I've said it before and I'll say it again: If you visit folks in a nursing home, there's an easy way to keep the memories you're making alive until you return. And that's bringing each resident you visit a custom-made silk-flower arrangement. They're just like fresh only better, because they'll still look great when you come back; no need to water or deadhead (although one of my favorite little ladies used to water hers regularly.)
Shown above are some of the arrangements I've brought to my friends in recent months. I typically bring about five new ones each week and then move them from room to room, according to the available display space and the individual preferences of each recipient.
I get most of my containers at Good Will and Salvation Army stores, usually for $3 or less apiece, and often find bunches of unused silk flowers there, too. But great buys can also be had at the end-of-the-season sales at local garden centers and craft stores. And there's nothing better than amassing donations from friends; most of those shown here were gifts from my friend Tess, and one features flowers from Conny. Thanks, girls!
Of course, if you want to do this in any volume, it takes quite a collection of both containers and silk flowers. My husband was kind enough to build me a wall of shelves in the garage. And he usually manages to bite his tongue as the scene gets more and more chaotic and spills over into the basement -- not to mention the kitchen, which becomes my washing-and-arranging workroom one night a week.
But I guarantee that it's worth it. My elderly friends look forward to their new arrangements each week. And between visits, they're reminded that someone is not only thinking about them, but is making something special just for them.
Shown above are some of the arrangements I've brought to my friends in recent months. I typically bring about five new ones each week and then move them from room to room, according to the available display space and the individual preferences of each recipient.
I get most of my containers at Good Will and Salvation Army stores, usually for $3 or less apiece, and often find bunches of unused silk flowers there, too. But great buys can also be had at the end-of-the-season sales at local garden centers and craft stores. And there's nothing better than amassing donations from friends; most of those shown here were gifts from my friend Tess, and one features flowers from Conny. Thanks, girls!
Of course, if you want to do this in any volume, it takes quite a collection of both containers and silk flowers. My husband was kind enough to build me a wall of shelves in the garage. And he usually manages to bite his tongue as the scene gets more and more chaotic and spills over into the basement -- not to mention the kitchen, which becomes my washing-and-arranging workroom one night a week.
But I guarantee that it's worth it. My elderly friends look forward to their new arrangements each week. And between visits, they're reminded that someone is not only thinking about them, but is making something special just for them.
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