Happy Thanksgiving

A Flower Dialog with Andy

Warhol that is:

this realization

Andy Warhol Beatle Boots (Negative) 1928-1987

has me shakin' in my Beatle boots!

which are these BTW Y-3 for Addidas 

weekly flowers for private clients 

Bouquet of the Day

This one is for you Jane Packer

Jane Packer ca. 1986, The Guardian Photograph: Peter Brooker

"I remember getting back to the shop one morning, sitting down and bursting into tears because I was so exhausted," she told the journalist Alex McRae. "But then I opened up a box of flowers, and the fragrance floated into the air. And I thought: this is why I do it." There followed three years without profits and five without a holiday.

The Telegraph Photograph: Rex Features

My master, you will be dearly missed. 

Bouquet of the Day

Bouquet of the Day

There is nothing quite like an early morning dawn breakin' saturday shopin' till you dropin' for a sea of flowers, getting to arrange them from home and to finish mid day with a hop on amtrak to New London ferry down the Thames //pronounced James not Thems// to see your best gals in Block Island. 

...but before all of that!! Here shown are the bad boys I put together for a very special client Sat morning. 

 

The seasons finest flowers are out and looking good!

Bouquet of the Day

This summer was a one hit wonder in the growing stack of books. Taking upon the autumn to wise up with more reading and school. This is the somber story of a foster care child and if you know a thing of two about flowers it's a read for you.  

Bouquet of the Day

Shakespeare Sonnet 116

My girl Jessica is now married aswell. We spent celebrating on the prarie pastures of the Illinois Wisconsin line at an apple orchard. The rural adventure was a sweet relief to the flower work of putting one together. 

So much fun to be had with friends dancing and embracing the most special of flower girls, Jessica's niece Flo.   

Jessica's thoughtful DIY details were impeccable! Only a few blurry snaps were taken of the bridal bouquet I put together for my dear friend. 

I take that as a sign of a truly great time.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O no! it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come: Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved.[1]

–William Shakespeare

Bouquet of the Day

Today was a great day to be at work. 

My friend Lai Chung is getting hitched at the courthouse. We put this beauty together to kick off the first of the celebrations. All of which will be brimming with plant and flower life, Lai Chung is a gardener afterall. 

Between an earthquake and forcasted hurricane she and Bobby will fit nicely inbetween these.

I also had a pretty monumentus moment with a customer today! A Ms. Yolande Batteau from Callidus Guild and I found ourselves sheding tears over pure joy the beauty flowers can bring.  

It happens

Bouquet of the Day

 I would also like to share with you a few of my film snapshots from recent travels. 

April in Chicago 2011

Chicago Peony 2011

Seattle Poppy 2011

You can view more of my work on the  Travel Picture Gallery bookmark bar. 

Red Eyes

Arrived back at 8am today after five bliss filled days visiting friends in San Francisco and Napa.

Landed, splashed cold water on my face and headed into work for floral overdrive.

Bear with me as I compile the next few posts.... 

Bouquet of the Day

Sunset style...

 

Bouquets of The Day

On the finest of summer solstice days!

Bouquet Of The Day

Edelweiss

Nothing beats seeing a flower harking from the snowy alps when it's pushing 100 degrees on the barometer. Everyone is damn hot and bothered in this city and I choose to grasp on the thought of snowy Switzerland to make it through the day.   

In Austria, on St. Valentine’s Day, it is tradition for a man to present a woman with a bunch of edelweiss, the implication being that he has risked his life climbing up to where the flowers grow.

Small and white, Clean and bright,
You look happy to meet me.
Blossom of snow
May you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever.
Edelweiss, edelweiss, bless my homeland forever

-The Sound of Music

Cloudy Days Call for Flowers

Weeklies

Nothing beats welcoming a client with an arm load of flowers to fill their home. 

Viburnum, Jasmine, Hydrangea & Duchess White Peony

A near bloomed peony ready to burst open is divine. Don't even get me started on this hydrangea, it's insane!
So far Peonies this year ace quality, think it's going to be a good season. 

Fiver Foundation

This Post explains what an awesome organization Fiver is by helping underprivileged children with the opportunity to go to summer camp and school year mentorship. Fiver is a cause I have been, and will continue to be involved with for many more years. This past week was their annual benefit and I helped flower up the place.  

Boutonnieres

Bud Vases

Billy balls, geranium, sweet william narcissus, it doesn't get more summer camp than that. 

Lily of the Valley

My weakness for lily of the valley erupted the first time I saw it tucked away in bucket at the flower market.

Peering in at its small may bells the scent was intoxicating! An old world scent, timeless powder sweet. 

I immediately recognized the flower held by Grace Kelly on her wedding day. I have been haunted by the princess since childhood. Countless hours spent staring at photos in some paperback exposé and watching Hitchcock films on scorching summer days. 

Grace Kelly was nothing like the blondie Kim Novak or Marilyn, her elegance set her apart. 

I was OK with the fact that my appearance was nothing like the princess with my wiry brownish hair and awkward face, but I did see my sister in her effortless beauty and blond locks. Two dolls were given to me through an adequate amount of melt downs inflicted on my mother.

I own Grace Kelly in her sage colored Oscar winning dress and my favorite, her wedding dress. The dolls are tucked away back home to be brought out for a child who can love them as I did.

When engaged I too wanted the delicate lily of the valley flower to mark our occasion.

Even with a 4+ year relationship with market wholesalers, lily of the valley remains an extremely expensive flower. I did purchase five bunches for my bridal shower, of which if my husband knew the cost spent on such frivolity he would see it as throwing my hard earned money into the fire.

One of my girlfriends was let in on my guilty purchase, she appreciated it and left with the bouquets when the party wrapped up. She too is someone who reminds me of the scent. 

This past Friday like many girlie girls (and guys) the Royal wedding was a delight, especially Catherine's homage to Grace Kelly. Her dress the bouquet all such wonderful celebrations for the lovely spring season. 

 

Hats off to the beautiful brunette Duchess.  

May Day

Let us dance around a ribbon filled Maypole for the festival of Flora, the Roman Goddess of flowers! 

Fading in popularity since the late 20th century is the giving of "May baskets," small baskets of sweets and/or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbours' doorsteps. The basket giver would ring the bell and run away. The person receiving the basket would try to catch the fleeing giver. If they caught the person, a kiss was to be exchanged.

Forget the ding dong ditch em' and get yourself a vase filled with fresh flowers to mark the occasion!

Don't forget Mother's Day is the 8th.