Growing up, we didn’t have much money, except for a brief couple of years when we did. But, looking back, I don’t think I ever knew the difference. My mom shopped at dollar stores and garage sales whether we were abase or abound. Either way, she got mad when we roughhoused and knocked over her dusty silk flower arrangement. She really loved that awful thing.
She loved it because she made it with her own two hands. She loved it because it was her way of making a home out of what would otherwise have been just a house. I never understood why she bothered, but I think I get it now.
Saturday afternoon, one of my very best friends and I co-hosted a table at our church’s annual tea party. She had the china so I volunteered to work on the decorations. I had to laugh when I said…
“I think I have a bunch of my mom’s silk flowers and vases in my garage.”
I didn’t have the money for real flowers, so pre-owned silk would just have to do. Only I think I remember a certain teenager (OK, I might have said it last year) saying, “Mom, it’s better not to have flowers at all than to have silk ones. They’re creepy.”
Oh, well, you live and learn.
.JPG)
.JPG)
I made the napkins out of an old crib sheet and the napkin rings out of rope and Elmer’s Glue.
.JPG)
Of course, they wouldn’t have been complete without one more silk flower!
I didn’t spend a dime on any of the decorations. That is to say, the dimes involved had all long since been spent. But I was really pleased with how it all came together in what I’m calling “French Country Picnic” style.
.JPG)
While snapping away, capturing our table in all its glory, I had to laugh a little to myself. I can’t really take any credit at all for this accomplishment. You see, I’ve simply become my mom
And by the way, Mom, happy Mother’s Day!
