random things and stuff for living a more "interesting?" life
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
CENTER PIECES 101
Entertaining? Lots of people coming over? Forgot to think about a centerpiece? What to do...
We needed some quick center pieces for a brunch last week, so it was called improvisation! I had some geraniums that were waiting to be planted in the yard that just happened to be the right color, but what to put them in....
I needed something large enough to make an impact but not so large that it would block the view across the table. I also wanted something that looked like I had put a lot of thought into it. I needed things and stuff to make this work so I went to the storage room to see what might I might find...
The secret to putting together a great arrangement is easy. It is simply repetition in odd numbers!You want to find a unifying theme-- in this situation it was white ceramic. I always look for interesting containers in the clearance section when I am shopping, or at tag and garage sales and at thrift stores. There is no need to spend a lot, just look for things you like. After a while you will have accumulated enough to make an impact. Different sizes, heights and shapes create visual interest but the color ties it all together. For a more formal feel you could use several matching containers, just remember to keep the numbers odd. I happened to have the geraniums, but the garden centers are full of beautiful, inexpensive options for plants. You could use begonias, petunias, salvia, gerber daisies. You could even use combination's of green on green like hosta or fern or small grasses. Just choose a theme and a color scheme and go for it.
Need a centerpiece? Just grab some things and some stuff and 'moosh' it all together! It really is not hard, it just takes some practice. I will keep giving advice and showing examples. Let me know if you have questions. MD
-You might notice that the theme for my new reading list happens to be based on the Willie/Martin Handcart Companies. Why? Because I am the Trek Master for our Stake Trek next year. I will be looking for suggestions, but until then I will be reading as much history as I can...
-As Sisters in Zion by Debbie J. Christensen
Life is all about things and stuff...
my epitaph?
Still reading for inspiration.....
Some of the things I have learned so far... some from the book and some from experience.
Hers......
1. Be Michael.
2. Act the way I want to feel.
3. Do what ought to be done and do it now (now is the hard part!).
4. Lighten up!
Mine......
1. "It is what it is"
2. Pay it forward (goes with #3).
3. Karma is so real!! What goes around comes around.
4. Hand signals don't help.
More "stuff" I have learned from Gretchen ! !
Hugs are important when bonding with those you love. However, a quick 'hug, hug, kiss, kiss' is not usually enough time to make a real connection. Six seconds "is the minimum time necessary to promote the flow of oxygen and seretonin, the mood-boosting chemicals that promote bonding." Try it. Test it out. Six seconds is really not very long but you will be amazed at the change it can bring about in your life. Hug you kids... they will respond. Hug your spouse... they will respond also. Try it for a week without telling anyone what you are doing. See if you can tell the difference. Let me know how it works for you.
I guess i didnt get this gene. My centerpieces never turn out as great as yours!!
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