I like the pairing of gardening books and silk flowers. Very smart.

1. That room, amidst her gardening books and silk flowers, was the place I learned most about life itself-through advice given from a woman, weathered by time, who had herself already lived a long, hard life.

2. That room, amidst her gardening books and silk flowers, was the place I learned most about life itself through advice given from a woman weathered by time; she who had herself already lived a long, hard life.

3. Through advice given from a woman, weathered by time, who had herself already lived a long, hard life; in that room, amidst her gardening books and silk flowers, was the place I learned most about life itself.

A really great phrase…poignant and descriptive. Not really sure about #3, but good luck.