Perhaps my favorite spring flowers to showcase in a bouquet are violets. I pretty much let them run wild in what grass we still have, because I can't imagine spring without them. Violets are one of the flowers I remember picking as a little girl. My mother displayed them in a tiny green and white Chinese cloisonne vase that belonged to her mother.
Today I have that vase — actually a matched pair — and continue to fill them with violets. One vase dedicated to white violets; the other to violet violets. A perfect pairing and an equally perfect memory.
Aawwww. What sweet vases. What sweet memories.
I am thinking my Grands will remember small flowers displayed in a discarded syrup bottle from Cracker Barrel. Hmmmmm I just love their size for violets and other treasured blooms.
Posted by: Lisa at Greeenbow | Friday, May 01, 2009 at 06:01 AM
Very sweet. I kind of wish I had some in my lawn for the children to pick, but on the other hand I am something of a turf Nazi and can't bear to see it invaded...
Posted by: Dawn Isaac | Friday, May 01, 2009 at 06:12 AM
Lisa — I went through a period where I bought anything that came in a blue bottle and used them as vases. They looked great lined up in a row!
Dawn — without the violets and weeds, we would have no lawn. I drove by a house yesterday with a huge lawn and two large — what can only be described as "pools" — of violets at the edge. One white and one purple and just barely bleeding into each other. It was really lovely since usually they are just scattered randomly.
Posted by: LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD | Friday, May 01, 2009 at 08:01 AM
I love the white and purple violets in my lawn which I prefer to think of as a flowery mead. I've also dug in plugs of common thyme which do beautifully, and the new lawn we are planting is full of clover.
Posted by: commonweeeder | Friday, May 01, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Hi Linda, oh my goodness those are the most exquisite little vases and so perfect for the violets. What pleasant memories they hold for you as well. I have done battle with the violets here for years and have finally given in, I cannot win. I do try and pull them if they are threatening a small seedling of a desirable new plant. The rest have to fend for themselves. :-)
Frances
Posted by: Frances | Friday, May 01, 2009 at 09:36 AM
Linda the combination of green with purple is perfection.
Posted by: style court | Friday, May 01, 2009 at 09:46 AM
Frances — I'm with you; I've given in. But I, too, pull them when they're about to eat something special!
Thanks, Courtney. It's funny, but I hardly ever use those vases for anything but violets. And I think it's because the green and purple is so perfect, as you say.
Posted by: LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD | Friday, May 01, 2009 at 10:04 AM
I would love to have wild violets growing ~ unfortunately, they aren't very hardy here. They are a wonderful sight in springtime. It is wonderful that you have these gorgeous vases, filled with memories and love.
Posted by: kate | Friday, May 01, 2009 at 03:20 PM
Linda, that is such a pretty picture, both the photo and your word one of picking them with your mother as a child. I have violets here too, and I let them grow here and there. I don't have that pretty light one though. Mine are the classic purple ones. They smell good too.~~Dee
Posted by: Dee/reddirtramblings | Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Thanks for stopping by Kate and Dee. I actually think that if I didn't have the vases I would never pick the violets and might even be annoyed that they were in my lawn!
Posted by: LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD | Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 08:22 PM
A great selection for GBMD, Linda. Thanks for sharing your memories.
Posted by: carolyngail | Monday, May 04, 2009 at 06:35 AM
Carolyn — To be honest, even though I read lots of Muse Day posts I had not thought of it when I wrote this little piece. But you're right; it works nicely in that context. See you soon in Chicago!
Posted by: LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD | Monday, May 04, 2009 at 08:07 AM