flower blog

Whether your Fourth of July plans include BBQs, fireworks and parades or just some R&R, remember that flowers are quick and convenient way to spruce up any room, patio or porch. And if travel is first on the agenda, remember that sending flowers ahead of time as a host/hostess gift means one less thing to pack and take through security.

If you're at home, try mixing it up a bit. Blend some bamboo or branches in with your flower arrangements or use seashells as vases for single flowers.

Roses are typically cheaper in the summertime so why not experiment with some new looks? For instance: place a few hot-colored roses in square skinny vases, anchored with dark stones or glass pieces on the bottom of the vase. Trim the roses so they are just a half-inch above the rim of the vase. This looks chic and sculptural. When the roses start to droop, lose the stems completely and float them in a bowl of water.

Whatever you do, have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Today's post is from expert florist Matthew McDonald of Bookshelf Florist and Gifts in Gaffney, SC, www.bookshelfflorist.com.  


For those who have lost a loved one, a funeral service is of extreme importance. Grief counselors will tell you that the family and friends need a chance to get together to grieve for the loss and to share memories of the deceased. This is very comforting during the first few days.

The most appropriate expression of sympathy is sending funeral flowers. Flowers provide a thoughtful and beautiful distraction from the grief of survivors.

Even if the family has expressed a desire for a financial contribution to their favorite charities, flowers should still be sent. Even though the notice may read “In Lieu of Flowers” or “Sympathy memorials may be made to the charity of your choice” flowers are always appropriate.

Floral tributes can be customized to reflect the personality, culture and traditions of the deceased. In South Carolina, standing sprays and funeral baskets are the most requested.

Flowers help people express feelings that are difficult to express. Flowers show respect for the dead, add warmth to the service and provide visual support. With flowers, the atmosphere becomes more pleasant and mourners more comfortable. The value and importance of flowers sent in sympathy can never be overstated.

Flowers and greens have always played an important role in burial traditions. Humans and flowers are both products of nature, testaments to the mystery of being. With their essential but fleeting beauty, flowers remind us of our own existence and the temporal quality of our human lives.

In ancient times, herbs were used to anoint the bodies of their loved ones, and they also held “wakes.” Ancient civilizations across Europe and the Middle East also burned, buried or entombed flowers with the dead.

Matthew McDonald
Bookshelf Florist and Gifts
www.BookshelFlorist.com

Today's post is from the trend-setting designers known as the MiGi Girls, Michele Adams and Gia Russo. MiGi and Teleflora have teamed up to create a fabulous line of baby bouquets.




Who doesn’t like receiving flowers, especially unexpectedly? Michele and I have been working with flowers for several years and LOVE them. Whether it’s buying fresh flowers at the local farmers market, receiving them as a surprise or giving them as a gift, flowers will always put a smile on your face.

As designers and lifestyle experts, we are always thinking of unique ways to use flowers. Here are some of our favorite foolproof ideas:

1. Gift-wrapping a present and incorporating a flower adds a beautiful simple touch to any gift. Tuck the flower bloom into the knot of the bow. Choose flowers that are hearty and can sustain being without water. Some floral recommendations are tulips, roses, daisies or even a tropical leaf.



2. Purchasing seasonal flowers by the stem from your local Teleflora florist is perfect for a get well, thank you or hostess gift. To make the bouquet special, wrap the bouquet in piece of tulle or paper (to create a cuff) and tie the bouquet with a beautiful satin or grosgrain ribbon.



3. A potted orchid, hydrangea, tulip, or daffodil from your local Teleflora florist makes a beautiful gift. For a personalized added touch, cover the pot in a piece of fabric and tie a ribbon.

This week marks the launch of a fun new product line for babies (see below), designed for Teleflora by the trend-setting designers known as the MiGi Girls, Michele Adams and Gia Russo.

Flowers are special, almost as special as a new baby! And think how cute these bouquets would look in a nursery or as a decoration at a baby shower. Once the pretty flowers are gone, there's a practical gift to enjoy. The keepsake container becomes a darling toy or a great spot for cotton balls and Q-Tips.

                                                                  

I can't wait to send them to friends of mine who recently became parents. Also, I'm very excited to welcome a series of guest blog posts starting tomorrow from Michele Adams and Gia Russo. Thank you, Michele and Gia, for sharing your creativity and cool ideas!

MiGi's Baby Elephant Bouquet by Teleflora sells for $56.95. MiGi's Baby Circus Bouquet by Teleflora is $46.95. The bouquets will be featured at chic events this summer; I'll keep you posted on when and where.

In May of 2000, my father was in the hospital undergoing treatment for the cancer that would take his life by the end of that summer. He had fought long and hard, turning a six-month prognosis into a seven-year battle, but the doctors knew the end was near and had suggested hospice care.

The family was gathered around his bed and a woman representing the hospice care unit came in to give an explanation of how the care worked and how he would stay at home, but there would be daily nursing care that would do the utmost to insure that his final days would be as comfortable as possible.


The author Jeffrey Peterson and his son,
Cade. Jeffrey's father instilled in him a
love of baseball.

But my father had misunderstood and thought that hospice care meant that he would receive the same level of treatment, but in his home environment that he so desperately wanted.

Shortly into her presentation, he realized what the purpose of hospice care was and interrupted to tell her thank you, but he was not yet willing to resign himself to his fate. She was very gracious and made sure that they would be there to help him whenever he was ready.

When the family was dispersing, my father, a fanatic follower of the Angels from their inception, motioned my brother and me over to his bedside. He was weakened from his struggle, but he wasn’t yet through being a father and he wanted to give us another lesson.

Throughout our lives, he used baseball as a means to teach us life principles that he felt were important. He believed that the beauty of the game was its simplicity and that that were certain facets that stood for values that transcended the game itself. He glanced around to make sure my mother had left the room and softly repeated something he had been telling us for over forty or so years.

“You don’t leave the game before the final out.”

We nodded. We understood.

By Jeffrey Peterson

Growing up, I managed to play baseball in two leagues during the year. For the most part, I was an outfielder, but my dad wanted me to learn all the positions in between the seasons one year.

So, he asked me if I wanted to try some third base. I said "sure." Off we went to the baseball field to practice with our bucket of baseballs with my older brother on a Saturday morning.

Now, all I had to do was just learn to throw from third to first while taking ground balls off a bat from home. My dad played first base and he just wanted me to learn the throw. He knew I had a fantastic arm in the outfield, so this should be no problem.


Father and son: Francisco Lopez of Whittier, Calif.,
and Kevin Lopez.

Well, as we progressed that day, he wanted me to throw harder. I was making rainbow tosses over to first from third base. I was being lazy. I admit it.

There was no runner, the ball made it to my dad, so what's the point of throwing hard? Well, I was a kid and started to resent the fact he was pushing me. Finally, things started to get heated. He was waiting for me to throw a solid liner to him. No bounces, just a bullet to him, which I was more than capable of doing.

I began to get angry at this point. So, I finally took a grounder and just threw a laser beam to him. He catches it. The next one is hit to me and I throw a lazy rainbow again out of spite.

That's when I hear him say, "Let's go home." He walks to home plate, packs the balls into the bucket and says we are leaving. I am really mad now. I say "Fine. Let's go!"

Well as we were walking across the field, it occurs to me in a flash. He was teaching me a lesson. If you want to succeed at something, give it everything you got and never settle for less than your best effort. It was a lesson I didn't get until that moment. I immediately said "Stop Dad. Let's go back and try again."

He looks down at me and says, "I was hoping you would say that." So off we went back to the diamond. We spent the next two hours just taking ground balls. I kept throwing as hard as I can every time. No more excuses.

Sometimes it sounds like a mushy moment, but it was the lesson that has resonated throughout my life. I give credit to my dad for not yelling at me and forcing the lessons, but for making me learn the lessons on my own.

He's given me the tools to succeed in life, but he left it up to me to use the tools. So when I think about Father's Day, I think of that one Saturday afternoon. That was the day when a boy really looked at his father and realized he used an amazing game to help teach his son a lesson. It was a lesson I will never forget. Thanks Dad.

By Kevin Lopez

My most memorable moment with my dad was at a softball game while I was in high school. My dad has always been a "yeller and a screamer" so it did not matter whether my team won or lost, my dad was sure to have been yelling during the game. This particular game was the finals of the State Championship.

My parents never missed a game so I knew there was no way around the embarrassment of listening to dad scream, especially at the biggest game a high school athlete can play in. And that he did. In fact, he screamed so loudly he could barely whisper as he was handing me my gold medal after the game.

You see, my dad was the superintendent of the school I attended so he and the principal were in charge of the post-game medal distribution. After a very fun and hard-fought game, a full team dogpile on 3rd base, and even a home run, the absolute best part of my day was as my father put my gold medal around my neck, wrapped his arms around me in a bearhug, and hoarsely whispered "I'm so very proud of you and I love you!"


Dennis Klugh of Fort Cobb, Okla., at a family event.

At that moment, I cared more about how much I'd been able to make my dad happy than about anything else. I thought of the countless hours he'd put in playing catch with me, pitching to me, and hitting grounders to me. I thought of all my teams he'd coached, and each time how I had wished he didn't.

I thought of all the times I'd said, "I hate you!" when he was "critiquing" my play. Then, I thought of how he had more to do with the success of our team than probably any other person at that game and I simply said back "Thanks Dad, for everything, and I love you too!".

My dad had a stroke this past week and may never be able to play catch with me, my brother and sisters, or my kids ever again. He may never be able to pitch to us or hit us grounders again either.

But he will always be the reason we all love the game of baseball (and softball) and the reason we give our best at each and every thing we do! I love you, Dad. Now it's your turn to work hard and get better each day! I may just have to yell at you a few times, but don't worry I won't do or say anything you didn't do to me :-).

By Amber Willits

For Father’s Day, Teleflora and the Prostate Cancer Foundation have teamed up to raise awareness of prostate cancer and men's health, and to raise funds for research. To that end, Teleflora will donate a portion of sales proceeds from its baseball-themed bouquets to the foundation.

 Teleflora is also running its Triple Play sweepstakes through June 26. The grand-prize is a three-day baseball journey for two.

Dads and baseball are such a natural pairing that it got us curious as to all the great stories out there about fathers, sons and daughters sharing a love for a sport, and the broader life lessons we learn both from playing on a team and spending time with Dad.

So, I reached out to Ashley, who runs a blog called: Everyday Life: The everyday life of a baseball wife, but not just about baseball.... http://ashthompson.blogspot.com and asked her if she'd tap her readers for fond memories of their sports-fan dads.

She asked them to share their stories; her readers then selected three semi-finalists and chose a winner to receive a Play Ball or Big Hit bouquet.

The authors were kind enough to let us rerun their stories on the Flower Blog. (Each story is posted separately.)We'd intended to pick just one winner but these are so touching, I think we need to send bouquets to all three. Ashley agreed. :)

There's an old saying that life is measured in seconds and inches. The time we have with our fathers is finite so, if you're lucky enough to still have him around, be sure to make every minute count.

Happy Father's Day!

What better way to welcome a new baby than with a radiant bouquet of flowers? They're the perfect symbol of life's most precious blessings and moments of profound joy.

Speaking of happiness, just look at Heather Glissman, mother of Stella May, who was born on May 1. Heather, her husband Steve and Baby Stella live in Richmond, Va.

These are lovely blooms, to be sure. And we're especially excited that, on June 22, we’ll be launching a new line of floral gifts for babies and new parents, designed by the trend-setting designers known as the MiGi Girls, Michele Adams and Gia Russo. It's just darling and we can't wait to see more pix from smiling families and their new additions.

Come back Monday to see the line and read guest posts from the girls.

Flowers, and particularly roses, have a pretty extensive vocabulary.

For instance, a bouquet of rosebuds tells the recipient “you’re youthful and beautiful.”

A rose without thorns says “love at first sight.” 

A tea rose conveys the sentiment that “you'll be remembered forever.”

A dozen roses is flowerspeak for "Be mine." And orange represents desire and enthusiasm.

And there's more. The number of roses you choose also communicates feelings. Just do the math:

* A grouping of three roses is traditional gift for a one-month anniversary.

* Reward a loyal pal with 13 roses. That means you want to be friends for life.

* Ooops! Mistakes happen and if you're tired of saying sorry again and again, the floral way to go is to send 15 roses.

* A bouquet of 20 roses = sincerity. Really & truly.

* Smitten with your sweetie? Then 36 roses will make your case. (Guess you didn't really need me to tell you that 3 dozen roses will get you noticed!)

* To express limitless love, 50 roses will do the trick and create a lifelong memory.

To read more, visit http://www.teleflora.com/rose_numbers.asp?topnav=Flower%20Guides.

That's because it's National Rose Month! Perhaps the most recognized of all flowers, the rose is the official floral symbol of the United States and of England. George Washington himself was said to be a fan. It's also the official state flower of New York, North Dakota, Georgia, Iowa and the District of Columbia.

Other claims to fame: The rose is the 15th wedding anniversary flower and the June birth flower.

With 40,000 varieties around the world, we're spoiled for choice in terms of color, shape, size and fragrance.

Adoration for these lovely blooms dates back to Greek and Roman times. Love goddesses Aphrodite and Venus were honored with roses and, in Rome, a rose on a door was the equivalent of a "Do Not Enter" sign.

White roses lend a clean, elegant feeling to any room or gathering.

A quick guide to rose color is:
red roses = romantic love
yellow roses = friendship
pink roses = admiration
orange roses = desire
white roses = innocence and fresh starts
purple roses = love at first sight

For information about growing roses or to become a member of the American Rose Society, visit ars.org.

Additionally, the number of roses you send can convey a message. Tune in tomorrow for more on that and in the meantime if you need a birthday gift this month, look no further! :)

Did you know prostate cancer affects one in six men? In honor of Father’s Day Teleflora has joined forces with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and a portion of sales proceeds from Teleflora’s baseball-themed bouquets will go to the organization to raise funds for research.

Did you know prostate cancer strikes one out of six American men? To help raise funds for research, Teleflora is teaming up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). A portion of the sales proceeds from Teleflora’s new baseball-themed bouquets Big Hit and Play Ball (below) will go to the organization. Teleflora is also running its Triple Play sweepstakes June 1-26. The grand-prize is a three-day baseball journey for two. If you're looking for a Father’s Day gift, flowers make a refreshing change from ties and slippers.

One of PCF's goals is to spur discussion about prostate cancer and men's health and a blog is an ideal home for that. Chef and PCF Consultant Beth Ginsberg kindly agreed to participate in a Q&A about healthful eating.


                      BETH GINSBERG

Q How can we eat right while traveling, ie restaurants and airports? 
A Nowadays eating "on the fly" is a lot easier. Most airports do have healthy choices or at least "healthier choices." Even chain restaurants at airports have calorie counts. When traveling, ask for a low-fat protein and veggies. Whole grain bread on sandwiches, mustard rather than mayo. Water rather than soda. Dark chocolate rather than a candy bar. You can do this. Not eating right is an excuse to be bad.

Q What do you say to people who don’t make an effort to eat healthfully on the basis that health issues may be largely genetically determined?
A I equate not eating healthy with cigarettes. Why would you want to do something that is harmful to yourself? Would you put sand in your engine rather than gasoline? Some people do not want to change bad habits until it is too late. It is personal choice, that is what I say. Now what do I think...guess! 

Q What’s your opinion on taking vitamin supplements?
A I am not big into supplements. I believe in eating my nutrients. It is great to eat fruits, veggies, nuts, flax (except for protein powder to support lean muscle mass).

Q Do you agree that it’s good to indulge a craving now and then so that you don’t feel deprived?
A Take Saturday night and Sunday off, indulge in your food fantasies and then back on track Monday morning.

Q What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
A Red wine and dark chocolate of course!

Teleflora's Big Hit bouquet is bound to delight Dad.

Did you know prostate cancer strikes one out of six American men? To help raise funds for research, Teleflora is teaming up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). A portion of the sales proceeds from Teleflora’s new baseball-themed bouquets Big Hit and Play Ball (below) will go to the organization. Teleflora is also running its Triple Play sweepstakes June 1-26. The grand-prize is a three-day baseball journey for two. If you're looking for a Father’s Day gift, flowers make a refreshing change from ties and slippers.

One of PCF's goals is to spur discussion about prostate cancer and men's health and a blog is an ideal home for that. Chef and PCF Consultant Beth Ginsberg kindly agreed to participate in a Q&A about healthful eating. Check back Monday for Part Two.


                    BETH GINSBERG

Q Do you have some general guidelines for the healthiest ways to fuel your body and feel satisfied? Is there one golden rule?
A My golden rule: Eat foods that contain no additives, chemicals or preservatives. Try to buy organic when possible and in budget. Eat an array of colorful fruits and veggies everyday. Eat whole grain products and stay away from useless calories like sodas, chips, candy.

Q Are there any foods or food groups that should be avoided all together?
A This is really an ingredient issue rather than a particular food group. Foods that contain senseless calories and harmful ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup and artery clogging fats should be avoided.

Q Are there any foods or food groups that men in particular should make a point of eating?
A Lots of vegetables and fruits such as cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy brussel sprouts. Tomatoes, especially cooked tomatoes for the lycopene. Whole grains and high fiber cereals such as oats. Walnuts, almonds and flax seeds. Low fat proteins, wild fish high in omega 3 fatty acids. Live a little, have 1 glass of red wine per night with a piece of dark organic chocolate.

Q Is it true that grazing, ie eating smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to a few large ones, is easier on your body? And is late-night eating a no-no?
A It's way better to eat five smaller meals. That way you stay full and learn portion control which is essential to stay at a proper weight. I am not big on eating a night for a few reasons. Normally when people eat at in the evening it is some form of empty calories such as sweets, chips or something fattening and not nourishing. When you are sleeping you do not burn calories. If you must eat at night try some protein powder in water to fill yourself up. That is what I do. It helps maintain healthy muscles and fills me up. Try to have a low-fat dinner rich in vegetables, whole grains and a low fat protein so you are not hungry at night.

Q We know that portion control is key to maintaining a healthy weight and yet that is often easier said than done. Do you have any advice for being full on less?
A Here is a trick to eating less and being full. Try having a leafy green salad with a low-fat dressing (the dressing is what contains all the calories) or a bowl of a low fat soup before a meal. This will fill you up and you will eat less. Stay away from the bread on the table!

Teleflora's Play Ball bouquet will catch Dad's eye and provide a handy container after the flowers are gone.

Proving that flowers make any event more elegant, arrangements from Teleflora caught several guests' eyes at a recent VIP gathering.

At the Byron and Tracey Salon in Beverly Hills, the focus was on looking good, feeling fab and welcoming summer. Celebrities, including Rosario Dawson, Amanda Peet, Ali Larter and Abigail Breslin, were on hand to mix, mingle, sample cool products and indulge in luxe treatments like volumizing blow-outs.

To see more photos, visit: http://ow.ly/aXbi or http://ow.ly/apjw.

Welcome back to the horoscope page, where each month you can read a fun take on the future and see the flower associated with your sign. To learn more about shopping with a zodiac slant, visit Teleflora's astrology section.

 Capricorn: Dec. 22-Jan. 20 / Flower: African violet

Mahatma Ghandi said: “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” Keep this in mind as the summer begins and remember that watching the sunset may be more important than crossing off every item on your To Do list, which often takes the form of a spreadsheet, if not an entire database! At work, you may be given a tantalizing choice; make the most of it. Romance is in the air on the weekend of the 19th.




   Aquarius: Jan. 21-Feb. 19 / Flower: Orchid
 
Mix up your routine a bit. Have breakfast for dinner or unplug the TV for a week. Even you, maverick and rebel at heart, can benefit from embracing the unexpected. You may need to have a serious talk with someone who works for you. Stand your ground, but be fair. Also remember to be patient with those who lack your vision and creativity. Make a point of telling your Sig Oth that you are grateful for the joy you share together. Single? Share with a friend or relative your gratefulness for fun times and independence.




   Pisces: Feb. 20-March 20 / Flower: Alstroemeria

A trip or special event on the weekend of June 12 may require special effort on your part. Don’t fret; your energy and charm will make it memorable for all. A chance meeting on the 23rd triggers you to rethink a decision and perhaps move in a new direction with a frenemy. You can’t put romance on a timetable but remember too that there’s nothing wrong with showing a little interest to the cute guy in the coffee shop or the doggy daddy you often see strolling on Saturday mornings.




   Aries: March 21-April 20 / Flower: Tulip
 
This summer will be pivotal for you. Perhaps this is your last summer at home before college or maybe you are starting your own business soon. Regardless, know that with the right attitude and hard work, you cannot fail. And don’t take your strength and conviction for granted. They are huge assets that not everyone possesses. You may hear through the grapevine that a person you’re not fond of is facing a hardship. Pray for him or her. Oh, and be sure to use your feminine wiles the last week of the month!




   Taurus: April 21-May 21 / Flower: Lily
 
Don’t be in a rush this month. Even though there is something you want to circulate or say, it’s more important to take the time to develop the right message. You’ll be glad you did later on. You may go through a bumpy patch in the relationship department. To get through it, try to support your mate without seeking credit and, above all, keep your heart open. Your neighborhood may go through an exciting change. Loyalty is key on the 20th.




   Gemini: May 22-June 21 / Flower: Rose
 
An ongoing flirtation continues to stall, despite the fact that you’ve shown interest. Cut your losses and move on to someone who is less confused. It’s not rocket science: you are a catch! At work, you may be involved in a negotiation. Play it cool, do your homework and ask (politely) for what you want. An unexpected financial perk may come your way by month’s end. Speak your mind on the 9th.




   Cancer: June 22-July 22 / Flower: Delphinium

A favorite friend or relative wants to treat you to a lovely surprise. By all means let her! Go with the flow from the 23rd to 30th. At work, a colleague may need extra support. Keep listening even if the conversation is, shall we say, familiar and remember that this too shall pass. June is a perfect time to plan a party; fresh flowers in the kitchen and bathroom are an elegant touch. Your breath-of-fresh-air sensibility brings you welcome attention everywhere you go.



   Leo: July 23- Aug. 22 / Flower: Sunflower

Naturally creative and completely at home in the spotlight, you may need to brush up on the more mundane parts of life, like schedules and spreadsheets. Alas, these must be dealt with to afford you the opp to shine. Take it one step at a time and you’ll be fine. This month, remember the value of discretion; you can be honest without oversharing. Celebrate your generosity and don’t hold a grudge against a friend on the 21st.




   Virgo: Aug. 23-Sept. 23 / Flower: Daisy
 
You’re eager to plan a trip several months in advance, but consider the fun of making a spontaneous weekend getaway. It’s good for you to be impulsive every once in a while. Be aware that your quest for perfection could mean that you end up putting a key decision on hold. That’s OK temporarily, but you will need to take action at some point. Set yourself a deadline and stick to it. As for your love life: if you’re newly involved, resist the urge to criticize. Together forever? Resist the urge to criticize. Single? Resist the urge … you know the drill.



   Libra: Sept. 24-Oct. 23 / Flower: Hydrangea

With summer around the corner, this is the perfect time to get in touch with your inner child. Be silly, be spontaneous, be free. Play! You will be revitalized midmonth by spending time with a special friend. A family member may ask for advice and then not heed it. Take it in stride and don’t be upset. Finally, there’s a chance to breathe at work. Never underestimate the power of surprise, especially with your favorite guy.



  Scorpio: Oct. 24-Nov. 22 / Flower: Peony

You are very close to having your financial load lighten up. To speed this along, explore ways to stretch your dollars – make coffee at home, bring your lunch to work, swear off shoe shopping for the month. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger! :) Toward month’s end, you may be tempted to reignite a romantic relationship that fizzled; be careful not repeat past mistakes. Don’t be surprised if an older and wiser colleague refuses to let a joke drop. Just fork over a laugh.



   Sagittarius: Nov. 23-Dec. 21 / Flower: Carnation
 
Your steadfast optimism will see you through a bumpy patch on the home front. Feel good about the love and attention you have provided to family members; a slipup here and there isn’t important so don’t give in to guilt. If a friend makes a remark that strikes you as a tad insensitive, don’t obsess over it. Your intuition serves you well the week of the 15th. You may feel a bit of extra pressure at work but, as always, you are up for any challenge.


Flower Fact of the Day: Delphinium gets it name from the Greek word “delphis,” meaning dolphin, because of the bloom’s elegant shape. It’s also called larkspur. No matter how you refer to it, it’s one of the few naturally blue flowers in nature.