Designing in Life

Vermont In Full Bloom

After a week-long trip to New Jersey visiting my daughter, son-in-law, granddaughters and sister and brother-in-law, I came home to prepare for my two days of working. 

Valentine's Day at a florist is about the craziest day in a whole year.  I worked on the 13th-14th at the florist I worked for thirteen years-ago.  In Full Bloom, in Shelburne, Vermont, offers the most amazing, diverse flowers around.  From traditional, to funky, to exotic, they have it all.  I was prepared for it being hectic, and loved every minute of it.  What's not to like, when everyone you talk to leaves happy?

Kris (the owner) and I agreed that arranging flowers is like riding a bike.  Once you've learned, you just don't forget.  I got to arrange many bouquets, and in return received many smiles.

One nice perk of working in the floral business, is that you get to go home with flowers.  Here are some I came home with.

Sorry, I can't remember the name of these roses.  They last a long time, and change from pink to yellow as they open...Gorgeous!

These are a type of double tulip.  The edges are ruffled, and there are multiple petals.  There is also another smaller tulip that emerges from the foliage as the first one fades away.

Working for those two days made me realize that I really do like to work, and I like to be busy.  So now, I wonder what will be next?  I'm leaving myself wide open!

Spring in Miniature

The weather in the Northeast is not really cooperating this year.  Cooler than normal temperatures with higher than ever rainfall.  Our nearby Lake Champlain is 3 feet above flood stage.  The ferries that connect northeastern New York and Vermont are not able to run, some because of roads that are covered in lake water and impassable.  Even thoughts of the garden are fleeting when a corner of it is under water.

In spite of the weather, the flowers and birds are appearing as if nothing is out-of-the-ordinary.  So, I decided to tromp out into the squishy, green (overgrown I might add) lawn to hunt for something to brighten my cloudy mood.  I didn't have to go very far to find it.

Violets and grape hyacyinths.  I found a small cruet and put them into it, and placed them on my windowsill in front of my sink.  Now the first thing I see when I start to look out of the window at the rain are these cheery little flowers.  Definately spring is here, if only in miniature!

Remnants of Warmer Days

All of my flowers have "bit the dust" so-to-say because of the many days of frost we had.  However, it hasn't been that cold this week and there are still a few little calendula heads popping up from some protected plants near the house where it's warmer.  I've been picking them three at a time and savoring their bright colors, making the endless gray days just a bit happier.

See, aren't they cheerful?

Zinnias

I grew 3 types of zinnias this year.  Cactus Flower, which have a feathery sort of head, State Fair, my all-time favorite with large showy heads, and Cut-And-Come-Again, small colorful heads with long stems.  Although they're all zinnias, they each have their own distinct look to them.  This time of year it seems every bud is fighting to blossom before the "big chill" puts an end to the growing season.  I'm trying to enjoy them as much as I can before that fateful day!

Friday Garden Tour

Before giving you a tour of my weed-filled flower gardens, I want to share these two pictures taken the other evening.  There was thunder heard in the distance, so I thought there might be some rain. Looking closer at the sky, I saw a rainbow sort of suspended in mid-air.  The middle was covered in clouds.  It was subtle, but fascinating.

Notice the thunderhead in the right corner starting to grow.

It's barely visible in the upper right hand corner.

Okay, on with the tour.

Hydrangea

What I think is a rogue pumpkin growing near the hydrangea.  I grew some pie pumpkins near here last year, so maybe that's what it is.  All I know is that if we can eat it, it gets to stay!

Zinnias

Cosmos

Hollyhocks

Black-eyed Susans

Some impatients and hosta

I have been trying to weed, but the weeds have gotten the best of me this year.  I must say, though, that when I start looking at all the flowers that I have, the weeds just sort of disappear, and I just enjoy the colorful array. 

Still, I guess that weeding is in my weekend plans!  Have a great one.

It's Spring...Somewhere!

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year.  Unfortunately, spring in Vermont happens just about 1 day before summer.  My mother's birthday would have been on May 5.  I always traveled to southern New Jersey to visit her around this time of the year for either her birthday or Mother's Day.  Spring was always in full swing.  So, my visit to Jersey City this past weekend was a reminder that spring is happening in a big way some place.  Although it was somewhat rainy and overcast, my grand daughter, Chloe, took me outside to her outdoor patio and garden to show me what is in full bloom.

White bleeding hearts

Chloe's gnome under some emerging lupines.                 Rununculus.

Wisteria                                                                       
White columbine

Everything was covered in pink flowers, which I think was probably some sort or wild cherry or ornamental cherry. 

Cosmos ready to be planted.  The spring smell in the air was intoxicating.

Oh, and we also went to a gathering for Nick's niece's first communion. 

Chloe had a blast and as you can see, she was in the lead.

Phoebe was having fun with Nick's niece's daughter, Emily and Terry, his sister-in-law, was picking up pointers for her soon-to-be grandson.

As much fun as we had, I'm so glad to be home, even though it means zooming home from work to mow the lawn.  I guess the truth is, if the grass is growing here, it must be spring!!!

Flowers Come in All Shapes and Sizes

Nick and I are in Jersey City babysitting for our grand daughters for the weekend.  I couldn't resist  taking this picture.  Phoebe didn't seem to mind one bit when Pop Pop put this on her head.

Here we have Chloe interviewing Nick who is either singing a song about ice cream or telling a story.  Once again, Phoebe doesn't seem to mind any of this.

Tomorrow morning is soccer, then we have a party tomorrow afternoon.  It's supposed to rain all weekend, so indoor activities might have to suffice.  What ever and where ever – we both know we'll be having a wonderful time.

Oh, and speaking of flowers, Beth's back yard is full of blossoms.  I'm hoping to get out there and get a few pictures.

May Day, May Day

So, if you only found one of these little guys popping up maybe you'd be shouting for help too!  I'm not sure what happened to the rest of the bulbs I planted, but I guess one is better than none!  So on this eve of May Day, let me wish you a very "Happy Garden Flowers."

For 23 years I was a floral designer.  May 1st always reminds me of this.  I love flowers.  I love arranging flowers.  I love the fact that you can put any colors you want together in your garden and they look like they belong there.

   You know, sometimes dinner looks like that too.  Nothing seems to go together, but if you enjoy all those flavors together, then hey, why not.  So here is what we have when I come to a grinding halt at the end of the day.  Missing is the cup of soup and the bread.  Appearing are sharp cheddar, hummus, assorted olives, red peppers, spicy lemon almonds and dried figs.  Simple, yet delicious.  Yup, gardens can be like that too!

Plumeria!

First...I fixed the luggage link in my last post.  I encourage you to look at it because, well it's just pretty bizarre that someone gets their kicks out of photographing someone's stuff.  Enough said,now on to other things.

My plumeria finally bloomed.  It sure did take a long time.  Last year I had probably 6 or 8 blooms.  This year it looks like only 2.  Here is last year's picture:

What I didn't realize is that the flowers appear on what will be the new branches, and only the new branches bare flowers.  So even though I had 2 new branches last year, only one new branch this year appeared and produced flowers.  They are amazingly sweet smelling.  And as you may remember me saying, these are the flowers that the Hawaiian's make their beautiful leis from.
Tonight I am packing and ironing.  I have most of my things packed.  If it wasn't for my toiletries, I think I could just do carry-on luggage.  Shampoo, deodorant, conditioner, hand lotion, cologne – well you get the picture. 
Today I caught up at work and moved ahead so that everything is in order.  Being a one man (or woman) show can be challenging when you want to go away.  If there are catalogs or advertisements to do, it is important to have all of that done or at least submitted.  But if it has been submitted, you know you have to check your email to make sure everything went through.  I'm making sure there is nothing I have to check on because I want to r-e-l-a-x and have fun with my old friends!