Is this disgusting or what? I almost died when I saw this...
but wait! Is that a cute little lady bug? EATING (hopefully devouring) those gross aphids? and the midge fly? Is that midge fly? what is it?
ANYBODY OUT THERE? DOES ANYONE READ THIS BLOG? IF SO, CAN YOU PLEASE COMMENT ON WHAT THIS 'FLY' LOOKING THING IS ON MY ROSE BUD NEXT TO ALL THE APHIDS!!!!
Beauty...from the heart. Imagine getting one of these from a friend, or loved one!
There's nothing like a posie with the beautiful sentiments from the language of flowers. This particular one smelled like absolute heaven. Lavande roses (super heavy old rose fragrance), lavender, forget-me-nots, and sage.
Complete joy!
See more about posies and how we can make these for you, and your loved ones!
This is Daisy--she is pictured here in the garden- which is where she loves to be. She is currently with children--it's a LONG story about how she ended up in this situation. I was upset at first- but I'm over it. Believe me, it was her will, and some Tom's will too. Anyway, Daisy 'helps' me in the garden a lot. While I'm digging, she's there to make sure there's nothing funny going on in the dirt (such as gopher smell, rodent, bugs, etc). She is extremely playful, and keeps me laughing out loud.
This is Bella, and she's my other (more steady) garden buddy. She is literally always with me in the garden. It doesn't matter what else in the world is going on- if she sees me put on my clogs and head for the door, she's right there, looking up at me and wagging her tail. No matter where in the garden I am, what I'm doing, or how I'm doing it- she is there. Tired, sleepy, hungry, it doesn't matter, Bella is there with me...laying in the middle of everything (she loves, just turned-up earth, and will go out of her way to plop her belly out on it!) She is a Maltese, and bred for nothing but companionship. She is excellent at what she's doing! Keeping me company!
The middle of March marked the end of our days on Squid Row. We closed the studio down there- and moved back up to Bonny Doon. There are two reasons we decided to do this. First, we could not make that location work for retail. It is a VERY quiet, (although quaint) alley off the back streets of downtown Santa Cruz. It doesn't make good sense for us to pay rent there when we cannot generate an income from that location. We tried, it didnt work. I even tried buying all sorts of cool garden-y type stuff to sell, but what really needs to happen is someone needs to lay down about $20k and market the alley as a retail destination. Second, I felt isolated from the garden in Bonny Doon. My inspiration, my sanctity, my heart & soul is in the garden. Since we opened up Squid Row Studio, I was never able to spend much time at the kiosk, let alone at the garden.
We've moved the studio now back up to Bonny Doon. We're still working on the minor details, but it is absolutely awsome. We can work in the studio with our doors closed and concentrate on paperwork, or floral designs, and then when we want, we open the door, and step out into the beautiful garden. I was able to do my first big event since we moved back up the mountain last week, and I am shocked at how dependent we become -as a floral designer- to just look for inspiration in buckets. That's nice and all, who doesn't love buckets of blooms!! BUT, how awesome is it to walk into the garden, and woods and draw creativity, and inspiration from mother nature? I love it! It's my 'motor' so-to-speak!
And so here's a peek at what's to come- this image is from last summer, taken from under the old oak tree toward the rose garden. I've done TONS of planting, cultivating, propagting, etc. since then! I cannot wait to get past the spring flowers now in into the summer! ROSES!
Today I set up my exhibit at the deYoung Museum San Francisco for the Annual Bouquets to Art. Wow! All I can say is this was a blast- for some reason I was not stressed AT ALL. It went very smooth- thanks to my sweetie for hauling things up to the 3rd floor for me! In the end- I felt good about my piece. Smartest thing I did was to not pay attention to what the other designers were working on, but just focus on mine. After I finished I walked around and checked it out and oh my goodness gracious alive! I began to have convulsions. I have NEVER seen such incredible works of floral art in my life. It was absolutely breath-taking! I cannot wait to get back up there Wednesday to re-fresh my piece. I'm going to take a long walk through all the exhibits and really devour every piece! I feel so fortunate to be a part of this! These designers are truly blessed at what they do.
I did the best I could with what was given to me (in other words I had to really work on being inspired!) I do love oak trees, but this was a little challenging!
Well here's some shots of me setting up my piece...enjoy!
I never really related to the meaning of 'Spring is in the Air'....until this morning. While enjoying a cherished morning walk in the garden before work with my camera and coffee -I could literally smell spring (yes, even over my strong cup of Turkish-style coffee!). What does it smell like? Well here goes my try at waxing poetic-
Sweet, like earth soaked in sugar, new leaves pungent with chlorophyll, earthy, sun-dried wood, musky wild plum blossoms, daffodil sweetness carried on a soft breeze of coolness, with warmth inside it, whispering hints of summer-
OK, well how was that? Can you relate? :)
Then I snapped back into reality when I realized the weeds have overcome my garden again, but they're plants too, right? NOT in my garden...we'll have none of that business...they have plenty of other areas where they can congregate. So I wonder how long it will take to get things back in order. Oh well! So the image at above is my Waterlilly Magnolia. It's only about 5' right now, and 4 years old, but I can only imagine how spectacular the entire property will smell when it's really mature. I love this tree. 
And here's the new Snow Parrots (Astilbe too) forcing their way up through my wonderful Bonny Doon Vineyard grape pumice. Grape pumice consists of the stems, skins and seeds left over from pressing the grapes, and it's very high in phosphorus. I have been mixing the pumice now with our animal manure and composting. I think the combined grape pumice and manure is advantageous because it adds vital minerals and nutrients to the soil -as well as added nitrogen. I'm hoping this will work as a slow release fertilizer.
More on this later...
In the mean time- we're busy moving our studio from downtown Santa Cruz back up to Bonny Doon. In some ways it's going back to the good 'ol days when I walked into the garden, cut a few things, and then threw together spectacular floral designs. It's going back to forward thinking- inspiration, and it's settling a longing for me. Like I always say, it begins in the garden . I've built my business on that idea, and I look forward to spending more time in the garden as well as our little Kiosk on Pacific Ave. It will be dressed in its 'garden' attire a little more now!
Today, I'm in the New York Times. I feel so honored to be included in this particular story. Day in and day out, I go out of my way (WAY out of my way sometimes) to make a difference for someone, for all of us-by offering quality sustainable & organic cut flowers, personalized design consultations, a unique selection, friendly service, and even a song now & then! Although this isn't a new concept to me; I've always grown my cut flowers and greens organically, and searched for, and buy from people who do the same. Believe me, as a buyer of organic or sustainably grown cut flowers, my availability of product has multiplied greatly in the last few years. It's a wonderful feeling. I love the fact it's finally catching on.
Check it out!
New York Times-To pull a thorn from the side of the planet
It would have been great if my web address had gotten in there-because we do ship some organic product out! But hey...I really am NOT complaining!
When someone orders a Designer's Choice at our shop, it means just like it sounds...it's the choice of the designer of what flowers to use, what greens, a color scheme, a texture, etc. However, since I especially hound over the 'girls' as to what they're work should look like, producing the 'right' designer choice can be challenging at times. I trust my girls to do something tasteful, but with reference to the principles set forth in our shop. There are certain no-nos that we really try to abide by. Everyone knows these by heart, and just to keep everyone on their toes, I introduce new qualities e& practices very once in a while. We need to stay on top of what our work portrays, as it's imperative to operate our shop with a pioneering spirit.
Here's a recent example of a designer's choice. We'll use this image to update our website. This particular designer as used mainly spring blossoms, which definitely works for this season, but come spring and into summer, we'll need to update with a newer seasonal version.
This is beautiful, isn't it? It is a good example of what our principles are..somewhat pave'd in style, and the use of colors are harmonious, and not too broad of a palette.
I think it's a good example of what an everyday arrangement from our shop would look like. I'm happy. And that says a lot sometimes!
Two new little beings were born on the 'farm' today. Kristin's Ewe, 'Fidget' has given birth to 'Poppy' and 'Oregano'. Poppy, the little girl was born a little on the weak side so we had to force her to nurse the first night. She's SO tiny and precious, they both are. And what a welcome addition! We're all so giddy and excited! They're a week old now, but still so little and cute as a button. How can people actually eat lamb? My husband was pretty much raised on it- he grew up in Istanbul, and when they actually had money to buy meat--lamb was the hot ticket. OK well- the bad news it that these are 'market' sheep which means little Mr. Oregano may have to go some day...to market. But while he's here and not a big smelly mean ram yet, we'll certainly make his life wonderful. They're not my sheep so let's blame Kristin!! :)
This is little Poppy--i'm thinking our little sheeps milk feta maker!!!! YUM!
And this is little Oregano! He's a cutie too, and he's was a pretty good size boy already!
Wow! It has really been a while since you've heard from me. I've been super busy, sick with several colds, sinus stuff, tummy, etc.
But I'm still here! The holidays went well--I'm happy to say we finished off the year with a bang! I went on break up so the snow in Tahoe to ski/snowboard with my family between Christmas and New Year. It was a very short trip, but we really enjoyed it.
Just before Christmas though I had an interesting and surprising visitor! Can you believe Mr. Anthony Ward wanted to meet with me to try and coordinate a collaboration while he was in town working on his book Being with Flowers. How exciting is that? What? You don't know who he is? Well just check out his link above, and you'll find out. I read about him several years ago on how he was knocking the socks off Santa Cruz with his unique and highly sylize- it reminds me of 'bohemian' floral design. It's really cool stuff. So we met and met again, and tried to collaborate but just couldn't make it happen while the short time he was in town, I was knee-deep in stuff, and he ended up leaving up to Seattle early, then off to India. I'm thankful to have made his acquantance, and I really feel fortunate he contacted me and gave me his 'thumbs' up so to speak. He thinks I need to hand my hat on a higher rack--in other words, where are those really cool-big blow out events? Need a floral designer? Well here goes- with the help of Anthony making a call to a 'contact' at San Francisco's Fine Arts Museums- I'm not sure what he said about me, but it had to be good. I sent in my portfolio and resume for exhibitor approval at the Bouquets to Art 2008 
And guess what I got approved! I went up today for the selection process. Boy that was hard. I felt inspired by numerous pieces. What an incredible museum- I love it! All that wonderful art surrounding me it gets me all giddey- all that beauty, history, mystery, and MONEY! Wow! Who know's what piece I'll get- I'm at the bottom of the totem pole, but hey, I'll be there! I am not in the exhibitors list because of my late entry, but that's quite alright. More to follow on this...
Change is good
