Mother's Day Floral Arrangement by One Charming Party

This outstanding floral arrangement comes from "One Charming Party." It is so beautiful I wanted to share and One Charming Party graciously gave me permission.

The unique thing about this arrangement is the freshly cut orange slices tucked into the arrangement. You can just smell the crisp tangy aroma that must be permeating the air from this arrangement.

One Charming Party is a business created by Sara Westbrook and Brittany Egbert. Their website is full of party ideas and decorations. They have tons of printables that you can download and even complete party packages for sale. The floral arrangement above was created by Robin Mathis from Twigg Botanical and photographed by Nicole Hill Gerulat.

Lemons or limes would be beautiful in this arrangement to. While the arrangement is perfect just as it is, the fresh fruit slices on a pick sound like something that you can also do with a fruit style Christmas ornament. Depending on the shape of the ornament and the location of the cap, glass Christmas ornaments could be used in a similar fashion and once the arrangement has lost its freshness, the ornaments could be removed, recapped and placed on the Christmas tree. Great keepsake idea.

This Orange Christmas ornament for instance. The cap could be removed and a small dowel, pick or drinking straw (whichever is the best fit) could be inserted into the opening. To remove the cap, gently squeeze the circle together and pull upward slowly. Green floral tape could be wrapped around the dowel, straw or whatever is used. The insertion site at the neck of the ornament could be covered easily with a bit of ribbon or raffia in a color that would blend. I'm going to try this soon with the next beautiful floral arrangement I receive...hint hint to my child in case she is reading this)))

Squash

The new Squash ornaments from Old World this year are the Acorn and Butternut Squash. Both are very beautiful and realistic looking ornaments.

Decorate your Thanksgiving table with a cornucopia filled with squashes, vegetable and nut ornaments. Use wood wool or Spanish Moss as a filler to cushion the ornaments and let them just spill out on the center of the table.

Here's a great recipe from Southern Living using the Butternut and Acorn squash. Beautiful dish for your Thanksgiving  table.

• 1  (2- to 3-lb.) butternut squash
• 1  (2- to 3-lb.) spaghetti squash
• 1  (1- to 2-lb.) acorn squash
• 1/4  cup  butter
• 2  tablespoons  honey
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  pepper

Preheat oven to 400°. Cut butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and acorn squash in half lengthwise, and remove seeds. Place squash, cut sides up, on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Microwave butter and honey at HIGH 1 minute or until melted; stir until blended. Brush cut sides of squash with butter mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, 1 hour or until tender; let stand 10 minutes. Cut into large pieces and serve.

Now, if you live in the south, here's a recipe that you will find on Sunday dinner tables in the summertime!

Squash Casserole

• 2  pounds  yellow squash, sliced (frozen will work also)
• 3/4  cup  chopped onion
• 1  tablespoon margarine or butter
• 2  tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 1  cup milk
• 3/4  cup  (3 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  pepper
• Cooking spray
• 1/2  cup  soft breadcrumbs, toasted or crushed saltines

Cook squash and onion in a small amount of boiling water 10 to 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Drain; set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Melt margarine in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually add milk; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat; add cheese, salt, and pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Add squash mixture; stir well.

Spoon squash mixture into a shallow 1 1/2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle squash mixture evenly with breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs. Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is thoroughly heated.

Visit us at Trendy Tree to gather an entire garden of "vegetables!"