Monday, April 2, 2012

Lily of the Valley


We were beside ourselves with excitement (Graham, Margaret and I) after stumbling across Lily of the Valley at our favorite grocery store in Portland last week. 

They smell so beautiful. 


Although very pretty as they were, I thought I'd dress them up a bit for the Easter holiday. Luckily the grocery store also had baskets, so we knew exactly what we'd do when we got home. 


After lining the basket with plastic for watering, we added a ribbon, a little nest and a layer of moss. 

I've always loved live Easter baskets with growing grass or live flowers. However, we agreed (Graham, Margaret and I) that the live basket was a little too grown up for our curious little 15 month-old selves...we still like putting everything into our mouths - whether interesting, pretty or just plain curious. 

xo
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45 comments:

  1. Michele M./ Finch RestApril 2, 2012 at 12:46 AM

    OOohhh what an awesome score! You lucky!

    I can never EVER find it - and it smells so wonderful!

    Les Muguets - will always remind me of my mom.

    Love this post.

    Basket looks awesome.

    Happy Easter!

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  2. elizabethApril 2, 2012 at 12:59 AM

    Oh, I love lily of the valley! I love how you put them in the basket. I've been trying to grow some from the pips, (I think that's what they're called), but not having much success. I live in Portland and would love to know what store you found them at.

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  3. 24 CornersApril 2, 2012 at 1:25 AM

    As sweet and pretty as sweet and pretty can be! Love the little nest!
    xo J~

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  4. AnonymousApril 2, 2012 at 1:26 AM

    love them too- so pretty flowers we have in our garden- here in germany we call them : Maigloeckchen- (bell in may)

    Elma

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  5. CatherineApril 2, 2012 at 5:02 AM

    Elizabeth,
    New Seasons Market!
    Best,
    Trina

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  6. My Little BungalowApril 2, 2012 at 6:41 AM

    How pretty! I fondly remember Lily of the Valley growing alongside my grandmother's house on Long Island, NY. When I was four and a half we lived there with her for about 6 months. I vividly recall those flowers -- and the little frogs I used to catch in her yard (and then bring into the house much to grandma's dismay!).
    I hope you, Mike and the babies have a lovely Easter.

    Claudia

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  7. LynneApril 2, 2012 at 6:57 AM

    Lovely . . . And an additional benefit . . you can plant it outdoors and it will multiply and create a bed of fragrance for you to enjoy year after year. Happy Springtime . . .

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  8. Andi's English AtticApril 2, 2012 at 7:10 AM

    Love LotV. My mum's wedding bouquet was made up of it. I think Avon used to do a cream perfume of it. I remember liking it. Never had much success growing it though. xx

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  9. LauraApril 2, 2012 at 7:20 AM

    Beautiful but VERY poisonous. Make sure the little ones don't climb to taste it.

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  10. heather @ new house, new home, new lifeApril 2, 2012 at 7:56 AM

    So sweet. In our new garden, there is lot's of lily of the valley jumping up daily. Can't wait for it to bloom.

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  11. MarthaApril 2, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    Love lily of the valley but I've never seen it for sale in grocery stores! Linderhof has it's own bed that I treasure! A relic of a past owner.

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  12. Holly GruszkaApril 2, 2012 at 8:20 AM

    I love the variations of green in the leaves as well as the purple at the base - so pretty. I've got a 20 month old and she's touching and grabbing even more now that she can reach countertops and such. I'm a new reader and found you through Red Door Home.

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  13. AnonymousApril 2, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    My favorite flower! I can't wait for mine to bloom!

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  14. Notes From ABroadApril 2, 2012 at 9:28 AM

    I miss Portland :)
    I miss lilies of the valley too !

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  15. KatherineApril 2, 2012 at 9:47 AM

    Lily of the Valley is so romantic. It makes me feel like I stepped back in time.

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  16. TracyApril 2, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    My very favorite small flower. And the smell is out of this world, as you know. I was given a small pot of about 5 plants many years ago, planted the pips in moist partly sunny spot once they'd finished flowering and now enjoy a huge patch of them every spring. I snip the flowers and display them in a number of sterling bud vases, which I collect. Spring has so many wonderful gifts.


    Tracy B.

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  17. for the love of a houseApril 2, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    So sweet!

    xoj.

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  18. Low Tide High StyleApril 2, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Thank you for this post. I was just thinking about the Lily of the Valley that grows at my parent's house that we sold last December. I looked forward to seeing, and smelling them every year, so to not be able to visit them this year has been tough. Seeing your beautiful images just reminds me that the new owners will now be enjoying them and that makes me happy!

    Kat

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  19. KitApril 2, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    Oh you make me yearn for my patch of Lilly of the Valley to bloom. I have two huge spreads of it and you are right, it is wonderful. Your basket came out so pretty. Enjoy! Kit

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  20. Lady CourtneyApril 2, 2012 at 11:47 AM

    How very sweet!!! Looking forward to mine blooming!!! Happy Spring! donna :)

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  21. ElzieApril 2, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    So beautiful!
    Love Elzie

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  22. Linda@ Lime in the CoconutApril 2, 2012 at 12:40 PM

    A favorite flower...muget de bois...love how you festooned it! Precious!

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  23. The Buzz Blog @ Diane James HomeApril 2, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    Such a pretty basket! I especially love Lily of the Valley as our birthday (my twin Carolyn and me) is May 2nd and there was always lily of the valley bouquets being sold in Brussels where we grew up. How lucky of you to find some so early (then again, with our very warm spring, they may pop up in my garden early too!). Thanks for sharing, Cynthia

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  24. debra @ 5th and stateApril 2, 2012 at 2:10 PM

    simply, classically lovely. happy easter
    debra

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  25. Stacy CUrranApril 2, 2012 at 2:37 PM

    I'm over from Red Door and am so happy to be a new follower!
    Stacy

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  26. AnonymousApril 2, 2012 at 3:20 PM

    What a perfect Easter basket! Love the little nest.

    Gretchen

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  27. VerenaApril 2, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    Lovely post with gorgeous pics! However: those flowers are extremely toxic( and you probably know this already)and could be seriously dangerous for you sweet babies.Happy Easter Verena

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  28. DawnApril 2, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    SO lovely, Trina!
    Here in Austria we have to be careful when it's springtime and we want to gather wild ramsons, because the leaves look so much like those of the lily of the valley.
    I love the little nest tucked in there. So sweet.
    xoxo

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  29. Ispirato DesignApril 2, 2012 at 5:18 PM

    My absolute favorite...until the lilacs bloom. A debate we have every year- which ones smell the best!

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  30. LeeApril 2, 2012 at 6:07 PM

    I love the color contrast of the white and vivid green. Also did you hear that Portland was voted the "greenest city" Congrats!
    Lisa
    www.leeshideaway.blogspot.com

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  31. An Urban CottageApril 2, 2012 at 6:14 PM

    I'll be a 95 years old and the scent of Lily of the Valley will take me back 90 years to my grandmother's arms.

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  32. Susan KaneApril 2, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    Lilies of the Valley remind me of my grandmother. she had a row along the north side of her house. When they were blooming, she wore a sprig of them pinned on her apron. Thank you for sharing your photos and thoughts!

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  33. Pamela GordonApril 3, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    What a sweet idea! I love lily of the valley but mine won't be up for a few weeks yet. Your children are adorable. Hugs, Pamela

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  34. hopflowerApril 3, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    Yes, each May 1 the French give one another a sprig or small bunch of it. It is isold on the streets by small vendor carts. It is definitely a sign of spring; delicate fragrant, and ethereal. Unfortunately it does not last long, and is somewhat poisonous-so watch the kiddies around it.

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  35. Suzanne B.April 4, 2012 at 3:22 AM

    I know in some states Lily of the Valley is considered an invasive, but here in southern California you don't see it because it's too hot and dry to really take. So it is a treat to see your lovely basket, which I can practically smell!

    I especially liked your use of "we" in this post. So sweet. :)

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  36. SheilaApril 9, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    Plant the roots in the ground.....maybe up against the house to begin with.....they are very hardy and will spread.....in a few years you will have enough to dig up and replant. :) We have moved them from home to home when we move. :)

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  37. SheilaApril 9, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    Plant the roots in the ground.....maybe up against the house to begin with.....they are very hardy and will spread.....in a few years you will have enough to dig up and replant. :) We have moved them from home to home when we move. :)

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  38. BonnieApril 10, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    LOVE Lily of the Valley. My grandmother used them as front borders for all of her flower gardens & her house always smelled heavenly. Thanks for the sweet memory!! I might have to go hunting...

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  39. KarenApril 10, 2012 at 8:10 PM

    loved this post. It made me very happy that I naturalized the back of my home with lilly of the valley.
    It was a bit of an homage to my childhood where our yard was covered with it and it made us all happy...
    I will have to recreate the lovely basket when mine springs forth!

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  40. Anna PatriciaApril 11, 2012 at 12:11 AM

    This is just so darling, and your photos are soooo beautiful.

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  41. Southern LadyApril 12, 2012 at 8:19 AM

    Love the basket! Just took a moment to catch up on your blog. Your babies are growing! They are adorable! -Carla

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  42. Gabrielle MaderApril 13, 2012 at 11:14 PM

    I JUST LOVE Lilly of the Valley and my Trader Joes used to sell it every spring but stopped a couple of years ago and I'm so sad..I love it's sweet smell and it looks adorable...so delicate. Your basket is so pretty...i'm enjoying your blog and intend to browse some more...

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  43. Miss GApril 14, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    I just came over to your blog for the first time from Modobject at Home. This is so lovely! I would like to try a live growing basket one year. Wonderful idea!

    You said your favorite grocery store in Portland. I am visiting Portland for the first time coming up and would love to know if there are any must sees/eats. :) Thanks. Kelly

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  44. CatherineApril 15, 2012 at 8:35 AM

    Hi Kelly,
    I shop at New Seasons. They have several stores in the Portland area and they're all great!
    All the antique stores (Sellwood area, on Starks...) are wonderful. Stars is in Sellwood but there are many more stores there...Monticello is on Starks and it's a favorite of mine too.
    Enjoy!
    Trina

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  45. AprilApril 28, 2012 at 7:54 AM

    You take lovely photos!! I would love a "photography 101" post from you :)
    xoxo
    April

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine