My MIL

Is amazing. So here's a picture of Jane Hall, Ned's mom, hiding behind just one of dozens of quilts she's made to sell at the store. Then there are the fantastic covers on our beds—from Galen as Spiderman quilt to the white-on-white quilt I begged for. I can't sew, and wouldn't have the patience to do what Jane does, but am happy to reap the benefits! She makes people happy, her vibrant patterns and clever themes are attracting a lot of fans. This is a woman who doesn't stop—she's always helping family, does volunteer bookkeeping and tax prep work with seniors, and helps run a successful biomedical company! (Yes, quilts are here, $68 each for crib/lap throw size.)

Flower Power

So, you've received a gorgeous bouquet, unwrapped it, found a vase that's the right size, filled it with water, and artfully arranged the flowers. Now what—how do you keep the flowers looking fresh and healthy for as long as possible?

The best way to prolong the life of cut flowers is by controlling bacterial growth, storing them in the proper environment and feeding them.

Here are some easy tips:

• Be sure your vase is clean!
  
• Fill with luke warm water, except for tulips and other bulbs. If you want to encourage roses to open faster (which will also shorten their life-span) use warmer water.
  
• Remove any leaves that will be under water, and cut the ends of the stems at an angle with a sharp, non-serrated, knife or floral shears. Regular scissors can crush stems and prevent water from getting to the flowers.
  
• Use the little packet of floral 'food' that you received with the flowers. This anti-bacterial agents, sugar to feed the flowers, and a hydrating agent to help the flowers take up water more efficiently after a long period of forced dormancy.
  
• Change the water daily. This is the easiest way to slow bacterial growth which causes cut flowers to wilt and die. When you change the water take another minute to rinse the stems with fresh water.
• Cut the stems every few days, and slit woody stems.
  
• Keep flowers in a cool location, away from heaters or direct summer sunlight, and away from ripening fruit which emits ethylene gas and causes flowers to wilt more quickly.
  
• Remove flowers as they 'go by' to avoid contaminating longer lasting, healthy blooms.

For a longer article which includes caring for freshly cut garden flowers and has a recipe for floral preservative, read "Cut-Flower Care—How to Make Your Fresh-Cut Flowers Last," at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website.

Giving a Little to Women Who Give A Lot

We just had our annual 'Lady's Night Out' and as usual it was a blast! What makes it especially fun is the dynamic energy permeating the store. Women are often thinking about how to make other people happy--giving time, gifts, help, and support. That's why we love offering free hand massages on Women's Shopping Night; a splurge that can't be given away, that has to be enjoyed in the moment. Five minutes of closed-eye bliss and inward focus. Then, back to chaos, love, work, family, pets, school, complicated schedules--but with relaxed hands and a deep smile.

Red Red Roses

There was a long period when I wouldn't go near them—except when kow-towing to Valentine's Day mandates. I thought they were boring, over-used, too common. I'm not sure when exactly I changed my mind, but boy did I do a 180! Right about now, when my fingers are chilled, and the afternoon light fades before afternoon is really over, I truly appreciate the velvety lushness of a deep red rose especially combined with red or orange french ranunculus and a touch of chartreuse buplurem or lady's mantle. In a bowl overflowing on my coffee table they become my floral fireplace, warm and cozy and familiar in a comforting way.

Lovely Lavender

Any day now we're expecting a shipment of lavender and rose-geranium body care goodies from Bonnie Doon Farm in Santa Cruz California. The folks at Bonnie Doon grow three types of lavender. I love the body lotion and gardener's salve and the fact that they've named their own lavender cultivar "Frieda" after one of their moms!

It was pure chance that Jeremy Pitella and Adrian Coose saw our sign a few years ago when they were looking for a place to sell their incredible red-twig dogwood, birch, and twig wreaths. I bought as many as would hang on the walls, and since then eagerly await their surprise visits. Luckily they stopped by a couple of days ago, and I ended up taking so many wreaths that we had to find some new and creative ways to hang them! I'll post some pictures after T-day, since I can't describe with words what makes their hand-made wreaths so beautiful. There are some wreath connoisseurs around, that's for sure--these wreaths just fly out the door!
(edited 12/1 to add promised pics)

Even better than Ned's Truffles

Jean Keller, owner of Perlino Chocolates, is a chocolatier extraordinaire, and if you haven't tried her luscious confections you need to know what you are missing! Today she stopped by the store laden with boxes of her enticing sweets, including her gorgeous "Over the Top Oreos," Cape Cod bark, fabulous caramel & cashew whimsies, and melt-in-your-mouth truffles.

Jean says she may be able to do a truffle tasting next month—maybe I won't publicize it so I can have them all to myself....yum.....

Truffle on Down!

I thought it would be fitting to post this before you're all stuffed along with your birds—Ned's making truffles again! Come by this weekend and we'll have those delicious morsels out. We're pretty good at passing them over little heads, but some kidlings have high-powered chocolate sensors. Of course we're delighted to share with them...