little treasures

I do so love little treasures.
Like this darling silver tea  / coffee server brought in by a client for me to fill with something permanent as a gift to her mother.  Nothing fancy, just a sweet little something for her table.


I love the way it turned out.

Sweet and rather English looking - and it does not overwhelm the beauty of the silver.


Next time you're cleaning out the attic, or the garage, and you find a little treasure...you might consider letting it be repurposed to hold something special for your table!


I do so love treasures......

tick tock...

I love the week before Easter when the shop fills up with the color of bloomers!

Hydrangeas, Reiger Begonias, Calandiva Kalanchoes, Chrysanthemums, Tulips, Bulb Gardens, and of course....Easter Lilies!

Once the blooms open, the fragrance of the lilies is powerful and sweet. 

I love that smell when I first walk in the door in the morning... it brings me back many years to memories of the old greenhouse, and it has an instant calming effect on me.   ♥♥♥

It's a love / hate kind of thing. 
Love that the shop smells so awesome for 10 days. 

Hate when it's over. 

Have you ordered a plant for your Easter celebration yet? 

You only have 10 days....

Tick tock.....

spring?

What happened?

Saturday it was 70 degrees, the sun was shining, and Minneapolis was all adorned with green grass and the trees were sprouting their leaves.

I turned off the steam in the building two weeks ago.

This morning I did not want to get out of bed...the floor was cold.

Dang it - I hate when Mother Nature plays tricks on me.

Next week is Easter.  My bloomers arrive tomorrow. 
I wonder if it will snow....

I hope I cut enough pussy willow.

beauty and brains

A whirlwind of a road trip. 

The Minnesota State Florists Convention was held at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park. 
Awesome facility with a top notch floral school.  I chatted over lunch with a couple of the school's floral students.  Their youth and enthusiasm, and passion for flowers was inspiring.

Hands on class, seminars, vendors, networking, and gorgeous fresh flower product.
I can still smell the fragrance of the breathtaking lilies!

Education.

You're never too old to learn something new.

I Remember You

There's no getting around it.  

A large part of my business comes in the form of sympathy work.

Creating beautiful tributes to celebrate the life of a spouse, a parent, a child, a friend....
It's challenging.  It's rewarding.  It's inspiring. 

Sometimes I smile as I work the blooms..... and sometimes I feel the tears on my cheek.
Each time is different.  Each time I feel honored to have the family's trust placed in my hands.
Perhaps that's why I love it so much.

This morning's work was for a kind gentleman born in Italy...and so the flowers that adorned his casket were green, white, and red...a tribute to his heritage.

Rest well, Mr. Sacchetti....rest well.

Another year in the life....

It's my birthday. 

It's my BIRTHDAY!    ♪♫♪♫♪♪♪♫♫♪

I have to say, it's been a spectacular day thus far.

Singing over the phone from family and friends...
Cupcakes delivered by a dear lady for me to share with those who stop by...
Emails and facebook greetings...
Lunch with hubby and puppy...
A visit from a BFF bearing gifts... and a date made for cocktails after work.

I don't know what all the gripe is about...getting older isn't so bad...
♥

ranunculus

I love the way it rolls off the tongue.......r a n u n c u l u s .....
It's my new favorite flower.





Lasts a long time.

Delicate.  Lots of petals.   Large bloom size.

Pairs nicely with  l o n g  lasting hydrangea and boronia heather. 

Too bad boronia heather is only available for such a short time....

I love it's sweet, heady fragrance.

I'm bringing some home. ♥♥♥

                                                                                                                         

No power, no problem

I hate when the power goes out in the middle of the day.
In the middle of a creation.

The dog gets upset.

I can see what's around me.
I can't see in the cooler....
I couldn't find the flashlight.

Grabbed some stuff hoping it was the right color.

The lights came back on. 

Take that, VPU

The Good Job Bouquet

today's recipient of the "Good Job Bouquet" is Carol Wolk.  Carol was nominated by Mary Kesanen, who told us this about her friend and neighbor Carol: 

"As long as I have known Carol, she has been a help and inspiration to all around her....She has volunteered for the Convalescent unit at the Virginia Hospital doing the Bible Study every Thursday morning...she is involved with the hospital volunteers...also takes part in the quilting group...has served in hospice."

"At her church in Britt, she has held many offices, headed committees and groups and is always willing to help wherever needed...and is a yearly supporter of Vacation Bible School.  Older community members are recipients of her kindness in many ways, a visit, a call, a gift of food when needed.  She is unselfish with her time and gifts."

Thanks for the nomination Mary, and congratulations to Carol.  You're doing a GREAT job!

Do you know someone who is always willing to lend a hand, who volunteers to better our community, or who works tirelessly in the background?  Nominate them to receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers!  You can send your nomination to me at virginia_floral@msn.com and put "good job nomination" as the subject.

St. Patrick's Day

I always think of my dear friend Kae on March 17th.  She was the most Irish person I have ever known, and always dressed in green from head to toe on St. Patrick's Day - right down to her socks and underwear.  She celebrated the day and her heritage with gusto!  Oh, how we would laugh. 

Some green beauties in her memory, and in her honor.....

Green Hydrangea

Green Broccoli Carnations

Green Helleborus

Bells of Ireland

Oxalis "Shamrock" Plant

Spring!

Even though it is only March 14th, and we should still be buried up to our you know what in snow, it is SPRING here in Northern Minnesota!  The front door is open, the snow is gone, the street sweeper has been driving around town cleaning up the sand from the winter, and we're ready for flip-flops.


Spring flowers always make me giddy.  The heady, romantic scent that fills the shop at this time of year is beyond words, and the lovely creations of the last week are enough to make even the grumpiest person perk up and smile. 

                  hydrangea, stock, lisianthus, hyacinth, and clematis are some of my favorite blooms

boronia heather, cymbidium orchids, ranunculus, scabiosa pods, hydrangea, bicolor carnations, clematis vine, kale, and french double tulips...delightful!

                                             hydrangea, ranunculus, tulips, clematis, and roses

eriostamen, hyacinth, tulips, blooming thistle, carnations, clematis

A new shipment arrived this morning with more boronia heather, acacia, genista, and jasmine...all wonderfully scented blooms, as well as iris, tulips, hydrangea, hyacinth, anemone, gerbera, broccoli carnations (so fun!), bells of Ireland, delphinium, lilies, and hanging amaranthus.  I can hardly wait until tomorrow morning!