Deep Roots at Home

‘Encourage One Another’ Link-Up #91

2013-06-19T03:38:58Z

Pouring the Morning Coffee by Laurits Regnes Tuxen

“Educated women in the home? What an odd thing to deplore! What better place to have us “end up”…What more important job is there than sharing the values we are learning to cherish with the next generation of adults? What more strategic place could there be for the educated woman?”

~Edith F. Hunter

“The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.”

~William Ross Wallace

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Welcome to the Party!

No matter where you are in life’s journey as a woman, wife, or mother, it is my desire and goal to build up hearts and homes to the glory of God and that you will be encouraged in your high calling as a daughter to the King.

How have you built up your home this week? If it was through teaching your children, gardening, putting up food, learning about pregnancy or parenting, cooking, crafting, keeping your home, loving your husband, or something else the Lord has been showing you? Please come and encourage other Proverbs 31 women by linking up this week. Share as many posts as you would like!

Enter the direct link to your post into the Linky Tool below.
A link back to Deep Roots At Home is not necessary but certainly appreciated!
Enjoy the learning and community

Please find someone who has not gotten a comment & leave them a blessing! Everyone loves comments!!

And if you are blessed by something you have read here at Deep Roots, consider liking my page on Facebook and subscribing via Feedburner.

~ Jacqueline

Time-Tested Beauty Tips and Audrey Hepburn

2013-06-18T19:58:54Z

Audrey Hepburn has been said to be one of the most beautiful fashion icons and actresses to ever step foot in Hollywood. The poem “Time-Tested Beauty Tips” became one of her favorites, used by Ms. Hepburn on occasion when she was asked for beauty tips. It describes the sort of beauty that doesn’t come from fashionable clothes, makeup, or money, but from the inner character within the heart of a woman.

Time Tested Beauty Tips was written by the late educator-humorist Sam Levinson for his granddaughter and read by Audrey Hepburn on Christmas Eve, 1992. [From Audrey Hepburn by Barry Paris, 1996, Putnam]

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from within her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.

God’s Word also teaches us about a woman’s true beauty ~ that a woman’s beauty comes from her qualities of heart, mind, and soul and does not fade with time.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.” ~1 Peter 3: 3-5

We are not forbidden from braiding our hair or wearing jewelry here. What he is saying is that our real and true beauty doesn’t come from externals. Every bit of our effort towards becoming truly beautiful should be developed by cultivating a spirit that is full of integrity, wisdom, joy, and kindness.

My daughter and I were greatly encouraged by listening to Carolyn Mahaney’s free Mp3 download entitled, “Beauty”. You can download it free here. To see the video mentioned in the message, you can view it on Carolyn’s blog “Girl Talk”, here. Listening to this together would be a meaningful mother/daughter date.

Colossians 3:12 tells us, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” We are living in a harsh, unforgiving world. Most people don’t have time for a kind word, but a gracious woman is kind and is genuinely concerned for other people’s needs, even more than her own. It also has a lot to do with being courageous and confident in our standing in Christ. This is the sort of beauty that is the essence of aging gracefully.

Before I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I didn’t cultivate an inner beauty or give much thought to growing my heart in the lasting beauty of gentleness, kindness, patience, joy, goodness, or unselfish love. I still almost daily have to fight the old pride and opinionated attitude of my old self!

Now as I grow older year by year, I feel the Holy Spirit urging me to earnestly cultivate my heart and mind and to throw off all the worldly hopes I once had and often still cling to. There is no help in money, things, appearance, or position. Even the blessed gifts of family and home from the Lord can be lost in an instant. Our hope is in the Lord alone.

”But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” ~Psalm 39: 7

When my husband and children (and possibly their children) gather around me as the years roll on, and I am increasingly wrinkled, white-haired, gnarly-handed, stoop-shouldered, and frail with faded eyes, will they see the overcoming servant heart of a saint seasoned in love, joy, thankfulness, and compassion speaking blessing to those around me? Or will they see a wrinkled, grey-haired, inward-focused cynical and critical old woman?

I do not know whether Audrey Hepburn ever accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. I can’t judge that, but she did live her later years for others, and I admire that. Put the two factors together and you will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The greatest asset we can have as women is unassuming joy, and a genuine, heartfelt smile. More than makeup, clothing, jewels, hairstyle, or even polished manners, a genuine joyful smile that comes from the Lord will be the number one thing that will make you beautiful. It isn’t wrong to take care of your body, desire to be trim, stylish, and look your best, just don’t get caught up in it.

“Joy and a smile are the most attractive accessories any woman can have.” ~unknown

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” ~Proverbs 31: 30

PS Comparison is deadly~ avoid the comparison trap!

And if you are blessed by something you have read here at Deep Roots, consider liking my page on Facebook and subscribing via Feedburner.

~ Jacqueline

Basic Shortbread Recipe

2013-06-18T03:07:48Z

I have had a craving for shortbreads ever since I was a little girl traveling with my parents in the UK on the way to visit family in Holland. When we stopped for tea in the countryside they served little lightly-sweet, buttery confections very much like these. I have even sneaked them from the store back in the days when our children were small. I really didn’t want to share them. For shame!

Early this June at a friend’s graduation party, I spied this pretty plate of mouth-watering lavender shortbreads. Now I have the bug to make them myself so I can eat all I want Our whole family loves to eat, so unless I make them myself and hide them, all I ever get is one fifth of the batch!

With this recipe, it is able to be made ahead and chilled (as in a cookie-dough roll in wax paper) or frozen, and don’t you love the fork-holes?

I can picture these shortbreads on the Queen’s table at teatime

The very first shortbread recipe appeared in a Scottish cookbook dated 1736; early formulas called for yeast, but by 1850 most were utilizing only butter, flour, and sugar. There are as many variations of it as days in the calendar.

Queen Victoria was said to like hers seasoned with salt; the town of Goosnargh in Lancashire is flavors theirs with coriander and caraway; shortbread from Pitcaithly, in Scotland, is made with orange peel and almonds. And shortbreads, whether plain or molded into a pattern, are often dipped in chocolate.

Less variation exists in the shape of the cookie. The dough is often pressed into circular molds with intricate designs, to make it recall the Yule bannock, an ancient, rounded and notched cake said to resemble the sun. Finger shapes are also common, as are the wedges called ‘petticoat tails’, reminiscent of bell-shaped crinolines and supposedly favored by Mary, Queen of Scots.

The Basic Shortbread Ingredients~

This is Martha Stewart’s Basic Recipe.

~1/2 cup powdered sugar
~1 cup (two sticks) organic butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
~2 cups organic (non-GMO) unbleached all-purpose flour
~1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions~

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter an 8 1/2-inch round cake pan, springform pan, or round cookie sheet.
Sift together flour and salt in a small bowl. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium (or by hand), cream butter until fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add sugar and continue to beat until very light in color and fluffy, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary. Add flour mixture, and beat on low (or by hand), scraping bowl if necessary, until flour is just incorporated and dough sticks together when squeezed.
Pat dough into prepared pan or roll out into a 8 1/2-9″ circle on cookie sheet. Use a paring knife to score dough into wedges; prick all over in even intervals with a fork.
Bake until firm in the center and just starting to color, about 50 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Cut into wedges. Cookies will keep, in an airtight container, at room temperature 3 weeks.

Baker’s Note~

The dough (and its variations) can be prepared,wrapped, and refrigerated overnight or frozen up to three months, sealed tightly in a BPA-free Ziploc bag (remove all air before sealing); thaw frozen dough overnight in the refrigerator before using.

Here are just a few of the possible variations on the basic shortbread recipe:

Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart: Orange Spice Shortbread Dipped~

Gourmandistan: Lemon Thyme Butter Cookies~

Baked By Joanna: Cardamom-Pistachio Shortbreads~

eCurry: Orange Ginger Shortbreads~

Recipe Girl: Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies~

And lastly, That Winsome Girl: Lemon Shortbread~Ooh!

If Queen Elizabeth were to arrive at my door for tea, I would most certainly serve her these delectable delights and some Lady Grey! Cheerio, for now, loves!

“Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.” ~Proverbs 17:1-3

And if you are blessed by something you have read here at Deep Roots, consider liking my page on Facebook and subscribing via Feedburner.

~ Jacqueline

Fresh Water Without Electricity – Bison Hand Pump

2013-06-15T22:27:19Z

What everyone wants when the electricity goes out is WATER ~ available, clean water. Everyone knows that without electricity, your water faucets will not give you water and neither will your reverse osmosis system. A home can’t really function without a source. Water is your most essential need.

Do you have a well? If so,I want to recommend a solution which could keep you in your home if there were ever to be a prolonged lack of power (say the grid goes down for any reason).

Even though our only trust is in the Lord Jesus, we have always been preparedness-minded. When we built our home three years ago, we installed a Bison hand pump over the well casing. After having been without water at the farm several times for long periods and having to leave our home (one was an ice storm for many days), this gives us a certain peace of mind.

This is what it looked like right after the installation of the Bison… and before the shrubs were planted in a circle around the rocks we gathered from the field.

These pumps are made in Maine and were developed after that region’s terrible ice storms of ’99 which left many farmers unable to get water to their livestock. Many animals died. The Bison is frost-free and works in any kind of weather conditions. Many are in use in Canada and in other severe climates around the world.

I want to emphasize that Bison Deep and Shallow Well Hand Pumps can be installed in the same casing as your existing electric submersible or jet pump in nearly any situation. Please give them a call and their sales and technical staff will guide you through your specific installation. We had a good experience with them.

* Guaranteed access to your water

* Hand water pumps are made of stainless steel

* Hand water pumps install on top of your well casing

* Bison hand water pumps install in same well casing with the electric pump

* The hand water pumps are appropriate for any climate

* Bison sells the complete hand pump assembly

* They ship their hand water pumps worldwide

Bison Hand Water Pumps or call 1-800-339-2601. I do not have any affiliation with the company that makes these, but I do wish that every family had one for the sake of preparedness in this unpredictable world we live in, so I decided to share. Here is a picture of our pump last year.

Also see my article on ‘Fresh Water without Electricity – Berkey Water’.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
~ Benjamin Franklin

“Be prepared for the worst; expect the best.” ~My Husband

“Even though I walk
through the valley of darkness,
I will fear no evil,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.” ~Psalm 23: 4

And if you are blessed by something you have read here at Deep Roots, consider liking my page on Facebook and subscribing via Feedburner.

~ Jacqueline

‘Encourage One Another’ Wednesday Link-Up #90

2013-06-19T03:30:35Z

Homemade, Jim Daly, c. 1965

“I can interact with the members of my family in a constant state of dependence and prayer, asking God to work in me and through me, and resting in the fact that He will accomplish His will in spite of me.”

~Pam Forster at Doorposts, What Would I Do Differently, Part 1

(Thanks to Valerie at Quotes For A Mother’s Heart for inspiration

Bedtime, by Norman Rockwell

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Matthew 11: 28-30

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Welcome to the Party!

Enter the direct link to your post into the Linky Tool below.
A link back to Deep Roots At Home is not necessary but certainly appreciated!
Enjoy the learning and community

Please find someone who has not gotten a comment & leave them a blessing! Everyone loves comments!!

And if you are blessed by something you have read here at Deep Roots, consider liking my page on Facebook and subscribing via Feedburner.

~ Jacqueline

My Version of Four Thieves® Oil Blend

2013-06-10T19:35:54Z

The Story:

Thieves® oil was developed from historical information about four brothers in 15th century France who would rob graves and deceased victims of the Black Plague in their contaminated homes. According to the records, these brothers were the sons of a perfumer and herbalist. They would protect themselves from ‘the plague’ with a secret recipe of natural ingredients including cloves and rosemary that they had come to respect as protective and healing medicinal agents. Later, the robbers were captured and given a lighter sentence in exchange for their recipe.

You’ve probably come across others talking about a particular oil blend that has a name that is a synonymous with “robber.” The modern-day version of this oil is simply a blend of several essential oils that are known for their infection-fighting properties. Anyone can make it if you know the ratios for mixing.

The Properties:

Clove‘s benefits: anti-microbial, anti-aging, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiviral, and stimulant. Uses include: acne, bronchitis, bruises, burns and cuts, infections, mouth sores, pain reliever, rheumatism and arthritis, toothaches, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, spasms and parasites, asthma, tuberculosis and infectious diseases.

Lemon‘s benefits: anti-anemic, anti-microbial, anti-rheumatic, anti-sclerotic, antiseptic, bactericidal, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, haemostatic, hypotensive, insecticidal, rubefacient, tonic and vermifuge. Uses include: improving blood flow, reducing blood pressure and helping nosebleeds, reducing fever, helping relieve throat infections, bronchitis, asthma and flu, cleansing the body, improving digestive system, constipation, dyspepsia and cellulite, headaches and migraines, rheumatism and arthritis, help in clearing acne, cleaning greasy skin and hair, removing dead skin cells, cold sores, mouth ulcers, herpes and insect bites.

Cinnamon‘s benefits: analgesic, antiseptic, antibiotic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cardiac, carminative, emmenagogue, insecticide, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge. Uses include: clearing infection of the respiratory tract, rheumatism, arthritis, general pains, calming depression, easing menstrual pains.

Eucalyptus‘ benefits: analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, balsamic, cicatrisant, decongestant, deodorant, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, rubefacient, stimulant, vermifuge and vulnerary. Uses include: cooling and deodorizing the body, fevers, migraine and malaria, coughs, asthma, throat infections, sinusitis, catarrhal conditions, soothing inflammation and easing mucus, clearing the head during colds and hay fever, muscular aches and pains, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains and poor circulation, boosting the immune system, comforting chicken pox, colds, flu and measles, burns, blisters, herpes, cuts, wounds, skin infections and insect bites.

Rosemary‘s benefits: analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, digestive, diuretic, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic. Uses include clearing the mind and mental awareness, stimulating the brain, improving memory, fighting headaches, migraines, neuralgia, mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion, improving intestinal infections and diarrhea, easing colitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, hepatic disorders and jaundice, relieving pain associated with rheumatism, arthritis, muscular pain and gout, helping arteriosclerosis, palpitations, poor circulation and varicose veins, reducing water retention during menstruation, obesity, cellulite, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, sinus and whooping cough, effective for countering sagging skin, scalp disorders and encouraging hair growth, easing congestion, puffiness and swelling, acne, dermatitis and eczema, affects the health of the hair and scalp.

The Ingredients:

40 drops organic Clove Bud essential oil
35 drops organic Lemon essential oil
20 drops organic Cinnamon Bark essential oil
15 drops organic Eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops organic Rosemary essential oil

Mix all essential oils together in a dark glass bottle.

There are many ways that you can use the blend, here are some of the most common applications:

~To purify and clean the air in your home or workplace during or after sickness, add 2-3 drops of the essential oil blend to a diffuser, nebulizer, or into a pan of simmering water on the stove. Diffuse for approximately 20-30 minutes. It also is a delightful way to freshen and brighten a home that smells stale, getting to the root of the problem with regular use.

~ Make an antiviral, antibacterial all-purpose spray for disinfecting as you wipe down your home or office. This is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and other workspaces! I fill my 32oz. spray bottle with water and add 20-25 drops of the blend. You can add more or less depending on whether someone is sick or not. Spray on your already damp cloth to use on countertops, desks, and on other hard surfaces; I also use it on leather couches and wood surfaces that have a protective finish. Shake before using since oil and water will naturally separate.

~ Make a spray for insect bites, poison oak or ivy rashes to help reduce inflammation, itching, and irritation of these by using a 1-2% dilution rate of the essential oil blend in a base of water or alcohol. Our children will also tell you that it reduces hives from hay (baling hay) irritation as well as cuts and abrasions.

~ It is easy to make a personal inhaler. When there is head, sinus, or chest congestion, target it by placing 1-2 drops in a bowl of hot, steaming water and breathe deeply of the vapors under a towel.

DO NOT get into eyes. It will sting! And this is not for use on babies, toddlers, or young children.

The Cost?

Remember, there are 300 drops in 1/2 oz. You can make a lot of batches with this small stash:

1/2 oz. cloves ess. oil is $7.50.
1/2 oz. lemon ess. oil is $4.46 (with 15% off June special).
1/2 oz. cinnamon ess. oil is $20.25.
1/2 oz. eucalyptus ess. oil is $2.25.
1/2 oz. rosemary is $5.25.

Total for 5 essential (1/2 oz.) oils to make many bottles of my version = $39.71.

Purchased from YL, the customer price for one bottles (1/2 oz.) of Thieves® is $44.41.

Do the math!

I have used essential oils for years and am familiar with many of the companies out there; I have grown to trust and love Mountain Rose Herbs‘ essential oils. Here is what they say on their site about making and using this potent blend safely:

“This essential oil blend is very strong and must be diluted! The essential oil content should only account for 1 to 2% of the total formula. This means that up to 6-12 drops of essential oil can be added per 1 oz of carrier oil or other menstruum. For more information about diluting essential oils, please refer to our Dilutions & Conversions Guide.

“* Essential oils are highly concentrated, strong, and powerful liquids that can be harmful if not used carefully and properly. This is an especially potent blend of essential oils which could cause irritation when applied to the skin, even in diluted amounts. We advocate caution when using them, and do not recommend using essential oils internally. Please keep essential oils out of reach of children. We do not advocate usage of this recipe on babies, toddlers, or children.”

Thieves® is a registered trademark of Young Living Essential Oils, LC. Mountain Rose Herbs is not affiliated with Young Living Essential Oils, LC in any way.

~ Jacqueline

Chalk / Pencil Notecards From Breezy Tulip’s Studio~ Giveaway

2013-06-10T16:59:13Z

This Giveaway is in celebration of 7,000 ‘Likes’ on my DeepRootsAtHome FB page. While I don’t actually sit and watch the numbers, it is a blessing to know that God can and does use social media and even a Facebook page to encourage and exhort women and mothers in their lives and families. He is at work everywhere!

I can’t tell you how much I love these little notecards! Even more so the cheerful efforts of family members creating and working together. We have been blessed to know them for some time now, and I have been excited to share some of their creative work with you here on the blog in the past.

Our friends Breezy and Emily Rose have blessed us with their vision to bring high quality products to the marketplace for families and children. I believe you will be delighted by their work, too.

This giveaway is for a box of 10 notecards.

There are 2 each of 3 scriptures in chalkboard art~

And 2 each of 2 family scenes in graphite pencil~

Breezy at work~

Let your imagination run away with you as you think of the dear friends you might surprise with a beautiful card of Encouragement or Thanks! These are so pretty, they will turn your note into a “keeper.”

To enter to WIN, use the Rafflecopter form below. It is easy!!! This giveaway ends Friday, June 14 at MN, and the Winner will be announced here on the Rafflecopter entry form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can see more of the beautiful work and make a purchase at Noble Rose Press, Breezy Tulip Studio, and Clementine Pattern Co.

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.”

~Psalm 105: 1-2

If you are blessed by something you have read here at Deep Roots, please consider liking my page on Facebook and subscribing via Feedburner. Thank you

~ Jacqueline

The Story Behind the Photo

2013-06-06T22:33:20Z

You may have seen this photo which went viral, but you may not have read the story. I think it is such an amazing testimony of why purity is so important, thus I am excited to share this incredible story with you.

In an earlier post, I shared that I had been involved in sexual sin before my husband and I were married. How I wish I had been able to hear the biblical mandate early about purity and that I had had a heart and mind transformed to hear it. There is no one to blame but my own willfulness.

I cannot express to you the damage that sexual sin has wrought in my life. What seemed like “everybody does it” when I was 18 has ended up leaving permanent scars. I cannot erase those experiences from my memory. I never would have imagined that sexual sin would cause damage through all these many years.

There are three very important things that made this possible:

First, she courageously told this young man that she valued remaining sexually pure until the night of her wedding, and therefore he wanted to protect it, too. Why is this important? If he had not valued and respected her desire, she would have known that he wasn’t the young man the Lord had for her.

And, second, they made themselves accountable. Like-minded friends and family surrounded them with help by checking up on them, prayers, and a planned strategy. He regularly met with other Godly men to pray for strength.

Third, they fought temptation with prayer and staying in the Word. They desired to bring rightfully deserved glory to the Lord through their testimony.

Even though this powerful message is too late for me, I can speak up through this blog and in my circle of influence and so can you! Let us tell the young women in our lives that “with God nothing is impossible” and encourage them in holy living. I would like to ask that you share it if you feel lead…to the glory of God!

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” ~Ephesians 5: 3

And if you are blessed by something you have read here at Deep Roots, consider liking my page on Facebook and subscribing via Feedburner.

~ Jacqueline

Flowers On Your Table~The Secret To Long-Lasting Cut Flowers

2013-06-07T01:28:52Z

I’m a big fan of enjoying the flowers in life. Study a flower. Notice the layers of petals, the lines, the curve of the stem. Smell it. Notice color, the intricacies of the shades. Remember that the God who created these masterpieces also created you.

One way to enjoy them is to cut them and bring them into your home.

Here is a dreamy painting that epitomizes how I feel about slipping outside for a moment with a knife and vase. Mothers need to do that.

The quiet, the warmth, the introspection, the gentle breeze, the birds who feel invaded~ it is a precious time to worship the Creator and all His many benefits.

Mercie Cutting Flowers, Edmund Tarbell

Flower arranging is an age-old art form captured in stately European still-life paintings. My father spoke of a few of them hanging in the rooms of his childhood home in southern Holland.

Theodore Jozef Sax, Dutch-born painter, c 1822

There is an exuberance and homespun beauty in having flowers at the table or next to a stack of books being read that somehow makes it feel more like home.

“I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.” ~Emma Goldman

Here are some very simple tips to make blooms last longer:

Rule 1: Cut your flowers in the cool of the day, morning or evening. Use a sharp knife and cut at an angle.

Rule 2: Remove any leaves on the stem that will be in water. Foliage covered with water will rot, cause discolored water, and stem blockage. Blocked stems are unable to supply needed water to the living flower, and they will deteriorate more rapidly.

Rule 3: Take a container of lukewarm water (100° to 110°F) along to the garden. Immediately after cutting, place the stems in the water.

Rule 4: Always use tepid water in your vases. Cold water has a higher oxygen content, which can cause air bubbles to form in the stems of your flowers, blocking their water uptake. Spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils are the exception to this rule as they prefer to be placed in cold water.

For a very special event, when you return inside, you can place the container and flowers in a refrigerator set at 35° to 40°F for 3 to 12 hours. Cooling permits the plant to take up more water than it releases and helps hold flower freshness. These tips come from the Iowa State Fair Flower Exhibit publication.

Hydrangeas will occasionally droop quickly in the vase and dipping the stems in alum (or boiling water) can do wonders to revive them. Here is the secret of alum.

Natural Ways to Preserve Flowers:

White vinegar and sugar~Combine 1 tsp. of white granulated sugar with 2 TBSP. of white vinegar and one quart of water. Cut flowers love it.

Hydrogen peroxide~Some florists add a capful or two of hydrogen peroxide to the water to keep cut flowers looking fresher longer.

Placing an aspirin or penny in the water is not effective as a floral preservative according to the Iowa publication mentioned above. Some use a few drops of liquid bleach and 1 tsp. of granulated white sugar mixed into a quart of water. A splash of bleach will keep bacteria from growing in the water, but I am not comfortable using bleach anymore.

Martha Stewart’s Flower-Arranging Secrets and Tips:

I don’t own a frog, but have used the tape idea in a short, wide bowl, and it worked beautifully.

Tips From The Little Flower School in NYC:

After I got my little Nikon COOLPIX S8100 for this blog, and then the S6400 (after a scratched lens), I took so many images. Haha! I needed to learn somehow! I want to share a peek of some of our favorite bouquets from our past gardens and friend’s:

Apricot ‘Drift’ roses glow with morning sunlight in a vase that my mother found at a Portland Days steam engine festival~

Elderberry berries, honeysuckle ‘Mandarin’, and hydrangea in an old chipped $10 Wedgwood pitcher~

Lily of the valley and white anemone ‘Snowdrift’ in yard sale 2/$3 pressed-glass cream pitcher~

Mixed bouquet keeping George W. company. It consists of columbine, Japanese iris, ninebark shrub flower pods (red), zebra grass, poor man’s pepper, speedwell, roses, all quickly tucked into a 3″ antique pitcher found at a garage sale for a buck~

Mixed daffodils and grape hyacinth last spring. Do you enjoy blue and yellow together?~

Fragrant, unknown variety of peonies we brought with us from the farm and ‘Fourth of July’ climbing roses~

White roses with Russian sage at our friend’s daughter’s graduation celebration~

Jackmanii clematis, Veronica, and bugleweed in an old Milk of Magnesia bottle~

David Austin rose, ‘Wisley’ in an old Wilton Armateal pewter mug ($8 for a pair) ~

Tulips, daffodils, and grape hyacinth from this spring in front of a lovely shawl given to me by my dear friend, Anita~

David Austin climbing rose ‘Fourth of July’ as an encouraging gift with red granite stones in Ball jar. Sometimes the simplest are the prettiest~

Even if all you have in your yard are dandelions, they should be perfectly beautiful in light of the statement God made in the garden: that it was ‘very good’! Oh, the joy to receive them from a child

(source)

Take time to smell the flowers today, then bring them inside!

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us:
and establish thou the work of our hands upon us;
yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”
~ Psalm 90:17

And if you are blessed by something you have read here at Deep Roots, consider liking my page on Facebook and subscribing via Feedburner.

~ Jacqueline

‘Encourage One Another’ Wednesday Link-Up #89

2013-06-12T00:16:48Z

by Jesse Willcox Smith

“Aim high, sweet mama. And when mistakes come, know they are covered by the One who holds all in His hands, and whose mercies are ‘new every morning!’”

~Sally Clarkson at I Take Joy, Learning Through Mistakes – and Mentors!

by Jesse Willcox Smith

( I am finding such rich, encouraging quotes at Valerie’s inspiring blog Quotes For a Mother’s Heart . I also recommend Doorpost’s Bible-based parenting and character training materials!)

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