Foraging, just for fun

A few weeks ago I set out to design a bouquet, just for fun.  My good friend and neighbor has the most amazing garden roses I have ever seen, and gave me free reign to cut them, so of course I did!  I used almost all local, "foraged" blooms and greenery for this bouquet - Erika's old-fashioned garden roses and leucothoe, wild clematis from the side of the building, some kind of unidentified "weeds" that grow down the alley next to the shop, Japanese painted fern from my garden... so much fun! 

I loved the way this bouquet turned out, and I will definitely be searching for more interesting foliage and flowers in the 'hood.  Neighbors watch out... I've got my eye on your weeds. I've got clippers and I'm not afraid to use them.  But don't worry, I will ask you first!

Mother's Day, and a little plant shopping

Well, we just enjoyed another busy Mother's Day weekend.  The flowers this time of year are just the best!  I have one thing to say.... tree peonies!!!  Thanks to Pam and Dave, who live around the corner, and grow some amazing specimens.  Look at these beauties...

tree peonies

They went into just about every arrangement.  They're gorgeous, and smell amazing.
Here is a photo of my friend's little boy with his Mother's Day flowers... is he not the cutest?  Of course he got tree peonies!

my favorite child

 Yesterday I finally got a chance to go out and go plant shopping.  I headed out to Lancaster, and stopped at all my favorite greenhouses.  Found some pretty things for the shop, customer's planters, and of course, my house.  This year I noticed that I'm really drawn to the deeper shades, contrasting with soft grays and browns.  Earthy, but rich. 

Look at these amazing burgundy rose bushes!  I didn't come home with these, since I don't know where I can squeeze them in.  But I WANT THEM!!!

Yummy

Here are a few photos of some of the plants that I brought back to the shop.  Can you see the theme?

Can't wait to start planting up containers!  Finally, here's a photo of my plant shopping companion, and new "baby"

Daisy

This is Daisy!  We adopted her two weeks ago from a rescue (www.baileysarms.org) , and she was shipped up to us on a pet transport from Tennessee.  She is such a sweet girl, and really is a big "baby".  She's been coming to the shop with me, and we're working on her manners (ie. NOT jumping on everyone...she just wants to give hugs) so she'll be a good "shop dog".  She hates to be left behind, and loves to ride in the car, so we hit the road in the van and picked up lots of plants.  She was such a good girl, and did not eat any of them!  When we're not working, she's already taken over the house, and has no shame about hogging the bed.

Really, who could say no???

We're looking forward to spring, planting, gardening and all the wonderful weddings on the horizon.  Can't wait to share some photos from last weekend's... it was fabulous!

Happy Spring!  xo

A romantic winter wedding

Very excited that one of our recent weddings was just featured on a blog I love, Elizabeth Anne Designs!

Click here to see the post

I really enjoyed working on the wedding of Jessica and Chris.  Congratulations to a lovely couple!

Week's recap

A few more images from the last week... Valentine's week, a little burst of color and activity in the middle of the otherwise quiet winter


A variety of Valentine's flower arrangements...

 

An amazingly delicious lunch provided by Suzanne, our fabulous delivery driver, shop helper and  friend.  She surprised us with an incredible feast to keep us going through the busy days.  I am so thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful people!

 

chicken salad

  

deviled eggs - yum!

 

Look at this lemon cheesecake.  It was amazing!

And, on a funny/weird note... an alien has hatched at my house!  My husband is a big kid who can't resist something funny at the dollar store.  I was skeptical of this purchase, but when it hatched, I had to admit, it's pretty funny/freaky.  Look at it's big alien eyes! 

Giving these to every kid and "big kid" in my life.  They are hysterical!

Gorgeous anemone - this color was so amazing, it didn't even look real

Well, we made it through another Valentine's Day!  Thanks to all our wonderful customers, hope everyone enjoyed their flowers.  And, thank you to all my fabulous helpers for all their hard work.  Looking forward to the spring now!

Valentine's Day

It's this Thursday!

 

Just a few quick pics of some of our romantic arrangements, and some other goodies that we'll be putting together this week for Valentine's Day...

 

 

fresh flowers




terrariums

We're looking forward to putting together some gorgeous arrangements... give us a call (or drop a hint to someone special) and we'll make one for you!

Progress

Every year at this time people say to me "You do so much decorating, and the shop looks so cute, your house must look amazing".  Well, ummm, that's one word for it.  Amazingly NOT DONE! The truth is, between decorating client's houses, and keeping up with things at the shop, my house tends to be pretty sadly neglected.  I feel like I haven't been home in weeks!!! No fresh flowers or greens yet, and the planters on my porch are only half finished.  I did, however, have a couple free minutes the other night, so I turned on some music, and put up some of my favorite winter decorations.  Here's how things are going so far...

Glowing mercury glass balls and mossy rocks in a nest.  Crazy, huh? It actually doesn't look quite so bizarre in person.

my birch branch and snowflake tree (with some mushrooms at the base)

my favorite feather tree (and a few more mushrooms)

As I pulled out all of my decorating goodies, I've discovered a few things about myself.  Apparently I really like mushrooms, they seem to have multiplied all over the house!  There is certainly a bit of a mushroom and owl theme going on around here, and at the shop, too.  If I didn't keep finding such stinkin' cute ones, it wouldn't be such a problem!  It's not my fault!

the top of the china cabinet

What is that, sitting up there?  Why, another owl, of course!

do you think there's something going on here??? (two of these were gifts!)

Baby is not amused (I don't think she cares much for mushrooms, owls, or crazy girls blasting the stereo and balancing on dining room chairs while she is trying to take a snooze)


 

It's looking like there really is a bit of a woodland "theme" going on around here, but that's okay, these are the things that make me happy.  It's the little things, right? I'm still working on it, and my own decorating may not be done until February, but I'm making progress, and I think there are still a few more critters at the shop that need to come home with me.  I'm thinking I need some deer... wouldn't some driftwood reindeer look fabulous near my mirror????  Maybe it's a good thing I don't have too much free time right now!

Hope you are all enjoying this last week before the holiday.  Don't go too crazy!

The shop, etc.

Just a few more pictures of the shop this week...

And a few recent holiday arrangements...