A New Thing

I was at the Hallmark store a few weeks back and saw these amazing "water beads"...I am too lazy to go look up the actual name so that's what I'll call them. Their display had a giant martini glass vase full of see through light pink ones and it looked so cool I just had to buy some and try them out! Of course, they were all out of the light pink so I got white...not as good I've discovered but still fun.

I got clear and red ones, too, but I'm taking those to my girls in Oregon next week..shh..don't tell them. They come in a test tube type thing.

You add two quarts of water and let them soak overnight. The next day you find them like this...very soft and wet!

They say to add a teaspoon of bleach to keep them fresh.

Then add flowers! You can use fresh or silk! Can you guess which are real?

So I decided I didn't want the silk daisies and changed them out for fresh rosemary, more lavender, and some Sweet William from the garden.

A little more fun from the garden! We had a couple over for dinner last night who are from Missouri. He is on a temporary detail in Jeff's office and his wife is here with him. Here's the centerpiece I put together with the sweet vase from Nancy! LOVE! I don't know if I'm happier these days because of the flowers or because I cheat and add a tiny bit of REAL coffee to my decaf every morning! Maybe a little of both!

Oh, and as for the the "water beads" I think I'd like them better in a giant martini glass vase! But, they are fun! Once they lose their moisture you just soak them again!

Almost forgot to show my bouquet of hydrangeas from the other day! They are on the coffee table in the living room and I must say they bring me as much joy as Jeff's birds. I love the birds, too, but he REALLY loves the birds!