Sweet Lilies of the Valley

"The temple bell stops but I still hear the sound coming out of the flowers."

~ Bashō

How delicate and lovely are these beautiful bells!

This bouquet was my third from the garden.

They start to brown in a handful of days...

But

oooooooooo

the fragrance is heaven

Botanically known as Convallaria, 

but also known as

May lily,

May bells,

Our Lady's tears,

Convall-lily,

Lily Constancy,

Ladder-to-Heaven,

Jacob's Ladder,

Muguet

The Lily of the Valley

signifies a

"return to happiness"

They were first on Rachael's list for a bridal bouquet.

BUT

Rachael's flower budget is very modest, so she ordered a simpler bouquet of mixed flowers.
You see, our florist, Fran,

{a lovely woman that has know our children for years}

told us that a bouquet the size of the one above, from my garden,

would cost hundreds of dollars. 

They are $60 for 10 stems!

{Here's a link I found online.}

I'm so happy that they were blooming for Rachael's wedding shower.
~ These were free ~

"The flowers of late winter and early spring 

occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size." 

~Gertrude S. Wister

 *

 Dear Family and Friends,

~ I hope you have a wonderfully sweet week ~