Valentine’s Bouquet
All yesterday, and all last night, it snowed in New York. The soft, drifting kind of snow that falls steadily until the sidewalks, windshields, and window ledges are covered, while pedestrians plod home with a bottle tucked under an arm to eat something warm, talk to someone they love, and turn in early with a book.
At least, it was that kind of snow until the snow turned to rain. The kind of rain that turns the sidewalk into a treacherous slick of ice, hits your face in cold pellets and makes you shake your fist at the sky wondering why you bothered to get out of bed at all.
Given the slushy circumstances, this bouquet seems downright absurd, what with its defiant cheeriness and candy colors. But, after seeing this clever use of candy decorations, my desire to put one of these bouquets together for Valentine’s Day overcame me.
And truly, isn’t that what Valentine’s is about? The day of saint Valentine, as far as I’m concerned, is in cahoots with Christmas, Winter Solstice, Chinese New Year, Hanukkah, and all the other winter festivals of light that promote warmth, community, and hope in the darkest season. Say it’s Hallmark, if you like. I say Valentine’s Day is just another example of the human instinct to surround ourselves with flowers, bite into something sweet, and get close to another human body in the bitterest month of all.
Valentine’s Bouquet
1 short, squat glass (like for a few glugs of scotch)
1 short, narrow glass (like for juice — you can usually find these in junk shops)
conversation hearts
flowers
scissors
Arrange the flowers in your short, narrow glass filled about halfway with water. Place the flower-filled glass inside the wider glass. Scatter the conversation hearts in the inner space between the two glasses. Marvel how times have changed with hearts emblazoned “IM Me.” Place at your bedside or on the desk of someone you fancy, and wait for the sun to come out.
Kim: I would appreciate it if you could be in charge of decorating my life. The pay ain’t great, but I’ll say very nice reassuring things to you on a semi-regular basis.2 years ago
Sarah: Sold!2 years ago
Sophie: SO CUTE!2 years ago
Suzy: Awww…Very sweet. Exactly what Valentine’s SHOULD be. Not blatantly sexy or grossly consummerist, just sweet, nice, innocent. Fresh.
Are those freesia? They kind of look as though they are, but they sort of resemble glads, too. Or are they some weird new hybrid floral species? (Must stop reading Day of the Tryphids…)2 years ago
Allison Conley: Happy Valentine’s Day!!!2 years ago
Sarah: Wow, Suzy you’re floral knowledge goes way beyond mine. They are the yellow, cheery, cheap flowers I bought at a bodega in the a snowstorm. That’s the extent of what I know about them, unfortunately!2 years ago
Ruth: i don’t know what the flowers are either! kind of like a lily, but also like an overgrown freesia!! happy valentine’s day nonetheless!2 years ago
EB: It may not be perfect for you… but it’s a balmy 65* here and your bouquet is perfect! Put me just in the right mood. Is it just me or do the “email me” and “IM me” hearts irk you? I can’t explain it! They make perfect sense now a days… but they bug me. Clearly I have candy heart issues.2 years ago
Sarah: Yeah, I know there are bigger problems in the world, but they bug me too, EB. It’s like, “that’s supposed to be romantic?!?”2 years ago
Beth: LOVE the conversation hearts in the bouquet!2 years ago
Erin: I just commented, but I think I forgot to fill in name and email. Oops.
What I had thought I posted was an agreement with Suzy. This is a great way to celebrate Valentines day and I thank you for the idea. I loved your description of snow. I miss snow - I spent my first 17 years about 30 miles from NYC, in northern NJ and have lived in Texas for more than that. Way more than that. We get snow occasionally, but don’t have the truly defined 4 seasons like you have. Anyway, belated Happy Valentines!2 years ago