My Blog

Summer Day

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:56:45 -0500

Summer has arrived in Minnesota. We have had plenty of rain and the world is very green and blue. I haven’t had the camera in a few months so can’t show you how gorgeous it is here. I do have this collage that I did last winter to show you some of the animals that are scurrying around outside. While I live right in Lindstrom, I have plenty of wildlife to enjoy. There are deer that come and eat my shrubs and plants, bunnies who eat whatever the deer leave and birds of every description. At night I hear frogs peeping and croaking and if I”m lucky, an owl hoot-hoot-hooting. I have a family of chipmunks going in and out of my back garage, squirrels flicking their sassy tails and even a fledgling robin hopping about. I tried feeding the robin worms but he was too quick at hopping/flying away. My yard is crawling with earthworms and I notice the mama and papa robin are busy finding them so have high hopes for the little one’s survival.

Next week I have a wedding on July 5th. The bride has chosen vibrant colors of bright pink, orange, coral, magenta, yellow.......I’m excited to work with such happy colors and think it will really be beautiful in her outdoor wedding. I think those colors will reflect the amazing life that is growing in the world outside.

My nephews and bro-in-law are teaching me how to fish and I am LOVING it. Who knew? Forest Lake is gorgeous, the waters and banks full of life and the excitement of catching a fish is contagious. I especially like that most of the fish are released back into the water. My catches have been small but really fun. Dave and Wolfy have entertained me with large northerns and even muskie that amaze me with their size and strength. Gunny took me fishing on the dock and showed me how to cast and enjoy the day. If I don’t answer the phone when you call - I may just be fishing. Family, fish and fun are just too hard for me to resist.

The Flower Biz

Thu, 22 May 2008 13:20:19 -0500

Take a good look at the arrangement above. I made it and delivered it one day a few months ago. About five hours after I delivered it I received a call from the recipient. She told me that she never complains but she had to tell me the arrangement she received was made of old flowers and was the ugliest arrangement she had ever received. She thought the color combination was horrible and couldn’t understand why anyone would put them together......she complained bitterly for a few moments and then told me she hadn’t YET told her daughter, who sent it to her, how “truly awful” it was.

I told her I would come over immediatly with a replacement. I thought something had happened to the flowers in the meantime. Perhaps they had been tipped over or some other calamity had occurred. Since she hated the first bright color combination I put together an arrangement of beautiful white roses and green carnations with greens in a cylinder vase. It was a soft mound of flowers in a sort of Martha Stewart style.

I arrived at her condo and there was the original arrangement sitting on her dining room table looking as fresh as when I had delivered it. I stated simply that they were fresh and it seemed that she hated the colors. She gave me a look that made it clear she thought I was the dumbest thing around and told me the ribbon didn’t match, the colors were atrocious and the basket was old. I asked if she would rather have the replacements and she accepted them.

The next morning the phone rang at 7AM She said she had to phone to tell me what an awful florist I was and let me know that the replacements looked like “they were old and just shoved in a vase.” She told me I should be ashamed. She also told me she would have to tell her daughter, who sent her the flowers how awful her experience was. I told her to please tell her daughter as I would not deliver to her ever again. I hung up and called her daughter and told her I wouldn’t charge her credit card for the arrangement and I wouldn’t take any more orders for her mother.

Today I ran for the phone and had a call from another young woman. She wanted me to deliver two arrangements to a cemetery that was across from the cute little picture book church. I made the mistake of laughing. In this community we have several beautiful old churches and most of them have a cemetery. I explained that to her and she said in her most condescending tone that “the girl she spoke to last year knew which church it was, maybe I better get her on the phone.” I explained that I have a studio in my home and knew I hadn’t spoken to her last year or filled and delivered to that cemetary. She asked me to check my records so I would know which cemetery it was. I again explained that I didn’t need to. She responded that she had spoken to a “real business” last year and could I give her the number of a “real flower shop?’ I told her I do have a real business and she probably ordered from Lakes Floral last year and should call them.

Some days when the phone rings I just want to duck. I think I’m spending the rest of the day outside away from the phone. If you are one of my many lovely customers who I truly care for, leave me a message and I”ll get back to you.

Deb

Mother’s Day

Wed, 7 May 2008 14:12:06 -0500

The flowers have been picked out and will be rolling in tomorrow. Beautiful roses, orchids, phlox, tulips, larkspur, hydrangea, heather and wax flower - the vases are lined up and ready for filling. Time for the biggest floral day of the year - Mother’s Day.
Large florists have been working for days already. Their flowers are already there and many are already made into arrangements and sitting in the cooler ready to be delivered. It’s a logistical thing - so much has to go out so quickly that they must have it done ahead of time. If you aren’t ahead you are behind.

I’ve worked for big successful, busy shops and know the chaos that goes on. I’m happy to say that isn’t what goes on here. I am one of the last people to get their flowers so they are fresh, I take every order and make every arrangement and deliver them. This year I am lucky enough to have someone helping deliver on Saturday so won’t be overwhelmed with getting everything delivered. I’ll be busy Friday and Saturday making arrangements but won’t have the stress and pressure of the big guys. I’m lucky and I know it. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day. I know I will.
Deb

Day

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:54:52 -0500

Spring has barely sprung in Minnesota but already the brides with weddings in the Fall are coming in. I’ve had two consults in the last few days and am always amazed at how exciting it is to talk about the flower choices.

I think what makes it exciting is the fact that each bride has their own style and each is completely different.

Saturday’s bride has an October wedding and has chosen a subdued Tiffany box blue for the bridesmaids dresses. The color is so pretty it makes me want to paint some of my walls the same color. She will be wearing a tulle ballgown. With her beautiful big dark eyes and tall, slender figure she will be stunning. She is carrying white calla lilies with deep hot pink and medium pink roses. It will be romantic and traditional but also very elegant.

The bridesmaids will be carrying simple bouquets of the two colors of pink roses. Their blue dresses will have a black sash tying in the back. The bouquets will have blue ribbon wrapped around the stems with a thin black ribbon overlay to echo the dress details.

Today’s bride is getting married in her parent’s yard in September. Her dress is a beaded romantic yet elegant chiffon. She is more petite and the dress will be perfect for her. With her shiny blonde hair and big eyes she will be gorgeous.

Her bridesmaids will be in a beautiful burnt orange. They will be carrying simple bouquets of green hydrangeas with burgundy tips. Their stems will wrapped in a pretty ribbon to complement their dresses. The bride will have a modern cascade bouquet with the same hydrangeas, some beautiful fall flame callas and fall roses. I’m hoping to find some gorgeous vanda orchids to complement her bouquet and add a little surprise for her. The colors will be rich, elegant and make us all happy that Fall is around the corner.

Two totally different brides. Different styles, different colors and venues. What fun it is to dream up the combination and styles that fit each. The colors and the flowers have been used in countless weddings but somehow each of these brides will have the combination that suits her and her flowers will be like none done before. Hopefully I will find the little something extra that makes the flowers special. Somehow there is always something that turns up at the wholesaler that is just what is needed to put the flowers over the top.

I can hardly wait.

Another wedding day

Sat, 5 Apr 2008 20:21:40 -0500

Today’s bride was dressed in a beautiful two piece dress with a vintage feel. The top a simple beaded confection and the skirt a beautiful ivory silk. She wore her grandmother’s ruby necklace. It brought tears to my eyes. After making flowers for dozens of weddings I’m still amazed by how beautiful and radiant my brides are. I haven’t had two the same. I love how they continue to surprise me.

The old church was filled with laughter. Both families were happy and excited. The mother of the bride told me how proud she was of each of her four daughters and how happy they were that their daughter had found the man she was marrying. The bride’s dad was full of jokes and wisecracks but had tears in his eyes when he saw his daughter.

The beautiful Virginia roses with their little cuff of ivy and their satin ribbon wrapped stems looked even better in such happy surroundings with such a beautiful bride.

Wishing them all the happiness in the world.......

Wedding Day

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:14:44 -0500

Today I had a lovely surprise. The mother of the bride, from a wedding I did last summer, dropped off some photos. Just look at these gorgeous girls. This wedding was on a beautiful farm with the most amazing thought put into the whole event.

There was a field for a parking lot with some wonderful young men in, suspenders and straw hats, pulling a wagon for people to ride from the field to the wedding. There were tents and lovely tables, a hay wagon for photos, strawberry slushies to keep everyone cool beforehand, and a lovely patio for the ceremony. Caterers had set up in the pole barn and had roast pork and all sorts of summer time food.

Best of all everyone was smiling and happy. The bride, groom and all their friends were polite and funny and the air was full of laughter. It was the perfect summer day and everyone was having a good time. It had to have taken the family hours and hours of work but the results were amazing. The whole wedding reflected the bride and groom and their personalities. It was fun, gracious, hip and had elements of old and new. Here are a few more photos to enjoy.

Good Friday

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:04:30 -0500

There is just something fun about a Peep. I was late becoming a Peep fan. Never got them as a kid and as they aren’t chocolate haven’t paid them much mind since. Now it seems everyone I know and love enjoys Peeps. My nephews find lots of ways to make a Peep entertaining with a simple stick and a little fire. My friends have fond memories of Peeps and even enjoy the taste. I just think they are cute.

I hope you and yours will have a wonderful Easter full of peace and promise.

Deb
* For those of you not living in Minnesota, that is fresh snow, it’s about a Peep high.

No Shoveling Day

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:23:21 -0500

You could say I threw in the shovel. You would be wrong. I was just too lazy and left it lay where it fell. The snow came yesterday and now it’s nearly covered. I’ve given up. The winter won. I’m not shoveling anymore. If we get more heavy March snow be prepared to wade through it to reach my house. I’m just going to wade out in it and hop in the van and go.....go looking for signs of Spring...........