oh, how fleeting you always are
sweet, darling June …
It seems we’re all being kept too busy these days, and June, the one month I have a softer place in my heart for — and perhaps it is because I celebrate another dance around the sun a few days into the month — but it’s really because it’s the only month where Spring is bursting, its briskness still lingering, while also welcoming in Summer’s warm brightness. A combination of my favorite seasons, and all the wonderful things I love about them — all the things that make me bloom and thrive along with it. This June I’m glad I made sure to give myself some quiet space for my birthday weekend, and thankfully so as the rest of the month was one of the busiest. If I’m not traveling, I love celebrating in the garden, picking flowers, pie, good food and time outdoors until the sunset. When a longtime family friend reached out looking for beautiful blooms to gift her soon to be daughter-in-law for a birthday/bridal party gathering she was throwing her and her loved ones in NYC. She wanted beautiful June blooms that would not only be a gift, but also serve as the centerpiece, alongside lush bud vases placed at each setting that would then become guests’ gifts … oh and a chocolate layered cake with fresh seasonal raspberries and strawberries — well what a lovely way to welcome my birthday weekend!
I love a flower and sweet treat combo, of course my go to is pie, but this chocolate cake with layers of whipped chocolate buttercream and fresh June strawberries and raspberries, that were at their sweetest summer peak — was a crowd pleaser! Decorated with dainty yellow garden roses and stems of fresh lemon balm, they were the loveliest compliment to the flowers and colors on the table. My only note for these pieces was to feature yellow, her favorite color, and to make something beautiful, “happy” colored and in not so many words “give off that luxe feel that orchids, her favorite flower, would give if being used”. My garden was brimming with precious bits of pastel lavender, violets, pinks and ever-changing peachy yellow Easter Basket Spray Roses that I couldn’t wait to use in an arrangement to celebrate with.
I knew I wanted to create a whimsically happy melody of yellow Tulips, Craspedia and bright Ranunculus that were as yellow as golden hour with lush Peonies picked from the garden that morning, soft colored Spray and Garden Roses, Tweedia, Scabiosa, and little pickings foraged from my garden.
With leftover blooms and more garden Easter Basket Roses, I made lush bud vases for the ladies; each mother and special member of the bride’s bridal party. Placed at each setting, each vase was just too pretty, and looked like little pastel yellow versions of the centerpiece dancing around the table — exactly like I had envisioned! {my family friend only managed a few blurry photos, but so pretty in the cozy outdoor space!}
I hope these flowers are your gentle reminder to Slow Down & Take Note of the In-Betweens …
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