And you can eat it!
Thanksgiving was bearing down on us — and fast! Richard, being the love he is, was readying to rush down to the nearby grocery store while I cooked and cleaned like a woman with a mission; this in hopes of having pies ready for Thursday’s meal and the house in shape for overnight company. As Richard headed out the door, a final addition to the list came to mind and I called out, “Buy me flowers!”
And then I stopped to think.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love some cut flowers in a vase on the table. Not a thing wrong with that, but Richard and I have recently given up gainful employment to give our own business a go, and we must make every dollar count. We also made a decision to make the best consumer choices we can make with each purchase, considering both our needs and making environmentally-sound choices. I don’t think a single bunch of grocery store flowers will hurt anybody; on the other hand, I can get something really cool and spend more of my dollars at a local business.
“Wait, don’t get the flowers,” I said. “I’ll go to Pam’s shop and pick up some mums or something.”
Pam’s shop, a.k.a. Garden Shop of Homewood, is a great little place. Right on the corner of Oxmoor Road and Green Springs Highway, it is both convenient and has a sustainable living philosophy that resonates with me. It is a great resource for a quick gift, garden supplies, local honey, and handmade soaps, among other things — but that’s another story.
I dash in and Pam greets me with a big, beaming smile and asks what I’m looking for. “Well,” I say, “I want something pretty I can replant and/or eat.” Pam’s eyes light up and I can see her sorting through choices. She then escorts me around the shop. After she shows me a number of great ideas, I settle on two raspberry sorrel plants, a number of young stonehead cabbages, six red acre cabbage plants to add some rich purple color, and one pot of California daisies. I’ll throw these together in some big receptacle and add long sprigs of rosemary scavenged from the yard for aroma.
I get home and select my large stainless steel mixing bowl. I remove the daisies from the pot and place them in the middle. The edibles are positioned around the central burst of yellow. I add some tendrils of rosemary to create volume and add scent.
Now I have something unique AND lasting. When Thanksgiving is completely behind us, I’ll break this down and plant everything in the garden. The cabbage and sorrel will provide us with some food through the upcoming fall and give my puny winter garden a bit of “umph”. The daisies will make their way to a flower bed and show again next year.
It’s much like making an investment. I’ve taken a small amount of money for something that is normally quite temporary and made it do more than double duty. I’ve supported a local business, I have a beautiful arrangement to enjoy through the long weekend and I’ll feast from it in the future.
Yup, I’m going to have my centerpiece and eat it too!