Here's to all the women.

You remember that song, Here's to all the women it starts with about 15 and

builds to 40 or more. I believe it's a country western song. Who sings it? I'll find out.

Any way, these roses are for you, the women who never receive flowers, because we all

deserve them, the young , the middle aged, and the old. Here is to the abused woman, the woman

who may feel she can't escape her situation. Here's to any woman afraid she can't attain her dreams. These roses are for you, and I want you to look at them smile and what ever it is,

know you can do it if you try hard enough.

This would make a nice centerpiece for a wedding, luncheon, bridal shower etc;

This was a thank you gift for an employee from the Modesto Chamber

of Commerce, but I think it would be nice for a wedding, luncheon, or bridal shower centerpiece.

CANDY BARS

I was reading several blogs last night trying to find out as much as I could

about setting up a candy bar for weddings since this is my boss at the florist's

latest venture. Trolling through several blogs that had some very nice photos of the candy bars

at their weddings, I have to say I was a little tempted to steal the photos, but thought again.

No, I won't lift photos that are someone's personal wedding pictures. Any way, as I began to

read a few blogs here and there, one soon to be bride remarked, "Candy bars, those are so yesterday!" I thought of leaving her a message stating, " and wedding cakes, flowers, rose petals, etc; those are so yesterday as well. Then I came to my senses thinking that there are people all over the world living in tyranny, poverty etc; so hardly not the thing to get excited about...

Worked at the Florist

I worked at the florist today, and it was fun. It is always nice to be there, when the boss

is in a good mood. George, my boss is starting a new venture in the shop. He has decided to

sell candy, and offer ideas for brides who wish to set up a candy bar for their wedding. I

think it's a great idea because I don't know of anyone in our area that has thought of this yet.

In this economy, you've got to be the first one to make the move!

IT"S SO HOT HERE!

Even my kitten is feeling this heat! Over 100 every day this week.

hello

Another very nice and helpful floral design book.

OK, here you go, for those attempting to do your own wedding!

I use the word attempting because most people come into the florist I work at,

and say, my best friend is going to do my flowers. Trust me, it seems that everyone believes that they have talent working with flowers, and yes, some people are naturals at it, and others are hopelessly inept. So, if you want to keep your best friend, a best friend,

or not have Aunt Harriet driving you crazy, or if you honestly believe you have time to do your own flowers, my first bit of advice is hire a florist, but if you still insist, get this book, it's a very helpful and beautiful wedding book. Read it, look at the pictures, and then hire a florist. You can show them the book!

Another Great Book!

Listen, I'm an English teacher, so I really do read the books I am recommending. Right now I have three books going at once; it is a tad over the top, but If I say read it, buy it, rent it, you can rest assured I know about this book! This is a must have for would be floral designers, floral designers, or just those, I need to save money on my own wedding and need some ideas people. It is not though a bridal floral design book, so if that is what you need, I'll search those out for you later.

I really like this book !

If you think that you can be an over night success, perhaps you can , but I think this

book is very important for any "creative" type bloggers to read. It seriously took about an hour, probably less, so it's a quick read and very informative.

out thrift shopping

I was out thrift shopping, and I found three items, I actually like, no, four, any way, I found this cute plate below, and looked around the edges, very hard to read, and found the illustrator, her name is Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw. I found her combo-art-blog web site and left her a message.

She has a very nice site, and also she recently had a baby as well. Her art is very pretty, whimsical etc; She was very nice and replied to me quite quickly. So check her out. dancingelephantstudio.com/visualart/ - The next thing I found was this little plate that sort of

applies to anyone who's not crazy happy with their day time gig. It may be difficult in this economy to live out our dreams, but it also might be easier, just the way you decide to look at it.

Paddle wire-great stuff

This is a photo of paddle wire, great stuff. Let's say you are making an arrangement, like the one with the zinnias, and you can't get one or two flowers to behave; they just don't want to fit into the arrangement, wire them, and then you can bend the flower any way you want. It may cut down on the longevity of the flower, but the arrangement looks better. I thinkdd

The Fourth of July

I'm not really crazy about the 4th of July and that seems sacrilegious to say

from the let's explode everything we can, city of Modesto, California. Even though our lawns are pretty dry, we did not have much rain this past season, hillsides crackle, and people debate about water, we have our fireworks . As the sound of pops and almost gun shot blasts, intermingle

with the fire truck sirens, people here enjoy their fireworks, and again,

I do not fffff

begrudge anyone or the fireworks. Some of them are quite beautiful,illegal,

and as nice as any shooting out over a ballpark. I just have a thing about

fourth , some old baggage I guess, but I do my best to enjoy the day . I went

swimming with my son at the beautiful SOS club here in Modesto, and for

fifteen dollars they served the BEST steak ever, with corn on the cob,

and french bread, and yes, later we did have our fireworks. The best

fireworks are really in Oaklahoma! I had the best time shooting them off

there , right before my son's first deployment to Iraq. Hats off to Fort Sil.