Imparting Grace

Wednesday, May 30

A tip for using hydrangeas

I know that many of you enjoy fresh hydrangeas as much as I do. And I'm betting that, like me, you are sometimes faced with this problem:

Poor things. Sometimes they just can't keep their heads together.

Here's a little trick I've learned. Turn your hydrangea upside down, then take a twist tie and gently tie the little stems together.

Cut off any excess twist tie and turn the flower back right-side-up. Presto! You have a full-headed flower!

The twist tie will be hidden among all the blooms.

Here they are as part of a vignette on my porch. Amazing how good they look in a glass jar, isn't it?

For my favorite tip on making cut flowers last longer, check out this post. The flowers in this picture are 12 days old!

Do you have any tips for using fresh flowers? Please share!

**I'm joining Tips and Tutorials at Home Stories A to Z.

Saturday, May 26

Free, easy, spectacular centerpieces

During one of the busiest weeks of my year, I volunteered to host a dinner party. I may be crazy, but not completely--right now is peak hydrangea season in the South, so flowers for the party were a simple matter.

It couldn't be easier to create a beautiful arrangement of hydrangeas. Cut your flowers in the morning before the sun gets too hot. Then just cut the stems to fit into whatever vessel you choose, strip off most of the lower foliage, add a few drops of Clorox bleach to your water, and poke flowers into the water until you like the look. You may choose to leave them rather loose and droopy, or do as I've done here and mass the flowers. You can't go wrong!

f you're unsure about what kind of vessel to arrange your hydrangeas in, use your imagination. I've put them in pitchers, bowls, mason jars, milk bottles, water bottles, empty sauce jars wrapped with burlap--if it'll hold water, it'll hold hydrangeas. And if it won't hold water (like my porcelain footbath above), simply place a plastic cup or cups inside it. Let the plastic cup hold the water and the pretty vessel just look nice.

And just look at this variety of color! I'm more partial to the blue flowers that result from a more acidic soil, but it surely is fun to have lots of different blooms.

Beautiful, free centerpieces that take only minutes to create. That's my kind of decorating!

Do you grow hydrangeas? Or is there another flower you use to create centerpieces? Please share!

Monday, May 21

DIY Diet Limeade (like Sonic's)

I've been a fan of Sonic Drive-In since 1976, when I first tasted a Frito Chili Pie. My absolute favorite thing on the menu is a drink. I love Sonic Limeade--both the regular and the cherry varieties. And since I'm often counting calories, I especially love the Diet Limeade.

Alas--there's no Sonic in my town. I always visit a Sonic when I come across one on a roadtrip, but that's not often enough to fulfill my desire for Limeades. So I've come up with a way to make my own DIY version--and it's awfully good!

Here's all you need for a Diet Limeade, Sonic-style.

You can find this key lime-flavored sparkling lime beverage at Wal-Mart. It costs 68 cents for a 1-litre bottle at my local store. (Note: This beverage contains aspartame, just like Diet Coke. I know that some of you avoid artificial sweeteners; sorry I don't have a recipe for you.) I don't like this key lime water on its own, but in this limeade, it's the magic ingredient.

Directions:

1. Squeeze the juice of one lime into a large glass (or, if you live with lots of boys and dogs as I do, into an acrylic cup).

2. Add a bit of sweetener if you like. I like to add a packet of Stevia to mine. If you prefer a very tart limeade, you can skip this step.

3. Pour in about 12 ounces of the key lime-flavored sparkling water. Stir well.

4. Fill glass with ice; garnish with lime and enjoy! Add maraschino cherries and a little of their syrup if you want a cherry limeade, but be aware that wouldn't strictly be a "diet" drink.