may day basket :: diy

awww... may day.  it's the perfect day for a random act of kindness.  the boys and i are already working on our list of friends we plan to surprise with a gift on their door!

here's an easy diy may day basket that you can fill with a fresh bouquet of flowers:

1. cut burlap (or fabric of your choice) at least twice the height as a plastic sandwich bag
2. sew along vertical edges, leaving an opening at the top
3. flip rightside out and modge podge a doily, sew on fabric flowers, paint or decorate
4. sew or staple ribbon on the inside hem
5. place plastic bag inside so that you can place your fresh flowers in a touch of water without soaking your fabric
6. add a small note with a cheerful spring message

may day peonies :: nature photography

happy happy may day my friends!!!  to celebrate today, i am ooing and awwing over the stunning peonies that are beginning to bloom around the neighborhood.  a peony is my very favorite flower, so much so, that i had them in my wedding bouquet.  the layers and layers of delicate petals just take my breath away.

by the way... will you do anything special to celebrate may 1st?  a bouquet in the office breakroom, a breakfast basket delivered to a friend, or a special treat left at someone's door?

may day

may is a special month...  lots of family birthdays, dinners on the patio, wildflower walks, mother's day, and of course lots of gardening.  to celebrate the first day of this great month, my son and i choose a few family members or close friends and deliver "may day" baskets.  this usually leads to a lazy day of visiting and drinking lots of ice tea - milk & cookies for "the monster"... we love it.

my enjoyment of this day started when i was a little girl and tradition was to leave flowers on the doorstep of a friend.  i would walk thru the woods behind my house and pick flowers (probably weeds), create my arrangement, then ring the bell and run off.  it was always thrilling to run fast so that i could hide before someone opened the door and found my gift.  when "the monster" gets a little older and fast enough, i plan on bringing back this tradition!

this year's baskets included:

• 3 different types of annuals to plant
• homemade pinwheels
• bug spray
• gardening gloves
• a brush to wash dirt out from under nails
• hand lotion