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What My Fall Color Palette Symbolizes for Me

Posted by Suzie Canale on Sat, Oct 25, 2014

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Autumn in New England is a time of year in which Bostonians relish in seasonal activities of carving pumpkins, jumping in piles of raked leaves and baking pumpkin pies that infiltrate our homes with decadent aroma.  We often sit in anticipation of these crisp few months before snowfall because they are reflective of themes embodying outside activity, family and warmth.  As a Boston florist, we attempt to capture this feeling when designing centerpieces, funeral arrangements, party planning, wedding bouquets and general storefront décor.  While purchases from the flower market often reflect varieties that are locally grown during the months of September and October, flower buyers are also aware of color selections, often opting for tones of red, orange and yellow.  Occasionally, you’ll see a fun accent of purple, green or pink but this base palette is the most popular and supports a strong product line for the fall season.  Why do we depend on this traditional spectrum when creating flower arrangements?  The answer is simple.  Particular colors bring forth particular emotions, many of which revolve around pleasant memories that Bostonians generally experience during this time of year.  Certain colors represent familiar seasonal symbols and events, arousing pleasant thoughts and moods.  The memories make us feel good, which is why we put pumpkins on our doorsteps, tie hay bales to our lantern poles and yes, buy flowers emanating the hues of autumn.  Here’s what my fall color palette symbolizes for me.

 

Red

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Red is often associated with the emotions connected to passion.  Whether love or hate, there is strength behind this hue, a quality that makes us react more so than any other color on the spectrum.  When connecting red to autumn facets, thoughts of crackling fires when the weather drops colder, plucking a ripened Macintosh apple off of an orchard branch and Japanese maples tree leaves blanketing the ground in a luxurious carpet.  The color red connects me to the words warmth, ripe and decadence. 

 

Orange

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When feeling the color orange during fall, there is no getting around the obvious imagery of pumpkin patches. What is so wonderful about pumpkins is that they fulfill almost all of the human senses including sight, taste, scent and touch, a desirable reaction when incorporating this color within your flower arrangements.  Pumpkin patches can symbolize the scent of pumpkin pie baking in the oven, the fun touch of seeds slipping through your fingers and the site of bright orange globes of bittersweet resting in curls of vines.  Orange for me represents the idea of health, enjoyment, laughter and imagination.  Of course we all know what Cinderella’s carriage changed into at the stroke of midnight!

 

Yellow

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Who doesn’t love the color yellow?  Its happy, dazzling and uplifting to the eye where in most cases, brings a person’s general emotion state to a higher level after visual contact.  Sunflowers, chrysanthemums and dahlias are favorites of florists when using this shade within their pieces for exactly this reason.  When associating yellow with fall, I think of the comforting rays of sunshine that we learn to appreciate as they grow fewer and fewer, a field of sunflowers standing stiff with their round faces full of light and the emotion hope as we see more and more candles flicker with the changing months.

- Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA

suzie_canale Suzie Canale is an avid gardener, accomplished floral designer, mother of two boys, works at the Westwood Public Library, has published four children's books, and is the director of the Women's Locker Room Foundation.

 * all images in post supplied by Flower Factor's flickr site

 

Tags: Traditions, New England, Autumn, Fall, Suzie Canale, Colors

The Best Pumpkin Patches in the Boston Area

Posted by Suzie Canale on Fri, Oct 17, 2014

 

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New England is one of the most spectacular places in the world to celebrate Halloween because our natural environment reaps amazing treats for us to enjoy-specifically pumpkin patches!  Bursting with healthy vines and rotund spheres of orange, pumpkin picking is a popular activity that thousands of Bostonians enjoy during the month of October.  Maybe it’s the simplistic beauty or the wisp of magic that surrounds these mystifying harvest fields, but one thing’s for sure, we have the biggest and best patches surrounding our city giving visitors a multitude of festive locations to celebrate their seasonal activities.  So if you haven’t carved your jack-o-lantern yet, here are a few places in Massachusetts that are sure not to disappoint.

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Connors Farm in Danvers, MA is an impressive operation to behold featuring not only a pumpkin picking area of shear perfection but also mazes, which reveres families from all over the state.  Their maze-technology is so sophisticated that they offer options of a gigantic haunted corn maze, regular corn maze or a hale bale maze for the younger guests.  Hayrides are also available as well as a bouncy pillow for children to jump through, petting zoo and zombie paintball.  Parking is free and if you get hungry during your stay fear not.  Connors Farm hosts a picnic area where you can sample from concessions or goodies sold inside their farm stand.  Costs for activities vary with discounted rates available for groups and seniors.

 

Marini Farm, situated in Ipswich, MA, is a lot of fun to visit because not only do they have a glorious and fruitful pumpkin patch, this location also provides several entertaining booths such as live music, games for kids and a massive corn maze sure to fool even the savviest puzzle manipulator.    What I enjoyed most about my visit to Marini Farm was their simple and authentic style emanating a down home country appeal that provides guests with a real autumn farm experience. 

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Carver Hill Orchard in Stow, MA is another hot spot that I would recommend because of their enormous array of fruit and vegetable picking choices including pumpkins, tomatoes, pears, strawberries, peppers, corn, and yes, even flowers!   This orchard also includes a picnic area where kitchen ready foods such as hot dogs and ice cream are available for purchase.  For those who truly love the freshness of pick- your- own styled farms, Carver also features a cut -your -own Christmas tree event where saws are provided starting in the month of December!

And if you're stuck and did not have time to pick your pumpkin from the patch, Exotic Flowers at 609 American Legion Hwy in Boston has pumpkins in all sizes.

 

suze Suzie Canale is local Boston author who has published four children's books, is the director of the Women's Lockerroom Foundation, an avid chef, gardener and mother of two. She also finds time to work at the public library in Westwood, MA.

 

Tags: Halloween Decorating, Autumn, Fall, Suzie Canale, Pumpkins

Decorating with Fall Flowers in New England

Posted by Suzie Canale on Thu, Oct 09, 2014

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New England is famous for many attributes including beautiful coastlines, historic landmarks and a spectrum of seasonal changes.  For many, autumn is many Bostonians' favorite portion of the year where sprigs of red, orange, yellow and gold flowers brew all around them.  There is little doubt as to why since all of our Boston’s natural aspects morph into a spectacular spectrum of color right before our eyes once the month of September arrives.  From the trees to the fields, every inch of our landscape seems infused with brilliant rich and warm hues, inspiring an entire theme for design and décor.  Local crafters are savvy to incorporate this gift bestowed upon us by Mother Nature, essentially adding a fresh and exciting approach to their creations.  Boston florists are also taking advantage of this simple, beautiful and economically beneficial trend of designing with fall fabulous products.  Try a couple of these tips to inculcate your floral propaganda!

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Pumpkins are not only a delicious additive to just about any dish or baked good this time of year, but also a clever way to display arrangements.  Festive and fun, simply hollow out the inside of a 6 to 8 inch globe and place a bubble bowl within it.  Fill the vase with local seasonal favorites such as mums, coleus, sunflowers, zinnias and lanterns to create the perfect October centerpiece.  Keep in mind to never full the inner holder with too much water since overflow will hasten the aging process of the pumpkin.  Another way you can incorporate pumpkins are to select miniatures to place at the base of large, clear glass cylinders (apples work too and keep in theme with the season).  Smaller pumpkins age slower, minimizing a cloudy water effect over a short period of time.  Suggested flowers for this type of arrangement include branches of willow, grape vine or forsythia. 

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A second option for inserting a few of New England’s favorite fall fauna are to select multi-colored tree branches and use them as your foliage instead of the traditional ruscus and leather leaf.  Illuminating a delicate but stunning effect, this rustic style is perfect for hotel accounts where out of town visitors can gaze upon the true joy of living in Boston during autumn.  Be careful not to over-busy the bouquet with uncomplimentary floral varieties or jam the vase with too many stems.  It doesn’t need it.  Keep it uncomplicated, delicate and most of all delightful, by showcasing the naturally infused colors that Bostonians are so lucky to enjoy!

 

Suzie Canale - 

suzie Suzie has published four children's books, is the Director of the non-profit Women's Locker Room Foundation, mother of 2 boys, an avid gardener, chef and also works at the Westwood Public Library.

 

 

 

Tags: Floral Design, New England, Autumn, Fall, Suzie Canale, Pumpkins

More Autumn Fun in New England by Jon Bornstein

Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Oct 01, 2014

flowers and cranberries resized 600Guest blogger Jon Bornstein of Newton, Massachusetts returns to share his insight and observations on autumn in New England. Exotic Flowers of Boston is honored to have our friend Jonathan share is writing skills. We have received great feedback from his guest writing and cannot wait to share his blog posts. Not only is Jonathan enjoyable to read, but he is also an avid flower buyer at Exotic Flowers. Jonathan and his company L. Bornstein are both top clients at Exotic Flowers in Boston where they send flowers throughout the world.

Autumn In New New England

  - Autumn is upon us, and with it arrives appetizing phrases like “pumpkin spice” and “apple cider”. That’s right, kids, the Sandwich Guy’s got food on the brain as usual, and the ushering in of the fall harvest season brings the opportunity to experience home-made and fresh baked foodstuffs of every size, shape and flavor at farm stands, fairs and festivals from Westerly to Waterville. At our DNA’s core resides the vestiges of our ancestor’s hunter/gatherer instincts, so for goodness’ sake heed their call and get out to your local orchards and farms while the weather is inviting and the festival season is in full gear.

 

I like my fruits and vegetables just fine, but I LOVE baked goods made with them even better. Pie, crumble, cobbler, I don’t discriminate. I love’em all. Heat it up, top it off with a dollop (love that word) of whipped cream and pass me my share and yours, too. I guarantee you won’t enjoy it as much as I will.

 

This time of year is truly magical with edible adventures. Just this past weekend my family was redirected from one of our favorite farms for apple picking (Apple Crest in Hampton, NH, anyone?) when we got word that there was a Cranberry Harvest Celebration at Tihonet Village in Wareham, MA. Rides and activities for the kids, bog tours by tractor and helicopter for the adults, and most importantly, food of every sort imaginable from food trucks, farm stands, and fair booths for the whole family.

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 Don’t get me started on the nearly two dozen vendors plying their tempting fares. Everything from kettle corn to deep fried Oreos and even a raw bar practically put me in a blissful food coma. After all, the fact that we savor our food is what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom, am I right?

 fall foods in new england resized 600mmmmm donuts.

Ask any New Englander what their favorite time of year is, and chances are they’ll come right back at you with the Fall. But don’t take my word for it. Get out there and see for yourself!

Jon Bornstein

 

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Exotic Flowers may not sell those delicious donuts, but we do offer full line of gourmet and fruit baskets. 

Tags: Harvest Season, New England, Autumn, Fall, Jon Bornstein

Sad Goodbye to Summer - a Poem by Boston Author Suzie Canale

Posted by Rick Canale on Thu, Aug 30, 2012

 

As we sadly say goodbye to summer,

And close down our garden gates,

Rest assured, there’s much more soon to come,

A new season of blooms awaits!

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While the rosehips drop to reseed them selves

And the perennials return to slumber,

Make a visit to Exotic Flowers,

Who no florist can out number!

 

Floral displays of fall rich colors,

With a spectrum of red to gold,

Cabbages, mums and even aster pots

An exquisite site to behold.

 Fall Flowers in Boston

 

Fill your planters up right to the brim,

And don’t forget to keep in mind,

Pretty soon the leaves will drop from trees,

And the pumpkins aren’t far behind!

- Suzie Canale

www.thebeantowntales.com

Tags: Suzie Hearl Canale, Autumn, Fall, Poetry, Author

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