Midweek Blooms

Did you ever think to yourself how depressing was the poem about the days of the week in which a person was born? Wednesday's child was supposed to be full of woe! What a stigma to walk around with all your life.

 It being Wednesday and such a dark, cold winter, It seemed prudent to splurge on fresh flowers at the grocery store. The prices were very high--$30 dollars for a blooming lily plant or a bouquet-- that will soon die and be thrown out--and outside was parked a cart load of Primroses for 99 cents each.

Above: An old lunch box used as a plant containter.

Being the fanatic, prudent penny-pincher, I counted the blossoms on a primrose plant and found 15 bright flowers on many of the pots.  And, being a typical American, why stop at one? If one is good, why not get 10? Over a dozen roses on each plant for 99 cents and they will not have to be thrown out, nor the vase have to be washed. I feel so luxuriated and pampered . My husband always jokes: "When did I bring those flowers home to you?" because he is fond of sending me out to get my own gifts from him!  (Part of our special humor, ladies!)

With a little web research I found these can grow quite well in the house with special care, so the potted plants are in dishes and containers all over the house today looking sunny and bright. They came in purple, yellow, red, light pink and blue.  I chose the brightest color that would perk up a foggy-looking house.  

To put potted plants in your boxes or other containers without ruining them, line the inside of the box or basket with plastic bags from the grocery store.

There is a pink color and a purple color  everyone is saying belongs to a certain political movement, but I use whatever I like. As soon as we like yellow or blue, some wacky group will claim it their own color and soon we will have nothing, so I just ignore it. If we are always concerned about such things we will just be adding more stress to our lives.  

This one is in an old metal treasure box.

There are four of them in this replica of a wash pan:

one in a basket looks good on this small table:

 I will try to show an area view later when I get things in order around here. 

Some of you may remember the Betty Crocker recipe card file. In the 1980's they sent free samples of these cards and a free box, to get you interested in subscribing to a monthly mail delivery of a packet of cards to complete the set. I ordered a few packets, but, realizing it would have cost way over $100 to complete the set, I cancelled, and never saw them again. I did use the few recipes I got  and liked them a lot.

Now they are surfacing on ebay and etsy at more reasonable prices -- some only $12.00, and many are in unused condition.  It will be interesting to look through these and to pass them on to my children as part of their childhood food experience. I may order a few more so they can each have a set. The cards are glossy and wipeable so they do not get damaged by food or water, and that is what I liked about them. There are several things I wore out or lost in the past that are becoming available, some new, on the web, and it is nice to replace them.

People talking to me on the phone say they hear the awful racket of the storms and wind around here. 

Just pretend you are having tea in a very expensive winter resort:

From Pinterest

I wanted to share this with you before it is delivered to someone who has been sick all week: A Get-Well basket. 

 It is a Dollar Tree tote, candle and soap, plus a red primrose plant from the grocery store, hand made card, a Pink Lady apple.

I have a grand child that quickly writes a Get-Well note when anyone is sick in bed. She believes it is like a vitamin and that it helps them get well.  The card below is a dimensional sticker placed on a circular punched paper and then put on red cardstock.

The Pink Lady apples originated in  the state of Victoria, Australia and there has been a new shipment of them at our local Safeway:

I always admire the color and the name. The skin is shiny and thick. Some of the apples these days are given names just like roses!

The latest totes at Dollar Tree are much more flexible and soft, like the expensive jelly bags at high-end stores. This one is a lot nicer than the hard plastic of the ones I got last year to go with my sewing projects.