uBloom

Oh, how I love lilacs!  This is the time of year I could regret living in the city.  You just don’t see a lilac bush growing up from the cement sidewalk.  Yes, we have tulips and daffodils and flowering plums but no lilacs - not a one!  Dang!!!  Thank goodness there is a lovely lilac garden just a short drive away.  Yes, even I, the non-driver of the world will make a trip to the Hulda Klager Lilac Garden.  If you are in the Pacific Northwest, you must do so as well.  

The annual Lilac Days festival runs from now until Mother’s Day.  If you can’t join me in the perfumed paradise, take a virtual journey through their web site.

http://www.lilacgardens.com/

What fun!  We just filmed our Wedding Inspirations DVD, Traditional Church Wedding.  We included a segment on decorating the cake with fresh flowers.  The best part?  We get to eat it.  Delicious chocolate with raspberry filling and butter cream frosting.  There are certainly bonuses to being an FDI student or employee!

‘Tis the season for the fabulous ranunculus.

The markets are filled with the vibrant colors.  I am always amazed at just how long lasting these blooms are.  The delicate, paper-thin petals are deceiving.  With a little love, a lot of water and flower food these beauties can easily last a full week or more.

 The name, ranunculus refers to a little frog.  This comes from the Latin word "rana" meaning frog and the "us" meaning diminutive.    The name refers to their native habitat -  wet, swampy areas. 

Rather than wade through the marsh, you can see the blooms in California.  Head north of San Diego to Carlsbad and you will find 50 acres covered with the radiant colors.   Red, orange, yellow, pink, peach, white and bicolors too!  The sight is amazing and truly not to be missed.

 For those of us too far away to visit, we can at least enjoy the sights from afar via the internet.  http://www.theflowerfields.com/

Check it out - I’m sure you will love it just as much as I do!

Spring has finally arrived in Portland, Oregon.  We are so lucky!  Much of the country is still iced, snowed or muddied.  Here in the Pacific Northwest the trees are blooming, daffodils sway in the breeze and camellias are fully cloaked in their springtime beauty of pink and white and red.  I’ve always felt spring was perfect for weddings.  From a casual bike ride through Portland I must say, I am not the only one that feels this way.  Beware the Brides of March!

This photo session was on the waterfront esplanade under my favorite willow tree.  The soft green leaves are just starting to come out.  Unfortunately, the "real" photographer got in the way of the bridal bouquet.  Not to worry, I hung around a bit longer and got a few more pics.

 Love the bouquet - notice the crystal dragon flies.  She choose these to coordinate with the crystals on her dress.  Yes, this wedding stalker had to chat with the bride.  Ooooh, aaaaaah, how lovely!  Who did it?  It was a gift from her cousin.  Obviously, a talented cousin.

Then, in a truly Portland photo op, the bride and groom drinking from the "Benson Bubbler".  For you non-natives, Simon Benson installed continuously running fountains throughout the downtown in the early 1900’s.  Some say it was to keep the loggers out of the saloons at lunch time.  Others, say it was because he found a young girl crying on the 4th of July because she could not find a drink of water.  Either way, he donated $10,000 to solve the problem.  Today, they still provide relief to the parched.

Love and romance is in the air!  Just when I think I’ve had enough and will never do weddings again…

There are three weddings on the Kesler calendar.   What happened?   May, May and July - eek!  This girl (and David) will be busy.  To be honest, I am looking forward to it.  All three are unique and come with a surprising twist or two. 

The first is a small, romantic affair in Portland’s Pioneer Church.  Built in 1851, it is the fantasy vision of an old time church.  http://www.oakspioneerchurch.org/wedding.html

The Ring bearer is quite young - he will be pulled down the aisle in an antique wagon holding his ring bearing teddy bear.  Oh, how sweet!  There are also 4 (yes 4!) flower girls.

The second is all sophisticated in browns and blues.  The venue is a ranch overlooking the Missouri River.  The bride is gorgeous in a strapless gown that made me think of Kate Hudson at the Golden Globes.  Ooh, la, la!  The surprising twist…The bride and all the brides maids are wearing cowboy boots.  Not fancy-pants city boots, true, working cowboy (girl) boots.  I love it!

The third is even more rustic.  It too is held on the ranch but this time, think home grown and rustic.  Sunflowers, wheat and antlers.  Yes, antlers!  Oh, what fun this is going to be. The bride is growing many of her own flowers.  Yes, she is a farm girl!  We will just enhance what Mother Nature (and the bride) provide.

Thank goodness for friends.  Don has offered the use of his Montana flower shop for the ranch weddings.  The FDI staff will be helping with the Portland wedding.  Thank you!  Here’s to a grand and glorious wedding season!

One of the great joys of living in the Pacific Northwest is the abundance of local flower growers.  One of my favorites is right here in Hillsboro, Oregon - just outside of Portland. http://www.peterkortroses.com/

Right now, the Lady Slipper Orchids are at their peek.  Don’t you just love them?  I had to buy several for David. They’re one of his absolute favorite blooms.   

 They grow roses, orchids and lily of the valley, too!  Some of the  old fashioned garden rose varieties are intoxicating with their heady fragrance. 

For fun, check out their rose search engine.  You can hunt and sort by color, shape, fragrance or variety. 

http://www.peterkortroses.com/index.php?p=search

Now that the holiday is winding down, time to look forward to all things NOT RED!  With two RED holidays in a row (Christmas and Valentine’s), my eyes begin to blur.  Time to switch the palette to spring.  Take a walk (once the snow melts) and look for mother nature’s paint brush at work.  Is it any wonder that her early bloomers are yellow, pink, lavender, green or white…anything but red?  Even Mother Nature needs a reprieve.

If Spring has not made it to you yet, take heart.  It will come eventually.  In the meantime, I’ll share a bit of Oregon spring.  Enjoy!

Great question!  Lots of answers - yes, no , maybe…ARE YOU CRAZY?!?!?!

 Yes, crazy for flowers!

17 future florists are researching their options.  Instructor, David Kesler AIFD is leading the group in the Floral Entrepreneur study weekend.  Two full immersion days of all things business in the flower world.

 What do you need to be successful in the flower world today? 

A unique approach - no more cookie cutter florists, please.

A web site, blog and social networking tools

Business cards and printed collateral

These are the basics.  Add passion, talent, education and focus. Of course, it helps to be a little crazy!

When asked if I would choose a floral business again, I have to say a loud and confident, yes.  

Hand tie, nosegay, cascade, contemporary…

Pastels, neon brights, turquiose…

What are you seeing at the bridal shows?

My New Year always begins in Montana.  I leave the day after Christmas to spend a week with friends in Essex.  What a wonderful time!  Of course, according to the gospel of Leanne, we must have flowers!  This year, I filled a suitcase with tulips and headed east on the train.

Bouquets were prepared and off I went to deliver.  Flowers for everyone!  The first deliveries were all close enough to accomplish on foot.

When it was too far to walk, a quick trip by sleigh finishes the delivery run.  

Dashing through the snow.  In a TWO horse open sleigh…laughing all the way!

Don’t you wish all the Valentine’s deliveries could be such fun?  Let’s just pray there is no snow on the holiday!