Tussie Mussie Time!

Dear Folks and Friends,

Judging from the state of my house, you'd think I spend loads of time in my garden.  I do.  However, when I'm out there, I'm usually either pouring coffee grounds on my flowering plants or cutting flowers to make into bouquets or Tussie-Mussies.  Do you know what that is?  Well, I think most anyone from the South has a bit of an idea.  A Tussie Mussie is a little floral bouquet.  Somehow or another back in the old days, they were used to counteract those unpleasant odors that arise from lack of plumbing and adequate ventilation.  There was a time when flowers were used for medicinal and practical reasons.  Now, we have the luxury of enjoying them solely for pleasure. You can also combine herbs and flowers when you make a Tussie Mussie.  

 Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs and it's not only attractive as a flowering bush but stays green most of the year.  It can also be used for cooking, bathing, potpourri - a dozen things.  I use rosemary for the main ingredient of  my Tussie Mussies. Rosemary is for rememberance. Lavender is another herb that I add.   Lavender is great for keeping the moths away.  In the olden days, lavender was thought to bring good luck.  If the season is right, I throw in marigolds.  This is one of my favorite flowers.   It is beautiful, hardy and can be used medicinally.  It also repels garden pests.  I'll go into more detail about the healing powers and practical uses of plants in another article.  The marigold's sentimental meaning is that it brings happiness to the receiver.  Sage is another wonderful herb to grow in your garden.   In the Tussie Mussie, sage symbolizes a long life, wisdom and patience. Scented Geraniums are a wonderful addition.  Geraniums mean triump through persistance.   Now, right in the middle of one of these little bouquets, I usually stick in a rose.  I grow lavender, pink and white ones.  Somehow I've yet to get a red rosebush but it's on the list.  Someone has to gift me with one.  The rose has many meanings depending on the color but it always signifies love.

When you give someone one of these aromatic little bouquets, You can add ribbons, or twigs, or lemon blossoms, even willow leaves.  Write a card explaining the meanings of the flowers or herbs that you use.  Back in the days of old, people knew what each flower meant.  There was a beautiful connection between nature and people.  Now, we've become disconnected; however, maybe I'll inspire you to get back in touch with nature's many growing gifts. If you have a particular flower or herb that you enjoy growing I'm sure that it has some kind of sentimental meaning.  If you don't know, maybe I can help you find it.  In the meantime, enjoy thinking of flowers to add to your Tussie Mussie! Salud.