a bouquet for your weekend and for ellie

by Sharon Santoni

bouqet of dahlias and hydrangeas

This post was first written as a light hearted bouquet for your weekend.   Since it was published I have learned that Ellie O’Connell, who many of us admired through her blog Have some Decorum, has passed away.

Ellie and I exchanged emails and messages although we never met.  She loved France, she loved beautiful things, she was generous and bright.

bouqet of dahlias and hydrangeas

Her courage and wit in the face of the dreadful illness that robbed her of the use of her limbs was truly inspirational.   We never knew where she found that amazing strength.

bouqet of dahlias and hydrangeas

She made us laugh, she made us cry, she taught us all the importance of making the most of each day because we can never know what tomorrow will bring.

bouqet of dahlias and hydrangeas

My thoughts are with her family, in particular her daughter Gracie and her husband David, and her close friends.

Thank you Ellie for all that you brought us.

bouqet of dahlias and hydrangeas

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46 comments

Dottie Monta September 3, 2016 - 9:43 pm

Thank you, Sharon!
Your beautiful bouquet is gratefully received here in Pennsylvania, where it is, indeed, the last weekend of Summer.
White roses and lavender are still flourishing. How I wish I’d put in some dahlias. Next year!

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Vicky from Athens September 3, 2016 - 10:00 pm

What a beautiful arrangement! It’s certainly deserving of a party where it can be the star of the evening. I’m afraid our flowers here in the South are so weary of summer’s heat and humidity – as am I! Your arrangement is a definite “pick me up” for me. The colors are exquisite. Thanks for sharing!

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Lynne Nelson September 3, 2016 - 10:16 pm

What beautiful gifts from your garden! Lovely end-of-summer arrangement….thanks for sharing. We have had extraordinary heat and pounding bursts of rain. Our roses are flushing again, the hydrangeas are gorgeous, and the herbs have gone to seed—great texture and fragrance but early hints of the blushes of fall are beginning!

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Brenda from South Carolina September 3, 2016 - 10:19 pm

What a lovely arrangement! I cannot even begin to imagine flowers like these in my garden! In my part of the world, the heat and drought have taken care of the garden after the deer got finished with their banquet! This has always been my dream…to be able to go in my garden and pick such lovely flowers. Maybe some day!
Thank you so much for sharing.

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Anne C. September 3, 2016 - 10:55 pm

Thank you Sharon.
Your bouquet arrived just as the sun tentatively poked its head out in northern FL! It is a lovely arrangement and much appreciated after our soaking storm.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful flowers!
Anne C.

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Linda Quast September 3, 2016 - 11:13 pm

Thank you from Seattle, Washington, where our recently planted garden is still thriving. Your post cheered my day, for sure. Very beautiful!

Linda

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Gérard September 3, 2016 - 11:21 pm

Tout simplement magnifique !

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Marsha September 3, 2016 - 11:38 pm

You take the time to make even the ordinary seem extraordinary, as it is with this delightfully beautiful bouquet. Just so you know, I’ve just returned from grocery shopping where precisely 10% of what I spent was spent on flowers !!! Sending love…..

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Kate Dickerson September 3, 2016 - 11:44 pm

What luscious colors! Thank you so much for the lovely gift of your arrangement!!

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Von Ann Wells September 3, 2016 - 11:47 pm

The bouquet is beautiful, love the colors. Enjoy your weekend.

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Darlene North September 4, 2016 - 12:05 am

Thank You Sharon from Tennessee , your flowers are lovely and so welcomed. Enjoy your weekend.
Darlene North

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suzanna September 4, 2016 - 12:13 am

You can sure grow flowers dear Sharon, I love your flowers so much. And your beautiful home. Love to come some day! Hope you enjoyed Seaside while stateside over here in the USA. I am sad today, hearing of Ellie’s passing having just gotten home again to Santa Barbara. I’m sure you have heard. What a gal we loved so much as we Love YOU!
XOXO

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Samantha September 4, 2016 - 1:00 am

Would that be Ellie O’Donnell?

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Roze September 7, 2016 - 1:49 am

See Yolanda Hadid’s Instagram tribute

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vicky from Athens September 4, 2016 - 1:09 am

OMG! Have not heard about Ellie! I am devistated! How do you know for sure?!

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Kim Nichols September 4, 2016 - 12:22 am

That is so beautiful, Sharon. Happy weekend to you!

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Mary September 4, 2016 - 12:52 am

Just beautiful. Thank you from the mountains of Arizona, USA

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marci piraro September 4, 2016 - 12:55 am

What a lush, beautiful arrangement! Food for the soul. Thank you.

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Leslie in Oregon September 4, 2016 - 1:07 am

Sumptuous…thank you!!

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Lisa from Montana September 4, 2016 - 1:18 am

Gorgeous. Thank you so much for the beautiful thought and pictures. Our lovely summer is winding down to make way for a dazzling fall.

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Lyn September 4, 2016 - 2:08 am

I love flower arrangements and the colors in this bouquet are beautiful! So soft and elegant. Thanks for sharing it.

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Sue Malizia September 4, 2016 - 2:21 am

Oh my gosh, so beautiful. Love the colors!

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Bev September 4, 2016 - 2:40 am

I have been following your posts for some time and am looking forward to creating a beautiful (smaller version) garden in my new home in Esperaza in the Aude region when we move there in October from Australia. I am a flea market fiend so maybe one day I can join one of your tours 🙂 I am planning on buying vintage goodies to take back to Australia twice a year to sell. Your blog is inspirational and I received your amazing book My French Girlfriends as a Christmas present last year from a dear friend, I was having breast cancer treatment at the time and I enjoyed reading your book to take my mind off my chemo xx

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Taste of France September 4, 2016 - 11:59 am

You are in Esperaza? With the dinosaur museum? I am near Carcassonne!
I assume, Sharon, that these gorgeous blooms are from your garden. Lovely!

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Bev September 4, 2016 - 12:08 pm

Yes, the dinosaur museum is opposite our house 🙂 We will be arriving in mid October, our container has just finished being packed and we will get there before it and hopefully start painting the house 🙂 Perhaps we could meet for a glass of Blanquette de Limoux 🙂 It is such a small world 🙂

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Taste of France September 6, 2016 - 9:40 pm

Avec plaisir!

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Madeline September 4, 2016 - 5:14 am

Love the bouquet ……still a lot more of summer here in Texas, and we don’t get those beautiful blooms…….just too hot.
Thinking of you always
Madeline

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Marilyn September 4, 2016 - 5:16 am

Gorgeous flowers, gorgeous colors!

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Roses pour Toujours September 4, 2016 - 8:39 am

Wonderful colors.

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Joanne September 4, 2016 - 10:21 am

Divine – the pink Dahlias just work so well – thank you so much

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Susana K. September 4, 2016 - 11:12 am

Thank you for this lovely bouquet of flowers,I admire your taste and elegant arrangement on everything you post in your letters to readers.Dalias are amoung my preferred flowers ,delicate colour and lovely shape.My spelling is not the very best,my feelings are always honest.

Regards Susana K.

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Kathy SImms September 4, 2016 - 1:18 pm

That is really beautiful, I love the colours so much
Have a great weekend
Kathy x

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Darina September 4, 2016 - 3:18 pm

Beautiful colour arrangement!

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Mayree September 4, 2016 - 7:33 pm

How beautiful is that! I simply adore the color combination. Fall is in the air here in southeastern Washington state so must savor the last of the bouquets. Have you noticed how these last bursts of bloom are always the most vibrant just before the time to put the garden to rest? My hollyhocks are especially pretty in September.

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Emilie September 4, 2016 - 11:14 pm

I learned of ellie O’connells’ passing from Heather in her blog “Lost in Arles” on the 31st of Aug. also The Contessa wrote about Ellie in her blog just a day or two ago.
Cannot believe how strong she was to the very end. What spirit she portrayed – God bless her soul.

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The enchanted home September 5, 2016 - 1:09 pm

Hi Sharon that is simply spectacular I just love the colors… It is so romantic !

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Rosanna (from Sydney) September 5, 2016 - 5:07 pm

Just BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! Thank you so much Sharon.

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Nancy September 5, 2016 - 5:28 pm

Beautiful!
Love all the flowers!
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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Isla September 6, 2016 - 3:31 pm

Thank you, Sharon, for sending beautiful flowers for Ellie!

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Katherine September 7, 2016 - 3:13 am

Such a pretty bouquet with sweet thoughts of Ellie.

Our summer has been so incredibly hot – many of the flowers did not bloom and hold long because of the heat. Your bouquet shows of a more even temperature and amount of rain – it makes all the difference in the gardens health. As always, it’s a joy when you share your garden. Thank you.

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Andi Cox September 7, 2016 - 1:44 pm

Lovely flowers; soft and delicate, truly the last bit of summer. My condolences for the loss of your friend, Ellie. I just this past weekend happened upon her blog, and began reading her story. Her courage and wit in the face of adversity were inspiring. Happy for her she made the trip back home
.

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Valorie September 8, 2016 - 6:17 pm

Rest in peace Ellie! Please help keep us fashionable and keep us from deplorable decorating mistakes as you watch over us all. I’ll never forget you!! My love and prayers to your daughter and husband. x Valorie

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Deborah September 8, 2016 - 11:48 pm

Thank you for your lovely tribute to Ellie. As one of her “imaginary” friends I find it comforting to know that others feel the same . The flowers are beautiful and a testament to her beautiful spirit!

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Andrina Treadgold September 10, 2016 - 3:50 am

Sharon, what a beautiful bouquet, simple flowers made exquisite by your expert eye.
I am so sad to hear about Ellie. I haven’t read her post for a couple of months but she brought so many laughs to our dinner table when I retold her stories to my family about her latest escapades.
May she finally rest in peace.
Andrina xx

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Jane September 11, 2016 - 12:34 pm

Sharon,
This is a lovely tribute to Ellie. I am so happy that she was able to return to her home in Santa Barbara but heartbroken of her terrible demise. She certainly did teach us something. Thank you for sharing the sad news in a kind and loving way.
Jane

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Leonie November 17, 2016 - 10:52 pm

Beautiful flowers Sharon. What is the name of the large pink dahlia please?

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