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"Long afternoons in hot August
Come to thunder by and by
But then, soon after a cloudburst
The sun returns to warm and dry"
~By David Squire~
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Celebrate all the rewards of your garden by throwing a family party. Involve your children in the decorating, cooking, and crafting then end your day with a nice long soak using Calendula bubble bath.
- Fill your house with fresh bouquets, lovely dried flowers and potpourri for your special Family celebration.
- Pick your flowers as they mature(in the early morning). Hang them upside down in a cool room and let them air dry or use the silica-gel method. (see below) Dry them in the microwave for 3-5 minutes on low. Let them cool afterwards if they aren't quite dry. This method really preserves the color nicely with Calendula.
- Collect sage and lavender, tie it with raffia or ribbons to bring a bare spot on a wall to life.
- Pick flowers with different lifespans for arranging.
- Prepare some tasty treats for your special day.
- Relax & Enjoy all the fruit of your labour
Signs that it's time for you to RELAX
- You refer to your vegetables as deliverables.
- You reach for another glass of wine, giving no thought to the wrath of grapes to follow.
- You get all excited on Saturday when you can wear sweats to work.
Average lifespan of Cutflowers:
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ONE WEEK:
Gerber Daisy
Iris
Dahlia
Delphinium |
TEN DAYS:
Liatris
Statice
Lisianthus
Gladiolus |
LONGER:
Shasta Daisy
Carnations
Babies Breath
Strawflower |
Silica Drying your flowers:
- Place a one inch layer of silica-gel crystals in an airtight container.
- Place your flowers face up on top of the silica crystals.
- Apply another one inch layer of silica-gel over top of the flowers.
- Seal the container and let it sit for a few days.
Decorate your windows:
- Collect a few of your favorite flowers and press them (with an iron) in waxed paper.
- Remember to face the waxy side toward the leaves.
- Cut around the edges and display them in your window.
- Make a frame of cardboard or construction paper for variation. Experiment with different ideas, be creative and enjoy.
Party Place settings:
- Cover bristol board in colorful petals, leaves and flowers. (cut bristol board to your own shape and size preference)
- Fold a sheet of transparent mactac over top of it. Trim the edges and Voila ! You've got a lovely placemat.
- If you are working with small children you may want to apply a small amount of glue to hold the flowers and leaves in place.
End your special day with a long soak in the tub
with this Calendula Bubblebath:
1 egg white
1 TBSP glycerine
2 cups of Calendula petals
2 PKGS unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup liquid Ivory soap
- Add a small portion to your bath water.
- Cut off a couple slices of a potato or cucumber, place them over your eyes; climb in the tub and drift off into another world.
Cucumbers & potatoes both have enzymes which help reduce puffyness around the eyes.
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Family Celebration
© 1998 - 2008 Gardener's Paradise.