Market Flowers Monday

We made it!  Winter is officially over and spring has arrived.  I think the only thing that got me through these last few weeks of winter was a visit to the Farmer’s Market every Saturday to pick up a fresh bouquet of market flowers.  

Since it has become a habit that I don’t want to change, I have decided that every Monday here at the Red Cottage will be Market Flowers Monday!  It gives me a chance to challenge myself to try new arrangements using a variety of different blooms based on what the market vendor has to offer every week!  

Every week the selection of blooms gets a bit larger and by Easter there will be countless varieties to choose from.  Ranunculus has been my go to variety for the last two weeks, as the colors were so bright and vibrant.  

This week I couldn’t resist these gorgeous pink lilies.  There extra long stems were perfect for the large blown glass vase I have, that is a really soft shade of aqua.  I love aqua and pink together.  In fact, my next Thrift Store Decor Upcycle project is inspired by those colors!

One of my first jobs out of high school was at a local flower shop, where I spent about two years learning the art of floral design.  Now, that was way back in 1984 and things have changed a lot in floral design.  All for the better.  

Back then we used oasis for everything.  Never would we have considered just plunking cut stems into a vase with no green or (the horror) baby’s breath to anchor it.  I couldn’t be happier to know that when it comes to floral design, pretty much anything goes!

While this week I love the simplicity of this completely unfussy (is that a word?) display, next week I may just go in a totally different direction and stuff it full of different blooms and greens.  Or, maybe I will go all greenery.  There are some seriously beautiful types of cut greens available these days.  

And speaking of cut flowers, have you all seen the new book from Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden? Between my visits to the market and this colorful book full of inspiration I am inspired to create my own cutting garden this summer.  

I can’t wait for my copy of the book to arrive so I can get started with planning my little cutting garden.

My own cut flowers are several months away, but until then I will continue bringing a bit of color and joy to our little cottage home each and every week with a bunch or two of fresh cut market flowers!

Until next time….