Red roses

Happy Wednesday!

I’ve been busily working on Valentine’s Day projects today.  Oodles of notes, lists, and ideas are scattered across my desk and I just keep adding to it!  I love when the ideas flow!!

Did you know our number one biggest seller for Valentine’s Day is red roses?

There is no better symbol of love and romance than the red rose.  Whether it’s a single one in a pretty vase or a dozen, the red rose is always able to make a recipient swoon.  Red roses have been incorporated in poetry, paintings and even William Shakespeare used a red rose in Romeo and Juliet.

In the 1800′s red roses were brought from China to Europe, although the flowers and their meanings date back far longer than that. Early cultures across the globe used red roses  for their wedding attire and to decorate the wedding ceremony itself.

Because of these traditions, the red rose soon became known as the symbol for deep love and fidelity. As the practice of exchanging roses as a sign of affection grew more popular, the red rose became the flower of choice for lovers because it sends the strongest message of love.

Sending someone a bouquet of red roses is still the most popular way to say “I love you” and “Happy Valentine’s Day”!   There just is not another flower with that kind of power!

These lovelies are Freedom roses and the variety we will be featuring for Valentine’s Day because only the best will do!   We love Freedom roses because they hold their shape without ever fully opening.  Don’t you love their velvety, rich red color?  Did you know the outer petals on a rose are called guard petals because they guard the rose from being bruised.  Our advice is that once you get your roses where they’ll be staying peel away any of the damage guard petals.  Freedom roses are not heavily scented because roses that have a heavy fragrance don’t last very long–we’d rather have a rose you enjoy for awhile, rather than a rose, that while beautifully fragrant, is gone in just a day or two.

How do I take care of my vase of roses?

To help them last as long as possible keep them somewhere cooler–not by a heat vent, atop a television, stereo, or computer that gets warm.  Also keep them away from direct sunlight and drafts.  Be sure they are somewhere warmer than 40 degrees and cooler than 75 degrees.

If your roses droop, or their necks bend it’s because of dehydration. Roses are very thirsty flowers!  They drink 1.5 ounces of water per day and twelve roses drink 18 ounces of water per day plus the foliage uses another 4 ounces of water, which adds up to a total of 22 ounces per day.  The average rose vase for a dozen roses holds 48 ounces of water, this means they need a daily fill up and flushing of fresh water.  The water level should never be below 1/4 from the top of the vase; 1/3 flirts with danger.  Stems are cut at random lengths and placed at random depths to create the look of the arrangement; therefore all the stems will not be at the bottom of the vase. The rose that will wilt first is the one whose stem is nearer the top of the vase and usually out of water first. If the buds are drooping, it means the roses are not drinking and must be recut and put in fresh water.

Admit it, don’t they make your heart pitter patter?

Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, February 14th

Bag review

Happy Tuesday!

Cleaned out and repacked my book bag this morning and thought I’d share a review of some of what I’ve been reading.

 

I’ve had this book on my radar for almost a year now and when I was shopping before Christmas I bought it for myself as a Christmas gift   You should know I love quirkier books and books that have English characters always win with me.  This was perfect!  A story about a Tower of London Beefeater named Balthazar and how his life changes when he is put in charge of the royal menagerie.  While I adored all the Tower of London characters, Balthazar’s wife, Hebe, and her job in the office of Lost and Found for the London Underground steals the show.   The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise was a charming read with characters I won’t soon forget.

Rather than stars I give this–

At our Christmas Eve grab bag exchange I had this book in my hands for a short time and was so disappointed when someone else took it from me    I went and bought my own copy!   Without giving anything away, the author’s concept for this book intrigues me and while it is a Young Adult book, I loved it and couldn’t put it down.   It’s the type of book that when you finish you daydream about it and wonder, what if?   I read it in one day (couldn’t put it down) and Scott and Maggie are fighting over it now and they are both enjoying it.

It’s because of this book that I wasn’t sure I could write this post.  I’m still processing how I feel about this book and the characters.  This is another quirky read that I found myself reading sections of and then setting the book down to ponder the story.  I follow grammar guru, Mignon Fogarty, on Twitter and was surprised to see her mention Night Circus in one of her posts.  http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/1st-person-2nd-person-3rd-person.aspx    I love creative writers, but I am impressed by writers that have this kind of writing talent.    I’ve never been the least bit interested in tarot cards, but after reading this book I am curious.

If you peek over to the right side of the blog, you see that this is the book at the top of my bag.  It’s well-written and already pulled me in.     Doesn’t look like laundry or cleaning will happen until I finish.

Sycamore fun!

Happy Monday!

This past Saturday night the Sycamore History Museum hosted, The Pride of Sycamore High, Sycamore Authors, at Sycamore High School.   Featured authors were Dirk Johnson and Mark Vancil with a video presentation by Michael McMillan, biographies of other Sycamore authors read by current students, and also a reading by Alli Howland, Sycamore High School senior and talented writer.

Dirk has written for New York Times, authored two books,  and is currently the Chicago bureau chief and senior writer for Newsweek magazine.  For all of the stories he’s written and all of the places he’s traveled, when he speaks about Sycamore you can hear his passion and love for the community he grew up in and resides in today.  Among his recollections Saturday evening were some of the stories and people he covered, but also how Sycamore had shaped him to do his job and do it well.  He remembered Mrs. Charlotte Hess, his high school journalism teacher and her power to catch the attention of high school students, but also her leniency in allowing those students to have a voice through the school newspaper.  He also remembered principal Pete Johnson’s patience with the journalism students as they pushed the limits of using their voice.

Mark Vancil recalled hoping for a career in the NBA, and realizing that if that wasn’t possible perhaps writing about it would give him access.  Mark became the Chicago Bulls beat reporter for the Chicago Sun Times and is now the president of Rare Air Media which has published dozens of award-winning books and he is also the editor of the Michael Jordan book, Driven From Within.  Mark recalled growing up in Sycamore, what it was like to work with Michael Jordan, and shared stories from his work.

Mark catching up with Pete Johnson .

Michael McMillan wasn’t able to be at Saturday’s event, but the folks from Sycamore History Museum were able to share this remarkable video-

Pink Bat

Each and every time I have watched this video I am mesmerized by Michael’s talent and skill and the ends always blows me away.  How does he do it?

While we had dragged our feet about leaving our cozy, warm house to attend, we were thrilled that we did.   Dirk and Mark were fascinating to listen to and for all that they have accomplished, how proud they are of their hometown.  Michael’s video was awesome, and hearing about all of the other authors filled us with a warm Sycamore glow.

This Saturday evening from 6:00pm-9:00pm is another chance to enjoy some incredible fun in Sycamore.  It’s the Midwest Natural History Museum’s Groundhog Gala.  This year’s gala features delicious authentic Mexican fare from Taxco restaurant, wine from across the globe, unique coffees, a silent auction, African drumming, and the chance to enjoy the museum’s superlative exhibits at your leisure.  Tickets are $30.00 each or buy 2 and it’s $50.00.  This is the museum’s biggest fundraiser and always a very fun evening.  Why not order your tickets today by calling 815-895-9777.  If you’re looking for me, I’ll be hanging out with Hercules, the museum’s 25 pound Sulcata Tortoise.  He’s shy, but he’s adorable and I’d be happy to introduce you!

 

Cancun beach

We escaped from the winter cold for some hot Cancun sun last week.
22 of us enjoyed the beach, the sun, and playing in white sand!
It’s hard to believe that 3 hours away on a plane is sun, sand, and 80 degree temperatures.
Sure was fun to soak some of it up, but always glad to be home again

Pigging out on Spring!

Happy incredible spring Day!

Wow! Who knew January could be this awesome?  It even smells like a spring day outside!!  I was able to sneak away briefly–I call it a fact finding mission.  How could I have written this blog post if I didn’t at least get out and experience this day?

How wonderful to see people sitting outside at Shawn’s enjoying coffee and this day.  I saw oodles of people walking dogs, jogging, etc.  I think we’ve all been rooting around in this spring day-

All of our Jellycat critters are so snuggly and adorable, but I’m especially fond of this piggy.  I love his ears, his wistful eyes, and he has the cutest curly tail!!  So while we’re pigging out on spring today, he might be extra-nice to snuggle up with tomorrow.  I’m sure he won’t hog the blankies!