Pot o' narcissus...

Can you guess the word I'm spelling?



Today is Ash Wednesday. Although we are not of the liturgical-variety of Christian, we do observe some of the seasons like Lent and Advent. Lent has officially begun and I have been planning for many weeks to put together these little JOY Cans with Paper whites set inside. I bought the Paper whites (narcissus) on sale after Christmas for $1 per box of 3 or 4 bulbs. I used plain aquarium gravel to set the bulbs in so it gives some weight to the can and makes a nice reservoir for water. I have been saving some of my fruit and veggie cans to supply simple containers. Burlap can be bought very cheaply at your local fabric store or you could be thrifty and cut up some feed sacks or coffee sacks and do the same thing. Just measure the height and circumference of your can, leaving a little to fray at the top and a 1/2 inch for a seam, stitch and turn and slide over the can. You don't need a bottom. I used paper sack, my rubber stamps, and some twine to make the tags. Behind the tag I glued on a little poem that I wrote especially for this project. I'm really not a very poetic kind of person, but after searching my poetry books most of the morning for just the right poem, I didn't find it. So.... resorted to my own wits. If you want to, you may copy it for yourself.

I set a bulb into the earth,
Cold and dark and dead.
And soon a soft green blade appeared
And soon, a little head.

Short after I saw a little bit
Of white come out and peep.
Next day a bonnet blossom showed
All pearly white and sweet

The li’l Narcissus lifts up her head
To thank the Lord in heaven
What once was cold and dark and dead
Has LIFE from His hand given.

~Jody


Just so you don't think I'm mucho creative and clever, I didn't think this project up on my own. I got some help from Maya at maya*made on this post. She created them for simple Christmas gifts. I tucked the idea back in my mind for later use, thinking of my yearning for flowers and green-things-growing about this time of year. So thank you, Maya, for your inspiration! (I know when to copy a smart idea!)



After your pots are covered, add some gravel to the bottom inch or two of the can, then add a bulb and a little more gravel, but don't cover it up completely. Set the pointed end up with half the bulb showing. Keep a nice water reservoir in the gravel and watch your narcissus grow. In about 5-6 weeks, you should have some beautiful, white, fragrant blooms.

Back to the season of Lent. We like to read one of the gospel books together as a family during this time and focus on the life of Jesus, our Lord. We don't usually fast, but this year I'm thinking of setting aside some of the best things (instead of canned green beans) from our pantry to give to the community's Compassion Cupboard. Do you observe Lent? If so, how do you?

If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
~words of Jesus from John 8:31