Archive for the ‘holidays’ Category

Bee Balm from Alison’s Garden

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

Happy Fourth of July weekend!  It looks like it will be a gorgeous weekend here in Vermont and aside from BBQing with friends and attending Mitch Miller’s 99th birthday party we will hopefully get a lot of work done in our garden. 

In honor of the fireworks (which I hear are going to be fantastic in Burlington this year!!) here are a couple shots of bee balm, or ‘Monarda’, a member of the mint family, which is exploding like firecrackers in my garden.  The scarlet color and sweet nectar helps attract bees.

Happy Passover & Easter Centerpieces

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

We don’t do things too traditionally for Easter and Passover.  This Saturday night we will gather with some good friends for a Seder dinner at our house and then Sunday morning I will likely make an Easter brunch just so we’ve got all the bases covered!  I don’t do traditional “Easter centerpieces” either!  This is an arrangement that will sit atop my table this weekend.  It includes two varieties of purple tulips, hot pink ranunculus, freesia, trachellium, artichokes and flowering branches.  I think the Easter bunny and Elijah would both approve.

St. Patrick’s Day Flowers

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Top o’ the Mornin’ and Happy St. Patty’s Day to ‘ya!  Both of my grandmothers are of Irish descent so I do tend to acknowledge this holiday by wearing a little green and drinking a little beer in their honor.  My sister and I were lucky enough to go on a trip to Ireland with my paternal grandparents and got see what real green rolling hills look like!  (Perhaps those beautiful scenes reminded me of Vermont, too!)  Usually this is a day when florists stock up on the most hideous dyed green carnations in honor of the luck of the Irish, but there are several naturally green blooms that are far more tasteful.  Without even thinking too hard I can give you 10 suggestions:  Bells of Ireland (seems fitting, right?), green roses, hydrangea, trachellium, anthurium, orchids, gladiolus, hypericum berries, spider mums, and there is always the green tulip!  And if your local florist doesn’t have any of these…pick something other than a green carnation–please!!  I hope you all find a pot of gold at the end of your rainbow today!

A date at The Kitchen Table Bistro

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

I don’t do a lot of holiday orders, but I always try to fill special orders for my clients so when one of my favorite customers needed a little something special for Valentine’s Weekend it was fun to go a non-red-rose-route.  Here are a few shots from The Kitchen Table Bistro.

Small vases of yellow & white tulips,waxflower & curly willow sat in first floor windows.

I liked these shots of the sign through the window. 

 This yellow tulip in a glass bottle was flooded with sunlight on the second floor.

A couple of paired-up tulips for another sill in the downstairs dining rooms with curly willow and river rocks.  I think it’s simple, yet romantic.

Valentine’s Day Musings

Friday, February 12th, 2010

“I have learned not to worry about love; but to honor its coming with all my heart.”

  – Alice Walker

No matter how you feel about Valentine’s Day it is easier to embrace it than try to deny its existence.  I can remember exchanging valentines in elementary school.  I’d select the package of “be mine” messages that best suited me and decide who was worthy of receiving one (there were only so many in a package after all!).  It was a lot of pressure for a kid and I think that V-day anxiety carries over to adulthood for some.

I started working for a florist when I was 16 years old so Feb. 14 always meant a lot of work and late hours for me.  As a florist you see so many faces on Valentine’s week…husbands, fathers, boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands buying flowers for their wives AND their girlfriends, Yes, someone actually admitted that to me once!!!…and it was pretty easy to jump on the anti-Valentine’s Day bandwagon. 

Since I have a floral design business that focuses on weddings rather than holidays my icy Valentine’s Day exterior has begun to melt away and I have come back around to the other side of not minding V-day so much and may in fact embrace it this year.  My husband and I are taking today off to ski and tomorrow we’ll be getting massages at Cynthea’s Spa…not a bad plan so far, huh?! 

How did all this get started?  In case you are interested here’s a little Valentine legend for you about the origin of the first ‘valentine’ greeting sent by St. Valentine himself…  While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl (who may have been his jailor’s daughter) who visited him during his confinement.  Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that we still use today.  Although the stories behind the Valentine legends are varied as to why Feb. 14 is the date and who St. Valentine actually was, they accentuate the tradition of romance and love.

According to history.com approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. The moral of this story is step it up boys!

Fresh flowers for your Valentine!

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Valentine’s Day is this Sunday, Feb. 14th, and I think you should buy flowers.  Whether we’re talking about weddings or holidays, flowers sometimes get a bad rap simply because they don’t ‘last forever’.  I personally think we have enough stuff in our lives that will last forever and the fact that flowers die should not make them worthless.  I hear slogans that refer to “gifts that won’t wilt” (from Flashbags who I absolutely adore!) or “a creative alternative to sending flowers” (made popular by Vermont Teddy Bear, a beloved VT company who also happens to sell flowers through a sister company!) and it feels like flowers get picked on (pardon the flower pun).  Food gets consumed & wine gets drunk…and perhaps so do you!, chocolates get devoured, but flowers light up your life for a few days reminding you of the thoughtful friend or lover who brought them to you and then, they are compostable.

Flowers say I love you without the need for perfect words or too much planning.  You can instantly be transformed from thoughtless to thoughtful with a bouquet in hand.  In my experience, flowers are a perfect gift and are usually very much appreciated.  I should know…I have delivered them for years and people are always happy to see me!  I like to think it is my winning smile, but the warm welcomes I receive are oftentimes attributed to the fresh flowers in my arms.  My husband has always brought me flowers and I have worked as a florist for as long as he’s known me.  It is one of the things that would definitely be on the list of romantic & thoughtful things he does for me.  (It’s sappy, but true.)   

While I took a different route with my business than the traditional flower shop, it is where I got my roots so I have a level of respect & sentimentality for the importance of the retail florist.  (Quick side note:  When I first moved to Burlington in 1996 there were 5 flower shops within walking distance of UVM, now there is only 1.)  As is true with any business that caters to you and your Valentine, florists will have higher prices around the holiday, but keep in mind that your prix fixe dinner menu probably follows the same trend and while your meal lasts for only a few hours your flowers are sure to last at least a few days!

Florists raise their prices not simply in an effort to gouge you, but because their costs also increase.  A single rose will cost your florist nearly twice as much the week before Valentine’s Day than they will the rest of the year.  That is why they double the cost of their roses to the customer.  Not only are the roses more expensive during this time, but because of the high volume of cutting that is done in anticipation of the Valentine’s rush they are not as easy to get from flower growers during the upcoming weeks which keeps the price a bit higher than normal (that whole supply and demand thing!), but you will find that the price for you, the customer, will promptly return to pre-holiday pricing.  The additional staff and overtime hours required to fill all the special orders from design to delivery is also a big factor in the cost of doing business on V-day.  If you want to get the most for your money, then skip the “dozen roses delivered” and pick from the selection of all the other flowers in the cooler to arrange a fresh cut bouquet—the most economical way to buy flowers!  Because a wrapped bouquet is not considered an “arrangement” and does not require a designer’s time to arrange it you will get more flowers per dollar as compared to a vase arrangement (which also includes the cost of the vase, of course).  I always think your best value is to select what looks fresh and if you are unsure, ask for help to get the best results. 

Small flower shops often struggle to keep their doors open and in an economy where grocery stores sell stems for less than florists pay for their product (yes, they charge less than wholesale in some cases!) and the internet satisfies all of our shopping needs, the brick and mortar flower shop could use a little back-up this year.  So if you haven’t already you should order flowers for delivery to your sweetheart or swing by a local shop on Thursday, Friday or Saturday to pick up a fresh bouquet to deliver in person.  If you know what you want, try to order it in advance and schedule a time for pick-up so the florist is sure to have it ready for you.  You don’t have to spend $100…or even $50.  Pick up a bunch of Dutch tulips or gerbera daisies or go for a half dozen roses if you are an old-school romantic.  Whatever you choose you are sure to warm someone’s heart.  Keep it local.  Keep it real.  Keep it fresh.  

Flower Care Tips:  Fresh bouquets will require the recipient to trim at least ½” from the bottom of the stems with a sharp knife or garden clipper—not a scissor—before arranging in a vessel filled ¾ of the way with clean water.  No foliage should fall below the water line and the water should be changed daily or every other day at which time the flowers should also receive a fresh cut.  If the temperature outside is 34o F or less you should be sure that the flowers are wrapped in plastic bag or heavy paper to protect them from freezing…something that the grocery store often will not do properly for you!  If you will have the flowers out-of-water for 2 hours or more you should ask your florist to put water tubes on the end of each stem…and Yes, you will still have to re-cut them before you put them in water!

Simple centerpiece–DIY

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

The holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean you are going to stop entertaining!  This super simple centerpiece is made up of 3 white roses, 1 stem of lisianthus and a few touches of cedar, berzilia and leucodendron.  By cutting the stems short & placing the flowers down inside the vase (and putting a cute little top on it!) the look is transformed from a mere $15 bouquet to an interesting tabletop piece.  You can do it with or without the cloche…it’s pretty sweet without the top, too!  Add 1/2″ of water to your vase or display them without water (they should last 2-3 hours easily) and then re-cut the stems & place in jam jars or bud vases to enjoy after the party.  Tip:  Use open roses to get the most out of each bloom.

Happy New Year 2010

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Whew!…2010 already?  2009 felt like a very good year for us and I hope it was for you, too.  Best wishes to all of my newlywed couples!  Some traveled from afar for their big day and others married closer to home, but in either case Vermont will always be a special place for you.  I hope you have a wonderful upcoming year.  Congrats also to all the happy couples who are bound to get a little happier tonight when someone pops the question!  Look for planning tips next week to help get you started.  Happy New Year, 2010!  If you need me I’ll be on the ski slopes…

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mini-hanger w/ clips (available for rent)

Merry Christmas

Thursday, December 24th, 2009
After Thanksgiving in New Jersey and a wonderful Hannukah celebration last week with family we are looking forward to celebrating Christmas in Vermont with more of our family!  I hope your holiday is merry and bright.
Christmas centerpiece 

 

Super Simple Winter Centerpieces

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

I love the smell of fresh cut pine on my table at Christmas, but for the duration of the holiday season you could try one of these super simple centerpieces.  You can make them up weeks before the holiday and they last all winter long.  Add candles for a warm holiday look.  These can be a great look for a coffee table or as an accent in any room.  Tip:  Add some cinnamon oil to the cinnamon sticks or pinecones for a Christmasy fragrance.  You can apply the oil with a Q-tip and allow to dry on a newspaper overnight.  It’s important to allow the oil to be absorbed for several hours to avoid getting oil on everything they touch! 

Pinecones, pomegranates & mini silver ornaments

Pinecones, pomegranates & mini silver ornaments

You will need:  A 6-8″ square or cylindrical vase, 5-10 pinecones depending on their size, 6-10 pomegranates (you could use apples or oranges, too) and a few silver balls, bells or ornaments.
To make:   If using a square vase start by filling the corners and then working your way into the center of the vase with pomegranates and pinecones.  Alternate the pinecones, pomegranates and ornaments to fill the vase to the brim.  For taller vases you can do multiple layers.
 
 
Pinecones, gravalia, cinnamon sticks and silver balls

Pinecones, gravalia, cinnamon sticks and silver balls

You will need:  Glass vase 6-8″ diameter, 6-10 cinnamon sticks broken into 1-2″ pieces, 6-8 pinecones, 12 mini silver ornaments (or 4 regular size), and 4 pieces of gravalia leaves spray painted gold.
To make:  Fill the bottom of the vase with 1-2″ of cinnamon sticks and line the outside edge of the vase with gold leaves.  Add the pinecones and ornaments by alternating and working in a circular pattern.  Finish by tucking a few pieces of gold gravalia out of the top of the pinecones.   

These couldn’t be any easier!  You can pick up these items at any craft store or Christmas shop or use holiday items you already have.  Add ornaments, dried orange slices or fresh cedar to change the look up a bit.