Happiness in a vase.
For some time now, certainly well over a year, I have had an Instagram crush. I have followed along as a locally growing, regenerative farm shared some of the most beautiful pictures of their family's waterfall and pasture explorations, inspired vignettes from their flawlessly designed farm house, delicious seasonal treasures from their fruit and vegetable gardens, swoon worthy plum galettes, and (deeply adored by my heart) some of the most vibrant and simply elegant fresh flowers arrangements I have ever seen. The truth is, I love flowers. They have a way of making any space feel warm, fresh, and alive with happiness. But when grown and arranged by the inspired vision and hands of Saltese Farm, they are truly a little piece of nature's perfection.
A few weeks ago I walked out from The Bakery kitchen after a very long day and found an arrangement of flowers on our foyer table. Sitting there, in an unassuming glass vase, was a collection of freshly cut stems and greenery that made me forget where I was going. Shades of pink from softly tinted to deeply vibrant placed against a million textures of green leaves and dabbled with tiny delicate blue blooms. All arranged in that perfectly imperfect way that defines casually elegant. Like stumbling on a meadow of wildflowers in spring. Pure, simple, happiness.
Mr. Amazing told me that an incredibly friendly woman came by The Bakery and dropped them off for us to enjoy. So, I left them there to greet our customers and bring a smile as I came and went each day. For the next week they were a quiet moment of cheerful peace in my otherwise crazy days. And I was so very grateful. When they had lived their life I washed the vase, set it aside, and hoped this generous stranger would return one day.
About a week later it happened again and, by some miracle, I was out of the kitchen. I may have ambushed her with excitement when I saw her walk through our doors holding another lovely vase of flowers. Even more stunning than the first. I was so excited, I realized shortly after, that I forgot to get her name.
Yesterday, this incredibly kind woman came to The Bakery once again. Sadly, I missed her. However, I walked out and found two positively stunning vases of flowers with blooms of summer white, soft pink and just-barely-fall orange. This time, cradled by soft and fragrant sage leaves. I kept wishing I knew her name so I could thank her again. I don't think she could have any idea how many bright smiles she has brought to us and our customers.
Today I had a moment and opened Instagram to see what was going on beyond our little doors, and you'll never believe what scrolled across my feed. An image popped up of an unassuming glass vase holding a perfect arrangement of summer white flowers, softly pink dahlias, just barely fall orange petals, and soft sage leaves sitting in The Bakery at 1871 foyer. Carried with a sweet note from our neighbor, Saltese Farm.
Every day I am truly amazed by the kind and generous people in our community, and the gifts and passions they share. I always say its the little things that makes life grand, and the flowers and caring from Saltese Farm prove that very true.
Happiness in a vase, by a wonderful family doing the most amazing things.
