Saturday, July 11, 2009

Potpourri


Let's chat about dried lavender in potpourri. Of course, you can put dried lavender buds in a pretty container, or in a little drawstring bag. The bags are popular for putting dried lavender in your "unmentionables" drawer. It's also nice to put a bag of dried lavender in the closet with your sheets and blankets. But don't hesitate to mix other dried flowers or herbs along with lavender. I love the scent of roses, so I like to combine rose petals and lavender. There's no reason not to display them while they are drying. These photos are of fresh leaves and buds placed together today. As they dry, I'll probably mix them and might move them to another container or even a little drawstring bag. Use your imagination. I love this teacup. My Aunt Nell gave it to me because she knows that I love trillium. They grow wild in the woods in the northwest. They thrive in heavily wooded areas where trees have fallen and decay naturally. They are often growing near sword ferns around here. I love it in the spring when the woods behind my home are dotted with the while trillium! So this teacup, given to me by a special aunt, with roses and lavender drying.... well it just makes me smile to look at the combination. :-) Why not put dried flowers (whatever you like) in a cup or dish or container that makes you smile.
This is just a luncheon plate from my cabinet with rose petals and lavender on it. I put it on kitchen table for a few days. This would also be pretty with a candle placed in the center.

If you'd like to freshen potpourri or make it a little stronger, you can add a drop or 2 of oil. You can also mix in interesting dried things like little pine cones, pussy willows, etc. Not everything added to the mixture has to have a scent. If you add lavender oil or rose oil or whatever you like, the other things will absorb the scent you add.

I've purposely kept these displays very simple. This doesn't have to be difficult and you don't have to have a lot of time. Don't put it off because you are trying to create the "perfect" arrangement. The formula is simple: take a container you like, and then toss some things in it that smell nice. Don't make it more complicated than it has to be.

I'd love to see a picture of your creations!

1 comments:

free indeed said...

THat is pretty and sweet smelling I bet! I do love when our lilacs are blooming and I can cut some for a vase...it perfumes the entire room! THen, one of my peonies is scented...smells just like roses...so that is my next wonderful smelling bouquet. Then I have some regular roses that I'll float in a glass bowl for later in the year. Nature is grand isn't it?