Blue Skies, Trees & The Passerby

A Little Poem to start your day ..... What is it about a Clear Blue Sky & the form of trees reaching up high --- that catches the eye of a Passerby .... Take a moment today to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you!

Life After Best Buds ....

I cannot believe that it is almost the end of April .... some of you may not be aware that I officially retired from the Wedding Floral Design Business December 2012. It was time to turn the page and start a new chapter. Owning and 'growing' Best Buds for the past 12 years into a successful Wedding Floral Design Studio was one of my Life's Goals but in 2012 I decided that it was 'time' to move on. Have I grown 'tired' of flowers ... heavens NO ... but I wanted to explore MORE things in life ... friends and family worried that 'I would grow antsy' when the Wedding Season would arrive -- but that just didn't happen. Instead I marvel at the fact that there are times 'I wonder' how on Earth did I run a business because it seems that there still are 'not enough hours in the day -- so now you're asking yourself ... what are you doing??? I'm not going to go through the whole litany but for starters ... photography ... My hubby bought me the camera of my 'dreams' for Christmas .... I have NO idea what I'm doing ... there are so many tutorial DVD's with this thing ... I have just 'chipped' the tip of the iceberg .. but I knew I wanted to 'capture' beautiful things that surround me on a daily basis -- wildlife, flowers, my gorgeous grand gals, etc. Here are just a few of my pics Hope you enjoy these pics ...as I said ... I'm not a professional photographer ...so please stop in again to visit ... I must get out to the garden now ... working on the strawberry patch ... Remember make today a great one!

At Best Buds It Was Always About The Love!

I'd love to introduce all of you to Kate & Mike ... one of the happy couples that I have had the privilege of getting to know while we worked together to create the floral designs that would make their August Wedding at the Glasbern Inn a reflection of themselves and their style! When you are a Wedding Floral Designer you have the responsibility of not only trying to capture a vision but also 'delivering dreams'!!! All of this may sound like a wee bit of a stretch especially if you are in your business and just worry 'about the bottom line' ... but Best Buds has always been run with Passion!!! Yes, a passion not only for the flowers but also for the people who trusted me with one of the most important days in their lives ... talk about pressure :-) But in Best Buds' 12 year history I am pleased to say ... YES ... we made lots of dreams come true!!! But now ... it's time for me to 'turn a page' ....

I have been blessed to meet so many great people and be a part of their weddings, special events and even decorated their homes ... loving every minute of it. There is nothing more important in life to me than my family ... and several months ago I was unable to attend a few of my oldest granddaughter's events and when I told her I could not come because I was going to be setting up wedding flowers ... she looked at me and said 'Gram, you are always working' .... hmmmmm .... out of the mouths of babes .... I took her words to heart and tucked them away and kept on working ... but they continued to echo in my heart ... what was going on? ... I love what I do! Then came the desire to go forward and explore new adventures...begin all those new projects that I have 'put on the back burner' for so long ... and also to re-visit some old loves ... so what was the message that my spirit was trying to tell me?

...then in the eyes of my two favorite girls ... Jordan and Aubrey ... I saw my new path ... it was time to leave the world of Weddings, take their hands and share those new adventures and projects with them ... we only have 'the present moment' and I don't want to miss another minute of their moments ... so that is why Best Buds will be leaving the 'Wedding' scene at the end of 2012 ... it's been a great time ... and I still have a VERY VERY busy Fall and Winter Schedule ahead of me which I am so excited about and looking forward to making more dreams come true ... I want to thank all of you for your support ... for believing in Best Buds .... and while I won't be creating Wedding designs in 2013 ... flowers will always be a part of my life and you can be sure so will all of YOU!!!

Picture Perfect Peonies!

The Month of May is such an extremely BUSY time here at Best Buds ... not only because Wedding Season kicks into High Gear .... but it's also growing and planting time on our three acres of Paradise. Right now our organically grown Peonies are bursting into full bloom ....

the rain did a number on us this month and it was a 'race to the finish' to harvest buds and get them into 'cold storage' for future use in June. Peonies are one of my favorite blooms because they are so showy and fragrant. I love flowers that have fragrance and even when they begin to drop their petals ... I will air dry them . . . .

OR just air dry the entire peony bloom (individually because they don't like company and will rot) and later place them in a pretty dish to display

... that way I get to enjoy their essence just a wee bit longer :-) People ask me all the time 'How can I prolong my fresh cut Peony Season?' I tell them to harvest their Peonies when the buds have shown color and if you gently squeeze it ... it feels like a soft marshmellow.

Cut them with a sharp knife on angle . . . shake off the ants and earwigs that want to come along for the ride ... wrap them individually lenthwise in plain paper (cut the ends off a brown bag) and secure them with rubber bands ... keep them in a cool dark place free of humidity and they will go into a dormant state and when you want to use them ... unwrap them ... give them a fresh cut on an angle with your knife and place them in fresh water

and see them bloom right before your eyes -- Hope you try this 'trick' and enjoy the 'magic' of Peonies too!

'To Fool Or Not To Fool!!!'

Happy April Fool's Day!!! Why single out the first day of April to dream up what sort of 'sneaky' thing we can pull on someone so we can have the 'satisfaction' of experiencing that 'Gotcha' moment!!!

Well I'm not going to give you a history lesson on the who, what, where or why about April 1st and why they call it 'Fools Day' . . . that would be taking all the 'fun' out of this great event.

I LOVE April Fools Day . . . maybe because I am the daughter of one of the 'Biggest Fools' as he affectionately referred to himself -- you see my Dad, Julius, was born on April Fools Day.

Can you imagine this day as your Birthday . . .

. . . think about it . . . you are a 'sitting' duck ... everyone would be out to 'get the birthday guy or gal' -- who wouldn't want the bragging rights to have pulled the best prank of the day. Well in our home, my Dad was the prankster. NO ONE ever got the upper hand with him --

He lived up to his reputation of being an April Fools Baby and was VERY PROUD OF IT!

So Happy Birthday Dad --

you may no longer be with us .... but I can feel your smile as I remember all the 'gags' you pulled off to make YOUR Birthday special . . . thanks for the great memories!

St. Patrick's Day Wedding

You were all probably expecting to see a photo of Green flowers well surprisingly enough I learned a few things from Nicole, a sweet Irish Lass, who was married to Anthony yesterday -- which by the way was PERFECT for their Lakeside Ceremony.

When I first met Nicole .... I had a portfolio full of designs overflowing with bright green flowers, foliage, shamrocks ... you name it .... it was in there! Was my face 'red' when she told me that it really was 'bad' luck for the couple if guests wore green to the Wedding and she was not taking any chances with her flowers ... She wanted bright bold colors with just a wee touch of the green!

Everyday should be an adventure and we should learn something new by day's end ... I sure did ... and I can't wait to see what I can add to my little 'brain' bank today!!!

2012 International Philadelphia Flower Show

This past Wednesday I was fortunate enough to have the pleasure of visiting the 2012 International Philadelphia Flower Show which showcased the Islands of Hawaii.

It was a virtual 'Sea of People' that resembled a 'Lava Flow 'similar to the 'Pele' Display by Schaffer Designs!

Simply put this show is where Mother Nature met the imaginations of so many talented designers. The incredible beauty of the tropics was enhanced by the authentic Polynesian Dancers who performed for the awe struck audience ... including yours truly!

Of course one does work up an appetite at these events and even though there were plenty of opportunities to visit eateries at the show --- I love the Reading Terminal Market right across the street from the Convention Center --- so we made our way to Herschel's Deli to enjoy one of their mouth watering authentic Hot Pastrami Sandwiches -- the kind you can only get in the City!

I may be a 'Country Girl' but I do love the 'energy' of the City!! So after lunch and a quick run around the market ... we headed back to the show to visit Waldor Orchids -- one of my favorite show vendors! There are all kinds of orchids ... from the easy to the complex care ones -- but all of them are beautiful and healthy. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable and patient!!! You never go wrong with one of their plants!

I circled their display about three times until I made my final choice & purchased this little beauty ... I know I know .... she may be small but give her a year or two and she will be glorious!!!

We also visited many other vendors .... but I always stop at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Stand -- they have so many beautiful items for sale but my hands were full, my little purse was overflowing and I needed HELP quickly and I spied this great 'tropical' tote to stash all my treasures in for the trip home!!

So there you have it -- my little day trip to Hawaii!!! If I have peaked your curiosity, given you a case of Island Fever, tempted your tastebuds and appealed to the shopper in you, I have only skimmed the surface of this wonderful show. But if you are now 'kicking yourself' for not getting there .... it's OK .... you still have time to visit the show this weekend and create your own magical Island Memory!!! Aloha!