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.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

A Fading Rose

My dad's last gift to me.
The Knockout Rose by Balisha

This knockout rose was pretty just a week or two ago..

She bloomed and bloomed her heart out and I loved her so.

She came into my garden and she was so very fine..

I was proud to have this rose and then to call her mine.

Fall has come and with it frost..her petals on the ground..

I'll slip into the garden and never make a sound.

To scoop up petals to remember what she meant to me..

I'll put them in my little jar of fragrant potpourri.

They will stay right there beside me memories they will bring..

The room will smell like roses until the coming spring.

On one warm day I'll go outside and right before my eyes..

A sweet pink bud will be there a happy spring surprise.



Step 1: Begin by mixing ingredients together in a large bowl. Potpourri should primarily be composed of fragrant herbs and flowers, for example lavender, lemon balm, rose, sweet pea and rosemary. To provide accent colors, up to a quarter of the dried flowers can be tulip, rose or peony petals, bachelor's button and/or foxglove. Choose additional brightly colored flowers to intensify desired color

Step 2
Smell the mixture. When the blend of scents is satisfactory, continue on to the next step. If not, try adjusting the ratios of different herbs until you are pleased.
Step 3
Pour mixture into a covered container.
Step 4
Store 4 to 6 weeks in a cool, dark area to allow the scent to develop. Shake or stir every 2 to 3 days.
Step 5
Arrange potpourri in dishes, trays, baskets or glass jars. Use potpourri to fill sachets.


I have a jar that my dad made for me when he was in the nursing home. They took the mason jar and filled it with potpourri. A lace doily was put on top and tied around with a burgundy ribbon. It is a keepsake for me and I just keep adding to it each fall. I keep in on the table in the living room. I remember my garden and also my Dad's face, when he gave it to me. He was so proud, because he had never done anything "crafty."

Balisha

6 comments:

Judy said...

What a great gift from your dad and something you can have forever and enjoy. My knockout roses are still blooming but we could have frost any day now. I will gather some of the petals for the house. I just made blueberry cupcakes for my grandson. He will be here to spend the night in a couple of hours. I have spoiled him because the first thing he looks for is cupcakes!

Nell Jean said...

What a sweet, sentiment filled post. Such a nice way to remember your Dad.

Noelle Johnson said...

Hello Balisha,

Your post made me want to cry. What a precious gift from your father.

My father died rather suddenly a couple of years age and I keep a handful of letters that he wrote to me.

Thank you for sharing how to make potpourri.

Anonymous said...

What a great gift from your Dad. :) A lovely way to enjoy the beautiful fragrance all winter long.

garden girl said...

What a wonderful keepsake Balisha, and a lovely poem.

We haven't had frost yet here in Chicago's south suburbs, but we sure have had more than our share of rain every day this week.

Barbee' said...

Thank you for sharing this; it brings back memories. :)