Ever green

Surround yourself with living things, no matter the season

Sometimes I just want to bring the outside in. It really cheers a lady up! With no summertime blooms to raid, I remain a hopeful hunter and can still be seen pressing into my yard weekly, scissors in hand. The winter answer to homegrown bouquets? Trees and bushes. There are tons of variations in shape, color and texture. Joy of joys, despite the painful cold, there is still green life out there.

Just take your scissors and clip whatever is lovely. I usually bring the container I plan to use so I know how long to trim the stems. Pick any cup, jar or vase you wish you got to see more. I selected a vintage port glass, a thick glass cocktail pitcher and a jelly jar my husband’s grandpa always used for juice.

Typically, you’d want to pull off any growth on the part of the stem that will be in water. This helps keep the arrangement fresh and the water clean longer. I did that on two of my pieces for this article, but a lingering trend of submerging foliage made me curious. Look how beautiful, ethereal and specimen-like the leaves look in water! 

Tip: those pine twigs are from the Christmas tree I took out to the curb recently. All lazy folks like me who didn’t get that feat done earlier can enjoy clipping a few sprigs for your continued pleasure. Curb shop or yard shop (probably only your own yard)—these happy arrangements bring warmth and life into your home.

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared on TheNoshery.com, a food and lifestyle blog with Tulsa roots.

Want more stories like this? Check out Ashley's art collecting how-to, her stand-up comedy experience and the story she and Voice contributor Ryan Daly wrote about tackling their fitness goals.