Monday, June 25, 2012

The Language Of Flowers

 I've been unplugged for five days and it was wonderful!  No computer, no television and sketchy cell phone coverage.
The reason?  A five day road trip to various locations in Northern California, stopping first for a girlfriend retreat at a remote farm called "Hunker Down."

Our hostess had bouquets of flowers everywhere--all hand gathered from her property.
This arrangement on top of the pot belly stove greeted us when we entered the house.
It says "welcome!"

In fact, all her bouquets said something to her guests! 
Every flower had a meaning, and our hostess even wrote them on her little bouquets, also known as "tussie-mussies."

 Our hostess had just read "The Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, hence all the floral touches.
 I learned that flowers were a secret way of communicating in the Victorian Era.
Also called floriography, the Victorians used flowers to send coded messages, expressing feelings in ways they couldn't do with words.  

 Who knew that grapevine means abundance.  Makes sense to me!

So I was off-the-grid, and unplugged, but I learned a new way to communicate!
With flowers!

I also was reminded how much fun girlfriend time is!
"Friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold." 
~Oliver Wendell Holmes 

The Language of Flowers [Book]

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14 comments:

Our French Inspired Home said...

Great post. Ive read about emotional connections with flowers before, but never an associated meaning based on the flower type like you mention with the grape vines. At a minimum, they are great to look at and make us feel good! Glad you enjoyed your time away.

Katy Noelle said...

Oh, Delores! It sounds like a wonderful, wonderful time!

It's a beautiful thing to take time out to do something particular and extra and thoughtful and, oh, I can't wrap my words around it, at the moment, but - the specially loving touches like those bouquets mean so much. It's the thoughtfulness that really does count!

xxo

Katy Noelle said...

Oh, what a fun picture of all of your feet - so full of character and so cute! LOL! =]

Helen said...

These images are breathtaking ... my favorite, the very first! Of course, the pedicured toes are pretty nice too! I wrote a poem about tussie mussies last year and learned so much about them in the research process. I enjoyed this!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Love the painted tootsies shot. Flowers are always a beautiful feature. So much beauty to enjoy. I, too live in northern California.

Rebecca said...

I feel rested and calm just looking at these pictures and THINKING about such a retreat!

Lisa Farmer Designs said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time and what a cool,thoughtful hostess! I love little touches that make your stay extra special. Thanks for sharing your wonderful images!!!

Tretswelt said...

Hei!wunderschönen Füßen habt ihr:))).Bussi.lu.

Shaile's Edible Art said...

I have looked up the meaning of flowers often. I was thinking of going down the list and making the flowers in sugarpaste like I do to match.. I just don't have enough time in my day.. thanks for sharing.

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Sounds like a wonderful little getaway! Love that last shot! My oldest daughter took a pic just like that with here girlfriends and uses it as her screen saver.

Sarah said...

Delores, I'm having some girlfriend time in SF at the moment. It's nice to get away and be disconnected for a bit. ;-)
I've read the Language of Flowers. Enjoyed the book and have myself reconnected with the meanings of many of my favorites. I'm fascinated with the Victorian Language of Flowers and recently purchased a couple of flower dictionaries. Love the toenail shot! LOL

carolyn bradford said...

Such a great post! I will go look for this book tomorrow! There is nothing like flowers and the feelings they bring and there is also nothing like girlfriend time to just get away and laugh! Hope you had a fabulous trip!

Kathy S. said...

Wonderful post ! Any chance you could share the lunch recipes?

Linda said...

I love the wonderful variety of flowers that the Creator gave us all to enjoy!

This was a fun post.

Love the variety of toenail polish too! Tee~hee!

Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

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