Buckets of Blooms…

Welcome, thanks for stopping by!

I’m sharing a personal story today, my reason for loving buckets of blooms, painting florals and avoiding glass vases…and finding joy.

This isn’t the easiest story to share, but it’s important to me and I hope it will explain why I  love to paint simple whimsical botanicals…inspired by fresh flowers in my home, flower shop or garden.

Several years ago, on a Friday in September, I had a very busy morning baking dozens upon dozens of desserts for an evening party for the high school water polo team and parents.  Our kitchen was filled with platters and trays of cookies, tarts, brownies, petite fours and biscotti. I had a few dozen more to bake but decided to take a quick break and clean up the house a bit. I started in the downstairs bathroom. There was a large tall glass vase filled with flowers that was in need of fresh water and stem trimming.

I picked up the heavy vase to carry it into the kitchen and the next thing that happened changed my life forever.

I had my right hand under the vase and my left hand supporting the side. All of the sudden the vase exploded. There was a loud popping sound…the next thing I recall was a feeling that something horrible had happened. I won’t go into graphic details, but to explain it simply….my hands were severely cut by the shards of glass. Thankfully, my husband had come home from work to pick something up and our youngest son was home for a few minutes between water polo practices.  They rushed me down the hill from our home to a walk in emergency doctor’s office. The doctor took one look at me and called 911. I remember being so worried about all of the desserts that had to be delivered to the party that evening, I worried about the huge mess from the accident at home and in my husband’s new car. I begged them not to call, I just wanted them to stitch me up and let me finish baking! Apparently, I then fainted and was on my way to the hospital in an ambulance…the desserts could wait…

After a four hour surgery and countless stitches later, I woke up to a cast from my upper arm to my finger tips. The glass had severed my tendons in three of my fingers on my left hand and had cut both of my hands all over. After spending a two days in the hospital I came home…unable to do anything for myself. It was the most helpless feeling. I was used to always being the person who did things for others! The hardest part for me was accepting help from friends and family. I am forever grateful to these heroes for bringing amazing meals, watering my garden, fixing my messy hair, making me laugh, sitting with me while I cried, taking me on adventures, wrapping gifts, etc… This was the first time in my life that I truly had to rely on others for help, needless to say it was quite humbling. My sweet husband learned how to fix my hair, we laughed hysterically every morning as he attempted a pony tail or braid…ha ha what a sight I was!

I had my very awkward huge cast on for three and a half months, then went through several months of physical therapy. The surgeon had warned me that I might lose feeling permanently in my left hand due to the tendons being severed. I kept hoping that I would regain my sense of touch…I waited and waited. I am still waiting…

The reason I am sharing this icky story is to educate others about tall glass vases. The doctors are not 100% certain about what caused the vase to explode, however they explained that over time glass can easily weaken. Even if there isn’t a crack or chip in the glass, tall glass vases can be extremely fragile and dangerous. It is also important, if you MUST use one of these vases, to keep the water level low…no more than a few inches high. A higher water volume can cause too much pressure on the glass and cause one of these accidents. Additionally, never place a glass vase in direct sunlight. The heat can also cause glass to break. I will never know exactly what caused this to happen but I am certain that I will never work with these style of floral vases ever again. They are elegant and stately…but not worth the risk.

If you are still reading this, you are probably wondering what painting florals has to do with any of this! Part of my physical therapy involved relearning how to use my fine motor skills in my fingers. This may not seem like a big deal but trust me, it certainly has been…and still it. I will never forget one of the most emotional days while at physical therapy. They asked me what I missed most, what I wanted to try, what I was afraid of. These were questions that I didn’t want to be asked. My hands have always define me…

After many tears I told them that I missed being able to work with flowers and that I also missed being able to paint, sew and bake. That following weekend my husband took me back to the flower market and filled our car with fresh flowers. I hadn’t been since the week prior to the accident. Five months later I was faced with big buckets overflowing with flowers…and sharp clippers…and hands that didn’t want to cooperate. Ever so slowly I figured out how to hold and clip blooms …I dropped many, cut myself without even knowing it and learned to laugh at myself with my family and close friends supporting and encouraging me every tiny inch of the way.

About a year later I finally began to paint again. This was the hardest thing for me to try. I have always painted with both my left and right hand…not having any feeling at all in my left hand left me dropping paint brushes, splattering paint all over the place, etc… The first year was comical, messy and frustrating. But I kept at it. I forced myself to truly concentrate on not dropping the brush and just letting my heart lead the way.

A few weeks ago I was chatting with my husband about the new flower shop that I am opening in April. He mentioned that I should create a few paintings to hang on the walls for decoration. I immediately felt a sense of fear. Painting used to be so easy for me. The thought of painting something to be seen by others became almost like a dare to myself. So…I have dared myself to trust my heart and let my hands paint what they are capable of painting. The paintings aren’t amazing, they are a bit sloppy and carefree…they are very truly me.

It isn’t easy for me to share my glass vase accident. It was a difficult time and my life changed that day in so many different ways. I had to learn to let others help me, learn to use my fingers again, learn how to use clippers and learn how to hold a paint brush. I learned how to not feel sorry for myself and feel forever grateful that my husband and son just happened to be home at that very moment that day.

I hope others will learn to be careful with glass vases. Actually, I hope we will all avoid these vases and choose other styles of containers. Old buckets, vintage silver, ceramic and enamel vases are my favorites now. Who needs glass when there are so many other options!

I love finding old buckets at the flea markets…they are perfect for big colorful bunches of flowers!

Old silver-plate bowls and pitchers are also wonderful vessels…

My paintings are carefree, colorful and filled with whimsy….simple and happy. The buckets and vases are always unbreakable…

Being able to paint again is truly a joy! Mixing colors, finding the perfect shade, challenging myself to be “ok” with the results on the canvas is all part of the process of learning to accept change.

In a odd way my accident changed my life in a way I never would have imagined. I have learned to face challenges in life with a joyful heart, even if the results aren’t what I expected!

This past week I painted several simple buckets of blooms…I can’t wait to frame them and hang them in my little flower shop! They will be a daily reminder to never give up, to always try my hardest even in the most difficult of times. Life sometimes throws us into a different path…it’s important to find something to help guide us through. It doesn’t have to be amazing, but finding something simple that brings you joy sure helps! For me it has been fresh flowers and paint brushes…with a huge dose of family, Daisy Rhubarb, friendships, laughter, silliness, chocolate and wonderful music thrown in for good measure…

I found joy…

Thank you for stopping by and allowing me to share my story with you!

As always, I love hearing from you and appreciate your thoughts and always welcome questions! Have a wonderful day…

xoxo…Janice