a while.

I was appalled that not everyone liked having fresh flowers around and I knew it deserved a blog post. She even teased that she might end up on the blog. ;) 

I remembered that I gave her some tulips for her birthday back in January. I guess I won't do that again.

I wonder if the issue isn't the flowers or the stinky water but the vase. The vase is a critical component to a good arrangement. 

I like a nice cut glass vase or I like to use quirky and unexpected containers for my flower arrangements.

Adding a glass jar to a container can turn any household object into a vase. The arrangement will be more interesting.
Pairing the container with something else will make the tabletop more interesting as well. 

I went home and arranged the mums and set the vases in front of my cutting board collection. I took a picture and posted it to Facebook. 

Of course now she wants me to come over every week and take care of her flower arrangements. :)    
I would do that for her. "If you give a teacher a flower....."
Sprinkled with pretty posies,
Katie
Linking with,
French Country Cottage   
The Brambleberry Cottage  
The Charm of Home  
Common Ground