Thanksgiving is coming. I've already started making lists of what needs to be done. Twelve of my family have said they would be here, and there's the potential for up to 18 more. I know for sure that the rest won't be able to attend due to distance or other commitments.
This morning I was pondering the subject of flowers. When you set a table with china, I feel you need to finish the table with some sort of floral arrangement. I have this brochure from a local greenhouse that is advertising Thanksgiving arrangements. The prices for what I could use range from $39.95 to 69.95. I definitely have two tables, and am likely to have a third, and I want an arrangement for the foyer table.
Somehow, it just seems WRONG to spend that much money on flowers when so many people are doing without this year. It would be lovely to just be able to pick up the phone and order, and have one more thing taken care of, but I don't think I can do it.
When I was a teenager, I took classes in flower arranging. I know the basics, and I know that I can put together simple arrangements and bouquets. I think we will still have flowers, but we won't be ordering them. I plan to use ceramic pumpkins, and ornamental gourds, candles, and a few flowers.
What I save is going to be given to the local mission so that people who would otherwise do without, will be treated to a full Thanksgiving dinner. It's not a hardship, and I'll feel a lot better about it.
Comments (5)
Good for you! Its great to see someone else thinking about the less fortunate also. But after the holidays are over and the cold lonely winter sets in keep thinking of them and still reach out a helping hand, that is when they will REALLY need it. ENJOY!
Posted by De Immigrant | November 3, 2005 11:01 PM
Posted on November 3, 2005 23:01
Thanks for visiting, De Immigrant. You can bet I'll keep your advice in mind.
Posted by buffy | November 4, 2005 8:55 AM
Posted on November 4, 2005 08:55
Buffy, thanks for the encouragement for the rest of us to get our lives in proper perspective. I know that your Thanksgiving centerpieces will far surpass anything you could have ordered anyway. One year when my garden was particularly bountiful I set up a small shrine in my kitchen in celebration. A small stand with baskets of pumpkins, squash, overripe corn, etc. It seemed silly at the time but in the end it was beautiful to look at and reminded me daily for several weeks how lucky I was to have all those fruits of my labor with the special taste that homegrown veggies have. Visitors were fascinated as well.
Posted by Roberta S | November 5, 2005 11:50 AM
Posted on November 5, 2005 11:50
Cop Car, I've been gathering dried natural things to use for the arrangements, things like grasses and cat tails and seed pods. I'll add one or two chrysanthemums and bronze and green ribbons. I'll be able to reuse most of it next year, so it's a win win situation.
Roberta, I know how you feel about that shrine. We do similar things here with produce from the Farmer's Market.
I've decorated the foyer table with green and white and orange pumpkins and ornamental gourds this fall. I'll pick up a pomegranate and some nuts and add a cornucopia. I guess you could say that will be my shrine of thanksgiving.
Posted by Buffy | November 5, 2005 4:01 PM
Posted on November 5, 2005 16:01
It's a great idea and it sounds beautiful! Hope you post a picture of what you design.
Posted by Susan | November 6, 2005 4:12 PM
Posted on November 6, 2005 16:12