A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Lily of the Valley...or Muguet de Bois

These are two vintage postcards showing Lily of the Valley....Muguet de Bois.
This is how they look in my garden today.

We have a small garden patch just under our bedroom window. At this time of the year the fragrance can almost knock you out. Lily of the Valley is the flower.I was 16 years old and in the hospital with appendicitis. When I woke up, after surgery, there was a gift waiting for me. It was a very small bottle of "Muguet de Bois." The perfume smelled like lilies of the valley. I loved this little bottle of perfume and have always remembered it. Brides have long used these flowers in wedding bouquets.The meaning of Lily of the Valley is....Return of happiness, purity of heart, sweetness, tears of the Virgin Mary, you've made my life complete, humility, happiness, love's good fortune. The legend of the lily of the valley is that it sprang from Eve's tears when she was kicked out of the Garden of Eden. It is also believed that this flower protects gardens from evil spirits. Also known as the flower of May. In France, they celebrate by exchanging sprigs of muguet (lily-of- the-valley)This has been a custom for many years starting with Charles the IX who gave all the ladies bouquets of this charming flower. I love the flower even though it's little roots tunnel everywhere and is a bit hard to control. It likes to crowd in around the air conditioner and into the lawn. It is a tad hard to contain, but we feel the fragrance is worth it. Most pretty flowers have a little drawback...rose's thorns for example. I think we people have a few irritating qualities too, but we accept each other for what we are and disregard their thorns.
Balisha

10 comments:

coolwaterworks said...

Hi Balisha,
It seems that this flower is so special... Indeed, beautiful things have little drawbacks... I guess it makes us appreciate them more... :D

Have a nice weekend ahead!

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

I have them in my garden too, but they have a tough time in my dry sandy soil. I haven´t seen any flowrbuds on them yet though.

I have an amusing memory with Lilly of the valley. When I had my gardencenter one day three ladies came in and bought a birthday bouquet to another lady that would celebrate her 95 birthday. The ladies stood a long time choosing between different cards and suddenly one said." Lets take the card with the lillies of the valley, she loves them".

I sort of listened with one ear to what they said and didn´t react until they went out and got to their car. Luckily I managed to stop them in time because on the card there were not only the flowers, but a text to. It said "One last salute!". It was a card for funural bouquets! Not a good thing to give to a 95 years old lady I think :-) :-) :-)
Christer.

Anonymous said...

I've tried to get these going in my garden for years which is odd since most gardeners say they can be a bit invasive. Yours are gorgeous & I love the scent too. What a lovely history for a sweet little bloom. :)

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Lilies of the Valley are what my grandson's wife carried when they got married last August. They were beautiful. The entire wedding, plus even a little box for sweet suggestions for a happy marriage..was painted with Lilies of the Valley. .
I ran across a cup and saucer that had them on it and nearly bought it. It was on ebay..just gorgeous. I passed it up..
Have a wonderful and safe weekend, Balisha

Sue said...

These are lovely! I had the cologne, Muguet de Bois, when I was in junior high school and just went ga ga over the scent! Brings back memories....

Balisha said...

It seems we all have sweet memories of a sweet little flower. I hope that you all have a safe and wonderful weekend. Balisha

Britt-Arnhild said...

Beautiful!!!!!!!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

I love this little flower and the scent. Hopefully a small patch will grow at country home.

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog and have to comment on Lily of the Valley. I know the meaning all all my children's names. My name 'Suzanne' means Lily of the Valley when we adpoted our daughter I knew I needed to name her after her two moms her name is Lily Alison. She is my Pure Joy. I love everything about Lily of the Valley, it is my favorite scent. I collect anything I can find that is Lily of the Valley. When My grandmother passed away in her belongings were 3 hankies that were Lily of the Valley, they are now framed along with her pictures and hand in Lily's bedroom. Lily has Down syndrome and she will be my "ladder to heaven"

Balisha said...

Hello Lily,
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.I'm going to visit your blog now.Have a nice day.