The 'Mommy, Look!' Vase

If you're a mom, you've probably heard those words as one of your kids comes running at you with a fistful of wildflowers and the world's proudest expression on his/her face. It's sweet moment all the way around but we mothers know a broken heart is on the way when the flowers quickly wilt and die despite  our best efforts to prop them attractively in a small cup or the like.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately about repurposing and upcycling which Wikipedia defines as "the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value". 


There are some really creative people out there and I've been hoping their inspired vision will rub off on me. Finally, it did. Only in a small way, but I gotta start somewhere!

Pictured below is what I consider the perfect "Mommy" vase. It's just a spice jar with the plastic strainer-kind-of-thingy left on. This serves as the perfect frog for small flowers and holds their delicate stems up so it resembles a larger, 'real' arrangement. T was so proud when I showed her and some of the flowers have kept for a few days.

So, while I always reuse spice jars for spices from the bulk bins, I'll keep one on hand for these precious, open-hearted gifts.