When we bought Little Blue Cottage, there was a massive old oak tree in the front yard with a garden at its base. It was beautiful. The following spring the garden was barren, not a single flower. I learned quite quickly that some flowers are called annuals and don’t return the following year. My late husband encouraged me to take up gardening and refill the empty flower bed. For a couple years, I replaced the annuals with more of their kind. Then I decided to do something a little different. I bought seeds on sale for ten cents a packet. What a bargain! They were wildflower seeds with a mix of annuals and perennials. It was exciting waiting to see what would grow and blossom. By the second year, it was an exquisite garden filled with all kinds of flowers, including some of my now favorites… cosmos, coneflowers, coreopsis, black eyed susans, and daisies. Those inexpensive seeds led me to a newfound passion for gardening.

With each passing year, I became more daring, digging up new garden beds to sow all kinds of flower seeds, both annuals and perennials. In the front corner of our backyard, I sowed Shasta Daisy seeds. They loved that spot, and so did I. We made a little path to our gate that passed by the daisy patch. In the mornings, I would “walk my gardens”, tending to their needs and linger at the daisy bed. I would often cut an assortment of flowers and put them on the window ledge over my kitchen sink. They always made me smile on the inside.

When life became stressful or difficult, I would walk through my daisy patch, and my heart would find peace. It was my place to meet with God, admire His beautiful flowers with gratitude, and pray through my troubles. I always left the daisy garden renewed, encouraged, and filled with cheer. Daisies were my happy flower! In fact, they still are. There’s just something about daisies; when I look at them, they cause my heart to smile.

Most flowers have historical meaning behind them. This morning I researched daisies and found that they represent “cheerfulness”. In fact, I’m not the only one who calls them their happy flower. Frankly, I’m not at all surprised. I think it’s a divine design by the Creator. No wonder I give daisy bouquets to my friends to spread love and cheer. Each time I visited my daisy garden at Little Blue Cottage, the Lord reminded me to be of good cheer, in spite of my troubles, because He’s so much bigger than any problem or pain, and overcame it all. (John 16:33)

When I was planning my wedding a few years ago, I decided to use the flowers grown at Little Blue Cottage for table centerpieces. My wedding colors were shades of blue and purple, so I planned to use mainly flowers of that color scheme. However, a week before the wedding, I came across a patch of wild daisies behind an old abandoned hospital. I’m still amazed that I came across those daisies. What a gift from God! A few days later, I ventured into the tall grass and picked an enormous bouquet of wild daisies. They helped to spread such cheer and rejoicing on my wedding day.

My mother-in-law recently moved into an apartment in a retirement community. This is a new home for a new beginning, as my father-in-law passed away last fall. She asked me to make a wreath for her apartment door. Apparently she noticed that I like to hang wreaths on doors, walls, railings, anywhere I can! I asked my husband about his mom’s favorite color to use on the wreath. He suggested lavender. Good choice!  I purchased all kinds of happy flowers…daisies, daisies, and more daisies. I also picked out coneflowers, representing strength and healing, and sunflowers to give the wreath a summery look. The meanings behind the flowers symbolized my desire and prayer for her.

The first summer at Comfy Lane Cottage my Babe informed me that he only wanted functional gardens….vegetables, fruits, and herbs. I passionately explained to him the function of flowers. Historically, they were used medicinally for the body, but also for the soul with meanings and messages associated with them. Of course, I also told him about my daisy garden and how it always brought peace and joy. However, I think what sold him was the plight of bees and butterflies, and the need to provide backyard sanctuaries for them by planting all kinds of gardens.  In the past three years, I have been working on transforming the landscape of Comfy Lane Cottage with paths and beautiful flowers. I’ve included some daisies in the mix, but I still have not planted my daisy patch. I have the perfect sunny spot picked out; it’s in the front corner of our yard where I can share them with neighbors. It’s my hope that they will bring about a merry heart and happy smile to all who pass by Comfy Lane Cottage.

Please join me again next week for other simple ideas to help make your home a comfortable haven.