The Three P's
Preserving
Propagating
Polishing
While getting a few things done, off my list of things to do - I realized some began with the same letter.
Preserving.
I have shared with you some of the bouquets I have made from the Hydrangea flowers I picked from my Mother-in-law's bush.
It is a large, very old bush and full of blooms. I have been invited to pick more! Yes, Thank you Mama!
Hydrangea flowers dry easily. The best way to dry them is to allow them to naturally begin the process on the bush. You should wait until late July or August. They should begin to feel papery and will begin changing to a pink or green in their color.
I wanted to begin the process early and to preserve some of the beauty of the blue flowers. I used silica crystals you can purchase at craft stores - like Michaels or Hobby Lobby.
I cut their stem to about an inch from the base of the blooms.
I found two plastic containers just big enough to fit the blooms without crushing. Holding the bloom upside down I began to slowly pour in the crystals - occasionally shaking the bloom to get the crystals between the petals.
Once completely covered I covered the the plastic dish (disposable) with its lid and placed it in a cool dark spot for four days. Once that time was up I gently removed the bloom from the crystals to reveal these beautifully preserved blooms. I will do a few more -
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| the two roses in the middle came from my daughter's birthday bouquet |
I can get two to three out of the cannister - and the crystals are reusable.
These roses were some of my David Austin roses I rescued from the Japanese Beetle. They're blooms started to fade and dry fast - I love the deep rose color that resulted from one
Propagating
I truly would love to have a natural hedge of Hydrangea bushes. I picked a few stems - 4 to 5 inches long - stems that had not produced blooms. I removed all but two top leaves and cut the tips off the lower two - four leaves all together. I dipped the stem into a rooting hormone and placed it into moistened seed starting soil.
I covered the pots with a plastic bag and remoisten the soil when the top looks dry. It should develop roots in 2 to 4 weeks. I will keep these potted and in a save location until the Fall when I will transplant them into the garden.
Polishing
Well, I was surely ambitious! I shared with you some of the silver I was intending to polish - I liked the look of the tarnished patina and considered leaving some as they were.
Well, I really wanted to polish this three tiered dish and this pitcher - just to see how well they would come clean. Many of you shared your favorite silver polish - I appreciate your input! I found a brand - not named in my Home Comforts book - told you I lived out - way out - in a rural community -
I will have to find more silver polish - some of the tarnish came off - but this is going to need some more work.
These are some of the things I have been accomplishing this week - How about you!? Have you started your summer vacation - or are you busy as a bee like me?
I am sharing this post with these Delightsome blog parties:
Transformation and Treasures @ The Pink Postcard
Friday Pretties @ I Love Pretty Little Things
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Fridays Unfold @ Stuff and Nonsense
Inspiration Friday @ The Picket Fence
Wishing you a very Delightsome day,
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