Flower power...

A new-to-me thing I did last week was attend a flower arranging workshop led by a friend who in her past was a floral arranger for various events, and who has a pretty extensive knowledge of flowers. 

I had some reservations about going though...  reservations of the most selfish kind. I'm a practical person at heart and while I've experienced the benefit of being the recipient of flowers when healing from surgery, historically I'd rather cook someone a meal than spend money on flowers. Not because I see more virtue in a meal, but because that is more in my wheelhouse.  My comfort zone, I suppose.  

Also, the instructions for the workshop unfolded into our buying our own flowers, bring them, along with a vase and some cutting tools.  Suddenly, this started to feel more like work than fun.  But I had said yes, and I didn't want to back out.  

Honestly, the only reason I said yes in the first place is because I wanted to spend time with the friend who invited me, and I knew several of other ladies who'd be there, and looked forward to catching up with them.  I kept those thoughts front and center as I repeatedly told myself to "just keep saying yes".

So... the afternoon before the workshop I stopped at Walmart and Kroger to purchase some bundles of flowers and greenery.  As I picked out flowers, I considered what might look nice with orange tiger lilies from my backyard.  

While I know from experience bouquets in vases can be expensive, because I'm not a flower shopper, I had no idea how (relatively) inexpensive bundles of cut flowers are. I'd walked by the flower display in every visit to Kroger's produce section for the last 20-some years.  But I'd never stopped to see how much the various bundles of cut flowers cost.  Small bundles were $5-8 dollars, and larger bundles were right around $12.00.  Between Walmart and Kroger, I bought three small bundles (one was greenery), and including tax I spent right around $17.00.  I can tell you now, I bought too much.

The next morning, when we all gathered and put our purchases on the tables, it was clear there was far more than our small group could use.  It was eye-opening seeing one gal's treasure of roses she'd bought on clearance for less than $5.00 a bunch. I didn't see anything like that when I was shopping, but I also didn't pay much attention to the roses.  Granted, being clearance-priced meant they might wilt quicker than "non-clearanced" flowers, but I was seriously impressed with her bargain.

I shared my cut-that-morning tiger lilies (that, to my slight dismay, have been the quickest wilting flowers of all), and the rose-toting gals shared their roses.  Another lady had brought greenery cut from her yard, and after some basic instruction, we all set to work making a variety of bouquets.

I don't know when I've had so much fun with three friends, and three complete strangers.  They were so friendly and welcoming.  After lunch and a birthday cake for one of the gals, hugs were given all around as we said our good-byes.  I have no idea if I'll ever find myself again in that grouping, but for a little while, at least, I feel like I potentially made three new friends.

Once home, I could tell my tiger lilies were a tad to tall, but I don't care.  I love it because I had so much fun making it. 

So... my lessons learned are:  

Say yes to genuine invitations that have even a modicum of appeal. 

Invite others into my circles if I'm confident they'll be welcomed.  I may have a whole nother post on this topic.

Flowers appear to be more affordable than I think.   Now that my enthusiasm has cooled a bit, I don't know that I will make flower buying a habit, necessarily, but I do expect I'll now be checking the flower section and every once in a while bring home a bundle - most likely with the thought of including various cuttings (flowers and greenery) from my yard. 

What I already knew:  

Flowers are wonderful expressions of love and care for someone going through anything difficult who may also be feeling isolated. Even the simplest bouquet that I received when healing from surgery felt like a hug while they lasted.  I took pictures and posted them here at the time so I can still enjoy them.

And this thought is just a bonus...  If someone gives you flowers, take a picture of the arrangement - if for no other reason than to enjoy it after the blooms have faded.  I, personally, use these as pictures for these friends who are in my phone's contact list.  Each of my sisters and friends has a picture by her name of a sweet bouquet they gave me when I was going through a time of healing.

I think I'm a flower girl now.