Featured at Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA

Gardens and Grandeur: Porcelains and Paintings by Franz A. Bischoff
JUNE 25, 2011 ? OCTOBER 23, 2011
Franz Bischoff (1864?1929) began his career as a china painter in Austria but immigrated to the United States in 1885 and became one of the foremost porcelain painters of his day. He won numerous awards and ultimately earned the title [...]

Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/07/01/featured-at-crocker-art-museum-sacramento-ca/

stem peony garden

Parents Day is almost here!

Did you know that the US, in addition to Mother's Day and Father's Day, also celebrates Parents Day? Each year on the 4th Sunday in July, this fairly young holiday (it was signed into law in 1994 by President Clinton) highlights the idea of parenting and the importance of parents, rather than just celebrating the contributions of a particular parent as Mother's Day or Father's Day do.

This year, Parents' Day falls on Sunday, July 25th - that's just 3 days away!

Parents Day is championed by the Parents' Day Council in the US. The Parents' Day Council identifies numerous "Parents of the Year" in various cities and states, and even chooses a family to highlight for being "Parents of the Year" on a national level. For Parents Day 2010, it doesn't look like the Parents' Day Council has yet named their "Parents of the Year", but you may want to check their website for profiles on those who've won the honor in prior years.

An obvious question (at least to me!) is how a family might choose to celebrate Parents' Day, since at Mother's Day or Father's Day the 'other' parent usually helps make preparations.

Here are a few ideas for kids (young or old) looking to celebrate Parents Day in 2010...

1. Breakfast is popular, but why not think outside the house and plan a picnic instead? Make use of the beautiful summer weather and ask your family to head out for a nice day out of doors, and offer to do the hard work of preparing the dishes, utensils, blanket and snacks for your picnic lunch!
2. Make a homemade card with a nice Parents Day poem or a picture you've drawn yourself!
3. Older kids can do more involved crafts, such as making a photo album or photo slideshow on the computer to remember favorite times as a family. Get everyone together and watch them to remember the reason for Parents Day.

What ideas do you have for celebrating Parents Day?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeleflorasFlowerBlog/~3/uPP7YTbVzng/post.aspx

orchid centerpieces pin

Kitchen Garden on a Budget

Sometimes we all need a little help from our friends. Birmingham, AL� garden designer Charlie Thigpen helped a friend plan and build her kitchen garden on a tight budget. ?When you?d rather spend money on plants than mulch, you have to get creative,? he says. Here, Charlie shares how he creatively reused materials.



To view slideshow [...]

Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/08/02/kitchen-garden-on-a-budget/

calla lily corsage corsages

"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." Mark Twain

"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." Mark Twain, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.


If you're from an area where seasons are distinct and easily recognizable, visiting Southern California will make you feel as if you're not having seasonal changes at all.  But if you look closely, you can find it.
Location: Terrenea Resort - L.A.'s Oceanfront Resort
http://www.terranea.com/

If you visit Terrenea Resort, they grant oceanfront access to all California residents, as well as, a professional Falconer who meets up with his magnificient birds of prey daily.  I met this lovely Eurasian Eagle Owl there, on Halloween morning.  This to me was certainly a sign of the season, as well as a fortunate event.  The falconer keeps them there to detract pigeons and rats from moving into the resort.

My gardening mentor, Florence Sullivan, told me she was convinced that even the plants are slightly confused and bloom when they shouldn't.   In any case, if you're used to extreme weather changes, and predictable patterns in nature, Southern California Fall will certainly make you realize you have to open your mind and awareness, and look for the changes.

I suggest you carry your camera, and keep your eyes open.  Opportunities to spot fall in Southern California are everywhere.  One of my favorite places to visit, is Descanso Gardens, in La Canada Flintridge, CA.  

http://www.descansogardens.org/

And although every leaf won't be falling or changing color, even the green leaves give hints of Fall.

It is a wonderful time of year here, so do come for a visit, and enjoy the subtle changes.

Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2010/12/should-merely-indicate-where-smiles.html

florist belt flowers

The Flower Fields ~ Carlsbad, California

If you're anywhere near Southern California this time of year, and you're wild about flowers, the Flower Fields, in Carlsbad, are a must see! I must mention, if you like to shop, they're located right behind the Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall, so you might want to stay a day or two.

As for the flower fields, I'll let the flower photos speak for themselves. Here's the website, address, and phone number. If you do visit, let me if you enjoyed yourself. I'm sure you will.

www.theflowerfields.com

5704 Paseo Del Norte
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 431-0352

Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/04/flower-fields-carlsbad-california.html

orchid centerpieces pin

?A beautiful thing is never perfect.? ~ Proverb

?A beautiful thing is never perfect.? ~ Proverb, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

I went to the flower fields in Carlsbad , CA with another photographer.

If you're visiting Southern California in April or May, this is a wonderful place to explore. They plant the fields in rainbow rows of ranunculus.


The last section, nearest the entrance blooms last, just in time for Mother's Day.


They are located directly behind the Carlsbad Outlet mall, and adds another fun dimension to your trip there if you want to stay more than one day.


This is their website for more information including their address and phone number.
http://www.theflowerfields.com/

Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2010/06/beautiful-thing-is-never-perfect.html

discount bridal petals

Kicking off for Valentine's Day with Faith Hill and our Super Bowl ad!

We're so excited to announce our partnership with musician Faith Hill as we debut a new line of bouquets - The Collection by Faith Hill, flowers inspired by her style and taste. The Collection features 6 brand new floral designs including "The Valentine's Bouquet." Each of these romantic flower arrangements evokes Faith’s elegance and will make the perfect statement this Valentine's Day.

Faith will also be starring in our third ever Super Bowl commercial, set to air during the second quarter of Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, February 6th on FOX. We'll be updating our Teleflora Facebook page with behind-the-scenes footage from this hilarious commercial, in which Faith coaches a young recording studio technician who is sending Valentine's flowers to his girlfriend.

The Valentine's Bouquet by Teleflora from The Collection by Faith Hill

"It's been a lot of fun designing a line of hand-arranged bouquets with Teleflora," said Faith Hill. "They're a great company that takes pride in their products, their flowers – and in their commercials. I can't think of any better way to be able to kick-off this partnership than with an ad during the Super Bowl." Read more about the collection in our official press release or shop our Valentine's Day flowers.

Faith Hill is an accomplished musical artist and a five-time Grammy Award winner. She is very excited about this project, and we're proud to partner with her as well. A celebrated entertainer, as well as devoted wife and mother, Faith is a great fit for our brand.

We'll continue to work with Faith throughout the year and add more bouquets to this exciting collection. There will be designs for holidays including Mother's Day and Christmas, as well as everyday flower arrangements, perfect for birthdays and anniversaries.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeleflorasFlowerBlog/~3/o_38-Js7dXM/post.aspx

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