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I felt utterly spoiled and simultaneously delighted when  Roscoe (food stylist extraordinaire) handed me these breathtaking blossoms. He’d brought them to a Saturday night dinner celebrating the Sweet Home cookbook crew—and I was the one who was supposed to be thanking them.

The large pink garden roses that anchor this arrangement are accented with  gooseneck loosestrife, blue thistle and other equally extraordinary floral blooms and leaves. The composition was so perfectly natural—a little wild yet balanced, loose but still lush.

Some of you in the Hudson Valley area may already be familiar with The Green Cottage (1204 Route 213, High Falls, NY). If you’re not, the shop, in an adorable Hudson Valley hamlet, is more than just flowers. You’ll find an array of goods including jewelry and decorative home and gift items. It’s most definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

For those without access to a sweet store like Green Cottage, don’t underestimate the value of pretty packaging. A simple bouquet of daffodils bought from the grocery or corner market can be aggrandized with a sheet of parchment and piece of ribbon.

A hand-wrapped bouquet has much greater impact than flowers secured with a rubber band and wrapped in cellophane with the remains of a price sticker. It’s akin to decanting syrup  into a pretty pitcher before serving at breakfast. It elevates the ordinary and makes the recipient feel special.

Whether florist-designed or home-spun, flowers are a feel-good gift!