The sweet life: Ants, ants, ants!

by June

Home, sweet home! Our home must be really sweet because we have ants everywhere — the walls, the windowsills, my sewing machine. I even had to flick one off my keyboard just now. (Do you think that could have anything to do with eating chocolate while I work?)

One place I truly welcome ants is on my peonies. Apparently it's just an old wives' tale that they eat the sugar off the buds, which allows the petals to slowly unfold into those lush, sweet blooms. But the ants do eat other bugs. Nature is beautifully in balance when the ants are on the peonies.

I can't resist a buxom, perfumed display of peonies on the table. But there's no doubt the peonies carry more ants into the house. Has anybody tried submerging the flowers in cold water for five minutes before arranging them in vases?

If a sweet life — filled with peonies — means ants, then more please!