Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Eighty Roses ...



For a life well lived.

My grandmother recently celebrated her 80th birthday, so my sister, brother and I surprised her with 80 roses. I think milestone birthdays go better with roses, don't you?






Monday afternoon I gathered supplies for the arrangement, including 7 bouquets of roses in pinks and creams. I kept the stems in water overnight so they would be fresh for delivery.






I put the arrangement together yesterday morning. First, I soaked bricks of Oasis in water and placed them in this lined basket (Caffco Floral Outlet).


 


Then I added the flowers, clipping stems at an angle and tucking them into the foam. I positioned soft green hydrangeas in the arrangement first, then added the roses. Working with one color at a time helped keep a nice balance of color. I cut some of the stems shorter to fill in the basket, but left others long to give the arrangement more dimension. This arrangement was really a sight to behold -- and so fragrant!






I delivered this birthday basket yesterday, and my grandmother was so surprised! She gasped when she saw it, but she really deserves all this and so much more. Grandma is blessed with both a creative spirit and a servant's heart. She has a zest for life that is contagious, and she has truly lived every day of her eighty years. She has enjoyed good health most of her life, but these last few months have been challenging. Surgery on her leg earlier this year resulted in a serious infection, a second surgery and a domino effect of complications. She has been in the hospital for three months now. We had hoped she would go home today, but new challenges mean she will probably need a bit longer to heal. It would mean so much to me if you would keep my grandmother, Frances Prichard, in your prayers. She is a blessing to so many, and we are not ready to think about a world that does not have her in it.




Grandmother's roses were so beautiful, I must share more images of her lovely arrangement. I will post those tomorrow. Until then, please offer prayers of peace and healing for my sweet Grandma.
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