Even flowers need a home

Some people take in stray animals, others gently restore antiques. I have a soft spot for unloved flowers. I can't help but walk through the flower department every time I'm at the grocery store. I can always count on finding the old standbys - daisies, carnations, mixed bouquets that never look right in a vase and over priced roses. Tonight though, they had my very favorite flower, the ranunculus. These darling little flowers are like a tiny peony - they have round buds that unfold into a mass of petals. They are actually a member of the buttercup family and I read somewhere that their name means "little frogs."

So, I couldn't resist taking a peek at them. Poor things were wilted, drooping and half of them were covered in mold. But their little heads just peeked up at me like sad puppy dog eyes. So Reagan, my 3 year old, and I "rescued" a few bundles of red, pink and orange ranunculus along with some really pitiful purple anemonies, yellow tulips and left over roses. Reagan helped me "feed" them and then she put them in a vase to "let them rest." We gave the vase a little bit of chartreuse ribbon, because how can you not feel the tiniest bit prettier when you're dressed in double faced satin! My husband said it looked like a hodge-podge. Reagan felt very proud. And I do believe I heard the faintest sigh and a thank you from my "little frogs."