Sweet Pansies and Memories

Sweet Pansies - ©CindyRippe2013

My cousin, Jeri, gave me this tiny little bottle filled with pansies today.  I was so taken with the sweet beauty of the flowers that I didn't notice the beading that she added around the neck of the bottle at first.  It was an unexpected and precious gift.

According to the Victorian Language of Flowers a mixed bunch of pansy flowers like this means "Forget Me Not".  Well, it was the perfect gift to represent the day.  Our Church celebrated it's 150th Anniversary this morning. Actually, it was the 150th Anniversary of the day they laid the cornerstone when building the church.  We were able to celebrate and visit with friends from long ago (and eat birthday cake too).   We then spent the rest of the day with family and friends at our annual Memorial Day picnic.  Lots of memories and fun here as well.  (along with many more sweet desserts)

One of the most important memories of the day for me was when I thought about my family members that served in the Military and defended our country.  They are the reason that we are able to have days and memories like those of today.  To them and to all the other men and women who served to keep our country free; I remember you, I thank you, and appreciate the sweetness of freedom.

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.  Joseph Campbell

Passion Flower for Good Friday

Passion-Flower-Vine-with-John-3:16-for-Good-Friday-photo ©CindyRippe2013

I took this photo in August of 2011 on my friends farm.  Paul and Lauri have a beautiful (and huge) property surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest. We hike through the woods and fields, whenever I get the chance to visit, and Lauri shows me the treasures she's found.  I had never heard of the story of the Passion Flower until she pointed out the vine one year.  I think it's one of her favorite plants.  I figured that today, Good Friday, would be a good day to share this image as it's a good day for reflection and the gift we were given. 

I found a kinship, of sorts, through time, with Jacomo Bosio, a Roman scholar in 1609.  He's the originator of the story and found the symbolism between the parts of the plant and the events surrounding Christ's Crucifixion. I also like to make connections between flowers and plants and share my thoughts or life lessons about them.

The Passion Flower has long been associated in Christian symbolism with the passion of Jesus; the three stigmas representing the three nails used to nail Jesus to the cross, the ovary and its stalk represent the chalice of the Last Supper, the five anthers represent the five wounds, the corona represents the crown of thorns, the ten 'petals' (actually five petals and five sepals) the apostles (except for Judas and Peter, distanced themselves); the old leaves also represent the hands of those who persecuted Him, the young leaves are the point of the lance used to stab Him, and the tendrils the whips of those who beat Him. Note: information resources gathered from  Wikipedia, h2g2 and brighthub

I've filled this post with links to more information about the flower and Good Friday if you would like to take time for your own research and reflection today.

God Bless!

March Flower of the Month - Waiting for the Daffodil and New Beginnings

Daffodils - Flower of the Month for March - ©CindyRippe2013

The Birth Flower of the Month is Daffodil (or Jonquil). The Victorian meaning is New Beginnings.  Very appropriate for me right now.  I am patiently waiting for the snow to melt, the flowers to start blooming and for my business re-organization project to finish (or get to a point where I can think of something other than the mess) I've often thought that the new year should start in Spring when everything is bursting with new life.  Maybe that does happen in some part of the world.

I'm still working hard at the organization and prep for my design business.  There are days when I feel like one door after another is closed to me and others when I get excited over something simple that I've figured out.  That's life I guess.  I heard something the other day about those doors.  I think it was Joel Olsteen that said something like; Just imagine that there are 37 doors that you have to face.  Each time one closes say "well, there are only 36 more to go".  Isn't that a cool idea?  To be honest I've probably faced more than the 37 already but I still trust that it's all going to work out.

It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Valentine Roses with a Message

Roses with a Message for Valentine's Day ©CindyRippe2013

I love pink roses.  I've always loved them.  From the time I was a little girl, spent time at my Grandma's house, and thought of her as the rose expert.  She grew beautiful hybrid roses that she ordered in February from the "garden book". (Jackson and Perkins).  Even then my favorites were always the pink varieties. Since roses are well known as the flower of love I figured that Valentine's Week would not be complete without a post about them.

Don't you love this use of the crystal goblet with two tiny roses inside?  As part of a tablescape from the 2008 Chicago Flower and Garden Show it added a special, romantic touch. Very sweet, and graceful.  The quote from 1 Corinthians 13:13 is one of my favorites and was perfect to accent the image.

There are three things that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

I try to include a Language of Flowers description each month (for the flower of the month) and when I checked to see what the meaning is for the Pink variety of Roses. I was amazed to find a huge list of meanings (at the Language of Flowers site) for the many colors as well as for the varieties that are now available. Which is your favorite?

Rose Meanings by Color

Orange
Passion,
Enthusiasm,
Fascination

Peach/Coral
Appreciation,
Congratulations,
Modesty

Pink
Friendship,
Grace,
Admiration

Purple/Lavender
Enchantment

Red
Love

White
I am worthy of you,
A heart unacquainted with love

White (withered)
Transient impressions

White and Red (together)
Unity

Yellow
Happiness,
Affection,
Joy,
Forgive & Forget,
Jealousy,
Infidelity

Rose Meanings by Variety

Hundred-leaved Rose
Pride, Dignity of mind

Japan Rose
Beauty is your only attraction

Maiden Blush Rose
If you love me,
you will find it out

Moss Rose
Voluptuousness,
Superior merit,
Confession of love

Multiflora Rose
Grace

Mundi Rose
Variety,
You are merry

Musk Rose
Capricious beauty

Musk Rose(cluster)
Charming

Wild
Simplicity

February Flower of the Month - Primrose

Primrose - February Flower of the Month - ©CindyRippe2013

February's birth flower is the Primrose.  The alternate is Violet. I have this little primrose plant in my window.  It keeps company with the Amaryllis and brightens up the kitchen. I'll post a picture of the cozy pair for you in tomorrow's post.

The Victorian language of flowers gives the Primrose meaning as: Young Love, I can't live without you, and I am yours forever.  How appropriate for the month of February and Valentine's Day! 

 

*The Primrose has the botanic name of Primula vulgaris and is a low to the ground herb that flowers and is found mainly in western and southern Europe including the British Isles. It is also known as the Common Primrose and the English Primrose. It is one of the earliest spring flowers to bloom, and when left alone can quickly cover the ground in open woods and forests.

The Primrose is a relatively small flower, generally 25-40mm across and is normally found in a light yellow, almost white hue, with a bright yellow center. However, in some areas wild pink Primrose can be found growing, and as with the Carnation, cultivators have created Primrose in various other colors. *Botanical info source: babies online

Love is the answer, and you know that for sure; Love is a flower, you've got to let it grow. John Lennon

January Flower of the Month - Carnation

©CindyRippe 2013 - January Flower of the Month - Carnation

The carnation, January's flower of the month, is a common flower that's been popular over the years for Mother's Day and for corsages and boutonnnieres.  I haven't had success growing them (not enough sun in my yard) and don't think of them when purchasing flowers at the market.  I forgot how good they smelled!  I think I'll buy them more often this year.

There are many flower meanings for the carnation including admiration, beauty, love, distinction, pride and gratitude.  Each color also has a different meaning according to the Victorian Language of Flowers.  The white ones represent pure love, friendship, endearment, good luck, sweet and lovely.

I chose friendship because I've had so much support from my friends over the past year.  I look forward to seeing them more often in 2013!

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.  John 15:12-15

December Flower of the Month - Holly

Holly is the alternate for Narcissus as December's Flower of the Month.  As usual there are many
Victorian meanings for Holly including foresight, defense, domestic happiness, and enchantment.

I chose Domestic Happiness because family is so important to me, especially during this season of Christ's birth.  I can surely understand why defense would be one of the meanings after photographing this variety with such sharp points on the leaves. We found huge trees loaded with berries on our walk through the Missouri Botanical Gardens a few weeks ago.

"The Romans decorated their hallways with holly garlands for their mid-winter celebration, Saturnalia. Medieval monks called the holly the Holy Tree and believed holly would keep away evil spirits and protects their homes from lightening. The pointed leaves represented the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, and the red berries symbolized drops of his blood." source - http://www.livingartsoriginals.com

We tried to get a good picture in front of one of the Holly trees.  The sunshine was perfect for capturing the holly but not so flattering to us.  Hope you can see OUR domestic happiness shining through the picture though.  Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and New Year!

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.   Luke 2:9-12

November Flower of the Month - Chrysanthemum

©CindyRippe 2012

 November's Flower of the Month is the Chrysanthemum.

I found several meanings for the Chrysanthemum flower.  It symbolizes, truth, optimism, joy and perfection.  The Japanese have a festival each year to celebrate Happiness.  With so many colors and varieties available and the abundance of flowers how can it not be a happy flower?

All the changes in my life lately have me searching for the truth in what is the best thing to do in each of many situations.  This huge group of mums reaching through the weathered wooden fence represents a simple truth to me.     

The seasons are changing - just like my life.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

October Flower of the Month - Aster

I love to see the waves of purple Asters amongst all the yellow and orange leaves in Autumn.  The Aster is a tiny flower but makes a strong statement with an abundance of flowers that cover the plant.

Asters have a flower meaning of patience, love, daintiness and good luck. Patience is the perfect meaning for me though.  There are so many challenges and changes in my life right now and I need to remind myself to be patient while working my way through each one.

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:11-12

September Flower of the Month ©Cindy Rippe 2012

The Morning Glory is one of the birth flowers for the month of September.  Aster is the most common but I used it last year and since the arbor near the Conservatory at Pilcher Park Nature Center is still loaded with these magnificent flowers I couldn't resist. 

The meanings for Morning Glory from The Language of Flowers book and other sources include: Love in vain, Loves you, affection,flirtation, and admiration.  Each flower only lives for one day.

This little group of flowers remind me of close friends making the most of the short time they have together. The sun was perfect, creating a glow of joy and happiness.

Please take the time to enjoy even a short visit with your friends and make sure to let them know how much you care.

Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

August Flower of the Month - Gladiola

August - Gladiola Flower of the Month - ©Cindy Rippe 2012 - http://www.cindyrippe.blogspot.com

The flower of the month for August is Gladiola.  It has several meanings. I chose strength and, boy oh boy, did I ever need it!
The trials of life hit hard starting on July 29th with Mom falling in the back yard.  She's doing better now but has a long way to go for rehab.  Trying to balance life as a caregiver preparing for and completing a travel teaching job kept me stressed and tired many days. There were many beautiful moments and lots of help to get me (and the rest of the family) through!

So the Gladiola is perfect this month for:

Mom - Who needed the strength to endure the pain and to keep calm when she didn't understand.
Lee - Who did so much to help and, once again, patiently held the fort down at home while I concentrated on Mom's care.
Family & Friends - Those that stepped up and helped when they could.
My Sister and I - That just couldn't figure out how we'd make it through another minute sometimes and chose to use humor whenever possible.  We did a good job Bev!
Beauty - The gladiola flowers are so pretty they give you pause to appreciate the wonders of nature that God provides.

Little did I know that I'd be posting this at the end of the month (skidding in to home plate at the last second!) or that the bible verse I had chosen for the week she fell would also be so perfect.  I'm sure that it was in the Grand Plan though!


I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me   Philippians 4:13

July Flower of the Month - Delphinium

July Flower of the Month

Delphinium grandiflorum - ©Cindy Rippe July 2012

July's flower, Delphinium/Larkspur, is certainly a nice representation of Summer.  You may recognize this flower as I also chose it for my First Day of Summer Post "Summer Blues" in June.  In the Victorian Language of Flowers the Delphinium represents Levity or Lightness of spirit.  This busy bee is a perfect example of that message as she levitates from one blossom to another doing her job with what seems to be a light spirit.

Let's not forget that Levity also stands for happiness and humor.  We can all use a little of that each day and July seems to be a nice time to find it!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 ESV

June Flower of the Month - Rose

Planter in my garden - ©Cindy Rippe - 2012

The flower for the month of June is the Rose.  Love and Beauty are the most common meanings for the Rose.  The specific meanings vary according to color if you want to send a hidden message like they did in Victorian times according to the Language of Flowers.

My grandmother "Grammy" became an expert at growing hybrid varieties that seemed so exotic to me as a child.  She put things like fish heads (eeeww!), egg shells, and coffee grounds in the ground around each plant.  The combination created the perfect soil I guess because the flowers were beautiful. Today you can grow low maintenance varieties like the yellow "KnockOut" brand I planted at Mom's. They bloom from May through November without much work or the need to add fish heads :)  I hope you take some time to enjoy the delicate beauty of your favorite color and variety and share the love with your friends and family.

Flowers are Love's truest language. Park Benjamin

Linking up to:

May Flower of the Month - Lily of the Valley

 

Lily of the Valley is the flower of the month for May.  While working on sketches this morning I came across this beauty that I captured at the Morton Arboretum.  I love the little green details on the tips of the petals.

The meanings for Lily of the Valley from The Language of Flowers book include: Sweetness, Humility, Returning Happiness, and Trustworthy.

Today I chose happiness and wish the same for you!

 
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  Ecclesiastes 3:12

Sweet Pea for April's Flower of the Month

The flower of the month for April is Sweet Pea or Daisy.  I chose the sweet pea for my daily devotional sketch today.   In the Victorian Language of Flowers the sweet pea represents shyness or blissful pleasure.  The latin name, "Lathyrus odoratus" means 'pea' and 'fragrant'.

Sweet Pea Mixed Media - Cindy Rippe 2012

I remember my Grandfather, Faw-Faw, proudly showing me his sweet pea vine, years ago, when I was able to visit in the spring. My favorite color was always pink but I know there are many colors available now.  I remember they smelled so sweet! Each flower didn't last very long but we enjoyed them every morning.

Perfumes are the feelings of flowers.  ~Heinrich Heine

Don't forget to click through the rest of today's DCC Blog Hop for more Spring inspiration.
 

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PineCone Santa Mixed Media

Cindy Rippe PineCone Santa copyright Dec 2011 Florals, Family and Faith

Pine trees symbolize creativity, longevity and immortality.  
pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing.
 Pine tree symbolism includes creativity, life, longevity and immortality

I've glittered them, painted and glued them as decorations.

For a few years I painted Santas on many different natural surfaces and had a very nice business selling them at craft shows.  This time I decided to Pine Cone Santa on watercolor paper.