THIS is
FLOUR/FLOWER POWER !
I had NEVER thought of putting beautiful flowers in such cute COUNTRY containers
in my entire life.....UNTIL I started blogging.
cute glass bottles of all different shapes...
some with a little red and white ribbon wrapped around it's cute neck....
In my life time, I must have thrown this room full of
delightful glass bottles AWAY.
In my "growing up" years, I always thought you had to have
a beautiful VASE or PITCHER
to gather your blooms together to look their best.
ha!
Now that I MIGHT be in my 2nd childhood, I am saving
cans, bottles, even cute PAPER sacks...(and I am NOT going to be featured on the HOARDER tv show :))
Then, with just ONE bunch of supermarket flowers,
I can have so many cute looks.
I like these because
SWEET NOTHINGS COTTAGE
is indeed casual, country and most of the time....
FUN.
Little did I know that some of the cutest, casual, country looks
came in the form of
JARS....
jelly
shrimp cocktail sauce...
sweet and sour Chinese sauce...
jars of all shapes and sizes.
I DO remember an aunt that used CANS to put her flowers from her garden in...
but she removed the awesome art and color of the labels.
What WAS she thinking?
Like me....she just never thought of
CANS WITH LABELS...
JARS WITH OR WITHOUT LABELS
as being CUTE.
I THINK she thought, as a lot of people did back in those hard days,
that a can or jar to hold your garden flowers MIGHT be a sign of
being POOR.
"Poor is an adjective related to a state of poverty, low quality or pity."
My parents and relatives were not what I would call POOR.
We always had plenty to eat, even tho we lived in a large city, Dallas,
and didn't have gardens for several years.
They were always able to pay their bills...
and that wasn't easy back in war times and the depression era.
Not easy at all.
My dad was a printer so he always had a good, steady job throughout those hard times.
My daddy was a good man and loved us...
but he sure had a drinking and gambling problem that forced my mother to
be at his place of employment every pay day so she could get his paycheck
before he spent it on what finally lead to their divorce.
Bless his heart, he never really got over my mother leaving him.
...they didn't have much money left over at the end of the month.
Nothing for frills of any kind or VACATION TRIPS and yet, we would drive out to the big lake by Dallas,
POSSUM KINGDOM,
taking a picnic lunch and cousins and we would have such a blast.
We'd spend the entire day, arriving back home that night so tired we could barely wash our face,
put on our pjs and climb into bed...still giggling.
Mother was a stay-at-home mom for most of my life
and she cooked ALL our meals.
I don't remember going OUT to eat until I was almost a teenager.
Even then, it was only when we were going out of town, which wasn't often.
Can you believe that, as a youngster, when my mom made
biscuits or cornbread,
I always got the "store bought" white bread for my meal.
My 2nd, GOD SENT daddy could not BELIEVE it....
Looking back, I can't believe it either, since I now LUV
any homemade breads better than a meal.
I've had a wonderful and blessed life, from the very first day I was born.
God has shined HIS light and love all over me and my loved ones.
HE gave me the best parents in the world...
and I am missing them with all my heart and soul today.
oops...
I am getting 'blue'....
THRIFT SHOPPING THERAPY needed.
FLOUR/FLOWER
POWER....
at it's best.
♥
I am playing with:
BLUE MONDAY (Sally, will my purple flowers pass for BLUE?)
TABLETOP TUESDAY (Marty, this isn't a TABLEtop..just a COUNTERtop..will it work for you?)
Thanks to all the hosts and to YOU.
XOXO
bj
57 comments:
Sweet memories...
And sweet use for those little glass jars, which I so hate, hate, hate to put in the recycle box. :-)
Even if I'd have to use fake flowers in 'em. 'Cause our allergies don't allow real flowers, in the house.
Gentle hugs...
It all looks so fresh and pretty and delicious! Just what a home should feel like!
Yum...those biscuts look devine my Dear!
You know, I am the same way, I have learned so so much for my blog friends; it's amazing! I don't know how I survied before :)
I can relate to the jars BJ. Jars can be beautiful in their own way. I have a beautiful bottle on my kitchen counter as I type, and it contained olive oil. We used the last drop of the oil last night on our salad, I can't bear to throw the lovely bottle away. But I am trying to muster up some enthusiam to clean the oil out of it so it sparkles!
I enjoyed this post about your parents. I am sorry their physical presence is no longer with you, but memories are sweet.
Looks so nice,taste and delicious!
Kisses.
Hmmmmm, BJ, you can make an empty jelly jar look so darned cute! Love all of your pictures, the scalloped edges are gorgeous!
Have a blessed Sunday! HUGS!
How lovely to read these dear memories. Interesting to see "the facts" through the filter of time passed. Your sweet "country containers" are wonderful. I'll have to stop recycling ALL of my jars and cans for better purposes.
As fun a full of color with your black and white back drop. Did you see my creamers full of flowers.
Memories are made of this! Love your post this morning.
You do have a talent when it comes to arranging. Love those jars with the labels still on.
Happy Sunday.
Rita
A beautiful post to read this Sunday morning. We both have some of the same memories. Although I remember my mother used Bisquick for all of her biscuits...or rap on the edge of the counter, canned biscuits! heehee! I took my boys to Possum Kingdom when they were little. I haven't thought of that in YEARS! Thanks for taking me back in time and giving me some smiles this morning! Hugs! ♥
We have similar memories.:-)
I love the jelly jar vases and those crock jars are amazing!
What a beautiful post, not blue at all...just heartfelt. I treasure my momma and daddy so. I realize while they are not perfect they love me and always have had my best in mind. I appreciate every day the good Lord lets them stay in my life. With my dad in poor health and his 80th birthday approaching I know each day is a gift. Okay, now I'm getting blue. Your flowers are much prettier than any fancy vase full. I hoard...umm...save my pretty jars, too. Have a wonderful week!
What a lovely and poignant post, BJ. I hope you have a spectacular Sunday.
BJ, my kids have used shrimp cocktail jars for years to give me flowers in..brings back many fonds memories of when they were little sighs..wished they still were..I love the story of your parents..like mine we didn't have lots of money but always had food and new dress and shoes at Easter time always white shoes..I pray all is well in your world my Dear friend..I have been snowed in for over 2 weeks now ha ha!! Did alot of damage to my property this time..broke my 100+ year oak tree..Hugs and smiles Gloria
A lovely post. Your blog and pictures always make me feel good. I'd love to come over and have just one of those beautiful biscuits! Thanks for the smiles!
Cindy
Wonderful post, BJ. Love the little jars of flowers, but your photos have me totally charmed. Love the border detail and the images are exquisite. Great job! ~ Sarah
What a sweet and nostalgic post, BJ. In spite of the hard times you were still able to have fun as a child!
LOVE. love, love the jam jars! My husband is the only one here that eats the jam and jelly, so it would take forever to get an empty jar! I'll have to stick with cans. Look on the lower and upper shelves at the grocery store for the most unique. The 'No Names' are the best!
XO,
Jane
Love fun shaped bottles. Such great vases for cheap! It is the ultimate recycle! Sweet memories!
Silly me! I usually take the supermarket flowers and put them in one container. Now I'll split them up all over the house!! Thanks...
You put so much love and heart into your posts. I love that about you. I also feel as if I was blessed with the best childhood. We didn't eat out often either, we didn't have many restaurants back in the day in our small town. We did take a summer vacation every year and we would get a few restaurant meals...but never dessert. I always let my kids order dessert when they were growing up, because I always wanted it so badly as a child! My mom cooked in our little kitchenette motel rooms most of time on vacations. My kids wouldn't even consider such a thing!
Your pictures today are wonderful...could be in a book!
SOmetimes the simplest things are the prettiest aren't they? I'm glad you still have so much love and respect for your parents. We all have failings, but sometimes it is harder to accept them in the opnes we love than in anyone else.
I just love your use of the cans and jars and I really like your white and black canisters...I don't get rid of my glass jars of any kind because I like to recycle and I reuse some of them to can tomatoes in...I also recycle all cans and bottles. God Bless Trish
Ah your blog is so so sweet B.J. Always has been, always will be.
Your pictures are crisp and your flowers are perfect.
Those biscuits have always captured my attention.
Well, you'll be pleased to know that I'm now a blogspot girl. Yup, so you should have no problems coming to say hello now.
So nice to see you again.
Love Claudie
xoxox
Beautiful post! Your biscuits realy look yummy. I love your cute country vases too, the flowers are lovely. Have a great week!
BJ,
Adore your little glass vases for your flowers! What was your Aunt thinkin' removing the labels from her cans?. . . Galvanized metal!She was "before her time"! HA!
Sorry that you're feeling blue.
I think there's something in the atmosphere. I've had more than one conversation with lovely friends who are feeling the same way you are this week. Guess we're just a part of those women who love too deeply! May your memories bring healing to your heart today, dear friend!I'm sending you my smile and a hug via internet!
Fondly,
Pat
Yummy biscuits, BJ! I need to hit the fridge and have a bunch of jam with them so I can empty my jars for flowers! :-) Touching stories, too! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie
BJ,
The flowers are beautiful. The biscuits look to die for!
And the post was wonderful.
Happy Sunday BJ! Such pretty pics and I've only made biscuits once, gonna have to give it another go:@)
so pretty! this makes me want spring to come more quickly! :-)
Sweet and beautiful post today. I would love to have one of those biscuits. Making my mouth water!!! I love your use of unusual containers for your flowers. Just lovely. ~~Sherry~~
Great shots, such fun photo's an dso colorful! I love the Smucker's jars, what a great idea! Fabulous post, enjoyed it! The biscuits look delicious!
thanks for sharing your memories. I'm also starting to use my jars to prettify the house :)
Oh my... I LOVE your type of flower power!!!!
Great post!
Smiles~
Cricket
stunning set photos you have here..i love the idea of putting those fresh flowers in little jars.
you can visit my mosaic here
love your flour/flower power post! your biscuits are making my mouth water. isn't it fun what you pick up by blogging?!!!!! wonderful, fun containers for flowers. very colorful, springtime like post!!!!
Oh i like it so cool. Happy blue Monday.
Beautiful post. So much to see and take in.
Just for you, BJ, purple will be BLUE today!
Happy Blue Monday!
It does not matter where you stick a flower, it will look nice. Any old junk comes to life with pretty flowers. Nothing better than homemade biscuits. My mother made the best. I do not need them, but I still have biscuits and gravy for breakfast once in awhile.
Hi BJ
You are having fun filling up your jars with beautiful flowers. They do look pretty. We learn so much through blogging don't we and get so many wonderful ideas we wouldn't have thought of necessarily on our own. Its so fun isn't it?
I enjoyed your story BJ. Very interesting. I didn't use to go to restaurants at home either only when we were on vacation. We did order in some Chinese food or Kentucky Fried Chicken but seldom.
I hope you have a great week!
*hugs*
Judi
I am hungry again, BJ, it happens everytime I visit you, lol.Your photos are beautiful, love the flowers and vases? Isn't it so true. Blogging just made us so creative and gives us so many ideas of using anything or incorporating anything we already have, including what we used to just toss out, for decorating...Christine
Oh BJ, what a wonderful post. I am with you, I have thrown enough glass jars away to fill two rooms. Some cute ones too. . . I also thought flowers went into fancy vases and containers. I have learned alot from my blogging friends, you are included. Love the things you post. This one touched my heart. Oh, sweet memories. A Big Hug to you, Karie
Flowers ar always a sure sign of Spring arriving soon. Of course these are cut flowers, yet we don’t care. We feel a little lighter with more of a spring in our steps and attitude/ Flowers arranged like this will do that!
Fine breads are always a treat. Perhaps in the old days when breads were made by hand at home are a time I missed growing up in the 1960s and prepared foods were the norm. So biscuits, scones and the like that are made from scratch are a treat we hope not to avoid!
love all your little flowers. Did I ever tell you that I once owned and operated a FLOWER SHOP.... yes, girl I did and I loved it...I would put flowers in anything that would hold water. Got burned out and sold the shop!
Love this post! Groovy!!
Shug
I often see people spending hundreds of dollars on fancy vases and yet you just showed in this post how absolutely beautiful just using a little old jar to hold the flowers in can be:-) I have a couple of vintage milk bottles that I like to use as vases and as you say, just wrap some ribbon around the neck and it's perfect!!
Such sweet memories of your childhood but how sad that your parents divorced due to your dad's gambling and drinking problems. It's been the downfall of many a good man:-(
I'll take a couple of those biscuits please:-) xoxo
I love this look too. Used to do it when I was first married...then I quit. I love the flowers in the cans...I plan a tablescape with that one of these days...you know, along with everything else!!
I love the flowers, you are very creative with your vase
My Blue Monday
Visit My MYM
BJ,
Thank you for coming to my NTT party with all your pretties.
Blessings,
Linda
Hi bj, Your flowers just made my day. We were covered in frost this morning. I am so ready for Flowers blooming and I am following your lead and using "containers" for my flowers. This looks absolutely charming. Your family story is so like mine. We never went out to eat because my mom baked and cooked every meal. Plus there were six kids. Little money and like you our fun times were simply a drive on Sunday to a place my dad would pick out for a surprise. He would never tell us where we were going. I cherish those memories. We ate a packed lunch always. Good homemade food. I too miss my parents so much.
I have had a loooong day so I'm off to bed. Thanks for sharing your heart with us today.
Go Deeds.
Love, Jeanne
I do that with my smuckers jars too. :)
Happy Ruby Tuesday!
Mine's here.
Your pretty flowers in the jam jars is perfect, what a great reminder of times gone by. And those biscuits.....I make biscuits that you could brick a house with, yours look perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Hi BJ,
Blogging has certainly changed the way I look at simple thinks too. I'm always looking to see if thrift store and garage sale items can be updated by painting etc.
Love your little flower vases! They especially look great in groups! Thanks for linking to 2nd Time Around!
I just love your colorful photos against the black and white tiles!!!1
Your sweet words about simple things are what keeps us coming back. Thanks for sharing your world with us.
What a lovely vignette! I adore the
flowers.
Have a wonderful Fat Tuesday!
What a lovely vignette! I adore the
flowers.
Have a wonderful Fat Tuesday!
I love your flowers and I've featured it on "My Top Ten Fav Picks" at Boogieboard Cottage. Thank you for sharing it! Mary :O)
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