Roses for the Scented Room: Beautiful Ideas for Entertaining, Gift-giving and the Home
Whether you love roses for their delicate petals, astonishing range of colors, or sweet, seductive scent, Barbara Milo Ohrbach's gorgeous book,Roses for a Scented Room, will inspire you to fill every room in your house with a lovely array of edibles, decorations, and perfumed bouquets.  A fascinating history of roses is included--from the ancient Romans to World War II, roses have been a most beloved flower. There's a wealth of practical advice here, from choosing and maintaining healthy plants to proper cutting technique (don't use regular scissors--they squash the stem).Once summer arrives and your garden is bursting with blooms, you'll be amazed at just how many crafts await you! This goes far beyond the standard potpourri (although there is a great recipe for that too), diving into special drying techniques, concocting your own rosewater and hand cream, and even flavoring pound cakes and teas. The "Wedding Confetti" is an especially great idea now that traditional rice is so frowned upon--what could be prettier to throw than rose petals?  The arranging section provides a wealth of new ideas and inspirations--as the author says, it's "hard to make roses look bad in any container"--but bringing out the best in your blossoms certainly can be fun and creative work!Stunning photographs fill this book, making it a wonderful visual experience. You'll find it easy to add the essence of your summertime garden to your home year round.--Jill Lightner