Monday, April 15, 2013

Little Brown Jugs

 Since lilac season lasts about a hot minute, I am taking advantage of this time to thoroughly enjoy their beauty and scent.

So with my collection of little brown jugs in mind, I clipped enough lilacs to enjoy them inside.

 At first, I put the little brown jugs on the kitchen window sill....

Until I moved them to the dining room table....

Where they look wonderful, but I want to see and smell them all the time.
So, I moved them again.

To the family room mantel....


Eventually they ended up on the kitchen table....

Where they accompany my newest treasure.
I found this wooden pedestal in Charleston and hand carried it home.

It takes center stage, highlighting one of my found bird's nests.

I'm loving how the little brown jugs of lilacs play a supporting role.

And we get to enjoy the tablescape and their heady scent for just a couple more hot minutes!

Literally, 24 hours later, they wilted, even with plenty of water.
Does anyone have a secret to preserving cut lilacs longer that a day or two inside?

I'm joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays.

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22 comments:

Susan said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! I LOVE your jugs and new wooden pedestal! I love lilacs, but they don't last long. I use Florist's water treatment that you can get in packet sat any HL or Michael's if your local florist doesn't sell it.

Anonymous said...

Little brown jugs how I love thee! You have a wonderful collection of these little jugs and the lilacs - so beautiful and I'll bet the smell was wonderful.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Gina said...

Lovely shade of lilacs made even more beautiful in your sensational brown jugs.

Some hints, cut your lilacs early in the morning. Split ends with a hammer or even better, scrape off bark about 3 inches up the stem and cut into stem with sharp knife.
Place in lukewarm water, up to their necks and leave in dark,cool place overnight. Arrange the next day in fresh lukewarm water. Even then, Lilacs only last about 4 to 5 days.

Anonymous said...

Perfection Delores! The little brown jugs are wonderful.

I love the lilacs. Have no idea what to do to keep them perky.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

So pretty~ I love them and love the lilacs!

Leslie said...

Hi Dolores,

Gorgeous:) and I can imagine how wonderful your home must smell with all the lilac! Ours our not blooming as the night time lows are still dipping into the mid thirties and the days are still chilly and rainy. The little jugs are darling and I like that they've sort of migrated around ... and seem to have finally found the perfect spot.

Have a great week ahead!

xxLeslie

Kathysue said...

Stunning!, is the word that comes to mind, and I can only imagine how beautiful they look in person!!
Happy Monday,
xo Kathysue

Anonymous said...

Hi Dolores, Follow Gina's advice. Just make sure the plants have been watered well beforehand. Cutting early in the morning and smashing the stems helps them take water up better.

Lovely little brown jugs!!

Sarah said...

Delores, stunning it is! Love seeing your collection of little brown jugs and their earthy beauty. No advice for the lilacs, but moving them about let you enjoy them throughout your lovely home. They looked terrific everywhere they landed. '-)
The new wooden pedestal is perfect for your home.
Enjoy the week.......Sarah

Kathleen said...

Lilacs here haven't begun to bloom here yet, but I will definitely be creating beautiful bouquets to scent my home soon! Thanks for the inspiration! Beautiful pictures!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Beautiful Delores!! I love the smell of lilacs!

AntiqueChase said...

your wilted flowers reminded me of what happens when I buy cut hydrangeas at the market. I have no clue....

I was at a florist over the weekend and they had lilacs that didn't smell! I was so disappointed and she told me that only the backyard variety has a scent.. not the commercial ones. who knew?

I love how you displayed them... just cut new ones everyday :)

AT HOME BLOG said...

I understand perfectly... it's what happened to me with these flowers...

http://maison-etta.blogspot.it/2013/04/lattesa.html

it lasted less than 24 h :-( ... now I've tied with violet anemones... just beautiful... and it seems to last more!

Pamela Joan said...

I'm enjoying those lilacs today as I gaze out my window to a blizzard in Colorado! Thank you.

sugarcreek said...

I'll add a hint or two. Try to cut lilacs when half opened, early in the day. Cut just above a node. Fill a dishpan with water and re-cut the stem under water. Some people will mow an x cross cut at the end. Some say smashing actually prevents water from going up the stem. Note: always cut hydrangea or lilac stems on an angle. If cut straight across the stem can actually "stick" by suction to the bottom of the vase.

Nonnie said...

I ALWAYS pick tons of lilacs in the spring and I've had good luck with them lasting several days. I get out my wooden meat mallet and pound the bottoms of the stems, about 2 to 3 inches worth. Works great!

Ann said...

I wish I had little brown jugs. Heck, I wish I had lilacs. . . .

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Delores, your lilacs are beautiful! I can only imagine how wonderful they smell!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I love, love LOVE lilacs and don't have any:( BUT, I am planning to have several bushes here at the new house!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also love your brown jugs and that PEDESTAL is TDF!!!!!!!!! XO, Pinky

Kris Vogelsang said...

Gorgeous! They look great every where you placed them! Happy Spring!

PHF said...

I'm jealous that you have Lilacs - it snowed here on Saturday!
You post made it so I can almost smell them! Thank You -

Terri~terrileeauthor said...

Have little brown jug; will travel:)
I understand wanting to find the right spot to enjoy them to their fullest. They looked lovely in every vignette.
xo
Terri

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