Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Harvesting Hydrangeas

Hello everyone!

Yesterday was a sunny windy day here on the Island so I thought I should harvest some of my hydrangeas for bouquets now but also over the winter as they dry so well.

We have several fairly large shrubs of Limelight that have turned lovely shades of pink and green.

Baskets & bouquets

I gathered a few roses to dry also.

I placed bouquets of them around our home but shared some with the lovely ladies at the home where Mom lives. As some of you know my Mom had surgery a month ago and her recovery has been slow but I am happy to say that in the last few days she has shown some improvement-eating a little more,smiling more and a little more strength but she has yet to regain any walking ability. I am hopeful though that she will get stronger now that she is eating a little and staying awake more. I am so glad to see those smiles again and hear her familiar- It's good to see you, Carolyn !----- when I arrive!

This is a summer bouquet to show you the change in color the cooler temperatures have made.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Take care,


Carolyn

24 comments:

The Tablescaper said...

You have one serious collection of vases! They all look so beautiful. I brought some hydrangea in, but should bring in more - before it's too late!

So happy to hear that your Mom is doing better.

- The Tablescaper

http://jackieinsurrey.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Hi Carolyn, so pleased to hear your mum is on the mend.

What is the best way to dry hydrangeas for the winter please? Yours are beautiful, do they keep that bright during the Winter?

Regards, Jackie in Surrey, UK.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely breathtaking!

Cindy said...

Very beautiful bouquets, I am hoping that I will have some to dry next year.
Hugs, Cindy

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Gorgeous!!!

Thilie said...

It looks so beautiful :) you are so blessed to have a wonderful garden and I`m so grateful that you share it!
Have a lovely day!

Tretswelt said...

Es ist wunderschön bei dir...die hortensien...traumhaft.Schöne Woche noch.bussi.Luciene

Denise@alloverroses said...

Carolyn your hydrangeas are incredible! I bet the ladies where your mom is just love that you share your lovely garden with them. I love to start my day here with you!

Thanks for always sharing with us your breathtaking home and garden.
Denise

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Stunning photos Carolyn, as an artist I may just have to paint a few pictures this winter of some of your perfect blooms, the colors are so inspiring!
Tina xo

Sarah said...

Wow, what an amazing bounty! I wish we could grow hydrangeas like that here. I'm lucky if I get just a few small blooms. These will look just as beautiful once they dry. ~ Sarah

Susan said...

So lovely, Carolyn. So very lovely. I even love the rose tablecloth in one of the photos. Glad to hear your Mama is getting stronger and better. Take care and have a beautiful day. Sincerely, Susan

Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio Photography said...

How wonderful to have such an abundance of blooms...What a delightful reminder of summer to have them hanging and drying as the weather cools down...I have said it before but will tell you again, when my garden grows up, I want it to be just like yours.

Kelsie

ღ M@ddy ღ said...

Ciao Carolyn,
innanzitutto ti faccio tantissimi auguri per un buon proseguimento di convalescenza della tua mamma, anche se lentamente.

E poi ti dico che anch'io amo le ortensie secche che decorano la casa nella stagione invernale !

♥ Maddy

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Carolyn,

Your hydrangeas are gorgeous but far more important is the little improvement your Mom is making! Yesterday I took Pieter back to the heart surgeon and his chest has healed excellent (x-rays check) and he is allowed to drive around the home, not yet highways but this is incredible after such short time. He's a strong man, almost superman for being released on the 4th day having had 4 bypasses and one angioplasty stent in his neck done... But we're blessed! Hope your Mom will slowly but steadily find her way out of this too. She's in my prayers.

Sunny greetings from Georgia with still 30°C+ temperatures...

MariettesBacktoBasics

Connie said...

So glad you're Mom is feeling better. It's just slower recovery as we age, but it still happens. God bless

Pamela Gordon said...

What beautiful photos of your hydrangeas Carolyn. I especially like the ones in the turquoise pail. Very pretty.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Carolyn,
I love hydrangeas, but can't seem to grow them where I live. Yours are amazingly beautiful! I have looked at your photos several times already..
You must have two green thumbs!
Have a very sweet day,
Hugs, Elizabeth

Heaven's Walk said...

So very lovely, Carolyn! One can never have too many hydrangeas in the house....nor the garden. You've inspired me today, so I'm headed out to cut some for my vases. :) Glad to hear that your mom's feeling better, too. :)

xoxo laurie@heavens-walk

Anonymous said...

Oh I am so jealous at how many hydrangeas you have to dry. I am just dying to have some in my home but I've just planted my very first hydrangea this summer and she's just a babe right now....hopefully next year. Thanks so much for sharing such beautiful pictures.

Erin | Bygone Living said...

SO beautiful ♥

nannykim said...

They are all so pretty--mine have not had flowers since early summer; perhaps because of the heat?

Connie in Hartwood said...

Thanks for sharing such a lovely crop of hydrangeas!! I'll enjoy the photos of yours, since the drought and heat burned mine up prematurely.

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Gorgeous Carolyn! I love the pink color in them! So glad your mom is doing better!~Hugs, Patti

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Beautiful, Carolyn!