I adore our library system. Don't get me wrong, I love owning books, but I don't need to own them all, that would be ridiculous. Well, maybe not ridiculous but problematic. Our home is small. So when I started reading reviews of In Bloom; Creating and Living with Flowers around the inter-webs I immediately logged onto the Mulnomah County library system website and was thrilled to find it there, hold placed!
This is a beautifully photographed book, Ngoc Minh Ngo is a talented lady who clearly adores her subject. The book is broken down into eleven sections, each profiling a floral artist (note: not necessarily a "florist"). A one page introduction (with impossibly small text) opens each chapter and then luscious photos follow, eye-candy of the highest order.
These from the section on Livia Cetti...
Who works with both real and paper foliage and flowers...
What looks to be a hand-illustrated curtain appears in the section on Italian writer and horticulturalist Umberto Pasti.
And this, sculpted from metal! The work of Carmen Almon...
After drooling over my borrowed copy I noticed I'd also put this on my Amazon wishlist, maybe before I realized the library had it available. Oh well, what a lovely gift to receive, even if I've already "read" it. This is an inspiring book that shares the many ways we humans live with, and love, flowers and foliage. I can think of many who would enjoy unwrapping this on Christmas morning!
One of those profiled in the book, Sarah Ryhanen, of the wonderful Saipua, is quoted as saying: "at their best flowers teach you to live in the moment and then let it go"... a sentiment I've often thought, although not so eloquently. I am forever living in the past or the future. Flowers, plants, the garden in general pull me into the present like nothing else can. On that note, this trio of small vases (two of them actually in mercury glass votive holders) are part of my holiday decor...
This one includes a combo of purchased stems and ones pulled from my garden, and it really does look better in person.
The fun green "berries" are the purchased part. I think it's Berzelia but it could be Brunia. I bought them at our local New Seasons Market and neglected to get the name, even though they had them labeled. Thankfully when I asked a couple days later the lovely lady working that day knew what I was talking about!
Cuttings from my own Blue Atlas Cedar and sprawling Rosemary fill out the vase.
This one has a couple cut stems from a purchased (of course) Poinsettia...
With Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow'...
...and Grevillea australis from my garden.
Details that can get missed in the garden are highlighted in a vase.
More Blue Atlas Cedar, green berries, and Rosemary sprigs, are joined by the green puff-balls of Dianthus (Dianthus barbatus ‘Temarisou’) in this vase...
I love this combination!
Nothing says holiday "decadence" to me like small bouquets all over the house.
Which brings me too these. I wasn't expecting to add sherbet colored Ranunculus to the holiday mix.
But another trip the market later in the week, this time with Andrew, and these had to come home with us. He fell for them hard.
Who am I to deny a man his flowers?
"At their best flowers teach you to live in the moment and then let it go" - Sarah Ryhanen
Please visit Rambling in the Garden for all the bloggers participating in this florific Monday meme.
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Despite buying those berries, it's your foliage that makes those bouquets. Love those green Dianthus puffs. Nothing I've seen before. And this is the kind of arrangement that odd colored Poinsettia was made for. I love that Andrew went for those pinkish flowers. I have her first book and have tried to replicate a couple of the bouquets. I need to check our library for the new one. I remember noticing those fake flower arrangements which were stunning. We are drowning in books we own and don't seem to be slowing down on buying them despite serious library habit.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the first book isn't in the library system here. Maybe I should file for an inter-library loan. Oh and I think I neglected to identify the Dianthus as purchased as well. I've seen it available locally (the plant) but not bought it.
DeleteLooks like an interesting book. Wow, look at all of those cool arrangements. You've been one busy (and talented) lady.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter, and they were pretty quick to make!
DeleteThat's an amazing book! You have some intriguing contents in your trio of vases - the creamy coloured poisettia is so much more likeable than the red ones,but those ranunculus are stunning! What delectable colours they are! I agree that lots of little vases creates a bit of decadence - from a relatively small amount of material too. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI didn't immediately embrace the ranunculus, instead favoring the bright yellow ones. But once home they've definitely worked their charms on me.
DeleteThe book looks fantastic! And so do your vases... those green dianthus always delight me whenever I see them.
ReplyDeleteThe book really is wonderful!
DeleteYour creations always invite close examination - it's the little touches, like the red touches in the Leucothoe foliage, that make them so special. My favorite is the arrangement with the dianthus but of course I love the sherbet colors of the ranunculus too. I'm making another stab at growing ranunculus in my cutting garden area - they never get enough water in the main areas of the garden.
ReplyDeleteI've never looked into the cultural requirements of ranunculus, I wonder if they'd grow here? Oh to have the space for a cutting garden!
DeleteGreen puff ball envy!
ReplyDeleteAren't they the best!?
DeleteThat dianthus is incredible! I love the blended ranuncs -- who could pass those by? The mercury glass arrangement reminds me of fireworks. On my to-do list is to get to the downtown LA flower mart this winter, so thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteIf the flower mart open to all? What fun you will have!
DeleteIt makes me happy to know that Andrew is a sucker for flowers too. The little brandy snifter (?) with the Dianthus called out to me from the start.
ReplyDeleteI love that silver piece, it very well may be a brandy snifter. I've got a trip to Goodwill planned for later today, I'm hoping to find a couple more!
DeleteI love them all, Loree! Esp. the dianthus (they look like moss) and the Atlas blue cedar. Great elements used so creatively. And your man has good taste - who doesn't love raspberry ranunculus?!
ReplyDeleteRanunculus are endlessly fascinating aren't they? I could stare at them for hours. I remember seeing a tutorial on making paper versions. They too were lovely but very labor intensive.
DeleteWell done Loree, and I salute Andrews' Ranunculus as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy!
DeleteEverything about this post is beautiful--your arrangements, the book, your words. I tend to be present-focused. But I'm not sure that always was the case. My husband and I had a discussion about it the other day. I said my natural tendency--maybe always, but definitely now--is to focus on today. Yesterday makes me melancholy for what was and tomorrow is too scary; today is beautiful in its simplicity. Thank you for sharing your talents with words and images. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth for a lovely comment! I hope you're enjoying the holiday season and for what it's worth, I agree about tomorrow.
DeleteDecent libraries and public transportation, two things that make me almost want to live in a city. I'd like to say gardening helps keep me in the present, but I'm forever imagining decades into the future when all the trees I've planted are majestic old specimens, and the smaller plants have taken on a slightly wild synergy, shuffling themselves around to find their preferred spot, if they're able. It does help me let go of the past, at least. I adore your arrangements of silver and shades of green, from the green-tinged cream poinsettia to the barely-green blue Atlas cedar. I even like Andrew's Ranunculus, paired with those bright greens. I'm always on the lookout for pots the color of that vase.
ReplyDeleteThe garden does, naturally, pull us to the future doesn't it? Your words paint a beautiful picture of your garden in my mind.
DeleteEveryone seems to love that Dianthus barbatus, me included. It's cool! And that book looks wonderfully sumptuous.
ReplyDelete"wonderfully sumptuous" is the perfect description Alison!
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